Are today's Big Mac's different than the Big Macs from thirty years ago? The were better when I was a kid.

Question

I had a Big Mac yesterday for the first time in several years. It was so much worse than I remembered it. It was all lettuce and dry bread. When I was a kid the Big Mac was a full, juicy burger. The only thing I could think was that McDonalds had actually changed the specs on the Big Mac, making the beef pattie thinner or something. Either that or the way they used cardboard containers to hold the sandwhich doesn't retain flavor like the old styrofoam containers they used till the eighties. Anyway, it's not that big of a deal, but I just want to know: Has the Big Mac actually been changed?

Answer 1

McDonalds philosophy, like Coca Cola, is to maintain absolute flavour consistency in both time (Big Mac from 2008 tastes the same as the one you got in 1968) and space (the Big Mac you get in Mogadishu tastes the same as the one you get in Maine).

In practice, this is absolutely impossible. The fast-food business is a cut-throat market, with slim margins, and there is enormous pressure from the top to cut costs and follow culinary trends (lower fat and reduced salt, for instance). Economies of scale come into it too; McDonalds is a MUCH larger company than it was thirty years ago, with probably 100x as many restaurants, and some things just don't scale well.

Also, McDonalds have to observe all of the different food laws in the 150+ countries in which they operate, as well as use local ingredients and cater to local tastes, which may make for a very different tasting burger.

Besides that... things ALWAYS taste better when you're a kid.

Answer 2

Thirty years ago the hamburger patty was (get this) "grilled" at 425 degrees (check this out) on a "GRILL". Using (you won't believe this) "OIL" as a medium to aid cooking.

Today, the hamburger patties at McD's are cooked and warmed in a "drawer." Yes, a "drawer."

Answer 3

30 years ago a big mac was made of kangaroo beef   which is more flavorful.

Answer 4

Yes they are definitely different. Not to mention in just the last few years alone Mcd's has changed many of their recipes due to trans fats, and other big words I dont remember for sure. The ingredients just a few years ago are now considered unsafe according to todays standards.

But i know exactly what yopu mean. Theyb are not the same...

Answer 5

My hubby and I go through this conversation all the time.Because we swear when we were kids the size of banana split was HUGE! maybe through the eyes of child it looks bigger?Things change...

Big macs arent my favorite if I have to eat hamburger we prefer Backyard Burgers.

I notice the buns of filet of fish are softer and more buttery..

than the big mac.But I think its the same recipe.I watched the story of McDonalds on MSnBC i believe two nights ago.Not much has changed..Im not much of Mcdonalds person..UGH!

Answer 6

yes, they have gotten cheaper with everything.

Answer 7

McDonalds burgers seem to have shrunk it seems like

=[

Answer 8

i think they definitely have changed. I remember it being much bigger and much more filling.  The bread is smaller and so are the patties now.