The Dave’s Double is a popular burger option offered at the fast food restaurant Wendy’s. With two beef patties, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, ketchup, mayo, and onion on a bun, it’s a filling meal for burger lovers. But just how much meat is packed into a Dave’s Double? Let’s take a closer look at what goes into this sandwich.
Dave’s Double Burger Ingredients
The main component of any burger is obviously the beef patties. Here are the key ingredients that make up a Dave’s Double:
– 2 quarter-pound fresh beef patties
– 2 slices American cheese
– Lettuce
– Sliced tomato
– Dill pickle chips
– Ketchup
– Mayonnaise
– Onion
– Soft bun
So two quarter-pound patties amounts to half a pound or 8 ounces of fresh beef. That’s already a significant amount of meat!
Weight of Meat in a Dave’s Double
To determine exactly how much meat is in a Dave’s Double, we need to look at the pre-cooked weight of a Wendy’s burger patty.
Each quarter-pound patty starts off weighing 4 ounces raw. However, beef loses moisture and shrinks when cooked. Approximately 25% of the weight is lost during cooking due to water loss.
That means each pre-cooked quarter-pound patty weighs roughly 3 ounces. With two patties total, a Dave’s Double contains approximately 6 ounces or 170 grams of cooked beef.
Other Burger Options Comparison
To put that amount of meat into perspective, let’s compare it to some other popular burger choices:
Wendy’s Cheeseburger
– Single quarter-pound patty
– 3 ounces pre-cooked weight
Wendy’s Baconator
– Two quarter-pound patties
– 6 ounces pre-cooked weight
McDonald’s Double Cheeseburger
– Two 1/10 pound patties
– Around 5 ounces pre-cooked weight
So the Dave’s Double contains slightly more meat than a McDonald’s double cheeseburger. And it offers the same amount of beef as Wendy’s Baconator without the extra bacon.
Nutrition Information
Now let’s examine the nutrition facts for a Dave’s Double:
Calories: 670
With two meat patties plus cheese, mayo, and bacon, the Dave’s Double is a high-calorie burger.
Total Fat: 40g
The majority of the fat comes from the beef patties and mayonnaise.
Saturated Fat: 14g
The saturated fat content is quite high due to the beef patties and cheese.
Trans Fat: 1.5g
A small amount of unhealthy trans fats are found in the burger.
Cholesterol: 135mg
With two beef patties plus cheese, cholesterol levels are high.
Sodium: 1180mg
Addition of pickles, ketchup, and onion boosts the sodium content.
Carbohydrates: 46g
The bun accounts for most of the carbohydrate content.
Sugar: 6g
A small amount of sugar comes from the ketchup and bun.
Protein: 38g
The two beef patties provide the majority of the protein.
So the Dave’s Double provides a whopping 38 grams of protein in addition to 40 grams of fat. It’s a high calorie burger but offers a significant amount of protein from all that beef.
Cost of Ingredients
Taking a closer look at the ingredients also gives us an idea of how much it costs Wendy’s to make each Dave’s Double burger:
– 2 quarter-pound beef patties = $2.00
– 2 slices American cheese = $0.30
– Bun = $0.30
– Lettuce = $0.15
– Tomato = $0.15
– Onion = $0.10
– Pickles = $0.10
– Ketchup & mayo = $0.15
Total cost of ingredients: $3.25
Of course this doesn’t account for labor, electricity, natural gas and other costs to actually cook the burgers and assemble each sandwich. But it gives a rough idea of the ingredients cost.
Wendy’s sells the Dave’s Double for around $5.29 depending on location. So after accounting for all costs, they make about $2 in profit on each burger sold.
Cooking Process
To get an idea of how the burger is prepared, let’s take a quick look at Wendy’s cooking process:
1. Beef patties are pressed and formed daily from fresh beef.
2. Patties are grilled for 5 minutes on a hot grill at 350°F.
3. American cheese is added to melt on top of patties.
4. Buns are warmed on the grill.
5. Lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, mayo, and ketchup are added.
6. The bottom bun is placed on a tray, followed by beef patties, cheese, and toppings.
7. The top half of the bun is placed on top to finish assembly.
Wendy’s promises always fresh, never frozen beef. And you can definitely taste the difference in their juicy burgers!
How Does Dave’s Double Compare to Other Double Burgers?
Wendy’s isn’t the only fast food chain with a double burger on the menu. Here’s how the Dave’s Double stacks up against some other popular double burgers:
| Burger | Beef Patties | Cheese | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dave’s Double | Two 1/4 lb | Yes | 670 |
| McDonald’s Double Cheeseburger | Two 1/10 lb | Yes | 440 |
| Burger King Double Whopper | Two 1/4 lb | Yes | 930 |
| Sonic Double Cheeseburger | Two 1/4 lb | Yes | 760 |
Based on the comparison, the Dave’s Double offers more meat than a McDonald’s double cheeseburger but less than a Double Whopper. The calorie count is right in between those options as well.
Taste Test: How Does It Rate?
The real test of any burger is the all-important taste test. Here’s a quick taste test review of Wendy’s Dave’s Double:
Buns – soft, pillowy, absorb sauce nicely
Beef – hot, juicy, and flavorful
Cheese – nicely melted over the patties
Produce – fresh, crunchy lettuce and tomato
Sauce – tangy ketchup and creamy mayo
Overall – great burger flavor, juicy and filling
I would highly recommend the Dave’s Double to anyone looking for a satisfying burger with lots of fresh beef flavor. It’s a step above standard fast food burgers in terms of ingredient quality and taste.
Dave’s Double History
So where did the Dave’s Double originate? Here’s a quick history of this popular Wendy’s burger:
1969 – Wendy’s is founded in Columbus, Ohio by Dave Thomas.
1978 – The first Dave’s Double debuts on the menu with two beef patties.
1980s – Dave’s Double becomes one of the most popular items.
2004 – Introduction of Wendy’s Natural-Cut Fries and refresh of Dave’s Double.
2011 – New campaign launched promoting fresh beef in Dave’s Double.
2016 – Wendy’s introduces bakery-style buns across menu including Dave’s Double.
2022 – Wendy’s launches the Bacon Double Stack, a twist on the classic.
As Wendy’s founder, Dave Thomas named the double burger after himself. It continues to be a customer favorite more than 40 years later.
Who Might Enjoy a Dave’s Double?
The Dave’s Double is a great option for:
- Burger lovers – two fresh beef patties in one burger!
- Hunger people – it’s a more filling, hearty sandwich.
- People who want a quick but satisfying meal.
- Those who enjoy fast food burgers but want higher quality.
- Anyone who wants a good amount of protein from a burger.
- People who don’t mind higher calorie restaurant choices.
- Kids who request double burgers over regular cheeseburgers.
With two patties plus cheesy and saucy toppings, it makes for a great cheat meal or special treat. The fresh ingredients like vegetable produce and bakery-style bun set it apart from typical drive-thru burgers.
It’s Not Recommended For…
While delicious, the Dave’s Double isn’t the best option for everyone:
- People watching their calories – at 670 calories it’s higher than many sandwiches.
- Anyone limiting fat, especially saturated fat – the burger contains 40g total and 14g saturated fat.
- People with high cholesterol – with two beef patties and cheese, cholesterol is very high.
- Those wanting a lighter meal – even the single patty Jr. Dave’s Double is 420 calories.
- Vegetarians or vegans – contains two large beef patties, cheese, and mayo.
- People who get headache or tired from too much protein.
- Individuals who get indigestion or acid reflux from high-fat foods.
- Anyone with a soy, dairy or wheat allergy due to the bun, cheese, and oil used.
The high saturated fat, sodium, cholesterol, and calorie count make this a burger to enjoy occasionally, not every day.
Ordering Tips
To get the best tasting Dave’s Double, here are some useful ordering tips:
– Ask for extra tomatoes, lettuce, or onion for more crunch and freshness.
– Request extra pickles or ketchup to amp up the flavors.
– Opt for a combo meal with fries and a drink to make it a hearty meal.
– For lower carb, skip the bun and use a lettuce wrap.
– Order a chili or baked potato instead of fries if wanting a healthier side.
– Choose a Jr. Dave’s Double with one patty to reduce calories and fat.
– Swap out mayo-based sauce for mustard or barbecue sauce to cut down on saturated fat.
Order your Dave’s Double “As-Is” or customize it by adding extra toppings or subbing sides and sauces.
Conclusion
So how much meat is really packed into a Dave’s Double? Each burger contains approximately 6 ounces or 170 grams of pre-cooked fresh beef. That adds up to two quarter-pound patties worth of juicy, flavorful meat.
While high in calories, fat, and sodium, the Dave’s Double offers a significant amount of filling protein. It’s a satisfying indulgence for burger fans or anyone who wants an extra hearty sandwich. Just don’t make it an everyday habit due to the high saturated fat and cholesterol levels.
Overall, the fresh-pressed patties and quality ingredients like bakery-style buns make Wendy’s Dave Double a good choice in terms of taste and value. Next time you’re craving a double burger, skip the frozen pucks and grab a hot, fresh Dave’s Double!