Review: Burger King's New Pretzel Burger And Nacho Cheese Sauce Are Game Day Winners

Burger King offers more than its name implies. While its burger list is pretty vast, with anything from a simple hamburger to a loaded Texas Double Whopper — which was my favorite when I taste-tested a bunch of Burger King burgers – it also has random sides, desserts, and even chicken items. So, it's no surprise to me that it has come out with a new burger called the Game Day Pretzel Burger, as well as a new iteration of its infamous Chicken Fries: this time served with Nacho Sauce.

I ventured to the chain to get a first taste (literally) to tell you whether you should head to your nearest BK to snag them or skip them entirely. I was hoping for interesting flavors and textures and found some memorable results. I'll share my thoughts on the new products, what works, and whether there are any glaring issues, as well as include information on pricing and nutritional value, which ends up being kind of important contextually.

Prices are as of the date of publication and may vary by location.

I bought the two new menu items from Burger King's drive-thru and ate them at home. The employee told me (twice) that I was the first to order it, probably because it was 9:20 a.m. on release day. My taste test was simple: I tried the items, took notes and photos, and started writing. I was looking for fresh ingredients, interesting flavors, and compelling textures that would entice me (and others) to purchase these new items over others. I was looking for great taste of the items both individually and as a whole; I did not want ingredients (pretzel bun, Nacho Cheese Sauce) to function solely as a novelty.

The Game Day Pretzel Burger uses a 100% flame-grilled beef patty, American cheese, bacon, crispy onions, and Nacho Cheese Sauce as its foundation. Then it's served on a warmed SUPERPRETZEL Soft Pretzel Bun to set it apart from other bun bases on the menu. I usually like pretzel buns for their soft and chewy texture and unique flavor. I think it really works here because the bun is memorable, and it makes a fun application for a Burger King option. 

It has a pleasant chew that's a bit spongy and slightly denser than your average bun, which holds up nicely as I, well, hold it. The flame-grilled patty is excellent, offering a touch of smokiness that pairs perfectly with the smoky, salty, and crispy bacon. The crunchy onions are a pleasant touch, bringing added crunch and a touch of sweetness to the savory burger. I don't think they are the star of the burger, but they certainly help it taste more interesting. 

The Nacho Sauce here is lacking, though. I definitely wanted more of it since it was a main part of the burger. I was kind of expecting a gooey, oozy type of application, but it seemed very lightly applied (though that may be a good thing, more on that toward the end). At least there's some American cheese to provide some creaminess that contrasts well with all the salt. As it is, this is still a fantastic burger, and the fresh bun makes everything shine.

I have to preface by saying I'm not a major Chicken Fries fan; they're often dry and lackluster, with too little chicken to make it flavorful. However, I like to go into taste tests with a clear mind, and I'm always down to be humbled or change my opinion. And I have to say, this revamped menu item comes with the Nacho Sauce and makes all the difference. The sauce comes in a little container, whereas it was already applied to the burger. 

The sauce is creamy and incredibly salty, with a hint of heat. These components offer a lot of flavor intrigue to the Chicken Fries. It doesn't hurt that I feel the fries were fresher because I ordered so early in the morning. Like many fast food items, though, they are best when fresh and hot. When you wait, the texture starts to soften, and they aren't nearly as tasty. I know because I tried them fresh and then again about 25 minutes later. Still, the nacho element brings a lot to the game, and it's well worth the purchase. It's ultra-salty. I wish the sodium level was toned down, but that the heat was more intense. It definitely needs more spice, either from more jalapeño peppers or another source.

I'm pretty pleased with both items, and I'm not the easiest cookie to impress. The flavors of everything were ramped up, and that's the main thing I was seeking for this taste test. The food had to be interesting enough for me to tell you to buy it, and I can do so safely. Granted, the Nacho Sauce is very salty, which is its biggest con. It's cheesy and rich, but after a couple of bites I needed to chug some water. 

The Chicken Fries won me over with their herby, crunchy exterior and hot chicken center, while the burger had everything going for it — creamy, salty, smoky, slightly sweet, and subtly tangy from the pickles. And of course, we can't forget that stunning pretzel bun, which brings a doughy, mildly tangy hit to the hamburger. It's a good BK option and worth a wait in the drive-thru line. I hope BK keeps the bun on the menu because it should be added to the best things the chain has done in 2026. For best results, you may want to go early in the morning — that was a major improvement for me.

These menu items are available nationwide starting October 6, 2026, and are a limited-time offering, so head over to a participating BK if anything sounds interesting. The product launch is running in conjunction with a 4-week digital sweepstakes where Royal Perks members (BK's loyalty program) can win various prizes. I'm based in the San Diego area, and the burger was $11.99 while the 8-piece fries and sauce were $7.49.

The Game Day Pretzel Burger has 920 calories, 68 grams of carbohydrates, 46 grams of protein, and 1,920 milligrams of sodium, which is close to the total daily recommended amount for adults (2,300 milligrams), according to the Food and Drug Administration. The 8-piece Game Day Chicken Fries has 330 calories, 23 grams of carbohydrates, 15 grams of protein, and 1,470 milligrams of sodium. Therefore, consuming both items exceeds the recommended sodium intake by a considerable amount.