What Has 540 Calories, 28 Grams of Fat, Sells 550 Million a Year, and Is Celebrating It's 40th Birthday?

McDonald's triple-decker Big Mac, that's what. Yes, that burger that helped breed America's Super-Size Culture, is turning the big 4-0. Of course, we all know that it was a knock-off of Big Boy's pride and joy.

I am not a real big fan of it. It's ok, but I REALLY like the 99 cent double cheeseburger a whole lot better. I also like the Johnsonville brats, the steak, egg and cheese bagel, and MOST of ALL, I Like the McRib!!!!!

Right now, I bet you're trying to remember the words to that jingle. Don't worry, I'll give them to you at the end of the story. Just keep working on your McD rap.

The Big Mac was first introduced to us by Jim Delligath, a McDonald's franchise owner in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. A year later, it was at McDonald's all across the US. I didn't catch an exact date for the introduction.

Of course, the whole McDonald's concept was born in a Route 66 city, San Bernardino where the McDonald brothers operated several hamburger stands. They bought a bunch of five-shake mixers from Ray Kroc who went there to see what was going on. He was impressed. He bought a franchise and opened the first McDonald's as we know it today on US Highway 12 in Des Plaines, Illinois, in 1955. The rest is history. Hey, we could have been having Big Krocs at the local Kroc's.

The McDonald's I go to the most is in Fox Lake, Illinois. A favorite thing for me to do is boat over to it, get my breakfast, and eat it out on the water, read the Tribune, and listen to tunes. Oh yes, and FEED the ducks. You must feed the ducks. How about boating over to a McDonald's. Not many people can say they've done that.

Hey, Make that Double Cheeseburger a Big Mac. When Are the McRibs Coming Back? --RoadDog

How's that Jingle Coming?

"Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce,cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame seed bun."