Burger King Whopper Vs Whopper Jr: How Are They Different?

When it comes to Burger King burgers, the Whopper is easily the most iconic (and depending who you ask, the tastiest option on the menu). Roughly 1.3 billion Whoppers are sold annually, so its popularity certainly precedes it. But nowadays, it's far from the only Whopper in Burger King's lineup, as there are many variations, like loaded jalapeño, BBQ bacon, and the Texas Double, complete with bacon and extra toppings. Only one alternate version of the handheld has stood the test of time the way the original has, though: the Whopper Jr.

Odds are, you might have found yourself in the BK drive-thru wondering how Burger King's Whopper and Whopper Jr. are different. Below, you'll find all the nitty-gritty details on each Whopper sandwich, so you know exactly which one to order on your next visit. (Spoiler: They're nearly identical, just different sizes.)

If this massive burger seems like it's been around forever, that's because it basically has been. Released in 1957, Burger King's Whopper even predates McDonald's Big Mac by 11 years. Its creation was inspired by one of BK's co-founders, who was trying to compete with another resto's oversized burger ... hence the name.

Besides the bun, which originally didn't have sesame seeds, the Whopper's components have remained the same: a quarter-pound, flame-grilled beef patty, tomatoes, lettuce, mayo, ketchup, pickles, and white onions on a toasted bun. That said, the fast food chain tweaked the Whopper's recipe to improve its quality. According to Burger King, the brand specifically upgraded the bun, mayonnaise, and packaging (a box instead of a paper wrapper, which helps the burger stay intact). While it's designed to be scrumptious as is, there are reportedly 221,184 ways to customize the burger and "have it your way," as is BK's old motto.

The Burger King Whopper initially cost 37 cents. Today, depending on where you live, it's about $6 for the sandwich and $11 for a medium combo with fries and drink. Nearly 70 years after its invention, dozens of iterations have been sold all over the world. These include the Angry Whopper with jalapeños and spicy onion petals, a four-cheese Whopper with Swiss, American, mozzarella, and cheese sauce, and Whoppers with alternate proteins, like chicken, shrimp, and pork.

The Whopper Jr. is a smaller version of the Whopper. A serendipitous accident led to the creation of Burger King's Whopper Jr. It was invented in 1963 by an employee in Puerto Rico who substituted regular buns when the large Whopper bun molds didn't arrive from the U.S. in time. He called it the Whopper Jr., and the rest is history.

The Whopper Jr. has all the same fixings as its predecessor, but a smaller patty and bun. Like the regular Whopper, it doesn't come with cheese; many diners recognize it as a plain hamburger with fixings, though you can add cheese to any Whopper. Sans-dairy, it costs about $4 for the sandwich or $9 for a medium combo, depending on location, versus 21 cents when it launched.

Despite its approachable size, many guests feel you should avoid the Whopper Jr. at Burger King. Some allege the ratio of ingredients isn't as good as the full-size Whopper, saying the beef gets lost in the bread. Others feel it's simply too small, swearing the portion has been reduced — according to the Wall Street Journal, BK allegedly shrunk the Whopper Jr. patty from 2.2 ounces to two in 2008). That said, Burger King launched a Whopper Guarantee, promising a new sandwich to guests who are unsatisfied with their Whopper, as well as getting their next Whopper free. So, you have nothing to lose by trying this underrated sammy.