There’s a certain eerie feeling, almost like déjà vu, when creepy and kooky collide in the world of fast food tie-ins. It feels like just yesterday (though it was actually five years ago) when I braved the International House of Pancakes – IHOP – to sample a menu inspired by the animated The Addams Family movie.
I dove fork-first into Gomez’s Green Chile Omelette, dared to taste Wednesday’s Web-Cakes, and even – and Lurch forgive me for this – sipped Morticia’s Haunted Hot Chocolate. The hot chocolate, topped with a vibrant purple whipped cream, quickly morphed into a disturbingly violet shade as it melted, a truly haunting hue that has lingered in my memory ever since. The name was certainly accurate; that purple concoction has haunted my dreams for years.
Now, fast forward five years, and for reasons that remain shrouded in mystery, Burger King has unleashed its own limited-edition Addams Family menu, echoing the 2019 animated film. One might speculate this is a clever move to capitalize on the continued popularity of Netflix’s Wednesday series, even though the show debuted over a year prior. But I’m not here to delve into the financial strategies of fast-food giants. My mission is far more palatable: to explore and consume these peculiar movie-inspired menu items. It seems, somehow, this has become my peculiar niche.
Burger King’s Addams Family lineup features several playfully named items. “Thing’s Rings” are essentially classic onion rings in a specially themed box. “Churro Fries” playfully allude to… well, I can’t quite recall a pivotal churro scene in The Addams Family (perhaps a deep cut reference?). A chocolate milkshake makes a predictably spooky appearance. But the star of this spectral show is undoubtedly the Whopper, Burger King’s signature burger, reimagined with a startlingly bright purple bun.
Are these purple Whoppers simply a clever repurposing of the faded red buns from last year’s Spider-Verse Whopper promotion? That’s precisely what I intend to discover, alongside my friend Griffin Newman, actor, podcaster, and fellow enthusiast of promotional tie-ins. Here’s our comprehensive report on everything Burger King’s Addams Family menu has to offer.
Exploring Burger King’s ‘Addams Family’ Menu: A Taste Test
To commemorate the five-year anniversary of The Addams Family animated movie, Burger King has conjured up a menu of delightfully creepy and kooky treats. Here’s a breakdown of each item and our verdict on their taste.
Thing’s Rings: A Familiar Comfort
First up, we have Thing’s Rings. Let’s be honest, these are your standard Burger King onion rings. The “Addams Family” twist comes solely from the themed packaging. While perfectly acceptable onion rings, they don’t exactly scream “Wednesday Addams” in flavor or innovation. They are a safe, familiar choice for those who enjoy the classic side, but don’t expect any spooky surprises here.
Churro Fries: A Sweet Side Step
Next, we ventured into the Churro Fries. The connection to The Addams Family remains tenuous, but the taste is undeniably pleasant. Cinnamon-sugar coated and served warm, they offer a sweet counterpoint to the savory burger offerings. While perhaps not inherently “Addams Family” in spirit, they are a tasty and enjoyable addition to the menu, especially if you have a sweet tooth.
Chocolate Milkshake: Spookily Sweet?
The chocolate milkshake is another straightforward offering. It’s a chocolate milkshake – creamy, sweet, and chocolatey. While there’s nothing particularly spooky or Addams-esque about the flavor profile, it’s a solid, classic milkshake that pairs well with the rest of the menu. Perhaps the “spooky” element is its rich, indulgent nature?
The Purple Whopper: The Main Event
The star attraction, and arguably the most visually striking item, is the Purple Whopper. The vibrant purple bun is certainly eye-catching and immediately sets this burger apart. Taste-wise, the bun itself doesn’t impart any distinct flavor; it’s essentially a standard Whopper bun, just… purple. The rest of the Whopper components – beef patty, tomatoes, lettuce, mayonnaise, ketchup, pickles, and onions – remain unchanged. The novelty here is purely visual, but it’s undeniably effective in creating an “Addams Family” vibe. It’s a fun, if slightly gimmicky, way to enjoy a Whopper with a spooky twist. And to answer my earlier question, the purple bun does seem distinct from the Spider-Verse red bun, suggesting fresh dye-work rather than leftovers.
Final Verdict: Kooky Marketing, Familiar Flavors
Burger King’s Addams Family menu is a fun, if not entirely groundbreaking, promotional tie-in. While some items stretch the thematic connection, the Purple Whopper is a visually engaging centerpiece that successfully captures the kooky spirit of the Addams Family, especially appealing to fans of Wednesday. The menu items themselves are mostly familiar fast-food staples, given a spooky-season makeover through creative names and, in the Whopper’s case, a vibrant purple hue. If you’re an Addams Family enthusiast or simply curious about a purple burger, it’s worth a try for the novelty factor alone. Just don’t expect any truly haunted flavors – unless you count the lingering memory of that IHOP purple hot chocolate.
