On April 1, I was scrolling through the online news and read that Burger King was launching a meatless version of their signature sandwich that same day in select locations across the country. Called the Impossible Whopper, the company was touting it as being as juicy and delicious as their beef burger.
My immediate reaction was, “Yeah, right. Is this some kind of April Fools’ gimmick?” Since this was April 1, also known as April Fools’ Day, I figured this had to be a joke. Quite a few companies run April Fools’ Day ads and try to trick their customers. For instance, I had just finished looking at the McPickle burger McDonald’s was offering that day. So I assumed it was just a funny advertisement or maybe BK was going to prank some of its customers by serving them Impossible Whoppers and await a reaction from them. I went on with the rest of my day hoping nor to fall for someone’s April Fools’ jokes.
The next day I found out this Impossible Burger is for real! The push for meat alternatives is strong and I guess BK decided it needed to trial a new plant-based option to its beef burgers if it wanted to stay in business. I have friends and family members who are vegetarian, and would never step foot into a BK or similar hamburger restaurant. They have their reasons. Some are wary of the environmental impact, such as greenhouse gases, of meat processing plants. Others have ethical concerns about the way animals are treated. A few just dopn’t like the taste or texture of meat, and quite a few are concerned about their personal health and are trying to eat, live, and be healthier.
According to the Burger King ads I later saw on TV , the Impossible Whopper is healthier with no cholesterol and 17grams of protein. It comes the same way as the regular Whopper with tomato, lettuce, onion, pickles, mayonnaise, and ketchup on a seeded bun. But taste? I mean, is a Whopper really a Whopper without the beef?
And what are they going to do about the wrapper that says, “100% beef with no fillers?”
Right now the Impossible Whopper is not available in North Carolina. I guess we are part of the “potential expansion” based on how the trial cities go. Anyway, when it does get here maybe we can stop at BK on the way to or from UNC-CH when the hunger pangs hit regardless of who wants meat or not. Just be sure the person taking your order for a Whopper asks if you would like it with or without beef.