Short answerBacon adds a salty, smoky crunch and extra fat that a classic cheeseburger doesn't have. It changes the texture (crisp against soft), the flavour (smoky against clean beef and cheese), and makes the whole thing richer and heavier.
A classic cheeseburger is already a complete, balanced thing — beef, cheese, pickle, sauce, bun. Adding bacon doesn't just add a topping, it shifts the whole balance of the burger toward richer and smokier.
What bacon actually changes
- Texture — bacon brings a crisp, brittle bite that contrasts against the soft patty and bun, something a classic cheeseburger doesn't have.
- Flavour — smoke and salt cut through the richness of the beef and cheese, adding a whole new note rather than just more of the same.
- Richness — extra fat from the bacon makes the burger heavier and more indulgent overall.
Neither version is more "correct" — a classic cheeseburger lets the beef and cheese speak for themselves, while bacon pushes everything toward bolder and smokier.
On the BB52 menu
The BB52 brings the bacon — 120g Aussie beef, yellow cheddar, caramelized onion, BB52 signature sauce and smoky BBQ sauce on a sesame bun. For the classic version, there's The Cheeseburger. See the full menu →