It happened in 2004. A green Glendale pulls up to a Cluckin' Bell drive-thru in the fictional city of Los Santos. While the rest of the Grove Street Families—CJ, Ryder, and Sweet—order standard fast-food meals, Melvin "Big Smoke" Harris delivers a monologue that would eventually cement itself in the Library of Congress of internet memes.
He didn't just order food. He recited a shopping list for a small army.
If you’ve spent any time on the internet over the last two decades, you know the drill. It’s the "Drive-Thru" mission from Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Most players remember it because Big Smoke stays busy eating while the rest of the crew is getting shot at by the Ballas. But for a specific subset of gamers and food bloggers, the real challenge wasn't the shootout. It was the logistics. Specifically, the terrifying reality of actually ordering Big Smoke’s order in real life.
It's a lot of calories. Seriously.
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The Anatomy of the Order
Let’s look at the raw data. You can probably recite it by heart, but let's break down exactly what the man asked for:
"I’ll have two number 9s, a number 9 large, a number 6 with extra dip, a number 7, two number 45s, one with cheese, and a large soda."
On the surface, it sounds like a jumble of numbers. In the context of the game's parody of Taco Bell and KFC (Cluckin' Bell), researchers and dedicated fans have spent years cross-referencing the menu items visible on the in-game wall textures to figure out what this actually translates to in terms of mass.
Basically, a "Number 9" is a Fillet Burger meal. A "Number 6" is a Hot Wings meal. The "Number 7" is usually cited as a Stacked Cluck Burger. The "Number 45" is the wildcard—it’s widely accepted to be a Fowl Burger (or a variation of a pulled chicken sandwich).
When you add it all up, you're looking at roughly five or six full meals. People have tried to calculate the nutritional value. Estimates usually hover around 9,000 calories. That is four days' worth of food for an average adult male. Consumed in one sitting. In a car. While a gang war is brewing.
Why Ordering Big Smoke’s Order Became a Cultural Litmus Test
You might wonder why anyone cares about a 20-year-old video game meal.
It’s about the absurdity. San Andreas was groundbreaking because of its "stat" system. If CJ ate too much, he got fat. If he worked out, he got ripped. Big Smoke, however, exists outside these rules. He is the gluttonous philosopher of the group.
Ordering the meal in the real world became a "challenge" long before TikTok existed. Early YouTube was littered with people pulling up to McDonald's or Wendy's windows, reading the script verbatim, and seeing if the cashier would quit on the spot. Most of the time, the employees just sighed. They’d heard it before.
But there is a deeper layer to this. The order represents the peak of Rockstar Games' satirical writing. It's a commentary on American overconsumption, packaged in a way that is endlessly quotable.
The Logistics of the "Extra Dip"
The "Number 6 with extra dip" is arguably the most important part of the sequence. It’s the detail that makes it human. It shows that Big Smoke isn't just ordering bulk; he's a connoisseur of the Cluckin' Bell flavor profile.
When you try ordering Big Smoke’s order at a real establishment, the "extra dip" is often where the plan falls apart. Modern fast-food POS systems are rigid. If you ask for two Number 9s, the kitchen starts moving. If you ask for a "Number 45 with cheese," and the restaurant only goes up to Number 12, you're going to get a blank stare.
Most people who successfully recreate this for the 'gram end up having to piece it together from various menu items. You have to be that person who spends $65 at a drive-thru. It’s awkward.
The Real-World Equivalent
If we assume the Cluckin' Bell menu roughly mirrors a mix of modern fast food, here is what your tray actually looks like:
- Two large chicken sandwiches (The 9s)
- One "Large" version of that same sandwich (The 9 Large)
- Six pieces of fried chicken or wings with a tub of ranch/BBQ (The 6)
- One standard burger/sandwich (The 7)
- Two "Chili Cheese" style wraps or burgers (The 45s)
- One "Large" soda (which, in Los Santos, is probably the size of a small bucket)
The Myth of the Distraction
There is a long-standing fan theory that Big Smoke didn't order all that food because he was hungry. He ordered it to stall.
Think about it. The mission involves a hit on the Ballas. Big Smoke is eventually revealed to be a traitor. By ordering a massive amount of food, he ensures that he is "busy" when the shooting starts. He doesn't have to fire at his new business partners if his mouth is full of a Number 9 Large.
Whether or not Rockstar intended this level of depth is up for debate, but it adds a sinister edge to the meal. It’s not just a joke; it’s a tactical maneuver.
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Can a Human Actually Finish It?
Short answer: No. Not safely.
Matt Stonie, a professional competitive eater, famously attempted the challenge in 2017. Stonie is a machine. He consumes things that would hospitalize a normal person. Even for him, the sheer volume of bread and fried protein was a monumental task.
When you're ordering Big Smoke’s order, you aren't just fighting calories. You're fighting the "flavor fatigue." Eating four different types of fried chicken sandwiches in twenty minutes is a recipe for an immediate physical shutdown.
How to Do It Right (If You Must)
If you are genuinely going to attempt this—perhaps for a themed gaming night or a very questionable bachelor party—don't just wing it at the drive-thru. You'll annoy the staff and probably get the wrong food.
First, pick a "base" restaurant. Wendy’s or Popeyes usually works best because they have the chicken-heavy menu that matches Cluckin' Bell's aesthetic.
Second, map the numbers. Don't say "Number 45." The cashier doesn't know what that is. Translate it beforehand.
- Two Number 9s: Two classic chicken sandwiches.
- Number 9 Large: One deluxe chicken sandwich, upsized.
- Number 6 with Extra Dip: A 6-piece nugget or wing with three sauce packets.
- Number 7: A basic cheeseburger.
- Two Number 45s: Two spicy chicken wraps or "loaded" sandwiches.
- Large Soda: Get a Diet Coke. You know, for health.
Honestly, the cost is the biggest hurdle. In 2026, with inflation hitting fast-food menus harder than a Los Santos car crash, this order will likely set you back nearly $80 depending on your location.
Final Thoughts on the Legacy of the Order
It’s weirdly wholesome that a fake fast-food order has survived this long. It’s a bridge between generations of gamers. You can mention "Two Number 9s" to a 40-year-old who played the original PS2 release and a 15-year-old playing the Definitive Edition, and they’ll both know exactly what you’re talking about.
It represents a time when games weren't afraid to be weird, bloated, and funny.
Your Actionable Checklist for the Big Smoke Challenge
- Audit your local menus: Find a place that serves both burgers and fried chicken to stay true to the Cluckin' Bell "Taste the Cock!" slogan.
- Bring friends: Seriously. Do not attempt to eat 9,000 calories alone. Divide the order among four people. It turns a "medical emergency" into a "fun Saturday night."
- Record the reaction: If you’re doing it for the meme, have someone filming the cashier’s face when you get to the "two number 45s" part.
- Hydrate: The sodium levels in this order are high enough to preserve a mummy. Drink water. Lots of it.
If you’re going to commit to the bit, commit all the way. Just remember that Big Smoke never finished his food in the car—the mission ended, and the car usually ended up in a canal. Maybe leave the Glendale at home for this one.