An ode to Burger King’s almighty Whopper

Well, well, well. Here we are again, dear readers: Yet another ode to one of the wondrous culinary inventions that took the world by storm and has been delighting people for generations. Today, we take a look at the wonder that is the Whopper at Burger King.

Some would argue that the Big Mac at McDonald’s is unbeatable, and you know how I feel about good old Mac, dear readers, and perhaps from an ode I wrote dedicated to its impact on the fast food culinary scene.

But let’s be honest, the Whopper over at Burger King not only holds its own, but does a pretty good job of being close to the same level or even a close second.

Number two isn’t bad if you ask some people, but in this writer’s humble opinion, the number 2s out there—the second placers— are worthy of their own respective odes, so before I go on, let’s hear it for the number 2s out there—you’re doing consistent work dudes and dudettes.

Let’s get to the wonder that is the Burger King Whopper

Which brings us to the Whopper. To understand the Whopper, first we need to understand the King of the burgers himself, Burger King. The restaurant launched way back in 1953. Back then it was known as Insta-Burger King—a name that was really ahead of its time if you ask me.

But interestingly enough, Burger King was in fact invented only after the founders of the restaurant, Keith J. Kramer and his wife’s uncle Matthew Burns visited a McDonald’s location—specifically they visited the first ever McDonalds location in San Bernardino, California, according to Wikipedia.

As of a 2021, they have a whopping 19,247 locations the world over. Not too bad for a company that ran as an independent embodiment for the first eight years of its existence when it was purchased in 1959 by James McLamore and David R. Edgerton (It was they who renamed the company as its known today, simply as Burger King—this before selling eventually to the Pillsbury Company in the late sixties).

Before the sale happened though, they had already expanded the chain to an impressive 250 plus locations. Not bad for an independent entity, eh?

Like the aforementioned Big Mac, and perhaps the plain McDonald’s cheeseburger, the Whopper doesn’t need too many frills to make it special, and if you ask this writer, it doesn’t even need cheese.

The regular Whopper comes with one meat patty, mayo, ketchup and other condiments, lettuce, onion and tomato. Its size makes it a satisfying meal in and of itself.

Some of us can eat two or three or more (no judgment—I’ve done it many times over my friends), and really the taste takes me to my parents’ backyard…those summer days with my pop barbecuing burgers and dressing them with fresh vegetables from their very own garden.

Of course the ingredients at my parent’s place are a lot more complex, but the simplicity of the application and the taste of the mayo and the tomato are perhaps what bring me back there every time I enjoy a Whopper…especially when I can’t be at my parents’ place for a meal.

Food should transport the eater to a good place no matter what his or her story, a place where time stands still and allows you to forget the stresses of your day and remember the good things. The whopper does that and big time.

By the way, they also come with multiple beef patties if you feel so inclined in case you were not aware, but something tells me that you were, dear readers. Enjoy your Whoppers out there folks, and remember, there’s nothing wrong with number 2, or even 3 for that matter.

What do you love about the Whopper, dear readers? And if it doesn’t really do it for you, what is your King of all Burgers in the fast food market?