> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.theomnicosm.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # I ate the ‘biggest and boldest’ McDonald’s burger - URL: https://www.theomnicosm.com/snackology-review-mcdonalds-big-arch-burger/ - Published: 2026-02-24T23:30:51.000Z - Updated: 2026-03-06T14:03:06.000Z - Description: The chain’s new Big Arch Burger lives up to its name, delivering the most ambitious McDonald’s burger yet. - Author: Bill Kuchman - Tags: Snackology • Thoughts for Food, Snackology • Reviews, Snackology, McDonald’s, Fast food In a world where every fast food chain is rolling out chicken sandwiches, chicken wraps and chicken tenders, it’s easy to forget that these chains built their reputations on the humble burger. It turns out McDonald’s didn’t forget. The iconic fast food restaurant is rolling out the **Big Arch Burger** on March 3 — and I’ve already eaten one in order to tell you exactly what to expect. McDonald’s officially announced the Big Arch Burger on Tuesday, [calling it](https://corporate.mcdonalds.com/corpmcd/our-stories/article/USmenuspotter.html?ref=theomnicosm.com) “a premium flavor experience that delivers BIG with every bite. It’s our ‘most McDonald’s, McDonald’s burger’ yet — a love letter to fans who simply can’t get enough.” I’m not normally a “big burger” guy when it comes to getting a burger at McDonald’s. A Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese is right in my wheelhouse. Way back in the early days of Snackology, I talked about my feelings toward the Big Mac [when I reviewed the Chicken Big Mac](https://www.theomnicosm.com/the-chicken-big-mac-changed-my-entire-big-mac-worldview/). The Big Arch Burger is not an evolution or an offshoot of the Big Mac. It’s an entirely new way of thinking about what a massive McDonald’s burger should be. ![Snackology](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/size/w1600/2026/02/snackology-substack-logo-new-1.png) Welcome to Snackology! This publication is a free newsletter, but it’s fueled by readers like you. Support independent news, reviews and more for **just $5 a month**. [Upgrade to Paid](https://www.theomnicosm.com/about/#/portal/account/plans) Includes full access to **Popculturology** and **The Cold Open**. ### What it costs I paid **$9.49** for a Big Arch Burger at my McDonald’s. ![McDonald’s Big Arch Burger with box](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2026/02/snackology-mcdonalds-big-arch-burger-with-box-angle.jpg) ALSO FROM THE OMNICOSM Love what you’re reading? You might also enjoy **Popculturology**, a deep-dive into the world of movies, television and more. [Read the latest from Popculturology →](https://www.theomnicosm.com/tag/popculturology/) Already a subscriber? [Update your settings](https://www.theomnicosm.com/#/portal/account/plans) to add **Popculturology** to your inbox. ### My thoughts We got our glimpse at the Big Arch Burger earlier this month when McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski [posted a video on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUTZ%5FilDl41/?ref=theomnicosm.com) of himself biting into one. “Holy cow, that is a big burger,” he exclaimed when he opened the box. He was right. The Big Arch Burger is, well, a big burger. A very big burger. McDonald’s introduced a new toasted bun featuring sesame and poppy seeds for the Big Arch Burger, and it dwarfs the buns you’d get with a regular burger. ![McDonald’s Big Arch Burger bun](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2026/02/snackology-mcdonalds-big-arch-burger-bun.jpg) The Big Arch Burger doesn’t mess around with a middle bun. Complementing the elevated bun is two quarter-pound beef patties (which would make this a half-pound burger, if my math is correct), three slices of white cheddar cheese (not Swiss as I originally thought), crispy and slivered onions, lettuce and pickles. McDonald’s’ new “game-changing” Big Arch Sauce – which the chain describes as “a tangy, creamy sauce with a perfect balance of mustard, pickle and sweet tomato flavors” — is applied on both buns. ![McDonald’s Big Arch Burger inside](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2026/02/snackology-mcdonalds-big-arch-burger-inside.jpg) If you’re going to introduce a new burger that’s going to be promoted as the “biggest and boldest” burger you've ever released, you gotta nail it. And McDonald’s nailed it with the Big Arch Burger. I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this one. When I first heard rumors of this burger, [I was instantly reminded of the Arch Deluxe](https://www.eater.com/22584033/mcdonalds-arch-deluxe-burger-discontinued-marketing-flop-andrew-selvaggio?ref=theomnicosm.com). The Big Arch Burger successfully reclaims that “Arch” branding for a premium burger. The patties are as good as the ones you get in a Quarter Pounder. The mix of sesame and poppy seeds on the bun adds a hint of flavor and some welcomed texture. The Big Arch Sauce is flavorful with just the right amount of zing. (I want to dip McNuggets into it.) And I’m thrilled to see McDonald’s continue its trend of adding surprising crispy veggies to its sandwiches, following in the footsteps of [the crispy jalapeños on its Hot Honey McCrispy Sandwich](https://www.theomnicosm.com/sweet-heat-pretty-neat-mcdonalds-nails-its-new-hot-honey-sauce/). ![McDonald’s Big Arch Burger](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2026/02/snackology-mcdonalds-big-arch-burger-bites.jpg) I was also impressed by the sophistication of the Big Arch Burger. It feels thoughtful. It wasn’t slapped together or squished in a box. I get that actual fast food is never going to look as perfectly staged as it does in the marketing photos, but my Big Arch Burger came out of its uniquely branded box ready to nail its **Snackology** photoshoot. My one regret is that I didn’t weigh the Big Arch Burger before I started eating it. ![Big Arch Burger](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2026/02/IMG_6897.jpeg) ### Snack Score Big Arch Burger 🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪 (5 out of 5) ![McDonald’s Big Arch Burger empty box](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/2026/02/snackology-mcdonalds-big-arch-burger-finish.jpg) ![Snackology](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f4/8b/f48be8ca-23c6-4d81-b0cf-da2fb0785911/content/images/size/w1600/2026/02/snackology-substack-logo-new-1.png) Snackology is a publication of **The Omnicosm**. Issue No. 167 --- **Snackology** is written and produced by **Bill Kuchman**. Copyediting by **Tim Kuchman**. 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