Home
Retail
We tried Burger King's infamous new 'Whopperrito' - and it's the best new menu item of 2016

We tried Burger King's infamous new 'Whopperrito' - and it's the best new menu item of 2016

The first glimpse of the much-awaited Whopperrito, which will be rolled out nationwide on August 15.

The Whopperrito is, on paper, a burrito with Whopper ingredients and some spices thrown in; a mythical hybrid that should never exist. A chimera of quick-service restaurants; the most unholy of menu marriages. Cutting in, however, it actually appears... appetizing.

The ground beef within looks to be actually ground beef, not the mealy Taco Bell corollary. Hints of cumin and pepper waft up from the fresh burrito. Recognizable seasonings that aren't just black pepper on a fast-food item? This is a refreshing development.

It's a decent size; large enough to be a satisfying meal, but not bloated or monolithic.

Back at the studio, we get a closer look.

Despite being wrapped in a very thin flour tortilla, the sandwich magically avoids the sogginess by which Burger King is often plagued. How? I don’t know, but I’m not asking.

Let's see what's inside first. The shockingly well-seasoned ground beef, large amounts of tomato, onion, and lettuce, and... pickles? The pickles inside are an odd and unexpected note - not sure they really work with the “Tex-Mex” flavors, but since they're essential Whopper components, their presence is required.

$Let$

Well, it tastes… exactly like a Whopper — unsettling initially, but not bad. A dash of “Tex-Mex” spices — likely cumin, some pepper — thrown into the ground beef give a slight bite and flavor that has more depth than I expected. The seasoning lingers in the mouth, and although a tad on the salty side, the taste is surprisingly savory and full.

$Well, it tastes… exactly like a Whopper — unsettling initially, but not bad. A dash of “Tex-Mex” spices — likely cumin, some pepper — thrown into the ground beef give a slight bite and flavor that has more depth than I expected. The seasoning lingers in the mouth, and although a tad on the salty side, the taste is surprisingly savory and full.$

The cheese sauce isn’t overdone, either - often a major mistake. There’s just enough to give it a rich burrito taste without drowning the beef or vegetables in a cheesy lava floe. Most importantly, it doesn't taste like nauseatingly fake nacho cheese — huge plus. The lettuce, onion, and tomato give a satisfying crunch to almost every bite.

The veggies also lighten up the meal - I was expecting a very heavy, overwhelming burrito, but instead it’s filling without the usual post-burrito lethargy. The portion size is quite manageable.

Also shockingly mess-free, apart from a few drips from the bottom. It’s well wrapped and crafted.

I'll admit, I came into this expecting a sopping, cheese-laden torpedo; I stand corrected. The Whopperrito, despite how unappealing it may sound, is a delicious and flavorful item that exceeds expectations. Is it anything resembling true Mexican food? Of course not. If you're looking for that, why are you in a Burger King? Otherwise, this is definitely worth a try.