McDonald's Big Arch

When I was in high school, McDonald's released the Arch Deluxe: a quarter-pound patty on a potato bun with bacon, lettuce, onions, and dijon-mayo sauce. 

It was marketed as a "grown-up" burger and I freaking LOVED it. Not as much as a Double-Double, but it immediately became my second-favorite fast food burger and without question my favorite McDonald's item ever. (Not counting, obviously, McNuggets Shanghai.) 

McDonald's had spent more than $300 million dollars (more than $600 million, adjusted for inflation) on the product and I felt it was worth every penny. 

Unfortunately, pretty much no one agreed with me, and within months the Arch Deluxe had mostly disappeared. It is often called the single biggest flop in fast food history. 

But that was a long time ago, and McDonald's is making a new play in the burger segment, reminiscent of that epic failure: a BIG burger. 

Their description: 

"Stacked with two quarter-pound* beef patties, three slices of melty white cheddar cheese,^ crispy and slivered onions, zesty pickles and the new tangy, creamy BIG ARCH Sauce on a new sesame & poppy seed bun. "

I had several beers Tuesday night, and no dinner, so I was pretty hungry Wednesday. And I was filling my car at a gas station right across the street from McDonald's. I figured Why not?

I ordered extra sauce, crispy onions, slivered onions, and pickles. The total was $10.49.

Funny note: One of the biggest complaints about the Arch Deluxe in 1996 was the cost. It was $2.49. That's the equivalent of $5.16 in 2026. 

It was... fine. 

It's definitely better than the Big Mac, which admittedly I have not tried in 16 years, though I expect is just as lame as ever. 

It's not as good as the McDouble - the only item at McDonald's that I actually like - and costs four times as much. 

The crispy onions and "Big Arch Sauce" were the best part. I appreciated them. But then again, that shouldn't be the best part of a burger that costs $10.49. 

If you live in a city with an In-N-Out and its $6 Double-Double, there is literally no reason for you to try this burger. 

If, like me, you live in a city with no In-N-Out, nor Popeyes, nor Del Taco... but for some reason has FIVE McDonald's... and you're in the mood for a fast-food for lunch... I guess you might as well try it. 

Maybe. 

I believe the Arch Deluxe failed 30 years ago because people don't go to McDonald's for good food; they go there for cheap food. 

I expect this will fail, too, but I have certainly been wrong before.