July 4, 2009
McDonald’s Angus Third Pounder Deluxe
McDonald’s has entered the big burger wars with its new Angus Third Pounders, available in Deluxe, Bacon & Cheese, and Mushroom & Swiss versions. The burgers have been available in a few test markets for some time but were just recently launched nationwide. The main attraction of the Third Pounders is the third pound Angus beef patty, which is an upgrade from the meat used in other McDonald’s hamburgers. I recently ate a Third Pounder Deluxe, which comes with two slices of American cheese, pickles, lettuce, tomato, and red onion. As always, I removed the rabbit food to better taste the essence of the burger. I found that the Angus patty didn’t taste much different than the meat found in other McDonald’s burgers and was lacking seasoning. I really expected something better, especially from a burger that was test marketed for over two years. And, I love mayonnaise as much as anyone but there was way too much of it on the burger. The highlight of the burger was the bakery-style sesame seed roll. It’s a hearty and tasty bun that does a good job of holding the burger together. There is a lot of competition in the big burger category and it is questionable if McDonald’s is going to be able to compete with their line of Angus Third Pounders. When the bun is the best thing about a burger, well, it’s not really that good of a burger.
Phoood rating: 
Although I agree that the burger itself was nothing special, I ordered the Mushroom&Swiss burger yesterday and I was impressed with the amount of mushrooms they put on the burger - usually when fast food restaurants come out with higher end burgers, they skimp on the toppings. I liked the amount of mayo on the burger too, so I'll likely buy this burger again.
Posted by: Stephanie at July 4, 2009 4:54 PMI tried the Bacon and Cheese version and agree with your rating...it was just ok. I still prefer many other fast food chains for their bigger burgers. That being said, if I only have the option of food at McDonald's due to the presence of Happy Meal toys for my daughter, at least it is now a viable option for me too!
Posted by: Shawn at July 6, 2009 7:02 AMI recently tried the Bacon & Cheese version, and I was disappointed. I thought the meat wasn't better quality, just more of it.
Posted by: Joyce at July 7, 2009 9:59 AMWhy do they say "third pounder" like it's a big deal? Is it three pounds (like they're adding an addition pound to two other pounds to make it a third pounder?) or a third of a pound? I used to work at a deli (despite being a vegetarian!) and our customers would come up and order a pound of meat and be like "that's it?!" when they saw how tiny the amount was.
Posted by: Rita at July 11, 2009 9:25 AMI agree - I had the mushroom swiss and while there was alot of mushrooms and cheese, there was no flavor. I don't think I'll order it again.
Posted by: Shannon at July 20, 2009 9:42 AMI liked the Bacon N Cheese a lot. Maybe because it was a McD burger with actual thick-cut red onions, or the bacon, or the new crinkle-cut pickles. Whatever it was, I liked it. And I'll order it again.
Posted by: cress at July 26, 2009 11:28 AMI liked the bacon n cheddar, and deluxe with the B & C being the best overall. I think it's so much better than the normal burgers is because it is a McD burger, and they actually placed a premium on the toppings. It's a bit of a mind trick IMO. The Swiss and shrooms was horrifying! It had like a gelatinous texture, and the shrooms had the consistency of old shoe leather, and the taste couldn't have been to far off.
Posted by: Eddie at July 27, 2009 9:46 PMi had the deluxe and it was nothing special.
Posted by: ai at August 7, 2009 7:18 PMWill McD's grill my sandwich bun on request? I am not into the p.c. way of toasting buns. Cross contamination really does taste better. Thank you very much.
Posted by: Harold at August 31, 2009 10:52 PMI personally enjoyed the shroom and Swiss third pounder but I felt it needed something so I ordered it with lettuce and tomato and it really I think brought out the flavor. Some may like it or not but u never know till u try. Can't hurt!
Posted by: Daniel at September 6, 2009 11:12 PM We love the Big Carl <3 eat one every day for
Lunch.
We love the Big Carl <3 eat one every day for
Lunch.
I had the third pounder Mroom and Swiss. I agree, little, if any flavor improvement. Mine tasted like a 1/4 pounder with some kind flavoring on the exterior of the patty. The center might have been undercooked which gave it that dull 1/4 pounder taste. For real flavor, go to Johnny Rockets! Whoa! They make a burger.
Posted by: David W at September 25, 2009 10:40 AMPlease keep your comments clean and relevant to the food! If your comment includes foul or obscene language, it will be deleted. Thanks!