United Airlines Pretzel Burger With Cheddar, Bacon, And Beer Cheese
My Meal of the Week feature examines an airline meal from my travels over the years. This may be a meal from earlier in the week or it may be a meal served over a decade ago.
Burgers are the sort of crowd-pleasing comfort food that have mass appeal. Thus, it is no surprise that United Airlines has consistently kept some kind of burger on its buy-on-board menu. This month’s flavor is particularly satisfying; a pretzel burger with plenty of cheese and bacon.
Perfect Airline Meal: United Airlines Pretzel Burger With Bacon
While traveling last week from Newark to Denver, the choices were either “Japanese style” curry chicken or a cauliflower lime rice bowl. Since I had recently tried both dishes, I asked if I could have a hamburger from economy class instead. The flight attendant was happy to oblige my request.
My meal tray arrived with the hamburger wrapped. I had not even bothered to check what kind of burger was on the menu this month (United typically will make slight variations every month or two, like changing the bun or type of cheese).
This month, the burger was on a pretzel roll with cheddar cheese, bacon, and chipotle beer cheese. Beer cheese is a cheese spread most commonly found in Kentucky.
First, I unwrapped it and put it on the bread plate…the visual appearance of food is an important element of taste.
Then I dug in.
Wow…so, so good.
The bun was perfectly toasted and I love the pretzel flavor. The bacon was salty and distinctly complemented the hamburger patty and cheddar cheese. I did not taste the “beer cheese.”
What a nice lunch…and it again underscores that simple is best. For years, the burger has been the most popular menu on United’s Bistro On Board menu. I understand why…it’s satisfying and delicious. I’d love to see this as a “real” first class meal with soup and salad on the side.
Well done, United. This burger is available for purchase on U.S. flights over 1,500 miles departing…
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