Kay Carlson Keeps It Real While Testing SpongeBob And Grinch Fast Food Drops

Fast food is officially in its limited-edition era, and this holiday season, two iconic chains are going all in on nostalgia, pop culture, and collectible-worthy chaos. Burger King and McDonald’s have each rolled out character-inspired meals that feel tailor-made for social media, and for fans who love when their favorite franchises collide with fries. From an under-the-sea feast straight out of Bikini Bottom to a festive bundle inspired by everyone’s favorite holiday grump, the competition for seasonal fast food is heating up. In a new video collaboration with content creator Kay Carlson, The Blast dives headfirst into both viral releases, Burger King’s SpongeBob Krusty Krab–inspired menu and McDonald’s mischievous Grinch Meal, to see which limited-time offering actually delivers on flavor, fun, and fan hype. With exclusive packaging, themed menu items, and collectible extras in the mix, these meals aren’t just about eating. They’re about the experience.

Burger King isn’t just dipping a toe into nostalgia because it’s diving all the way into Bikini Bottom with its limited-edition SpongeBob Krusty Krab–inspired menu. Timed to celebrate "The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants," the fast-food giant has rolled out a colorful, character-driven lineup, featuring four items that feel more like a themed experience than a standard meal.

For fans who want the full experience, Burger King also offers the Bikini Bottom Bundle, which packages all four limited-time items in a pineapple-shaped Under the Sea box, complete with Cheesy Bacon Tots and a medium float, and that is exactly what Kay did.

Trying the menu for herself, Kay dug into the character-inspired lineup, testing out the offerings meant to capture SpongeBob’s world. Leading the charge is the Pineapple Slushy, which Kay compares to a 7-11 Slurpee. "If you like pineapple, you will like this," she said. "It's not very creamy, it's more icee."

SpongeBob’s Krabby Whopper is a classic flame-grilled Whopper reimagined with a bright, “neon yellow” square bun made using natural spices. Stacked with melty American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions, and a splash of mayo and ketchup, the burger delivers a clear nod to the iconic Krabby Patty without straying far from Burger King’s signature flavor.

According to Kay, the taste is exactly what fans would expect, noting that it essentially tastes "just like a Whopper," with the bun providing the biggest visual twist rather than a dramatic flavor change.

On the side, Mr. Krabs’ Cheesy Bacon Tots bring a rich, indulgent twist, featuring crispy, coin-shaped potato tots stuffed with gooey cheese and savory bacon bits. Even the packaging leans into the theme, arriving in a treasure chest–style carton straight from the Krusty Krab, a detail Kay couldn’t get enough of.

As for the taste, she said the tots were exactly what you’d expect, praising their crispiness in particular, though she noted she would personally prefer them without the bacon.

Dessert gets its moment with Patrick’s Star-berry Shortcake Pie, a layered strawberry-and-vanilla treat topped with cookie crumbles and pink star-shaped sprinkles, a sweet, whimsical finish inspired by SpongeBob’s best friend.

Unfortunately, Kay’s Burger King was already sold out of the pie by the time she visited, meaning that particular taste test will have to wait.

While Burger King leaned into colorful cartoon nostalgia, McDonald’s took a more mischievous route with its limited-edition Grinch Meal, though Kay’s experience didn’t quite go as planned. By the time she stopped by to try the festive bundle, the Grinch Meal had already sold out at her location, making it an unexpected miss in the taste-test lineup.

The meal, inspired by Dr. Seuss’ iconic holiday character, was designed to turn a standard McDonald’s order into a full-on seasonal moment. Guests could choose between a Big Mac or 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, paired with a drink, classic fries, and the interactive Grinch-Shaker Fries, which came with dill pickle–flavored “Grinch Salt” and a branded McShaker bag meant for shaking things up. The bundle also included a pair of collectible Grinch socks.

Despite missing out, Kay wasn’t too disappointed. She noted that she had seen TikTok users claim they felt sick after trying the meal, joking that she was ultimately “relieved” not to have gotten her hands on it.

Between Bikini Bottom nostalgia and holiday mischief, these limited-edition fast food drops prove that when it comes to pop culture meals, the experience can be just as important as the taste.