<P> The Big N' Tasty is the latest in a series of burgers that were designed to compete against the Whopper from Burger King . The first sandwich in this line of products was the McDLT . It was sold in a novel form of packaging where the meat and bottom bun was prepared separately from the lettuce, tomato, cheese, pickles, sauces, and top bun and both were then packaged into a specially designed two - sided container . The consumer was then expected to finalize preparation of it by combining the "hot" and "cool" sides just before eating . The company discontinued it between December 1990 and January 1991 to appear more environmentally friendly as it moved away from polystyrene packaging which was integral to the McDLT "experience". </P> <P> The McDLT was eventually succeeded by the McLean Deluxe in 1991 . This was a lower fat burger that included carrageenan to replace the beef fat in the patty, and was served without mayonnaise . While it tested well, it failed to catch on after the national roll - out and was discontinued in February 1996 in favor of the new Arch Deluxe, an adult oriented burger that featured a higher quality roll and a dijon mustard based mayonnaise . It was also unsuccessful and was discontinued in 1998 . </P> <P> The Big N' Tasty was introduced in 1997 and was originally tested in the Californian market, while the Big Xtra was test marketed in the Northeastern United States as the MBX; during the simultaneous testing phase, either one could be sold depending upon the test market . The Big N' Tasty was phased in nationally in 2000, displacing the Big Xtra in the United States . The national introduction was done to coincide with the opening of Disney's California Adventure . From 2002 until 2003, the Big N' Tasty was one of the flagship products for the McDonald's Dollar Menu . McDonald's removed the Big N' Tasty from the Dollar Menu on February 1, 2003, so that the Double Cheeseburger could take its place . McDonald's removed the Big N' Tasty from its menu in the United States on January 1, 2011 . </P> <Ul> <Li> The McDLT's marketing focused on variations of the theme "Keep the hot side hot, and the cool side cool", in a 1985 commercial released to market featuring Jason Alexander . A subsequent campaign featured singers Aretha Franklin and Jerry Butler . </Li> <Li> The 2001 national introduction of it featured a campaign that starred NBA player Kobe Bryant . </Li> <Li> A 2002 commercial featured Cedric the Entertainer advertising the item, along with the Spicy McChicken, on the Dollar Menu, and featured the Grimace and The Hamburglar on each side of Cedric . </Li> <Li> Due to its bigger patty, the Big Xtra was advertised as being larger than a Whopper . </Li> <Li> There also was a 1985 commercial featuring former NFL Defensive Lineman and Chicago Bears legend William Perry along with teammates from their 85 Super Bowl XX Triumph . </Li> <Li> In the Philippines, a version of the song "Mr. Sandman" with slightly altered lyrics was used in a TV advertisement promoting the Big N' Tasty . </Li> </Ul>

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