Things You Really Need To Know Before You Eat A McDonald’s

1. Try this hack to make a coffee-flavoured milkshake

Image Source: Pinterest

If you love the Starbucks Frappuccino, you need to try this hack! On your next trip to McDonald’s order a vanilla milkshake and an espresso shot. Add the coffee to the milkshake, give it a stir and you will have a delicious creamy iced coffee for a fraction of the price!

2. Order an extra hash brown to put in your breakfast McMuffin

Image Source: Reddit

Who doesn’t love a McDonald’s breakfast? If you really want to elevate your experience, try this hack…make sure you order an extra hash brown with your meal and add it to the McMuffin. Now you have a fully loaded breakfast sandwich and a hash brown on the side, yum!

3. You can double your hamburger toppings for free

Image Source: valuegrub.com

If you want to elevate the humble McDonald's hamburger, try doubling up on your toppings to make an extra tasty treat. You can use the ‘customise’ function at the self-service kiosk or simply request at the till to double up on the toppings for free!

4. Mozzarella sticks are not vegetarian

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Anyone would assume that mozzarella sticks are suitable for vegetarians because they are just sticks of fried cheese, but this isn’t the case at McDonald’s…there is a risk they will come into contact with oil that has been used to cook animal products.

5. Happy meals are a cheap and tasty lunch option compared to a meal deal

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Although a McDonald’s meal may seem like a hefty option for lunchtime, there is nothing stopping you from downsizing and saving yourself some money by choosing a Happy Meal. At the reasonable price of $2.79 you can get yourself a tasty hot lunch with a drink that beats any other meal deal we can think of.

6. McDonald’s in the UK don’t have a mayonnaise dip

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This may shock mayonnaise fans out there who are not from the UK, but the rumours are true…there is no mayonnaise dip! Some burgers contain a creamy 'sandwich sauce' or 'mayo' but it is not available as a dip. The closest you will get is the sour cream and chive dip which comes at an extra cost.

7. Always remember your order number…the receipt machine never works

Image Source: The Mirror

Most McDonald’s now have speedy self-service kiosks which allow you to order and pay for your meal on a digital screen which then produces a receipt with your order number. However, make sure you remember that number because the receipts often get stuck!

8. McNuggets are made with chicken skin

Image Source: Liverpool Echo

We love a chicken McNugget just as much as the next person, so if you don’t want to be put off then keep scrolling…although the nuggets are made with real chicken breast meat, they are put through a grinder with chicken skin and seasoning to create their unique taste and texture.

9. You can ask for Big Mac sauce as a dip

Image Source: Reddit

One of the best things about McDonalds has to be their Big Mac sauce…the creamy tangy combination of their iconic spread just makes us want to salivate! So if you love it just as much as us, next time you’re at McDonald’s try ordering it on the side and use it to dip your fries!

10. The McCafé drinks are cheap and delicious

Image Source: Delishably

With the cost of living increasing by the second, we all need to think of creative ways to save some money. With a regular coffee at big chains like Costa and Starbucks costing nearly $4, you could save over half the price at McDonald’s where a regular cappuccino only costs $1.69!

11. Always ask for no ice in your drink

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If you want to get the most from your soft drink at McDonald's, always ask for no ice…if you’ve ever taken the lid off your drink you will know the cup is full of ice which means you’re only really getting half a drink! You don’t need ice anyway, the drink is cold enough without it.

12. Get 3 Mayo Chicken’s instead of 1 McChicken Sandwich

Image Source: Supersupergirl's Dining Reviews

We all love a Crispy Chicken Sandwich, but they are not the cheapest item on the menu…the humble McChicken from the saver menu is pretty much the same thing and only costs $1. That means you can get three McChicken's for less than one Crispy Chicken Sandwich, bargain!

13. McDonald’s fries are not vegetarian

Image Source: Reddit

You might find this one hard to believe, but McDonald’s fries don’t just contain potatoes cooked in oil…there are 19 different ingredients which go into making these tasty savoury snacks and one of them is “natural beef flavour”. So, if you’re a strict vegetarian you may want to rethink your next order.

14. A crispy chicken and bacon salad contains more calories than a cheeseburger

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Although there is nothing stopping you from ordering a salad at McDonald’s because you enjoy it, don’t bother if you are only getting it to save calories…some of the salads have more calories than a cheeseburger, so don’t be fooled just because it may seem like the ‘healthier’ option!

15. Always make an amendment to your burger so it is freshly made

Image Source: Burger Lad

If you want to avoid being given a McDonalds burger that has been sitting on the side for ages waiting to be ordered, try this clever hack to make sure you always get a freshly cooked burger. By making an amendment to your burger using the ‘customise’ function they will have to freshly make your item.

16. Make sure you wash your hands after using the touchscreens to order

Image Source: The Mirror

If you practice basic hand hygiene, you won’t need us to remind you to wash your hands…but if you are ever using the self-service kiosks at McDonald’s, you may want to wash them twice! Research has shown the touchscreens are covered in bacteria, so make sure you take extra care.

17. There is a high chance the milkshake machine won’t be working

Image Source: The New York Times

We hate to disappoint you, but if you’re planning on ordering a milkshake from McDonald’s then make sure you plan a back up drink because there’s a high chance the machine won’t be working! That goes for the McFlurry machine as well, dairy products don’t seem to be a big success.

18. You can an extra 14 chicken McNuggets for just $1.71

Image Source: Reddit

If you want to get more for your money, you need to know about this…6 chicken McNuggets cost $3.29 but a share box containing 20 chicken McNuggets is only $5! You can get over triple the amount of food for just a little bit extra, so you would be crazy not to fork out for this.

19. Try ordering “extra crispy” fries

Image Source: Newsweek

If you find McDonald’s fries can sometimes be a bit cold and limp looking, bring them back to life by asking them to be extra crispy when you’re ordering your meal. They will simply give the fries an extra few minutes in the fryer so they will come out hot and crispy.

20. The egg in breakfast McMuffins is real

Image Source: Business Insider

Despite the rumours that the perfectly round shaped ‘egg’ inside the breakfast McMuffins and rolls is not a real egg…that is false information. All chains use use fresh eggs which are cracked straight into an egg ring which gives them their perfect shape.

21. McDonald’s burgers aren’t actually that bad for you

Image Source: Business Insider

It has always been installed in us that fast food is bad for us and should be avoided if we want to follow a ‘healthy’ lifestyle. However, some dieticians have argued that a McDonald’s burger is a fairly nutritionally balanced choice which can be enjoyed in moderation.

22. You can get table service at McDonald’s

Image Source: Teeside Live

Although McDonald’s is a fast food choice, it doesn’t mean you can’t have an elevated dining experience like anywhere else. Over 400 McDonald’s restaurants offer table service, so if you want to enjoy your meal peacefully from your table then get down to your local branch!

23. Double your breakfast McMuffin for less than $1

Image Source: TripAdvisor

If you’re a fan of a sausage and egg McMuffin from the McDonald’s menu, you need to try this hack. An extra sausage patty only costs 40 cents so instead of ordering a double egg and sausage McMuffin, just order the extra patty and make it yourself to save some money!

24. Try removing the top bun from your Big Mac

Image Source: Uproxx

When you actually deconstruct the famous McDonald’s Big Mac, you will realise that there is no need for 3 layers of bread buns inside the burger. You can simply remove the top and flip the middle bun without losing any of the contents. Not only does it cut the calories, it is actually tastier!

25. You can customise any McDonald’s wrap to use grilled instead of crispy chicken

Image Source: The Guardian

If you’re not a fan of deep-fried chicken or you are trying to cut back on the calories, you need to know about this menu hack. Any McDonald’s wrap can be made using grilled chicken instead of crispy chicken. It is just as delicious and makes for a healthier alternative.

26. You can ask for Big Mac sauce on any burger you want

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If you can’t get enough of the Big Mac sauce but don’t want to keep ordering the same thing over and over again…just customise your burger! You can add pretty much anything you want to any item on the menu, so next time you want to try something new just ask for them to add Big Mac sauce.

27. There are loads of options if you are trying to eat a healthier diet

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McDonalds doesn’t have to be a gut-busting meal if you don’t want it to, there are loads of lighter options so you can still enjoy fast food without going overboard. Make swaps like a side salad instead of fries and diet drinks instead of sugary options.

28. A pot of sour cream and chive dip has nearly as many calories as 4 nuggets

Image Source: MyLondon

Although we believe you should enjoy life to the full which includes eating as many tubs of McDonald’s sour cream and chive dip as you want, you should be aware that they are packed with calories. In fact, they almost have the same amount as 4 chicken McNuggets!

29. Try the ice-cream sandwich hack

Image Source: Insider

Not many people think to get a dessert at McDonalds, unless it is a McFlurry of course! But it turns out their baked treats like cookies and muffins are really tasty, so why not try this hack: buy two cookies and a McFlurry of your choice to make a delicious ice-cream sandwich.

30. The Big Mac sauce is never as good when you make it at home

Image Source: Hot Rod's Recipes

Although the Big Mac sauce recipe was supposedly leaked online back in 2017, it still doesn’t taste the same as the real thing when you try and make it at home. It is hard to judge the quantities you need of each ingredient, but at least you can add whatever you want to your taste.

31. Keep in mind the fish isn't always the freshest

Image Source: RedditIf you are oping for the fish, you might want to keep in mind that it may not be the freshest product on the menu. This is because it's definitely not the most popular. And so it can end up sitting there pretty much all day before the next person consumes it on their Fish Fillet Sandwich.

32. Always choose the fried eggs over the scrambled or folded

Image Source: RedditIf you want real fresh egg it may sound silly to get the round egg because it's so perfectly circular that you think it can't be real. But it's completely real just cracked into a circular shape while it cooks. The scrambled and folded egg however have preservatives added to them.

33. You can always ask for things fresh!

Image Source: RedditYou don't need to have a trick to try and get your McDonald's food fresh and hot, you can simply just ask! The McDonald's employee will be more than obliging (usually) to give you the fresh batch as long as you've asked politely! It's better than using tricks to try and get it.

34. The food timer is often ignored

Image Source: RedditThere's a food timer which goes off and this is what is used to indicate when a food has been lying around too long. So when the timer rings it's time for the food to be thrown away. But, often the employee will just reset the timer rather than throwing it all away.

35. Try the crispy chicken rather than the grilled...

Image Source: RedditThe crispy chicken may have a few more calories than the grilled chicken but employees urge you to try it over the grilled chicken. According to some ex-employees the chicken has ingredients added to it making it kind of gelatinous. And it sits around longer because it is less popular.

36. The coffee may be healthier and cheaper than many of it's competitors

Image Source: RedditCompanies like Starbucks are so popular and yes they are good, but they will also set you back in terms of money. The McDonald's coffee often contains less sugar than some of its competitors and it's just as good quality but a fraction of the price...

37. Drop the bacon from your order if you want to save some money

Image Source: RedditEgg and cheese is  $1.69 whereas the Egg McMuffin is $3.49. So if you're not overly bothered about the Canadian muffin you can save yourself some pennies here with this simple switch. Plus, it is a way to make the option healthier without the bacon too.

38. McDonald's standards have improved a LOT over the years

Image Source: RedditThere have been multiple reports, studies and programmes all following the past scandals of McDonalds. Because it had so much bad press it has not been allowed to continue in the dame manner and so there have been a lot of changes to make things more healthy and cleaner.

39. If you want to know EXACTLY what is in your food head to the website

Image Source: RedditYes, you may not be able to pronounce or recognise a lot of the ingredients in them, but if you want to be more aware of exactly what you are consuming you can find the exact breakdown on the McDonald's website. It's always a good idea to know what you're eating.

40. They have a huge range of dipping sauce

Image Source: RedditKetchup and BBQ stand aside... there is so much more dipping sauces available than these standard options (not saying they're not the best of course). But, next time try the curry sauce, the honey mustard - the world of sauces is your oyster.

41. You can still ask for mayo even though it's not a dip option

Image Source: UNIladMayonnaise is not a dip option at McDonald's, it's a mastery why considering mayo is one of the best sauces out there. And, they do serve it in their burgers... But this means that you can still ask for it and one of the servers may be kind enough to give you some.

42. Add toppings to your McFlurry for just 20 cents

Image Source: RedditThe one problem about a McFlurry is that the toppings just never seem to last enough - at least if you're like me and you scrape them all off in two bites. But instead of having to order two McFlurries just add extra toppings for 20 cents more for the perfect McFlurry!

43. Let them know if you work for the emergency services

Image Source: RedditIf you work for the emergency services as police, ambulance or you work for the hospital for example you may be in for a treat. You can get an employee meal which is around half price, or if they realise you are working for the emergency services you may even get your food free depending on the branch of McDonalds.

44. You can have the round egg on any of your breakfast sandwiches

Image Source: RedditSo if you want a bacon sandwich but you'd like an egg, this is entirely possible. All you need to do is ask. The round egg is pretty much available on any breakfast option you like - notably the breakfast sandwiches. Plus, adding an egg always feels like it's making something slightly more healthy...

45. The Coca Cola does taste better for several reasons

 It's a well known fact that the McDonald's Coca Cola just tastes different - better, but why? It may be something to do with the special way the regulate it, the temperature they consistently keep it at as well as the syrup they add to it. Either way, there's just nothing like a McDonald's Coca Cola.

46. There's a right way to hold your ketchup

Image Source: RedditIt seems that we have a shelf in our fries holder that we never even knew about. You my have noticed the way there are little folds on the top. This is actually a ketchup shelf...now there you go, your fries and ketchup experience has changed forever!

47. The secret menu doesn't exist

Image Source: RedditThere's a theory about the McDonald's secret menu. In fact employees are regularly asked about it and people even request items for it. But here's the thing - it doesn't exist. So employees won't be able to help you unless your request is completely doable and you have a very kind server.

48. You can get grilled cheese

Image Source: RedditYou'll never find grilled cheese on the menu (well maybe sometimes in certain places) but that's not to say you can't have it. If you ask extra nicely usually employees don't mind making you a simple grilled cheese. And, they taste really good from McDonald's too.

49. The Late Night Menu was cut down a lot

Image Source: RedditThe late night menu was a revelation. Especially if you've had a late night or you've been out on the town and you just needed a McDonald's. But the menu used to be quite expansive, whereas since 2019 it's been cut down a lot and you'll only find the classics now.

50. McDonald's serves a burger every 75 seconds

Image Source: RedditNow this is a crazy thought. Yeah, we all love burgers. But every 75 seconds! When you put it into perspective, McDonald's are feeding 68 million people a day. Now that really is a crazy amount of burgers for a crazy amount of people around the world...

51. There are 340 calories in a medium fry

Image Source: RedditIf you're heading off to McDonald's you probably already know that it's not going to be the healthiest dinner choice you've ever made. In just a medium fry there are 340 calories. But it's all about balance and treating ourselves to a McDonald's is absolutely fine.

52. Download the app if you want to be able to get the freebies

Image Source: RedditThe best way to keep up to date with new products, new deals and even freebies (erm, yes please!) is to download the app. It will alert you to any new offers that otherwise you would not receive so it's totally worth it if you are a regular at McDonald's.

53. You can ask for less salt

Image Source: RedditWhen you eat a McDonald's you're fully aware that while you're eating it one of the reasons it tastes SO good is because there is a lot of salt in there. If you do want less you can jut ask. The employees definitely won't thank you for it but that's your lookout.

54. Don't bother with the premium items

Image Source: RedditThey're a lot pricier than the rest of the McDonald's menu however when you actually pick it apart it's not really that different at all. You are better going for the standard option and customising and adding the extras that you wanted to get with the premium meal.

55. There are 'healthier options'

Image Source: RedditBelieve it or not there are somewhat healthier options on the McDonald's menu. Meals which do not contain thousands of calories. For example if you do want to cut down the calories you could get an Egg White Delight McMuffin at 250 calories or an Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich for 350 calories.

56. The Children's Happy Meals have changed a lot

Image Source: RedditChildren's McDonald's Happy Meals used to look VERY different back in the day, with soda and fries. Now, the child can have a main but they have to include a healthy side and they are no longer allowed to include soda. Instead, they can opt for a fresh juice or a bottle of milk or water.

57. Shakes aren't made with real ice cream

Image Source: RedditIf you've ever tries the shakes at McDonald's you'll know they're good. You'll also know that it tastes like you are drinking ice cream. But this is not the case. It is not actually real ice cream which is the reason that McDonald's do not brand them as milkshakes, but rather as shakes.

58. McDonald's have tested out various new products

Image Source: RedditMcDonald's have dabbled with pasta and pizza and even upgraded to the likes of truffle fries and branched out into various regions. The cope of what they will try is never too far out of reach. So make sure to actually study the menu for the newbies rather than reverting back to the old staples each time.

59. Multiple kinds of potatoes go into the fries

Image Source: RedditThere's just nothing like McDonalds fries right? And we're sure there's many reasons for it but one of them might be the fact that there's not just one kind of potato which go into the fries there are multiple different kinds of potatoes which are all chosen for their taste.

60. The coffee machines may not be cleaned as regularly as you'd think

Image Source: RedditYou'd like to hope that when you're buying a product, the thing that makes it has been cleaned...recently rather than a couple of weeks ago. Otherwise you're really just drinking dirty coffee. Now, this may just be a rumour. Surely the hygiene standards would not allow for this.