Big Mac
The Big Mac is a type of hamburger sold since 1968 by the McDonald's chain of fast food restaurants.
About the burger
The Big Mac was apparently inspired by a similar doubledecker hamburger sold by the Big Boy chain since 1936. The burger was invented by McDonald's franchisee Jim Delligatti at a location in Uniontown, Pennsylvania before being picked up chain-wide.
According to a famous advertising jingle, it consists of "two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun." However, the most distinctive feature is a middle layer of bread that is used to stabilize the contents of the hamburger to prevent spillage.
In some places, McDonald's also offers a "Double Big Mac" or "Mega Mac" with four patties and an extra slice of cheese. In Germany, larger burgers and buns are used to make a "Bigger Big Mac." In the UK, the "Mega Mac" was once available but has since been discontinued along with the Super-size option as a part of the healthier McDonald's menu. The Mega Mac is currently available in Blackpool, Ireland (current date April 19, 2006).
The Big Mac is known worldwide, and is often used as a symbol of American capitalism. The Economist has used it as a reference point to determine the cost of living in different countries — the Big Mac index — as it is so widely available and the product largely comparable across markets.
In 2005 McDonald's began offering product placement rewards to hip hop artists who namechecked the Big Mac in their music, giving US$5 to the artist for every time a song mentioning the hamburger was played on the radio. [1] This offer quickly spawned a satirical backlash from a group called the Gatbustaz, in the form of the song, "McGangsta." [2]
Having consumed over 20,000 Big Macs, Don Gorske is possibly the world's greatest Big Mac eater. He is featured in the 2004 documentary film Super Size Me.
In India, the Big Mac is called the Maharaja Mac and is made with lamb instead of beef.[3] The mutton Maharaja Mac was available in 1998 but is not available at least since 2002. A Chicken Maharaja Mac sandwich is also available. There are also variations in other countries, especially to the condiments.
Burger King made a competing product called the Big King (or "Big K") burger which had similar ingredients and taste to a Big Mac.
The Big Mac has 560 calories, 47 grams of carbohydrates and 25 grams of protein.
Many have applauded the fact that Big Macs have gotten smaller over the years as McDonald's has become increasingly responsive to the demand for lighter and healthier fare. McDonalds enjoys slightly higher profits from smaller Big Macs with the same price, although there is no linear relation, as (fixed) labor cost accounts for the major part of a Big Mac's cost structure (that's why "Super Size Menues" are so attractive for Fast Food Chains).
Big Mac, the McDonaldland character
Big Mac jingles in other languages
The Big Mac advertising jingle as sung in other languages:
- Portuguese (Brazil): "Dois hambúrgueres, alface, queijo, molho especial, cebola e picles num pão com gergelim"
- Spanish (Argentina): "Dos partes de carne, salsa especial, pepino, cebolla, lechuga, queso y pan hacen el Big Mac"
See also
- Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun.
- McDonald's TV campaigns and slogans
External links
- Official product information for the Big Mac
- Official product information for the Maharaja Mac
- The Big Mac Index