Rebel Whopper, meat-free Four’N Twenty and McVeggie put to taste test
McDonald’s, Hungry Jacks and Four’N Twenty’s new offerings are billed as the plant-powered patties and pies as good as the real thing. But how do the new vego versions of Australia’s favourite fast foods really stack up in a blind taste test?
Eating Out
Don't miss out on the headlines from Eating Out. Followed categories will be added to My News.
They’re billed as the plant-powered patties and pies as good as the real thing.
Four’N Twenty is the latest to launch a veg-based version of its classic meat pie that’s said to look, smell and taste just like a meat pie.
It follows Hungry Jack’s releasing its Rebel Whopper last year featuring a plant-based meat patty, while McDonald’s added the McVeggie to its menu this year.
But do these new meat-free versions of Australia’s favourite fast foods live up to the hype? Can plant pies and beef-free burgers seamlessly substitute for the originals?
We hit a CBD building site and put the Four’N Twenty pie and Hungry Jack’s Whopper and their new meat-free siblings — as well as the McVeggie and McChicken — to a blind tasting.
We wanted to see if the non-meat offerings could pass the hungry-tradie taste test.
And it seems that though the new meat-free versions stack up in the taste stakes, there’s no fooling committed carnivores that meat and three veg are one and the same.
The Rebel Whopper was the clear favourite with our taste testers, while the meat-free pie divided opinion, as did the new kid on the block, the McVeggie.
Interestingly, many said they’d go back for at least one of the veggie versions.
And there’s one classic burger that beat all the rest hands down.
REBEL WHOPPER VS WHOPPER
REBEL
Andy Padgett (labourer): “I don’t reckon it’s meat, but it’s good.” 7/10
Mick Adami (peggy/cleaner): “It’s not meat, but I rate it. It tastes like a barbecued veggie patty.” 7/10
Colin Green (forklift operator): “It’s quite tasty. Texture’s not too bad, you can tell it’s not meat. I’d still eat it.” 8/10
Talia Cerritelli (project co-ordinator): “I’d definitely eat that again.” 7/10
Dan Stock (Herald Sun food editor): “The patty has an odd flavour with metallic aftertaste. Doesn’t taste like meat. A good burger, though.” 7/10
WHOPPER
AP: “That’s the meat one, but it’s hard to tell the difference.” 9/10
MA: “100 per cent that’s the meat one. I love these burgers.” 9.5/10
CG: “It’s got that meat taste, that familiar meat patty.” 9/10
TC: “Not a similar taste to the other one at all.” 9/10
DS: “Unmistakably a Whopper, the pick of the big burgers.” 8/10
MEAT-FREE PIE V FOUR ’N TWENTY
MEAT FREE-PIE
AP: “This one’s got a different smell. Are there mushrooms in there? I’m not a big fan.” 5/10
MA: “It smells like it’s got vegetables in it, like there’s celery in there. It’s not something I would eat. But maybe a vegan would like it.” 5/10
CG: “I don’t think its meat, the texture is different. But it’s OK.” 8/10
TC: “I think there’s lentils or beans in there. I don’t mind it.” 7/10
DS: “It smells overwhelmingly of tomato paste, like a veg stew. The texture is OK, but it’s definitely vego. I wouldn’t rush to eat again.” 6/10
PIE
AP: “Yeah, tastes like a classic meat pie”. 9/10
MA: “I’m back at the footy. I just need a beer.” 10 /10
CG: “Definitely meat pie.” 10/10
TC: “That’s definitely meat.” 9/10
DS: “It’s the pie that’s scalded a million mouths, no doubt.” 6.5/10
McVEGGIE VS McCHICKEN
McVEGGIE
AP: “Definitely not chicken. Not a fan at all. But I reckon this one’s more edible than the pie.” 6/10
MA: “That’s not chicken. When you bite into it, it feels like fish. It’s a very dull taste, very bland.” 5/10
CG: “I rate this burger easily 7½.”
TC: “It has a soft texture, it kinds tastes fishy too.” 6/10
DS: “Slight crunch to patty but overwhelmingly soft and unidimensional. Mild spice. Mainly mayo.” 7/10
McCHICKEN
AP: “Smells like chicken. Such good combo, sauce, chicken, lettuce. Definitely a 10.”
MA: “That’s definitely a McChicken. I’m eating all of this one.” 10 /10
CG: “That’s very nice. You can’t go wrong with a McChicken.” 10 / 10
TC: “It’s like a giant nugget, I love the McChicken.” 10/10
DS: “Chicken and lettuce and mayo on a soft bun presses all the buttons.” 8/10
MORE NEWS