The Subtle Difference Between All The McDonald's Burgers

Say what you want about the fries or the chicken nuggets, but there's no denying that McDonald's has built its empire on its burgers. Ever since it first opened its doors back in the 1940s and served burgers for just 15 cents, the Golden Arches has become America's favorite fast food chain, according to Yahoo!'s reporting of a 2019 survey. And when it comes to McDonald's burgers, there are a lot to choose from, whether you're in the mood for a classic cheeseburger or craving the cult-favorite Big Mac.

It's easy to tell some of the burgers apart: a Big Mac has secret sauce, for instance, while the basic hamburger has just ketchup and mustard. However, the toppings aren't the only things that separate one McDonald's burger from another. There's another lesser-known and less noticeable difference between all of the burger options on the menu. Hint: It has nothing to do with what's actually inside the sandwich but rather what's on the outside.

When it comes to telling one McDonald's burger from another, all you have to do is look at the bun. That's right — different burgers are made on different buns. The more deluxe burgers, like the Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, and Double Quarter Pounder, are served on a toasted sesame seed bun. The Big Mac even has a "club-style" bun with a third layer in between the two patties. Others, however, like the basic hamburger, cheeseburger, and double cheeseburger, go on a plain toasted bun. Even the non-burger sandwiches get different buns. The McChicken, for instance, is served on the same plain toasted bun as the hamburgers while the Filet-O-Fish goes on a plain steamed bun. 

Here's a McDonald's hack, though: If you aren't satisfied with the bun your burger of choice is served on, you can always ask for a substitution. According to LA Weekly, you can get a cheeseburger on the Filet-O-Fish's fluffy steamed bun, if you'd like.