Carl's Jr.'s Big Carl

I love Big Macs. I always have and I feel no shame for it. I think they're delicious, and I actually had one for lunch just today. So when I saw that Carl's Jr. had started making a Big Mac rip-off I was curious and decided I needed to give it a try. I did. [See photo to the right--image of actual burger eaten.]

First off, let me just say that I don't like the name Carl's came up with. "Big Carl" sounds like a plaid-clad (ha! it rhymes!) trucker whose diet is based solely on what he can get at the bowling alley snack counter. That being said, the Big Carl was actually pretty good. The meat had good flavor and the hamburger itself was pretty darn tasty and, obviously, filling. But marketing this sandwich as a Big Mac alternative is a pretty bold tactic. The only way this sandwich is anything like a Big Mac is that it has special sauce. Unfortunately, on the Big Carl you can barely taste it over all the meat and cheese. The sandwich would have been better with a bit more sauce. Also, I really like the chopped lettuce and onion on Big Macs. I find they add to the texture, which is half the battle as far as I'm concerned when it comes to food. As you can see from the photo, the Big Carl has big leaves of lettuce. Not a deal-breaker, but not my favorite, either.

So, the bottom line? The Big Carl was a very good hamburger in its own right, but really shouldn't be compared or offered as an alternative to the Big Mac. Both are delicious hamburgers but not really comparable. Oh, last thing: one thing the Big Carl comes with that Big Mac doesn't? A nasty stomachache--the calling card of all Carl's Jr. fare. Eat at your own risk.