I compared McDonald's Big Arch and Big Mac burgers. I preferred the newer burger.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
I tried McDonald's new Big Arch burger and compared it to the iconic Big Mac.
I was shocked at how much bigger the Big Arch was for a slightly higher price.
I just wish the Big Arch had some fresher ingredients to cut through the savory onions and cheese.
McDonald's just dropped a supersized new burger, and it's coming for the Big Mac.
The Big Arch, which was released on March 3 as a limited-time offering, is now the chain's biggest burger.
Its launch went viral after McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski posted a promo clip on Instagram in which he took a tiny bite of the monster burger and called it a "product." The internet swiftly roasted his review for feeling impersonal and too corporate.
I tried the new Big Arch for myself and compared it to the chain's most iconic sandwich, and I was genuinely shocked by how much bigger it is for only a slight price increase.
The burger stands out on McDonald's menu as a more "premium" offering, with larger patties, upgraded toppings, and a higher price point. It reflects a broader industry shift, as chains like Burger King, Wendy's, and Taco Bell lean into bigger, more indulgent builds and "luxe" menu offerings with better-quality ingredients to justify higher prices.
Here's how the Big Arch compares to the Big Mac in terms of value and flavor.
The size difference between the two burgers was obvious right away.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
The Big Arch's box was significantly larger than the Big Mac's, and the burger inside looked larger as well.
There was also a slight price difference.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
At my local McDonald's in Brooklyn, New York, the Big Arch costs $11.59 and the Big Mac costs $8.39, excluding taxes and fees.
I tried the Big Mac first, even though I'd had it before.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
The Big Mac is arguably McDonald's most iconic burger, and has been on the menu nationwide since 1968.
When the Big Mac debuted, it was the chain's biggest burger to date, but it has since been upstaged by a Big Mac variation with more burger patties and the Big Arch.
The Big Mac comes with two 1.6-ounce beef patties, pickles, shredded lettuce, chopped onions, a slice of American cheese, and layers of Big Mac sauce on a sesame-seed bun.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
Despite being one of McDonald's larger burgers overall, its beef portion is actually smaller than both the Quarter Pounder — which has 4 ounces of pre-cooked beef — and the Big Arch.
I'm typically not a huge fan of the Big Mac.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
I find the extra bun in the middle of the burger to make the sandwich a little dry, even with the cheese and sauce.
I was underwhelmed by the Big Mac during this taste test, too.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
I thought the Big Mac lacked flavor. I thought the lettuce was a little bland, the pickles weren't super sour or crunchy, and the burger needed more sauce to moisten it.
I also thought the burger was a little bottom-heavy.
The cheese and layers of Big Mac sauce were all layered toward the bottom of the burger, rather than the top, which meant the dry bun and burger were hitting the roof of my mouth with little to no flavor or moisture happening.
The Big Arch felt like McDonald's answer to a "premium" burger.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
The burger was previously tested in international markets, such as the UK, before it was added as a limited-time nationwide offering in the US.
The Big Arch came on a sesame seed-poppy seed bun.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
The Big Arch comes topped with two quarter-pound patties, three slices of white cheddar, crispy and raw onions, lettuce, pickles, and a new, tangy Big Arch sauce.
With two thick patties and no middle bun, it was noticeably heavier than a Big Mac upon the first bite.
This burger was tasty and beyond savory.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
It was very filling, and I loved the addition of the white cheddar cheese — it tasted like a real steakhouse burger.
However, between the fried onions, cheese, and sauce, every bite was super savory. I wish there was something fresher — like more lettuce or tomato — to balance it out.
After tasting both burgers, I thought the Big Arch was a better value.
Erin McDowell/Business Insider
I was shocked by how much bigger and meatier the Big Arch ($11.59) is for only a small price increase over the Big Mac ($8.39).
If you're hungry, it might be a better value to order this super-sized burger, rather than ordering multiple smaller items or the chain's signature burger.
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