I tried Greggs’ new menu including burger that’s like iconic McDonald’s item but it tastes better

GREGGS fans are in for a treat as the fast food chain has launched an all new burger to rival McDonald’s and KFC. The BBQ Crispy Chicken Burger lands in hundreds of restaurants today. The burger is a new twist on an old favourite, with chicken breasts coated in a crispy crumb with fresh salad, BBQ sauce and mayonnaise. It’s part of the fast-food giant’s plan to roll out its hot menu items in shops across the country.

The new items are designed to give Greggs customers more choice and expand the food to go menu. The hot made to order range is on offer in more than 150 shops in locations including Newcastle, Bristol and Liverpool. Greggs plans to double the number of shops it is available in to more than 300 by spring. Customers can also get their hands on the range through delivery on JustEat, UberEats and Click + Collect on the Greggs App.

The BBQ Crispy Chicken Burger is not the only item joining the Greggs menu. It is being joined by a BBQ Chicken Wrap, Crispy Chicken Bites, Katsu Chicken Bake and Cherry Bakewell Muffin. There are also three drinks returning to stores. The Regular Cinnamon Swirl Latte, Regular Cinnamon Flat White and Over Ice Cinnamon Latte will be joining the bakery chain’s line up. Eager to try them, I put four of the new menu items to the test.

First up was the BBQ Crispy Chicken Burger, which is served in a soft corn top roll and costs £4. The burger was delicious and the chicken breast was soft and moist. The outer coating reminded me of the popular McDonald’s chicken deluxe but tasted better. It has BBQ sauce, lettuce, and mayo, and it has 543 calories. The McDonald's burger has 578 calories does but comes with cheese, while the Greggs version doesn't and the bun is different.

They aren't exactly identical, but I really preferred the Greggs one because the balance of flavours is better, and I can see this being really popular with customers. Next up was the BBQ Crispy Chicken Wrap, which costs £3.80 and 517 calories. The wrap contains all the same ingredients as the chicken burger but comes in a soft tortilla wrap. When I bit into the wrap I was impressed with how soft the tortilla was and how well it paired with the crunchy chicken coating and lettuce leaves.

The BBQ sauce is tangy but not overwhelming and balances well with the mayonnaise. The wrap is similar to the McDonald’s crispy BBQ & bacon chicken one, which has 492 calories and costs £3.99 in London. I was impressed with how much chicken you get in the wrap, it seemed more substantial than the McDonald's equivalent. It is part of the new Hot Sandwich Deal, which includes any hot sandwich, wedges or side salad and drink from £4.95.

Meanwhile, the crowd-pleasing katsu chicken bake is back on menus. The flaky puff pastry contains chunks of chicken breast and Japanese-inspired Katsu-style curry sauce. When I gave it a taste it reminded me of the curry sauce you get at your local chip shop. Meanwhile, the spice in the sauce and spiced crumb make it perfect for a cold February lunch. It costs £2.10 or £3.25 as part of the savoury bake and hot drink deal.

Last up was the Cherry Bakewell Muffin, which is also returning to menus. The sweet treat is a blend of a Cherry Bakewell Tart and a traditional muffin. Prices start at £4 and it can be picked up in shops nationwide. The icing reminded me of the type of cakes I used to have in school and I loved the glace cherry on top. Inside is a thick cherry jam with sour cherry-flavoured pieces. I found the cherry flavour a little overpowering but the muffin itself is soft and fluffy.

The burgers and wraps are available in the following Greggs stores from today:. Greggs is also launching several new items in certain shops. A box of Crispy Chicken Bites will be on offer in selected shops across the Birmingham area. The tender chicken pieces will be coated in a crispy golden crumb and look similar to the KFC chicken tenders. They will be sold in boxes of four from £2 or 9 from £3.50.