Abigail Nicholson, a content editor, had never tasted the iconic McDonald's Big Mac in her 29 years of life. When she revealed this to her colleagues, reactions were mixed. Some couldn't believe she had missed out on the burger, while others preferred Chicken McNuggets or Chicken Selects.
A First Taste Inspired by the World Cup Menu
Nicholson's curiosity was piqued after enjoying the Big Mac sauce pot, released as part of the 2026 World Cup special menu. Her only hesitation had been the sauce, as she dislikes mayonnaise. Once she realized the sauce was different, she decided to try the burger.
The Big Mac features a three-slice sesame-seed bun, two beef patties, one slice of cheese, shredded lettuce, pickles, minced onions, and "special sauce." It was first introduced in the US in 1967 at a franchise in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, costing $0.45, and arrived in the UK in 1974.
First Impressions: Size Matters
Nicholson ordered the World Cup special Big Mac meal, which came with a plastic Thierry Henry cup. She admitted it was not love at first sight. Having seen the burger in advertisements for years, she expected a towering burger, but was disappointed to find it used the same patties as a cheeseburger, not quarter pounder patties.
Despite the size, the burger was fresh, and the sauce combined well with the salad and soft sesame bun. However, she noted that the Big Mac sauce tasted better on a Chicken McCrispy than on a beef burger.
Overall Rating: 6/10
Nicholson rated the burger six out of ten. She believes there are better value items on the menu, but would order it again if the mood strikes.
