The Yak – March 6, 2026

Episode: Interviewing The World’s #1 Big Mac Fan, Don Gorske

Episode Overview

The Yak crew gathers for a lively Friday show, mixing their usual banter and inside jokes with a much-anticipated interview: Don Gorske, the Guinness World Record holder for most Big Macs eaten. The first half of the episode delivers plenty of Yak camaraderie—discussing ancestry, Barstool rivalries, and curling tournaments—before transitioning into an in-depth, hilarious, and strangely touching conversation with Don Gorske about his Big Mac obsession, simple Midwestern life, and unexpected internet rivals.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ancestry & St. Patrick’s Day Antics (00:05–17:50)

• Hosts discuss their Irish roots, family traditions, and the concept of the “Plastic Patty.”
• Kate elaborates on her family’s hyper-Irish identity, describing massive St. Patrick’s Day parties and Northeast Irish Catholic traits.
• Conversation drifts to the idea of ancestry tests, privacy concerns, and the chaos of DNA databases.

Notable Quotes:

• “I used to make it my whole identity… then my family from Galway basically told me to cut it out.” – Nick (03:18)
• “Should we all just 23andMe and lean into whatever culture it comes back as?” – Lil Sas (12:05)

2. Barstool Rivalries & Human Curling (17:50–54:15)

• Donnie vs. Titus (Jersey Wars): Ongoing rivalry about the ownership of a high school jersey, with deep dives into message threads and evidence. Discussion about memorabilia, pranks, and the art of keeping a rivalry alive.
• Curling Prep: Plans for another round of Barstool’s in-office “human curling” with office chairs and recruited “stones.”
• Signage Fail: The team discusses accidentally covering a sponsor’s logo with a $2,000 vinyl target and having to buy another.

Quote:
“I just wanted the idea of it being his jersey to get under his skin, but now I have confirmation—it is 100% his.” – Titus (28:24)

3. The Big Guest: Don Gorske, the Big Mac Legend (54:20–1:38:30)

Introduction & Big Arch Question (54:20–57:10)

• The Yak crew brings in Don Gorske via landline, marveling at his lifetime achievement.
• First Question: Will Don try the new “Big Arch” burger?
  • “Yeah, I probably will… But I'm really hooked on my Big Mac, and that's what I like.” – Don Gorske (57:04)

Don’s Big Mac Logbook and Daily Rituals (57:15–1:05:00)

• Don describes his 25+ year streak of daily Big Mac consumption, missing only 8 days since May 1972.
• He keeps precise, hand-written records and recalls eating Big Macs at unique locations—Alcatraz, ballparks, and at home.
• Food Storage: Each Monday he buys six, every Thursday eight, microwaving all but two each week.
  • “I've gotten used to eating microwave Big Macs… it's an accustomed taste.” – Don (1:01:35)
• Missed his streak on Thanksgiving 2000 due to running out after honoring his wife's wish to rotate freezer stock.
  • “...I was shocked when I opened the freezer and there’s no Macs in there...” – Don (1:04:08)

Life, Family, and Bowling (1:05:00–1:11:30)

• Don shares stories of his wife’s acceptance, his habit of writing her a daily letter, and his 193 bowling average (down from 200).
• He worked 25 years as a prison guard and never got into computers or cell phones—life is letters, hamburgers, and cribbage now.

McDonald’s, Competition, & Personal Insights (1:11:30–1:26:30)

• Never tempted by another burger: one Whopper ever, in 1984, only for a $5 bet (“I used that money to buy Big Macs.”)
• Only eats Big Macs daily; rarely fries or nuggets.
• At his local McDonald’s, staff start making his order as soon as he walks in.
• He maintains meticulous records—every day, every carton—stacked in his basement for the press or Guinness to verify.
  • “I don’t have a computer or a cell phone. No apps, no data. It’s all by hand.” – Don (1:17:19)

Philosophy & Routine (1:26:30–1:38:30)

• Don still writes several letters every day, walks six miles “around the block”, and plays cribbage to help local elders.
• His advice about competitors: Don’t try. “You aren’t going to break it... not everybody else can do that.”
• “I just love writing letters and stuff… and I can eat my favorite food every day.” – Don (1:36:45)

Memorable Moments:

• Don describes buying and freezing batches to avoid missing a Big Mac—even on holidays.
• His only Whopper—remembering the exact date, circumstances, and subsequent Big Mac purchase.
• The tale of an elderly man dying at his wedding reception—matter-of-fact, yet oddly poignant.

4. The Aftermath: Don Gorske’s Legacy and Barstool Reactions (1:38:30–2:13:30)

• The Yak crew debriefs with awe and envy—Don’s simplicity and contentment put their city grind in perspective.
  • “I’ve never been more jealous of a man. He figured out his life and just did his life.” – Rone (1:39:21)
• The team pores over Don’s “logbook”—reading entries about fish fry counts, random family drama, world events mapped against burger tallies, and more.
• They marvel at how every detail is fastidiously cataloged, expressing envy at his documentation.

The Unexpected Rival: Jeff D. Lowe Hates Don Gorske

• Clip from Barstool’s Jeff D. Lowe, who hates Don and calls him a “piece of shit John Lennon-looking ass liar” (1:48:41).
  • Accuses Don of lying about eating every burger, calls his meticulous catalog an act.
  • “He’s full of shit... he freezes Big Macs, messes up family meals...” – Jeff D. Lowe (1:49:03)
• Jeff is called in live, stands his ground, but admits some shame after hearing Don’s actual character (1:53:00).
  • He doubles down, citing his enduring bitterness over Super Size Me and his love of fast food limited time offers.

Yak crew unanimously backs Don:

• “Don Gorski’s literally not bothering anybody.” – Big Cat (1:52:10)

5. Human Curling, Pranks, and Episode Close (2:13:30–End)

• Return to office shenanigans as Donnie and Titus settle their “jersey” rivalry with a round of (intentionally chaotic) human curling.
• Huddle of allegations about cheating, chair-rolling techniques, and energy reminiscent of the “dumbest Olympics.”
• The battle ends with Titus victorious in the ongoing rivalry; Donnie swears a comeback, tongues-in-cheek.
• Final banter: More inside jokes, potential Yak trip to Wisconsin to meet Don, and plans for next week’s big shows.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “Yeah, I probably will... But I'm really hooked on my Big Mac, and that's what I like.”
  — Don Gorske (57:04, on the Big Arch)
• “I've gotten so used to eating microwave Big Macs... it's an accustomed taste.”
  — Don (1:01:35)
• “I knew once they put shredded lettuce on there, that’d make a higher sandwich and the patties would get smaller... that’s just part of American culture: things get smaller.”
  — Don (1:04:25)
• “I write my wife a letter every day, even though she doesn’t read them anymore.”
  — Don (1:36:15)
• “I’ve never been more jealous of a man. He figured out his life and just did his life.”
  — Rone (1:39:21)
• “He’s a piece of shit John Lennon-looking ass liar... I’ve hated this guy for years.”
  — Jeff D. Lowe (1:49:03, in his nemesis clip)
• “Don Gorski’s literally not bothering anybody.”
  — Big Cat (1:52:10)

Important Moments & Timestamps

• Ancestry & “Plastic Paddy” banter: 00:05–08:00
• 23andMe discussion: 12:00–16:00
• Jersey Rivalry & Donnie’s Misadventures: 17:50–32:00
• Cheating allegations in office curling: 45:00–53:00
• Gorske Interview begins: 54:20
  • The Big Arch, streak, and rituals: 54:20–1:05:00
  • Thanksgiving Disaster/Obsession with logs: 1:04:08–1:11:00
  • Philosophy and practical life bits: 1:17:19–1:36:50
• Yak Recap/Deconstruction of Don’s Life: 1:38:40–1:53:00
• Jeff D. Lowe Rivalry Clip: 1:48:41 & 1:53:00 (live call-in)
• Curling finale and show close: 2:13:30–end

Episode Tone & Style

Exuberant, fast, a little mean (in a loving way)—the Yak at its most breakneck: inside jokes fly, arguments and pranks are ironic and affectionate, and the crew displays both mock cynicism and genuine sentiment, especially after talking with Don Gorske. The episode balances rapid-fire comedy with flashes of sincerity and the odd detour into internet beef.

Summary Takeaway

This Yak episode is a showcase of everything that makes the show tick: goofy office games, running bit rivalries, encyclopedic knowledge of Barstool lore, and the ability to sincerely admire the world’s quirkiest people. The Don Gorske interview may start as a curiosity but turns into a surprisingly heartwarming account of one man’s honest, purposeful life—serving as both a comedic oddity and an (unironically) inspiring lesson on fulfillment, consistency, and loving what you love, no matter how weird it seems. Plus, it sparked the most unlikely Barstool rivalry yet: Don Gorske versus Jeff D. Lowe.