In the fast paced fast food culture of Canada, even picking a quick, filling, and affordable breakfast seems daunting amidst the numerous choices beyond coffee and doughnut. This guide presents a concise, evidence based review of two notable giants Burger King and Wendy’s rooted in an experiential taste test in Toronto. We also check out other favorite chains to gain a better view, assisting you in determining where to put your morning money. We are concerned with flavor, texture, portion, and value to bring out the winners for your breakfast requirements.
1. Burger King Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Croissan’wich
The Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Croissan’wich, included in a $19.30 CAD meal, is notable for its large size, which makes it a likely winner on value. Intended to be as convenient as a sandwich bun but with the flaky, buttery texture of a croissant, it offered the promise of an exciting experience. But texture fell short, being mushy and adherent to the palate, more akin to white bread than croissant. The scrambled egg folded over was soft but didn’t have much flavor, and the sausage provided some texture without being too salty. The cheese did not have a noticeable presence, blending into the mixture. The idea is promising, but the realization requires work to provide a well balanced, tasty sandwich.
2. Wendy’s Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Croissant Sandwich
Wendy’s Sausage, Egg, and Cheese Croissant Sandwich, part of an $18 CAD meal, provides a marginally improved price value, attracting price sensitive consumers. Launched with Wendy’s 2020 breakfast menu rollout, it hopes to challenge incumbents. The sandwich itself was too salty, though, as the sausage’s peppery aftertaste dominated other tastes. The “bun,” which should have been a croissant, tasted like soft white bread without the sought after flakiness. The over hard egg was perfectly cooked, with a firm texture, but could not equal the sausage’s overwhelming presence. Even with Wendy’s emphasis on fresh ingredients, this sandwich did not achieve seasoning balance, making it less fulfilling.
3. Burger King French Toast Sticks
Part of the $19.30 CAD meal, Burger King’s French Toast Sticks try to provide a sweet, portable breakfast with a cinnamon sugar coating. When looked at visually, they appear to be churros, white and puffy looking, essentially promising. The flavor delivers a sweet, moist profile reminiscent of a cinnamon bun, appealing to those craving sweetness. However, a greasy texture and lingering aftertaste detracted from the experience, leaving a desire for a cleaner finish. While the initial taste is inviting, the greasiness makes these sticks less appealing for a refreshing morning treat.
4. Wendy’s French Toast Sticks
Wendy’s French Toast Sticks, part of the $18 CAD meal, initially appear less enticing, looking deflated and dry compared to Burger King’s puffier version. Yet, they surprise with a balanced flavor, coated in sugar but not overly sweet, with a pleasant earthy cinnamon note. Crucially, they avoid the greasiness of Burger King’s offering, providing a cleaner eating experience. This texture and absence of bitter aftertaste keep Wendy’s sticks the favorite, demonstrating that taste and texture are more important than first impressions of appearance.
5. Burger King Mini Hash Browns
Burger King Mini Hash Browns, part of the $19.30 CAD meal, are traditional breakfast side dishes prized for their crunchy outside and fluffy inside. They get texture right, with a great crunch and soft center, but do not quite do it in terms of flavor. Tasteless, they do not get the seasoning that is necessary to bring out the natural flavor of the potato. Though the texture is done correctly, a lack of strong seasoning on these hash browns is a wasted attempt at a more flavorful side dish.
6. Wendy’s Seasoned Potato Wedges
Wendy’s features seasoned potato wedges in lieu of hash browns, part of the $18 CAD meal, providing a unique alternative. The wedges excel with pepper and garlic powder seasoning, providing pungent, savory flavors. Their light and airy interiors paired with crispy outsides provide a pleasant texture, making them a winner. In contrast to Burger King’s lackluster hash browns, Wendy’s wedges are a step above in flavor and texture, gaining preference for their considerate preparation and fulfilling bite.
7. Burger King Bacon Poutine
Burger King’s Bacon Poutine, included in the $19.30 CAD offering, adds a Canadian staple of fries, gravy, and cheese curds with bacon. The serving size is generous, with plenty of cheese curds and crispy bacon over a big helping of fries, creating an indulgent experience. But the fries’ starchy texture and the dish’s overuse of salt, with bacon and curds serving as catalysts, makes it difficult to get more than a few bites. Richness and heavy seasoning stifle its charm, indicating a necessity for greater balance in order to appeal to a wider palate.
8. Wendy’s Bacon Poutine
Wendy’s Bacon Poutine, which comes in the $18 CAD meal, offers a better looking option with shiny gravy and fluffy cheese curds. The fries have a strong, chewy texture, as opposed to Burger King’s mushy version. The bacon, though, contributes too much saltiness, akin to the problem in Burger King’s poutine. The flavor and solidity of the fries, nonetheless, make Wendy’s poutine superior, with a more integrated and pleasant experience, albeit rich for some palates.
9. Subway’s Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Flatbread
Subway’s breakfast introduction, a $4.79 Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Flatbread, attempts to bring customization to the breakfast menu. Unfortunately, the flatbread is dry and over compressed, topped with thin fillings two over hard egg rings, half cooked bacon, and little cheese. The hard, cracker like texture and unflavorful, rubbery eggs are disappointing, and the bacon is of poor quality. Too little cheese doesn’t contribute to moisture or flavor, resulting in a weak contender in this sandwich. Moving to Subway’s toasted fresh bread would make it better, but on its own, it lags behind in the breakfast category.
10. Tim Hortons’ Bacon Bagel Breakfast Sandwich
Tim Hortons’ Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Breakfast Sandwich on an “everything” bagel for $5.09 holds the bacon of the chain’s breakfast flag. It seems promising, piled high, but there’s a problem with a dry, over toasted bagel that’s difficult to chew and underseasoned. The bacon is acceptable but uninspired, and the greenish tint of the egg yolk is an issue for quality. These deficiencies mar the sandwich’s promise, making it a letdown compared to other alternatives from this Canadian institution.
11. McDonald’s Sausage McMuffin with Egg
McDonald’s Sausage McMuffin with Egg, at $3.99, is a fast food breakfast staple. Its soft, spongey English muffin is good enough to be enjoyed on its own. The sausage and cheese add a bit of moisture, but the egg is bland, hard boiled, and unexciting. While a sure thing and relatively cheap, the sandwich is mediocre compared to more recent, substantial offerings. Its familiar look and time tested popularity make it current, but it doesn’t compete in the diverse market of today.
Final Thoughts
Canada’s breakfast fast food landscape has plenty of options, ranging from traditional sandwiches to more unusual fare like poutine. Our taste test indicates that Wendy’s beats out Burger King with improved value, side flavors that work in balance in items such as French Toast Sticks and potato wedges, and a bit more robust poutine. Aside from this competition, places like McDonald’s provide consistency, while Subway and Tim Hortons falter on execution. By emphasizing texture, flavor, and worth, you can make decisions that improve your breakfast routine, determining the best breakfast to match your taste buds and timeline.
