There’s no debate that directorQuentin Tarantinois a certified legend in the realm of cinema. After kicking off his career in 1992 with the fabled thrillerReservoir Dogs, Tarantino set the bar high for himself. Two years later,he followed up withPulp Fiction, an iconic work within the industry and arguably one of the best films ever created. Since then, Tarantino has periodically released several movies throughout the years that never seem to waiver in quality. His most recent project,Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, proved that his creative well hasn’t run dry.
Tarantino has a one-of-a-kind directorial style,incredible characters, and his movies tend to have common characteristics.Typically, a Tarantino film employs a non-linear plot, thoughtful pop culture references, and vivid violence.Additionally, he has expressed a hatred for product placement in cinema. Consequently, Tarantino implements fictional products that only seem to exist in his movies. Without a doubt, the most famous example is the “Big Kahuna Burger,” which was first popularized byPulp Fiction. The burger is so iconic that it has managed to appear in other films — even outside the Tarantinoverse.
8Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Mr. Blonde’s Big Kahuna Burger Soda
Reservoir Dogsaccomplished so much with the space it was provided. With a limited number of characters and environments, Tarantino effectively created a masterpiece with very little room to work. This was also one of the few instances whereTarantino cameoed in his own films. Although he played the minor character of Mr. Brown, it was the first demonstration of his impressive acting ability.
Mr. Blonde’s real name is Victor “Vic” Vega, the brother of Vincent Vega inPulp Fiction.
Reservoir Dogsalso represented the first appearance of Big Kahuna Burger products in any film, which would prove to set off a chain reaction of fictional product placements down the line. When Mr. Blonde (Michael Madsen) first arrives at the warehouse, Mr. White (Harvey Keitel) and Mr. Pink (Steve Buscemi) are throwing down with each other. As soon as he enters the room,Mr. Blonde is seen drinking out of a Big Kahuna Burger to-go soda cupas he eyes the two characters behind his Ray-Bans.
7Pulp Fiction (1994)
Big Kahuna Burger Exposition
Tarantino’sPulp Fictionwas undoubtedly the most prominent example of the Big Kahuna Burger in any movie, and certainly the most iconic. While it wasn’t the first appearance,it’s the moment that transformed Big Kahuna Burger from a short-lived product placement to a beloved fictional franchise.It takes place during the famous scene where Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) pay a visit to an apartment to collect a debt owed to Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames). Jules approaches Brett, (Frank Whaley) who is eating a Big Kahuna Burger for breakfast.
Jules questions him, asking about his meal: “Big Kahuna Burger? That’s that Hawaiian burger joint. I hear they got some tasty burgers.” He then asks to try the sandwich, before delivering the famous line: “Hmm. That is a tasty burger!” The fictitious product placement added so much to the scene. Jules' fascination and inquisition about the elaborate burger offered a comic tension relief that made his next move unpredictable.If it was some run-of-the-mill, off-brand burger, it would’ve lacked the creativity that makes this scene so iconic and unique.
6Four Rooms (1995)
Big Kahuna Burger Cup On The Bar
In consideration of his resume of films,Tarantino’sFour Roomsis often forgotten about. Although it wasn’t an individual project from the fabled director, he co-wrote and co-directed the movie alongside Alexandre Rockwell, Allison Anders, and Robert Rodriguez. The movie is a comedic anthology broken up into segments, with each director taking on one of them. In its most basic form, the plot is about a bellhop named Ted (Tim Roth) who is in charge of taking care of a hotel during New Year’s Eve. Tarantino also makes an appearance in the film as Chester Rush, a minor character.
In the segment “The Misbehavers,” a carton of Red Apple cigarettes can be seen, which is another fictitious Tarantino product.
The Big Kahuna Burger Easter egg inFour Roomsis short-lived, but certainly a hidden gem within the plot. The last segment, dubbed “The Man from Hollywood”, takes place in the penthouse of the hotel. Norman (Paul Calderón) bets his finger against Chester’s car that he can light his Zippo ten times in a row. Chester offers Ted $1,000 to serve as a referee for the challenge and cut off Norman’s finger, should it go that way. As Ted listens to Chester’s proposal, there is a Big Kahuna Burger cup sitting on the corner of the bar.
5From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)
Seth Gecko’s Big Kahuna Burger Takeout
Without a doubt, the best acting performance of Tarantino’s career comes in his role as Richard Gecko in Robert Rodriguez’s 1996 horror-action flickFrom Dusk Till Dawn.He plays an awkward, creepy, unpredictable character running from the police after a robbery. Richard carried out the murderous crime with his brother, Seth Gecko, portrayed by George Clooney. The two ultimately desire to cross the border to Mexico to escape their apprehension.The Big Kahuna Burger reference appears very early on in the film, and for just a short moment.
After the two hold up a liquor store, killing multiple people, they take shelter in a local inn to evade the law. In the room, Richard holds bank teller Gloria Hill (Brenda Hillhouse) hostage before killing her. When Seth finally returns to the inn,he brings back a takeout bag from Big Kahuna Burger with a meal from him and his brother to share.Although it is merely an Easter egg, it speaks to the insanity of Tarantino’s character. He has no problem happily scarfing down a burger, even though he just brutally defiled and murdered an innocent woman.
4Romy And Michele’s High School Reunion (1997)
Big Kahuna Burger Bag On The Couch
Romy and Michele’s High School Reunionmarks thefirst instance that a Big Kahuna Burger product appears on-screen in a film where Tarantino has no technical affiliation. The story follows Romy White (Mira Sorvino) and Michele Weinberger (Lisa Kudrow) who live together in Los Angeles. Romy is a cashier for a Jaguar dealership, and Michele doesn’t have a job. With a high school reunion coming up, the two make an effort to put up a facade that they are extremely successful.
As Romy and Michele sit in their apartment and munch down on snacks, they discuss the idea of dressing up as executives during the reunion to appear wealthy. On the couch behind them, there is a crumpled Big Kahuna Burger takeout bag. There is speculation that the reason Big Kahuna Burger made an appearance in the film was becauseactress Mira Sorvinowas dating Tarantino at the time.Thus, it was meant to be a friendly nod to him and the film universe he created.
3The Adventures Of Sharkboy And Lavagirl (2005)
Max’s Big Kahuna Burger Bag And Drink
It seems like the 2005 cult classicThe Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirlwould be the least likely film to contain a reference to Big Kahuna Burger.However, it makes more sense when considering that the director of the film is Robert Rodriguez. Tarantino and Rodriguez have been close friends for ages and collaborated on numerous projects. Rodriguez was also a member of Tarantino’s production company, known as “A Band Apart.”
Two of the aforementioned films to feature references,Four RoomsandFrom Dusk Till Dawn,were both Rodriguez projects. Upon initial viewing ofThe Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl, most would certainly fail to make the connection to Tarantino’s films. It’s a small reference, and it’s easy to miss. It takes place during Max’s (Cayden Boyd) dream when he meets Sharkboy (Taylor Lautner).As Max sits on the dock fishing, there is a Big Kahuna Burger takeout bag and drink sitting on a small crate next to him.
2Death Proof (2007)
Stuntman Mike Asks About A Billboard Near Big Kahuna Burger
Considering Tarantino’s star-studded filmography, his 2007 horror action filmDeath Proofgets the least amount of love.In yet another collaboration with the director,Death Proofis part of a double feature with Robert Rodriguez’sPlanet Terror.When the two films are combined, they are collectively referred to asGrindhouse. The film stars Kurt Russell, who plays Stuntman Mike, a murderous, crazed body double who prays on women. He has souped up his car to make it death-proof, but only for himself, and uses it to carry out his violent acts.
Things begin to change for Mike when he ultimately meets his match: three girls and their stuntwoman friend, Zoë Bell, who plays herself.Although there is no visual reference to the Big Kahuna Burger, it is alluded to in the dialogue.Midway through the film, when Stuntman Mike is talking to Jungle Julia (Sydney Tamiia Poitier) outside a bar, he mentions the burger joint. After explaining that she is a local DJ, he inquires, “Wait a minute. You’ve got a billboard by Big Kahuna Burger, don’t you?”
1Once Upon A Time In Hollywood (2019)
Big Kahuna Burger Bus
This 2019 blockbuster marked Tarantino’s ninth film, and he didn’t fail to deliver.Once Upon a Time in Hollywoodexplores the Golden Age of the film industry. Set in Los Angeles during the 1960s, the story follows the career of Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his stuntman friend Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt). Compared to his other movies, there are a massive number ofOnce Upon a Time in HollywoodEaster Eggs.
Once Upon A Time In Hollywood’s Epic Finale Had One Major Challenge
Stuntwoman Kimberly Shannon Murphy reveals Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’s epic finale fight had one major challenge during production.
Oftentimes, the film feels like a love letter to Tarantino’s previous works, given the amount of hidden references there are. It includes everything from callbacks toInglourious Basterds,KillBill, andReservoir Dogsto more nuanced pop culture allusions. Given the nature of the film and its placement inQuentin Tarantino’s career, there was no doubt Big Kahuna Burger was going to make an appearance. At one point in the film,
