Chain Gang: BK Chef's Choice Burgers

Posted: March 08, 2012

Company description: (Bacon-Cheddar BBQ) A 5.5-ounce, flame-broiled premium ground chuck patty topped with two slices of melted cheddar cheese, three slices of naturally smoked hardwood bacon, fresh-cut romaine lettuce, red onions, ripe tomatoes, creamy mayonnaise and BBQ sauce on an artisan-style bun. Limited time only.

Chain: Burger King.

Calories: 820, with 56 grams fat, 135 mgs cholesterol, 1,800 mgs salt.

Location: The Gallery Food Court (9th and Market).

Order time: 10 minutes.

Price: $5.39 (sandwich only).

Review: It's nice to get a fast-food burger thick enough that it's not cooked to the color of gunmetal gray.

And this burger is so tasty, it's a shame it's so artery-clogging unhealthy. The burger alone - no fries or soda - should be more than a third of your day's calories. There's so much fat, cholesterol and salt, you might as well make the appointment with your cardiologist while you're waiting in line. Darn you crunchy onion, gooey cheese, substantial patty and tangy barbecue sauce!

BK's other Chef's Choice Burger skips the barbecue sauce and cheddar for "crumbly Wisconsin buttermilk bleu cheese." Gang reviewers said it was more like ranch dressing.

Compared with the cheddar version, this is a veritable diet item at only 760 calories, 51 grams fat, 115 mgs cholesterol and 1,310 mgs sodium.

Summary: As one Chain Gang member put it, "enough cheddar, bacon and barbecue sauce to salvage a hockey puck. Sufficiently tasty. And hefty."

But when you end up a contestant on "The Biggest Loser," don't say the Chain Gang didn't warn you.

Every other Thursday the Chain Gang reviews the latest chain restaurant dishes.