Does McDonald’s Still Have the Bacon Smokehouse Burger?

The Bacon Smokehouse burger was a popular limited-time offering at McDonald’s featuring applewood smoked bacon onion strings, and a smoky sauce. However, it was removed from menus in 2018, leaving fans wondering if it will ever return.

In this article, we’ll take a look back at the history of the Bacon Smokehouse burger, examine why McDonald’s discontinued it, and discuss the likelihood of this burger making a comeback.

A Brief History of the McDonald’s Bacon Smokehouse Burger

The Bacon Smokehouse burger made its debut at McDonald’s in early 2018 as part of the chain’s rotating Signature Crafted Recipes lineup. It featured two quarter-pound 100% fresh beef patties, applewood smoked bacon, fried onion strings, white cheddar cheese, a bacon-onion sauce, and a mustard sauce.

McDonald’s heavily promoted the burger in ads and on social media as a premium crave-worthy option for bacon lovers. For a time it was part of a Bacon Trilogy along with the Bacon Cheddar McChicken and Cheesy Bacon Fries.

The Bacon Smokehouse burger seemed popular with customers seeking an indulgent, bacon-loaded sandwich. However, just a few months after its launch, McDonald’s quietly removed it from menus by mid-2018.

Why Did McDonald’s Get Rid of the Bacon Smokehouse Burger?

McDonald’s never gave an official reason, but here are some things that are likely to have led to the quick end of the Bacon Smokehouse burger:

• Menu simplification – McDonald’s was streamlining menus and cutting underperforming items. As a limited-time offer, the Bacon Smokehouse may have been an easy cut.

• High price – Priced at around $6. 50, it was one of McDonald’s most expensive Signature items. The high cost may have turned some customers off.

• Labor-intensive – Extra toppings like fried onion strings made it time-consuming to prepare compared to other items.

• McDonald’s was now advertising new seasonal items like the Triple Breakfast Stacks as part of a new product push.

• Poor sales – Ultimately, it may come down to weaker than expected customer demand. The burger may not have sold well enough to warrant keeping.

While fans enjoyed the Bacon Smokehouse, it seems the cons outweighed the pros when it came to leaving it as a permanent menu item.

Did the Bacon Smokehouse Get Replaced By Another Burger?

When McDonald’s removed the Bacon Smokehouse burger in 2018, it did add two new Quarter Pounder options shortly after:

• Double Quarter Pounder with Bacon
• Quarter Pounder with Bacon and Tomato

These new bacon-topped Quarter Pounders were likely intended to replace the Bacon Smokehouse burger and offer similar indulgence and customization in a more familiar (and affordable) package.

Other Signature Crafted Recipes also disappeared around the same time as the Bacon Smokehouse burger, getting replaced on menus by McDonald’s classics like the Quarter Pounder.

What Are the Chances the Bacon Smokehouse Will Return?

Given its short tenure and quiet departure, the odds of McDonald’s bringing back the Bacon Smokehouse burger don’t seem high at this point. However, fans may hold out hope for its return for a few reasons:

• Nostalgia – Vintage fast food always sparks interest and sales. The Bacon Smokehouse could tap into nostalgia.

• Bacon trend – Bacon remains popular on menus, so it’s possible McDonald’s revisits a bacon-loaded burger.

• Rotating LTOs – As a limited-time offer, it could make occasional comebacks during bacon promotions.

• Social media demand – Enough social media buzz may show McDonald’s there’s still demand for the burger.

While a permanent comeback seems unlikely, McDonald’s could potentially bring a revamped Bacon Smokehouse burger back for short stints as a seasonal promotion. Customers who want to relive the burger should keep an eye on McDonald’s LTO calendars and announcements.

What Other Bacon Burgers Are Currently at McDonald’s?

Though the Bacon Smokehouse is gone, those craving a bacon burger at McDonald’s do have other options:

• Bacon Quarter Pounder – Quarter Pounder with bacon topping.

• Double Quarter Pounder with Bacon – Two beef patties and bacon.

• Bacon McDouble – McDouble with added bacon.

• Bacon Clubhouse Burger – Bacon, tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, and mayo.

• Bacon Ranch Salad with Buttermilk Crispy Chicken – Grilled or crispy chicken bacon salad.

• Bacon Tomato Grilled Chicken Sandwich – Grilled chicken with bacon and tomato.

While not quite the same experience, these bacon-y menu items can still satisfy a craving for McDonald’s and bacon. Fans of the Bacon Smokehouse may just have to build their own version.

Is It Possible to Make a Bacon Smokehouse Burger at McDonald’s?

Some die-hard Bacon Smokehouse fans have tried to recreate the burger by customizing existing McDonald’s sandwiches. While not an exact replica, there are ways to get pretty close:

• Order a Double Quarter Pounder with bacon added.

• Ask for extra bacon and onion strips if available.

• Add mustard and smokehouse BBQ sauce from the condiment station.

• Top with shredded cheddar cheese from the cheeseburger.

It requires some hacks and substitutions, but customizing a fresh Quarter Pounder is the closest way to re-experience some smoky, bacon flavor reminiscent of the Bacon Smokehouse burger. Just don’t expect McDonald’s employees to advertise these kinds of off-menu creations.

Will McDonald’s Next Bacon Burger Live Up to the Bacon Smokehouse?

McDonald’s frequently changes up its burger lineup with limited-time offers and rotations. Whenever they debut a new bacon burger, expectations from Bacon Smokehouse fans will be high.

To meet or exceed that burger, McDonald’s next bacon creation really needs to bring the smoke, sizzle and seasoning. Crunchy onion strings, melty cheese, peppery bacon and tons of crave-worthy sauces are must-haves.

Ideally, a double or triple-decker bacon burger overflowing with toppings would really wow customers. McDonald’s culinary team and marketing execs also know they need inventive names and mouth-watering food photos to generate Bacon Smokehouse levels of buzz.

The bar is set high, but with its vast bacon burger experience, McDonald’s has all the tools to deliver an new bacon bomb burger that can live up to the billing – or maybe even excee