34 128 Big Macs later: One man’s incredible journey

Don Gorske, a 70-year-old retired prison officer from Wisconsin, has achieved a remarkable feat. He has consumed more than 34,000 McDonald’s Big Macs in his lifetime. Gorske recently extended his Guinness World Records title for the most Big Mac burgers eaten. He consumed an additional 728 Big Macs throughout 2023, bringing his total to an astonishing 34,128.

Big Mac Enthusiast Maintains Good Health

Gorske has not experienced any significant health issues from his Big Mac consumption. Each Big Mac contains 590 calories, consisting of two beef patties, sauce, pickles, lettuce, onion, and cheese, all sandwiched in a sesame seed bun.

“Many people thought I’d be dead by now, but instead, I’ve been a record holder for my 24th year,” Gorske said.To maintain his health, Gorske walks six miles per day and forgoes the fries that come with his order.

“I’m healthy as a horse. I weigh 190 pounds (86 kilograms), and my cholesterol is 165,” he told The Post in 2018. “I’m better than normal.” According to the Cleveland Clinic, cholesterol levels under 200 are considered good.

Gorske’s Big Mac Journey Began in 1972

Gorske’s love affair with the Big Mac began almost 52 years ago in May 1972. “In that moment, I said: ‘I’m going to probably eat these for the rest of my life.’ I threw the cartons in the back seat and started counting them from day one,” he told Guinness World Records.

Since then, he has meticulously recorded every Big Mac he has eaten, even keeping all the containers and receipts.

Local McDonald’s Celebrates Gorske’s Dedication

Gorske’s local McDonald’s has a photo of him on the wall to celebrate his dedication. He even proposed to his wife, Mary, in the restaurant’s parking lot. “She has put up with a lot of obsessive-compulsive things I do and hasn’t let my Big Mac thing get to her,” he shared.

Gorske’s Daily Big Mac Routine

Initially, Gorske consumed nine Big Macs per day, but he has since reduced his intake to two: one for lunch and one for dinner. Since retiring, he purchases them in batches twice a week.

Gorske eats a fresh Big Mac when he picks up his order and microwaves the rest at home when he’s hungry.Gorske’s eating habits are quite specific. He skips breakfast and only eats small snacks at night, such as ice cream, fruit bars, or potato chips. He even tried a Whopper from Burger King once in 1984 but decided to remain loyal to the Big Mac.

“When I like something, I stick with it all the time,” he told Guinness World Records. Despite the naysayers, Gorske remains in good health and continues to enjoy his favourite burger. “If I had a dollar for every time I was told where to stick my Big Macs, I could have retired 10 years sooner,” he quipped. Gorske’s extraordinary story was featured in the 2004 documentary “Super Size Me,” cementing his status as a Big Mac legend.

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