SALT LAKE CITY, UT — A popular burger joint in Utah is causing controversy for using kangaroo meat.
Burger Barn is serving a kangaroo burger as this month’s special.
"It's probably not the best time to have it on the menu," said one customer. "You see on the news images of kangaroos fleeing the fires through all the smoke and the haze."
Joe Fowlers, Burger Barn’s manager, says the kangaroo meat was ordered months ago.
"It was on ship coming to us long before the fires started," said Fowlers.
He said he considered not doing the monthly special, but they had no where to hold the hundred of pounds of meat.
"It shouldn't offend people, really. It's just hamburgers. We're not making a statement or anything like that," says Fowlers.
Fowler says they're actually helping Australia's economy with their business.
"I don't think it really tastes that different. It’s a little saltier than normal but it’s still a good burger,” said Bronson Volk, a customer who did not mind the kangaroo meat.
Australia's government allows millions of kangaroos to be hunted for meat each year.
Burger Bar says it never serves meat from endangered animals and will reconsider its kangaroo burgers if the fires cause a major population decline.
