Burger King’s Rodeo Cheeseburger
Has anyone tried the Rodeo Cheeseburger from Burger King? Anyone? Turns out this tasty gem is not available everywhere, so I’m curious as to it’s availability. It’s been discontinued on a national level but still available as a ‘regional’ item. Currently it’s at some locations in the Washington Metro Area, specifically here in Maryland.
The Rodeo Cheeseburger was created to coincide with the release of the film “Small Soldiers” back in 1998. At that time it was my go-to burger at BK. It became a regular on the menu for a few years. Do you remember when Burger King introduced some new menu items including tacos? They didn’t last long. During the birth and quick demise of those BK Tacos, the Rodeo Cheeseburger was taken off the menu, and I resorted to my own tactics. See, the Rodeo Cheeseburger is pretty simple… it’s your standard BK cheeseburger (minus the ketchup/pickles etc) and what’s added in their place are 3 tasty onion rings and Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce.
This combination works well together. Very well. So in my times of need, when the Rodeo Cheeseburger was no longer on the BK menu, I’d resort to making my own. If your neighborhood Burger King doesn’t carry this item, just do it yourself. I did it for years. Order a plain cheeseburger… the burger patty and American cheese on the sesame seed bun, then order a side of onion rings and ask for some BBQ sauce. There you have it. Simple, delicious and worth the little extra effort.
Burger King re-introduced the Rodeo Cheeseburger in recent years for around $1.09, and it seems like every 6-8 months the price has gone up by a dime. It was holding steady at $1.39 for a while, but today I purchased one for $1.49, although still on the “Value Menu”. Worth every dime if you ask me. The only difference between the current Rodeo Cheeseburger and those of the past is the switch from Bulls-Eye BBQ sauce to Sweet Baby Ray’s. Both sauces are great. If you haven’t tried Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce, it’s available in many grocery stores. Perfect blend of sweet and kick. I’ve already got a soft spot for BK’s onion rings and I’m happy they maintain good texture within the burger. No soggy rings here. There’s plenty of crunch in every bite.
I’ve tried to think of something negative to say about this burger, but for $1.49 I can’t. The BBQ sauce is tangy and sweet and goes well with the subtle flavor and crunch of the onion rings. The burger is held together nicely with melted American cheese. And if you’re eating on the go, you won’t make a complete mess, as with some bigger burgers. So if you’re in the mood for an inexpensive cheeseburger with a little western edge, go no further than your local Burger King for the Rodeo Cheeseburger. If it’s not available in your region, no problem, just make your own!
Price: $1.49 / Website: BurgerKing.com
Fast Food Critic Score: A
Click here for rating system details.
Nutrition Facts - Burger King, Rodeo Cheeseburger.
Calories - 380
Calories from Fat - 180
Total Fat - 19 grams
Carbs - 40 grams
Saturated Fat - 8 grams
Trans Fat - 1.5 grams
Cholesterol - 30 milligrams
Sodium - 630 milligrams
Protein - 17 grams
Damn, that first picture looks good. Melty cheese just calling to me..
I love this burger. Last year I used to order 2 on the way home from class every Friday. It was my special treat for studying hard all week. They were only $1.29 then and I could get 2 Rodeos plus large fries for $4. Superb munchies for cheap.
Sadly now it’s gone and none of the BK’s in my neighborhood sell it. I don’t understand why because it was a great seller.
I have wondered before if they took it away so people will be forced to buy their bigger more expensive burgers.
I thought it was delicious myself but it was only available for a few months in west central Florida.
The Rodeo Cheeseburger is a direct rip-off of a classic Carl’s Jr. menu item, the Western Bacon Cheeseburger. Jack in the Box recently created their own rip-off version, and calls it the BBQ Bacon Sirloin Burger. Sadly, if you live in the northeastern US, you aren’t going to get to try either one as both chains have the vast majority of locations in California and surrounding states.
I love any burger with onion rings and BBQ sauce. It’s just a winner of a combo.
We don’t have burger king here anymore, maybe I should buy everything to make this from the Australian ‘burger king’ and try it out
Great review!
I actually tried the Rodeo Cheeseburger for the first time the other day. I think it is the best burger that Burger King has on their menu. This is an excellent combination. This review was spot on.
I’ve been doing this for years… everywhere. Recently I was literally FORCED to eat at the repulsive senior-citizen’s cafeteria known as “Cracker Barrel” where I declined the typical biscuits, gravy and plain chicken with apple butter fare for their bacon cheeseburger. Because, serious, who can fuck up a bacon cheeseburger?
Well, CB’s was reasonable… but if you’re not getting a meal smothered in gravy, why bother? Well, my solution was to order a side of onion rings instead of fries and throw a couple of them on this mediocre burger. Voila! There we have a decent meal. Anyone can do a burger with onion rings and BBQ sauce at a fast food place… but it takes talent to make a burger from a bland, uninteresting cesspool like Cracker Barrel worth eating.
What has always set Burger King apart has been their onion rings option over fries. I always found it odd that this wasn’t more popular; while the BK onion rings were clearly processed “onion-like” rings of weirdness, their tasty factor (coupled with the zesty sauce that respectable BK operations offered with them) always beat plain old fries.
Side note: McDonalds fries are so irresistible because mixed in the salty sprinkling is sugar, to make you crave them like they’re a delicious desert even thought they’re just boring, pre-frozen potatoes…. do not be fooled!
Anyway, great review, couldn’t agree more, BK rules all with onion rings and BBQ sauce on a burger because, well, those flavors just go together like life and awesome sauce.
Lucky!: http://7.media.bustedtees.com/bustedtees/mf/6/5/bustedtees.e0650c763f16235abf4ff1655431f3ff.jpg
Great review, Ryan…we have thse little gems in Michigan…and your advice of creating your own RC gave me an idea…it is a great sandwich, but alot of times im still hungry after 1…you could, for 49 cents more, oreder a double cheeseburger plain, and do the same…i think it would be better as a RDC (Rodeo Double Cheeseburger) or…make it a plain bacon double, for a RBDC…too many letters, but a great burger none the less!
I remember this came out quite a while ago as a promotion with the movie Toy Story, and it was so good they kept it on the menu for a while after.
Thanks for reminding me how great these little burgers are! I went over to BK, ordered two of them, and they were just as good as I remembered.
Great review.
Nice review. We have those Rodeo Cheeseburgers here in San Diego. $1.29 a piece. I get them when I’m on the run.
This burger was heavily advertised and then never spoken of again. It’s a hidden gem on the otherwise crappy Burger King menu.
[…] I joined FFC last month, I began with Burger King’s Rodeo Cheeseburger. From that glowing review, you might have guessed I’m a big fan of “western” […]
I’m across the street from a BK right now and they are selling these for $1.