Macca's response to the worldwide "gourmet burger" trend, Create Your Taste lets you customize your regular fast food burger with some interesting ingredients you wouldn't normally expect to see at McDonald's. We tried it a total of three times, with each Frankenburger being better than the last.
Upon our return to Halifax, we learned that Create Your Taste has already hit Western Canada and would soon be rolled out nationwide. We were pretty excited...but would it be as good? We finally gave it a shot in May 2016. Here's what we found:
(Note: Anything denoted with an * = an ingredient not included in the base price)
Buns
Canada (3): Black & white sesame seed brioche-style bun, Artisan-style bakery roll, Lettuce wrap
Australia (4): Toasted brioche-style bun, Baker's bun, Ciabatta bun, Lettuce wrap
Advantage: Australia. Although the Canadian buns sound fancier, Australia's tasted (and, frankly, looked) better, plus there's an extra option.
Cheeses
Canada (5): Natural cheddar*, Monterey Jack jalapeno*, McDonald's classic cheese, Swiss*, Crumbled blue cheese*
Australia (5): Natural cheddar, Swiss, McDonald's classic cheese, Shaved parmesan, Tasmanian brie
Advantage: Australia. Monterey Jack jalapeno is great and all, but we'll take those big honkin' flakes of shaved parmesan any day of the week. PLUS, in Australia, up to three slices of cheese are included in the base price of your burger. In Canada, one slice of classic cheese is included in the price - you have to pay extra for anything else
Sauces
Canada (11): Ketchup, Big Mac special sauce, Guacamole*, Garlic aioli, Chipotle aioli, Smokey BBQ, Mustard, Grainy mustard, Mayonaise, Sriracha sauce, Sundried tomato pesto
Australia (10): Ketchup, Big Mac special sauce, Guacamole*, Herb aioli, Chipotle mayo, BBQ, Dijonaise, Tomato chilli jam, Tomato and onion relish, Chili lime aioli
Advantage: Tie. Australia doesn't really cut the mustard if that's your jam, but the tomato chili jam was phenomenal. Canada's Sriracha sauce on top of the sundried tomato pesto is pretty darn tasty, but the herb and chili lime aiolis were really stellar.
Vegetables
Canada (8): Tomato, Leaf lettuce, Red onion, Caramalized Onions, Crispy Onions, Sliced Jalapenos, Long sliced pickles, grilled mushrooms
Australia (8): Tomato, Leaf lettuce, Red onion, Caramalized Onions, Sliced Jalapenos, Long sliced pickles, sliced beetroot, spinach
Advantage: Australia. Canada's crispy onions were pretty tasty, and mushroom lovers might appreciate the grilled mushrooms (no idea if they cost more - we wouldn't touch them with a ten foot pole). But seriously, have you ever tried beets on a hamburger? If not, you're missing out. Big time. The spinach was a nice lettuce alternative, too.
Proteins
Canada (1): 100% Canadian Angus Beef
Australia (4): Angus beef, Grilled chicken breast fillet, Gourmet crispy chicken, Grilled halloumi. You can also do a Create Your Taste salad, too.
Advantage: Australia. All. The. Way. Is there really any question?
Extra stuff
Canada (2): Hickory smoked bacon pieces*, Hickory smoked bacon strips*
Australia (5): Crispy bacon*, Rasher bacon*, Egg*, Tortilla strips, Grilled pineapple
Advantage: Australia kicks Canada's arse yet again. As with the beets above, those who've never tried egg on their burger are really missing out. Then try both. Yeah, exactly. You're welcome. In case you're wondering, Rasher bacon is kinda like "Canadian Bacon." Which isn't an option in Canada, either...
Service
Canada: You place your order at a kiosk, take an electronic chip, a server brings your beverage to your table (and ketchup, if you ask), both of which are served in regular McDonald's disposable cups and ketchup cups. When your order is ready, they ding a bell and the server returns with your meal. Your burger is served on a wooden plank and your fries are served in a little metal basket. The server checks on you a few minutes into your meal, and takes it away when you're done.
Australia: Pretty much the same, except they give you a table number instead of an electronic chip. However, your beverage/ketchup are served in fancier glasses/dishes, and you're also given actual cutlery (not the fake plastic stuff).
Advantage: Australia. Those little extras help you forget you're eating at McDonald's.
Taste
Canada: No complaints! The burger patty is comparable to the ones on the regular Angus burgers, the ingredients taste fresh (the lettuce was almost ridiculously huge) but, in truth, there aren't enough "extras" that differentiate this from a regular trip to McDonald's. Also, they really skimped on the fries but not on the salt. No likey.
Australia: Much like the service, the variety of available flavours and the overall package helps you forget you're eating at McDonald's.
Advantage: Australia.
Price
Canada: Slightly higher than your average meal, but not by much. About $10 per combo apiece, plus tax... unless you splurge on the extras.
Australia: About $12 (Canadian) per combo apiece, plus tax, and there aren't too many extras for which you're dinged additional fees. Keep in mind, food in Australia is a lot more expensive than it is in Canada (partially because service staff are paid WAY more).
Advantage: Australia. Given all the extras, we didn't mind paying extra in Australia. The extra fees really hindered our enjoyment of the Canadian burger. So, Australia it is...until Canada axes the fees (year right) or brings in the beets and eggs!
Final verdict
We realize not everyone has been to Australia and, if they have, maybe they tried something a lot more exotic than McDonald's. We were traveling on a budget, and this feature really caught our attention - for good reason: it's awesome. The Canadian version is slightly less awesome, but it's still worth a try.
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