I am a life-long vegetarian in a country where comfort food, particularly junk food, is an everyday staple in our culture. I grew up lusting after my friends’ happy meals at McDonald’s while I was left to eat bland salads. I went to countless summer barbeques where my only food option was to eat corn on the cob. After years of being forced to eat a healthy vegetarian alternative, I developed a strong desire to eat a quintessentially American dish– the hamburger. 

In recent years, more people are switching over to vegan and vegetarian diets for health and ethical reasons. Many fast-food chains have capitalized on the new wave of consumers by adding veggie burgers to their menus. During these changes, a new type of burger emerged– the Impossible Burger. The Impossible Burger is a plant-based alternative to beef that is designed to look and taste like meat. Now for the first time, life-long vegetarians can fulfill their curiosity without sacrificing any moral values. 

Immediately after the Burger King’s Impossible Whopper was released, I made the drive across town to try it. However, my excitement for the burger quickly turned to disappointment. The appearance of the burger was very underwhelming. The patty was hard and difficult to chew. The patty is genetically engineered with a protein called heme, which creates an undesirable flavor. In addition, the flavors of the patty linger in your mouth to create an even worse aftertaste. I wished Burger King had put more vegetables and cheese on the burger to counteract the intense flavors. 

The Impossible Whopper comes with a hefty price tag of $7, which is significantly more than the other items at a fast-food restaurant. I would much rather spend that money on the Shake Shack ‘Shroom Burger, which uses a cheese-stuffed Portobello Mushroom instead of the traditional patty. The ‘Shroom Burger is a testament to the fact that unconventional burgers often taste the best. Overall, I would not recommend the Impossible Whopper to vegetarians or meat-eaters. The only positive experience from trying the Impossible Whooper is that I will have no desire to eat meat again.