Wow, that’s a big burger. And it looks great. Those were my first thoughts after seeing my BBQ Bacon Sirloin Burger from Jack In The Box. And since I just got a new camera, this was a good opportunity for a close-up. Aside from the poor lighting, the shots came out nicely. There’s no denying this burger is a thing of beauty, at least by fast-food standards. But we all know looks can sometimes be deceiving, so let’s start eating and see if this burger has the brawn to back up the beauty.

My first bite was impressive, with a smokey flavor that reminded me of something cooked at home on the grill. The meat was tender, and still had some juices left inside. The sirloin heritage of the patty is obvious, and it has a better taste and texture than average run-of-the-mill fast food burgers. Believe it or not, it’s also attractive, with a natural beef look, as opposed to the Quarter Pounder’s clone-like appearance.

On top of the big sirloin patty are onion rings, bacon strips, American cheese and barbecue sauce. It all sits inside a bun that looks like a bakery roll, and has another slice of American cheese on the bottom half. Each component was tasty, cooked properly, and made it’s own contribution to a great package. The toasted roll had a buttered outer-layer and soft doughy center. The onion rings were crunchy and slightly sweet. The bacon was sliced thin and cooked crisp. The cheese was melted around the patty and bun. And the tangy barbecue sauce was the perfect finishing touch.

MMMMMMmmmmm — I said out-loud while eating and taking the photos. I cannot comment on quality, source or nutritional value of the ingredients used in this product, but from the standpoint of a pure fast-food eating experience — This burger rocks!

It’s a wonderfully delicious combination of flavors and textures. The kind of thing that inspires people to re-create the same recipe at home. It also inspires angry words and sometimes even lawsuits. Carl’s Jr says this new burger from Jack In The Box is a “Blatant Rip-Off” of their Western Bacon Cheeseburger, an item they have been serving for over 25 years with the same basic ingredients. So there’s more spice to this story, than just in the burger I’m currently eating and writing about.

I would do a head-to-head comparison of the burgers, but Carl’s Jr has not migrated to my city yet. In fact I believe there’s only 3 locations in the entire state, but I will find the closest store and see if anything is possible. Maybe a road trip? Who knows.

The new BBQ Bacon Sirloin Burger from Jack In The Box is delicious. The first bite made my taste-buds come alive with excitement, and when it was over I felt happy and satisfied. For those skeptics in the house, I admit there’s no mistaking the sirloin patty for a prime cut at the butcher, or the whole package for a hand-made creation at some chic-cool burger joint, but this is a pretty darn good burger for the fast food world.

Fast Food Critic Score:4.5 out of 5 stars.

Nutrition Facts - Jack In The Box, BBQ Bacon Sirloin Burger.

Calories - 1010
Calories from Fat - 440
Total Fat - 49 grams
Carbs - 91 grams
Saturated Fat - 19 grams
Trans Fat - 5 grams
Cholesterol - 150 milligrams
Sodium - 2190 milligrams

EDITOR’S NOTE: Anybody who eats hamburgers should be aware they are not typically considered health food, no matter where they are served, or by whom. Burgers of this size, with these type of ingredients, are going to rack up the calories and fat. That’s just a simple fact of life, and food. You should try to eat a ‘balanced’ diet, make educated choices and practice moderation.