I tried the McPlant, McDonald’s meat-free burger, and I don’t understand why American diners snubbed it

Inside, both burgers looked remarkably similar. They were pretty much identical in size.

They had slightly different fillings, though.

Still, it generally just looked like a normal, meaty burger when the top bun was on top.

I thought that the patty was excellent. It was served in a sesame seed bun, like many of McDonald’s other burgers, including its iconic Big Mac. The burger was full of sauce — perhaps a little too much, because of the ketchup, mustard, and sandwich sauce.

For a flexitarian like me, who actually enjoys the taste of plant-based meat, I thought that the McPlant was a great option for McDonald’s to have on its menu.

I was glad that McDonald’s priced the vegan burger the same as a comparable meaty burger: Some restaurants charge extra for vegan patties in burgers, plant-based cheese on pizzas, and oat milk in coffees.