{"id":15864,"date":"2013-12-03T10:25:07","date_gmt":"2013-12-03T20:25:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/?p=15864"},"modified":"2023-09-04T21:38:41","modified_gmt":"2023-09-05T07:38:41","slug":"review-mcdonalds-jalapeno-kicker-quarter-pounder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/2013\/12\/03\/review-mcdonalds-jalapeno-kicker-quarter-pounder\/","title":{"rendered":"REVIEW: McDonald\u2019s Jalape\u00f1o Kicker Quarter Pounder"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"McDonald\u2019s<\/a><\/p>\n

Having lived in test markets for both Wendy\u2019s (Salt Lake City) and McDonald\u2019s (Baltimore), I\u2019ve come to develop something of an ambivalent attitude towards newly developed menu items. On one hand, the intrepid explorer within me loves the idea of being one of the first people to experience what might be the next great innovation in fast food. On the other hand, there\u2019s nothing worse than falling in love with a new burger or sandwich concept, only to see it disappear and never go national.<\/p>\n

Whoever said, \u201c\u2019Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all,\u201d clearly didn\u2019t eat fast food.<\/p>\n

With that being the case, I\u2019ve let my heart and stomach fall for the newest McDonald\u2019s sandwich concept, the Jalape\u00f1o Kicker. With pickled jalape\u00f1o slices, crunchy jalape\u00f1o strips, and pepper jack cheese, the Jalape\u00f1o Kicker packs a triple threat of the piquant pepper, relying on a new cream cheese sauce for cooling relief. The toppings are currently being tested on Quarter Pounder and Premium Chicken sandwiches in Baltimore and Colorado, but if McDonald\u2019s website is any indicator<\/a>, they will be going national real soon. At least I hope so, because canceling the roll out of these now would push my jaded fast food love for test menu items into Taylor Swift album territory.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s a pretty significant statement coming from a guy who doesn\u2019t exactly consider himself a heat-seeker. I think that\u2019s why I like the new concept so much. For those of you worrying about this sandwich wimping out and providing the kind of kick from, say, your three year old sister, be not afraid. This thing kicks you like Adam Vinatieri from 52 yards out, but rather than being some mindless atomic heat without flavor or texture, the kick comes in multiple layers. <\/p>\n

\"McDonald\u2019s<\/a><\/p>\n

The dominant<\/i> heat comes from the pickled jalape\u00f1os, which build in intensity and leave a lasting but flavorful burn after each bite. The crispy jalape\u00f1os provide an initial crunch and zesty French fry like flavor right off the bat, while the pepper jack cheese gives a slightly milky note and additional spice before getting to the meat.<\/p>\n

I realize there are some people who hate the taste of McDonald\u2019s burgers, and while I\u2019ll concede that they\u2019re far from juicy, I find their seasoning and \u2018meaty\u2019 taste to be more enjoyable than Wendy\u2019s and even Burger King\u2019s burgers. It\u2019s that meaty and slightly sweet taste which provides a good counterpoint to the acidic heat of the jalape\u00f1o, benefitting in turn from the cream cheese sauce.<\/p>\n

\"McDonald\u2019s<\/a><\/p>\n

Speaking of which, let me just say it\u2019s about damn time a fast food chain put cream cheese on a burger. With a subtle sweetness and milky freshness that just tastes right<\/i> on a burger, the sauce transforms the prerequisite tomato and lettuce into tasteful components, and helps to bind all the flavors of the burger together. The sauce is a bit looser than regular cream cheese but not nearly as gloopy as mayo, and amazingly, it doesn\u2019t drown the crispy jalape\u00f1os. <\/p>\n

The jalape\u00f1os have this zesty and fried corn flavor that reminded me a lot of one of my favorite snacks, Corn Nut Chips, while also having a strong aftertaste of French fries. I don\u2019t know how they\u2019re made or why it\u2019s taken McDonald\u2019s so long to develop them, but if you\u2019re not adding them to every McDonald\u2019s sandwich you buy from now on, there is something seriously wrong with your brain.<\/p>\n

\"McDonald\u2019s<\/a><\/p>\n

Unless you absolutely hate jalape\u00f1o, it should be apparent that this is a pretty good fast food burger. I can\u2019t quite give it the ultimate score, however, mostly on account of the lack of baconage. Likewise, I found myself wanting something beneath to burger patty to distribute some of the flavor and heat. Already top-heavy, I have to wonder if moving the cream cheese and crispy jalape\u00f1os beneath the patty wouldn\u2019t be a better construct. Finally, McDonald\u2019s two main burger flaws, a dense bun and cheese that takes upwards of a century to melt, bring it back down to Earth and reminds you of the main differences between fast food<\/i> and fast casual<\/i> burgers.<\/p>\n

These quips aside, this is my favorite Quarter Pounder. The crispy jalape\u00f1o strips and cream cheese sauce are great new additions and give the burger just the right combination of texture and flavor contrast to make it something work seeking out. I\u2019m just hoping that the research and development powers that be see it the same way, and don\u2019t take away another great test menu item from my grasp.<\/p>\n

(Nutrition Facts – Not available on McDonald\u2019s website. Menu board lists 550 calories.)<\/small><\/p>\n

Item:<\/b> McDonald\u2019s Jalape\u00f1o Kicker Quarter Pounder
\nPurchased Price:<\/b> $4.19
\nSize:<\/b> N\/A
\nPurchased at:<\/b> McDonald\u2019s
\nRating:<\/b> 8 out of 10
\nPros:<\/b> Crispy jalape\u00f1o strips might just be the best add-on McDonald\u2019s has ever developed for a sandwich. Strong, but not kill-you-strong triple jalape\u00f1o kick. Cream cheese sauce has smooth and creamy taste which helps to cool the heat. New Quarter Pounder variety that\u2019s not just repackaging other ingredients.
\nCons:<\/b> Burger is top-heavy. McDonald\u2019s premium burger buns suck. Cheese that doesn\u2019t melt unless you stick it against the heater in your car for an hour. Could seriously use bacon. Risking test menu item disillusionment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Having lived in test markets for both Wendy\u2019s (Salt Lake City) and McDonald\u2019s (Baltimore), I\u2019ve come to develop something of an ambivalent attitude towards newly developed menu items. On one hand, the intrepid explorer within me loves the idea of being one of the first people to experience what might be the next great innovation […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1440],"tags":[1477,1481],"class_list":["post-15864","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews","tag-fast-food","tag-mcdonalds"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":20634,"url":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/2016\/09\/26\/fast-food-news-mcdonalds-testing-toppings-for-their-hotcakes\/","url_meta":{"origin":15864,"position":0},"title":"FAST FOOD NEWS: McDonald’s Testing Toppings for their Hotcakes","author":"Marvo","date":"September 26, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"For decades the only two toppings you were given for your McDonald's Hotcakes were butter and pancake syrup. 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The dessert has been offered in other countries for years, like the United Kingdom. According to the McDonald's U.K. website, it features \"soft dairy ice cream swirled with Twix chocolate coated biscuit pieces and a chocolate caramel sauce.\" Grub Grade reports\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Fast Food News"","block_context":{"text":"Fast Food News","link":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/category\/fast-food-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"McDonald s Twix McFlurry","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/McDonalds-Twix-McFlurry.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/McDonalds-Twix-McFlurry.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/McDonalds-Twix-McFlurry.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14355,"url":"https:\/\/www.theimpulsivebuy.com\/wordpress\/2013\/01\/30\/review-mcdonalds-steak-egg-burrito\/","url_meta":{"origin":15864,"position":3},"title":"REVIEW: McDonald’s Steak & Egg Burrito","author":"Marvo","date":"January 30, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"By bringing together steak and egg together into a burrito, it sounds like McDonald's is stepping into undiscovered breakfast menu territory. 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