McDonald’s vs Burger King Breakfast: I Tried Both for 7 Days — Here’s What Surprised Me

Let’s be real—fast food breakfasts often get a bad rap. Greasy, rushed, and forgettable, right? But as someone who juggles early mornings and tight deadlines, I wanted to know: can fast food breakfast actually be satisfying, affordable, and worth repeating?
So, I launched a little experiment: 7 days, 2 breakfasts per day—one from McDonald’s menu, one from Burger King. Same time each morning. Same budget. One goal: to crown the king (or clown) of breakfast.
Over the week, I scored each chain based on:
- Taste (how good it really was)
- Price (value for money)
- Portion (did it fill me up?)
- Presentation (did it even look edible?)
- Nutrition (as much as fast food allows)
Spoiler: There were surprises. McDonald’s had some consistency wins, but Burger King came through with flavor bombs I didn’t expect. Let’s break it down, day by delicious day.
Day 1 — The Classics Showdown
Item | McDonald’s Egg McMuffin | Burger King Croissan’wich |
---|---|---|
Ingredients | English muffin, Canadian bacon, egg, cheese | Croissant bun, sausage, egg, cheese |
Taste | Balanced, mildly savory, slightly crispy muffin | Rich, buttery, bold sausage flavor |
Calories | ~310 | ~500 |
Price | $4.29 | $4.59 |
Verdict | Classic and clean | More indulgent and flavorful |
Winner | BK for flavor, McD for balance |
Day 2 — Breakfast Platters
Feature | McDonald’s Big Breakfast | Burger King Pancake Platter |
---|---|---|
Contents | Eggs, hash brown, sausage, biscuit | Pancakes, sausage |
Calories | ~750 | ~670 |
Price | $5.99 | $5.49 |
Fullness Factor | Very filling | Lacked variety (no eggs or biscuit) |
Winner | McDonald’s |
Day 3 — Sweet Starts
Feature | McDonald’s Hotcakes | BK French Toast Sticks |
---|---|---|
Portion Size | 3 pancakes | 3–5 sticks with syrup |
Calories | ~580 | ~380 |
Taste | Mildly sweet, spongy | Boldly sweet, cinnamon-flavored |
Price | $3.99 | $2.99 |
Best For | Traditional breakfast | Sweet tooth satisfaction |
Winner | BK for fun, McD for portion |
Day 4 — On-the-Go Wraps
Feature | McDonald’s Sausage Burrito | BK Egg-Normous Burrito |
---|---|---|
Ingredients | Egg, cheese, sausage, peppers | Egg, sausage, hash browns, cheese, sauce |
Calories | ~310 | ~850 |
Price | $2.09 | $4.99 |
Portion | Small, easy to eat | Huge, filling, slightly messy |
Winner | Tie (compact vs. complete meal) |
Day 5 — Value Menu Face-Off
Feature | McDonald’s | Burger King |
---|---|---|
Value Picks | Sausage Biscuit, Hash Brown, Coffee | Bacon Biscuit, Hash Rounds, Coffee |
Total Cost | $5.47 | $6.07 |
Flavor Notes | Savory, consistent | Fluffy biscuit, crispy bacon |
Winner | McDonald’s (better value and variety) |
Day 6 — Coffee & Sides
Feature | McDonald’s | Burger King |
---|---|---|
Coffee Flavor | Smooth, mild roast | Bold, stronger roast |
Hash Browns | Single large, crispy | Mini hash brown coins |
Temperature | Hot and fresh | Good, but got soggy quickly |
Winner | Tie (McD for sides, BK for coffee) |
Day 7 — Combo Meal Test
Feature | McDonald’s Combo | Burger King Combo |
---|---|---|
Contents | Egg McMuffin, Hash Brown, Coffee | Croissan’wich, Hash Rounds, Coffee |
Calories | ~640 | ~700 |
Price | ~$7.10 | ~$7.60 |
Speed | Fast and efficient | Slight delay, lukewarm items |
Winner | McDonald’s |
Scorecard Breakdown
Category | McDonald’s | Burger King |
---|---|---|
Taste | 8.0 | 7.5 |
Portion | 7.5 | 8.0 |
Price | 8.5 | 7.0 |
Coffee | 7.5 | 8.0 |
Sides | 8.5 | 7.0 |
Value Menus | 8.0 | 6.5 |
Combo Experience | 8.5 | 7.0 |
Overall Score | 8.07 | 7.28 |
My Personal Favorite: The Verdict
Winner: McDonald’s — but not by a landslide.
Here’s the truth: both McDonald’s and Burger King have strong points. BK’s croissants are next-level buttery. Their coffee hits harder. But McDonald’s nailed consistency, price, and sides. The hash brown alone made me come back.
What surprised me most? How close this battle was. If you’re after bold flavor, Burger King wins in bursts. But if you’re about predictable quality, better value, and speed, McDonald’s earns the crown.
Would I do it again? Definitely—maybe next time with a twist: throw Wendy’s or Dunkin’ into the breakfast brawl.
💡 Pro Tip: Use Mcdo delivery app or BK apps to customize and compare your own orders without leaving the house.
Final Thoughts
This wasn’t just about breakfast—it was about finding what works for real people. Some days, you want clean and classic. Others, you want rich and satisfying. Thankfully, both chains bring something worthwhile to the table.
So why choose one? Rotate, remix, and explore your local menus. And if you’re feeling adventurous—try the 7-day challenge yourself. You might just discover your next go-to morning ritual.
FAQs: McDonald’s vs Burger King Breakfast
1. Is McDonald’s or Burger King cheaper for breakfast?
McDonald’s is slightly cheaper overall, especially on value menus and combo pricing. BK tends to charge more for premium items.
2. Which breakfast is better for vegetarians?
McDonald’s offers more vegetarian-friendly items like hotcakes and oatmeal. Burger King has limited options but is expanding slowly.
3. Can you order these breakfast items via delivery apps?
Yes, both McDonald’s and Burger King are available on Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub in most locations.
4. What’s the healthiest breakfast option from each?
- McDonald’s: Egg McMuffin (~310 calories)
- Burger King: Egg & Cheese Croissan’wich (without sausage) (~350 calories)
5. Do both chains serve breakfast all day?
McDonald’s offers select items all day at some locations. Burger King usually ends breakfast service by 10:30 AM.
Please don’t forget to leave a review.
I am Katie, a Food Lover and Food Blogger. I have explored the USA, UK, France, and Germany’s top food brands for food taste, variety, and standard. Starting From McDonald’s, I am sharing the Complete McDonald’s Menu. I am sharing all Deals and Meals that McDonald’s Offers with their Calories, Recipes, and Reviews. All Data is Mine collected data and the review is according to my taste buds. Thanks!
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