Drive-Thru Gourmet

McDonald's turns up the heat with limited-time-only Sriracha burger

Houston, Ken Hoffman, July 2017, McDonald's Sriracha Burger

Signature Sriracha Burger at McDonald's is a limited-time special.

Courtesy photo

This week I reached out for a new Signature Sriracha Burger, the latest addition to the "Signature Crafted Line" at America's No. 1 burger slinger, McDonald's, with about 15,000 restaurants blurring the red, white, and blue.

McDonald's ... Sriracha ... what took you so long? This just in: Even the drive-thru set likes spicy food. The other burger barns have been turning up the heat with Sriracha for a few years. Did you think they were just blowing smoke?

Here's the Signature Sriracha breakdown
A 1/4-pound beef patty, spicy chili-infused Sriracha Big Mac sauce, tender baby spinach and kale, smooth white cheddar cheese, crispy onions, and tomato. Choose from an artisan roll, sesame seed bun, or — the smart play — a potato bun.

Whoa, spinach and kale on a McDonald's burger? This must be the Ronald's attempt at health food.

Until we get a load of ...
Total calories: 670. Fat grams: 35. Sodium: 1,010 milligrams. Carbs: 56 grams. Dietary fiber: 4 grams. Protein: 32 grams. Manufacturer's suggested retail price: $4.99.

Still, baby spinach and kale are baby steps in the right direction, if only for eye candy, so good for McDonald's. Other sandwiches in the Signature Crafted Series are: Maple Bacon Dijon, Pico Guacamole, and Sweet BBQ Bacon. The burger patty can be switched out for a deep-fried buttermilk crispy chicken or artisan grilled chicken breast.

The secret is in the sauce
Obviously the star attraction and big difference is the Sriracha Big Mac Sauce. Unlike some hair-raisers that deliver a slow burn, the Sriracha Big Mac Sauce delivers a lightning jolt that fades fast. Still, it's the hottest sauce in McDonald's array of smears and dipping sauces. The Sriracha Big Mac Sauce is available for Chicken McNugget plunking too.

For everything else, this is a regular old Quarter-Pounder all gussied up. That's not a knock — a hundred billion, trillion people seem to enjoy McDonald's burgers, and, credit due, the beef has no fillers, no additives, and no preservatives. So fans of pink slime and artificial flavors and colors, so sorry.

The Signature Sriracha Burger is a limited-time special, so get 'em while they're hot.

ken-hoffman

Can I Kick It?

Top Austin brewery kicks off new sports club with volleyball and soccer

Photo by Traverse Photography

Meanwhile Brewing Co. has new reasons to visit.

Even Austinites who don't drink have plenty of reasons to visit Meanwhile Brewing Co., and now there's another for volleyball-lovers. The brewery has set up brand new sand courts, ready for the launch of the new Meanwhile Sports Club. The club will organize both volleyball and soccer games, so there's always someone to play with.

Sand volleyball games will be divided into teams of four or six, with the first games starting the week of January 6, 2025. Soccer teams will be five-on-five, with play beginning the week of February 3.

Teams will be in it to win, but the short "seasons" will avoid triggering commitment issues at just six weeks long. At the end of each season, the club will host a championship game for the chance to win a $200 bar tab.

Soccer field at Meanwhile Brewing Co. Austin The soccer field is right next to Meanwhile's resident food trucks.Photo by Traverse Photography

The brewery recommends that teams sign up together to increase the likelihood that everyone gets a chance to play. The leagues do accept free agents, but availability constraints mean that no one is guaranteed a spot. Multitalented athletes can increase their chances by signing up for both sports, but should choose different days so games don't conflict.

For those who maintain that beer — and not running — is still their favorite part of visiting a brewery, there's always opportunities to spectate. Meanwhile's South Austin grounds are well-stocked with brews, cocktails, and food trucks. Plus, there's almost always an event going on, from flea markets to movie screenings.

Registration for volleyball is open now and closes December 19; registration for soccer opens December 1 and closes January 16. The team fee is $675 for the first two weeks of registration, and increases to $725 later. Meanwhile Brewing is located at 3901 Promontory Point Dr.