In an effort to regain the number two title in the fast food world, Burger King has experimented with some new ideas lately.
The fast food giant has gotten rid of the creepy plastic king mascot (good idea), started delivery service (great idea), and added a plethora of new food items like kung pao sauce, chicken nuggets (yes, this is technically new for the "King"), molten fudge bites, and a chicken Philly cheese sandwich.
The items haven't been launched nationwide yet. Miami is a test-market city, so we receive these goodies before much of the country.
You may recall that BK tested several items in 2012, including a fruit smoothie (surprisingly good), sweet potato fries (also good), and a bacon/hot fudge/caramel sundae (both a hit and a miss).
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How do these new items fare? In the name of science, we tried them. And yes, we understand that this is fast food and not DB Bistro Moderne. But a buck's a buck and you still have to get taste and value for your dollar. Here's what we found:
Avocado and Swiss Whopper Jr (also available in full-sized Whopper) ($2.39)
The cheese didn't have the nuttiness of Swiss, and the guacamole (the avocado part) was tasteless. But, somehow, Burger King does right by bacon.
Verdict: Skip this and opt for a regular bacon cheeseburger.
Chicken Nuggets ($1 for four)
Burger King is touting these nuggets as more like the Mickey D's variety. They're supposed to be crisper, with all-white meat chicken. Actually, they were soggier,plus they somehow magically "deflated" upon taking a bite. The new kung pao sauce was unavailable both times we stopped into our neighborhood BK.
Verdict: Sure to be a kiddie crowd pleaser, but anyone over ten might want to stick with the chicken strips if you must have fried poultry with dipping sauces. Can't speak for the kung pao sauce, but Buffalo sauce was serviceable.
Molten Fudge Bites ($1.59)
We were looking forward to these little bites of chocolatey goodness. The bites, which look like Munchkins, should have molten chocolate fudge inside. There was a distinct chocolate aroma to these warm bites, but...surprise! The inside was curiously hollow. The bites were missing the molten fudge!
Verdict: Maybe we were unlucky, but these bites, without the gooey fudge center, are dry and joyless. Go to Dunkin' Donuts and buy some Munchkins, instead.
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Original Chicken Philly Sandwich ($4.49)
BK takes the original breaded chicken sandwich and slops processed cheese whiz and frozen peppers and onions on it. Now, we know a BK chicken sandwich is a classic. Hell, it's our "go-to, secret" hangover remedy, so we've eaten our share without complaint. But adding the "whiz" and those horrible peppers that you only found in Lean Cusine meals until now, makes for an unlovable (and unattractive) sandwich that in no way resembles a Philly...anything.
Verdict: No. Just no.
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