Big Mac

What is it?

Two beef patties sit on a three-piece sesame seed bun, with a middle slice of bread separating the layers. Inside, there's shredded lettuce, melted cheese, pickles, diced onion, and the brand's special sauce, which is tangy, creamy, and a little sweet. On the UK menu since 1974, it follows the same format introduced six years earlier in the US. That extra centre bun keeps the fillings stacked in two tidy halves, so every bite gets a portion of sauce, meat, and salad. Compared with the rest of the burger lineup, the construction here is more architectural than most, and the sauce does a lot of heavy lifting on flavour. It's one of the most recognised fast-food items in the country, though the patties themselves are thinner than you might expect.