Fast-food institutions are already making major moves in 2026, and now Burger King has entered the chat with a divisive offering - and fans aren’t too sure what they think about it.
Shake Shack has released its healthy ‘Good Fit’ menu to appease the ‘New Year, New Me’ crowd, McDonald’s launched a Secret Menu with a controversial Surf N’ Turf burger, and Wendy’s has entered its fully loaded sandwich era.
Burger King is now on the scene, kicking off the brand new year with a fun, 'guest-inspired' creation that’s sure to get mouths watering.
The dish, which was scheduled to hit menus on Tuesday (6 January), has been designed as part of the fast-food titan’s 'Whopper by You' competition.
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The latter encourages BK fans to ‘rule the menu their way’ by submitting possible burger recipes for recipe chefs’ consideration.
For a limited time, Burger King is offering the Whopper by You winner: the Ultimate Steakhouse Whopper.
The moreish delight features 4.4oz of 100 percent flame-grilled beef, served on a toasted sesame seed bun.
As well as the succulent beef, you’ll bite into golden onion rings, crispy bacon, sautéed mushrooms, melty Swiss cheese, and creamy peppercorn aioli.
Speaking about the jaw-dropping creation, Joel Yashinsky, Chief Marketing Officer, Burger King US&C said: “Burger King has an incredibly passionate fanbase that loves the Whopper and constantly inspires us with creative new flavor ideas to bring to America’s best burger.
“We’re excited to start the year with this delicious new Guest-inspired Whopper sandwich, and fans can look forward to even more ‘Whopper by You’ creations later this year.”
The innovative item has been available for mere hours but one of it’s ingredients is already dividing the internet.
Taking their grievances to social media, one Redditor wrote: “Take off the mushroom and it looks [fire emoji].”
“Makes me wish I liked mushrooms and onion rings. This burger looks scrumptious. I’m all about that peppercorn aioli,” commented someone else.
A third reported that mushrooms were the ‘work of the devil’.
“I actually didn't like this at all,” another said.
According to a YouGov survey, mushrooms are actually one of America’s most-hated foods - so it is somewhat understandable why the inclusion is causing people to kick up a fuss.
However, some other Burger King fans are excited that the Ultimate Steakhouse Whopper features the fungi.
“Mushroom swiss with bacon is the best, top #1 tier burger,” replied one Redditor.
Another said: “They can lose the sauce. Mushroom me up though please. Mushrooms, grilled onions, swiss cheese, that’s a proper burger.”
Mushrooms and Burger King go way back. In 2011, the company brought back its Mushroom & Swiss burger for a limited time.
Six years later, the Mushroom & Swiss King - featuring an Angus beef patty, crispy onions, A1 sauce, and mushrooms with Swiss cheese on a mayo-smudged oval bun - debuted.
If you’re now drooling for a Mushroom & Swiss, then good news: Burger King Singapore currently carries the popular morsel.
Grab your Ultimate Steakhouse Whopper while stocks last!
Topics: Burger King, Fast Food, US Food
Ella Scott