Interviewing The World's #1 Big Mac Fan, Don Gorske | The Yak 3-6-26
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Don Gorske has consumed over 35,000 Big Macs since May 17, 1972, missing only eight days.
- ❖He buys Big Macs twice a week (6 on Monday, 8 on Thursday), refrigerates/freezes them, and microwaves 12 out of 14 weekly.
- ❖Gorske maintains an analog lifestyle, without a cell phone or internet, relying on his wife for online access and communicating via letters.
- ❖His book meticulously logs every Big Mac and significant life event, including personal details and world events like 9/11.
- ❖He is an avid bowler (averaging 193), plays cribbage, walks six miles daily, and previously worked as a prison guard.
- ❖Gorske's wife fully supports his Big Mac habit, even bringing him fresh ones while they were dating, under an agreement he wouldn't blame her for not cooking.
- ❖He keeps all Big Mac cartons in his basement, which serves as "proof" for Guinness World Records and film crews.
- ❖Gorske once ate a Whopper for $5 in 1984, using the money to buy Big Macs.
- ❖A co-worker, Jeff D. Lowe, expresses intense dislike for Gorske, calling him a "liar" and "piece of shit," contrasting sharply with the hosts' admiration.
- ❖A notable entry in Gorske's book details a guest dying from an aneurysm at his wedding reception in 1975.
Insights
1Unwavering Big Mac Devotion
Don Gorske has eaten a Big Mac every day since November 23, 2000, and only missed 8 days since May 17, 1972, consuming over 35,000. He buys them in bulk (6 on Monday, 8 on Thursday), storing and microwaving most, and prefers the "custom taste" of microwaved Big Macs.
The last day that I missed was November 23rd, 2000. So, I've gone, you know, over 25 years now without missing. But since uh May 17th, 1972, I've only missed eight days out of all those. () I go there on Mondays and I buy six and then I go there on Thursday and buy eight. That gives me my 14 for the week. () I've gotten so used to eating microwave Big Macs my whole whole life that I I guess they call it a custom taste or something, but I really like eating microwave Big Macs. ()
2Analog Life & Meticulous Record-Keeping
Gorske lives completely off the internet and cell phones, relying on his wife for online access. He meticulously documents every Big Mac consumed and significant life event in a physical book, including personal milestones and world events like 9/11.
No, it's all by hand. I don't have no computer. I don't have no cell phone. () I need my wife's help to go on the internet. () His book is just the day and what happened that day. () September 11, 2001, I went to work after returning from my Buffalo, New York trip. At a.m., I heard on the radio that a plane had crashed in the World Trade Center building... ()
3Supportive Partnership
Gorske's wife fully supports his unique habit. She drove 40 miles to bring him fresh Big Macs while they were dating and they have an agreement that he eats Big Macs daily as long as he doesn't blame her for not cooking. He also writes her a letter every day.
She was already driving all the way to Hartford, 40 miles one way and she'd drop me off fresh big Macs and stuff. () We just kind of made an agreement that um he would let me eat Big Macs every day and as long as I never blamed her for not cooking. () I still write to my wife every day even though she doesn't read read them anymore, but still write them and stuff. ()
4Unexpected Wedding Incident
A particularly striking entry in Gorske's book details that a neighbor, Kenneth Robble, collapsed and died from an aneurysm at his wedding reception in 1975, a person Gorske had only just met. Years later, his wife's parents bought Robble's home next to theirs.
December 27th, 1975... A neighbor of Mary's, Kenneth Robble, fell over dead from an aneurysm... Years later, Mary's parents would buy him his home next to ours when we moved to Fondelock where the stroke happened. ()
Bottom Line
The podcast highlights a signage company that charges $2,000 for a single-use floor graphic, and then another $2,000 to move it if placed incorrectly over a sponsor's logo.
This reveals a niche business with high-margin, recurring revenue, particularly when clients make placement errors.
Businesses could specialize in high-quality, durable, and easily repositionable floor graphics, or offer consulting to prevent costly placement mistakes for large venues/events.
Don Gorske's life story is meticulously documented in a physical book, serving as a "captain's log" of his daily Big Mac consumption and personal events.
This analog, comprehensive personal record is a unique form of self-tracking and legacy building, contrasting sharply with digital data collection.
Develop a premium, analog "life-logging" service or product (e.g., high-quality journals, guided prompts, archival services) for individuals who want to document their lives in a tangible, offline format, catering to a niche desiring digital detox or a physical legacy.
Opportunities
High-Margin Custom Signage & Installation Consulting
A business specializing in producing and installing custom, high-durability floor graphics for events and venues, paired with a consulting service to ensure correct placement and avoid costly re-dos over existing sponsor logos.
Analog Life-Logging & Archival Service
Offer a premium service for individuals to meticulously document their daily lives, habits, and significant events in physical, hand-written journals or custom-bound books, similar to Don Gorske's method. This caters to a desire for digital detox, tangible personal history, and a unique legacy.
Lessons
- Embrace extreme consistency in a chosen passion, as demonstrated by Don Gorske's decades-long Big Mac habit, which can lead to unique achievements and personal fulfillment.
- Consider the benefits of an analog lifestyle; disconnecting from constant digital input can foster deep engagement with personal routines and hobbies, and reduce external pressures.
- Meticulously document your life, whether through physical journals or digital logs, to create a rich personal history and gain unique insights into your habits and milestones over time.
Notable Moments
Don Gorske describes his "hyper" reaction to realizing he had no Big Macs for Thanksgiving 2000, driving to every McDonald's between his home and his sister's to confirm they were closed.
Illustrates the depth of his commitment and the psychological impact of disrupting his routine, highlighting his obsessive-compulsive tendencies.
The hosts play a clip of co-worker Jeff D. Lowe vehemently expressing his hatred for Don Gorske, calling him a "liar" and a "piece of shit," directly contradicting the hosts' admiration.
Creates a surprising and humorous internal "rivalry" within Barstool Sports, showcasing a strong contrarian opinion against an otherwise universally admired figure.
Quotes
"I've gotten so used to eating microwave Big Macs my whole whole life that I I guess they call it a custom taste or something, but I really like eating microwave Big Macs."
"I had never met Mr. roleplay until the reception line after the wedding. Years later, Mary's parents would buy him his home next to ours when we moved to Fondelock where the stroke happened."
"I've hated I've hated this this John Lennon looking ass liar for years."
"He figured out his life the way he wants to live."
Q&A
Recent Questions
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