Life

How To Order Off Of The McDonald's Secret Menu

by Jessica Learish

The Internet is loving it — a McDonald's shift manager did a wildly popular “AMA" interview on Reddit's Ask Me Anything forum, where she confirmed what every fast food fan has ever wanted to hear: McDonald's has a secret menu. And we're not talking just any secret menu. Oh no. This baby includes everything from a Monster Mac (think a Big Mac, only with eight beef patties), to a monster sandwich hybrid known, apparently, as the McGangBang (it's basically a McChicken sandwiched in between a double cheeseburger). Since the manager's big reveal, the Reddit thread has amassed almost 5,000 comments and questions, which just goes to show that when it comes to fast food, the Internet takes these things very, very seriously.

But how does a hungry patron order off of fast food's most secret secret menu? The McManager who posted the thread is apparently a 24-year-old Scottish college grad who goes only by orchidhibiscus, and says she worked at McDonald's for the last three years during her time at school, and is currently a manager. According to her, ordering off the secret menu is just as simple as knowing what to ask for: “... the workers might not know it by name (i.e. Land, Air and Sea burger or the McGangBang) but if you explain what it is, and are willing to pay for all the ingredients, it's just another 'grill order' that we can make up." So as long as you boldly approach the counter, look your server in the eye, and say "I'd like a sandwich with a beef patty, filet o' fish, and a McChicken patty, please," they'll give you just that, easy peasy.

You can check out a few secret menu suggestions here, but I have a couple of additional recommendations for someone who wants to get really creative with their McDonald's order. First, for the love of McNuggets, go inside. If you order a McGangBang over the drive-through intercom, I would expect a little more than a bad look when you get to the first window. Secondly, know what the ingredients are you want, and be prepared to repeat yourself a couple of times. It was Burger King, after all, that wrote a whole song about having it your way, not McDonald's.

I hope McDonald's gave orchidhibiscus a big fat bonus check, or at least an Employee Of The Month parking space, for her viral marketing push. Here are my additions to the treasure trove of secret menu items already on your Instagram feed.

1. Wrap-O-Dilla

So, McDonald's couldn't actually have a quesarito on its secret menu, because of the distinct absence of rice on its regular menu, but they do have McWraps and black beans (thanks to the Southwest Chicken Salad), which, with a couple of slices of melted cheese and an extra tortilla, could be converted into the wrap-o-dillas you've been dreaming about.

2. McAnimal-Style Fries

West Coast burger nuts will recognize this tradition from In-N-Out's secret menu. Here's how you adapt it to McDonald's inventory — the grilled onions and cheese stay the same, a 50/50 mayo and mustard combo replaces the In-N-Out sauce, and you add bacon, because everything is better with bacon.

3. Nachos

Tortilla strips, cheese, black beans, jalapeños, lettuce, tomato, and a crumbled burger patty — or better yet, a shredded McRib. Tell them I sent you.

4. Healthy Breakfast Burrito

This secret menu business doesn't have to be completely unhealthy. Get yourself a healthier breakfast burrito with egg whites, grilled chicken, spinach, tomato, and onion.

What would your additions be to the McDonald's secret menu?

Images: chloesoyi, soymariomartz, nativefoodscafe, kateatwater/Instagram