The Journey for McShaker Fries
Fast food is quick, convenient, and quasi-affordable—and despite warnings of too many calories in puddles of grease, we’ll never part ways. Unfortunately, not every menu item is available in every country. You might want that tasty box of poutine or a few cheese curds with your burger, but you'll have to flip-flop between the States and Canada to score both! Let’s explore who can find what and where.
1. McDonald’s Poutine
Canada and poutine go hand-in-hand, so it’s no surprise you’ll often only find it on Northern menus. You won’t have to look further than popular fast-food chains like McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and even Burger King for this classic dish exclusive to Canada.
Paulo O from Halifax, Canada on Wikimedia
2. DQ Nanaimo Bar Blizzard
Nanaimo bars aren’t as big a delicacy in the United States, which is probably why the flavor migrated to Canada. Dairy Queen dedicated a whole blizzard to the traditional dessert, and you’ll likely only find it overseas.
3. Burger King Lemonades
Burger King has big plans to beat the heat in the summer, but it seems only Canadians can indulge. Pineapple lemonade and cherry limeade are the two latest thirst-quenchers, so here’s hoping popularity soars to the States. Don't worry, you can still indulge in other thirst quenchers in the States.
4. Taco Bell Fries Supreme®
All that cheese, ground beef, and sauce slathered on a bed of french fries is only available in Canada. It makes sense the more you think about it—Fries Supreme® is like nachos and poutine had a baby, so it’s best reserved for the north.
5. A&W Burger Family
A&W is no stranger to the States, but the good ol’ burger family sure is. The Papa Burger is the sole family member on American menus whereas Canada has Grandpa, Mama, Uncle, Teen, and Buddy. Who knows what other estranged members they'll introduce next.
Anna Tukhfatullina Food Photographer/Stylist on Pexels
6. McDonald’s McShaker Fries
McShaker fries were one of the greatest things on McDonald’s menus, and Canada seems like one of the only countries to bring them back. America has yet to see a resurgence, but those lucky moose people can indulge in masala and churro shaker fries.
7. Cadbury Creme Egg McFlurry
Cadbury Creme Eggs aren’t exactly good for you, but that hasn’t stopped us from eating our body weight in them every Easter—and some kind McDonald’s executive brought a Creme Egg McFlurry to Canada. The only sad thing about them is that they aren’t in the States yet.
8. Pizza Pizza Pizza
No, you didn’t misread that! Pizza Pizza is a novelty Canadian chain specializing in affordable pies, and Americans don’t have access. However, if you’re really jonesing for the experience, the chain’s first international endeavor was to Mexico, so you can always make the journey south.
BioPub (Tomasz Piwowarek) on Wikimedia
9. McDonald’s Double Big Mac
Just when you thought the Big Mac couldn’t get any better, McDonald’s restaurants doubled it. It’s no easy feat, but lucky (and hungry) Canadians can sink their teeth into four patties wedged between three buns. Sure, it's a little much, but who has the stomach to resist?
No machine-readable author provided. Matilda assumed (based on copyright claims). on Wikimedia
10. Tim Hortons Donuts
For those unfamiliar, Tim Hortons is a classic Canadian donut shop loaded with baked goods, coffee, breakfast sandwiches, and the odd venture into items like pizzas or artisan grilled cheese. Visiting Americans can always dip a toe in, but don’t expect the chain to cross the border anytime soon.
Though America may be missing out on some fast food delicacies, they’re home to exclusive items of their own. Let's explore a few items you'd never spot in Canada.
1. A&W Cheese Curds
You’re familiar with classic A&W items like their golden french fries or affordable chicken nuggets, but Americans can also indulge in cheese curds as a side. Participating restaurants have delectable bites of Wisconsin white cheddar cheese, and they’re not available in Canada.
Wisconsin Denizen on Wikimedia
2. Burger King Birthday Pie Slice
Those rainbow sprinkles and whipped cream topping can put anyone in a celebratory mood—so long as you’re in the right country. Luckily, Canadians can still enjoy pie from Burger King, but birthday slices are reserved for Americans.
3. McDonald’s Sausage Biscuit
McDonald’s shared the love with McGriddles and McMuffins, but breakfast biscuit sandwiches are strictly a U.S. thing. You can nab sausage or sausage and egg, and sure, they aren’t fancy, but they are just for you.
4. Starbucks Orange Cream Cake Pop
Cake pops are common in every Starbucks, but the flavors vary depending on your location. Locations in the States are home to orange cream pops while Canadians are often treated to lemon cake. That's okay, we only like the vanilla ones anyway.
5. Krispy Kreme Mini Strawberry Iced Donuts
We don’t know about you, but our math reveals that smaller donuts mean more health (don’t question us on that). Luckily, U.S. Krispy Kreme locations offer mini donuts, and though Canadians also have them, you can only find mini strawberry iced donuts in the States.
6. A&W Corn Dog Nuggets
We can’t always run to the store for a box of corn dogs, and forget about making our own on a busy schedule—but American A&Ws have the next best thing with their exclusive corn dog nuggets. You can score them in a five or ten-piece and they aren’t available anywhere else.
7. Starbucks Maple Butter Sandwich
Starbucks’ chicken, maple butter, and egg sandwich won the hearts of Americans for a while, but it was quietly recalled for not meeting food standards. However, anyone missing this diamond in the rough can officially grab it again in participating American locations.
8. Orange Julius Blended Flavors
Orange Julius isn’t specific to the States, but they do have flavors reserved for the States. Canada really only has a handful of juice options whereas Americans can slurp on Coconana Berry, Orangeberry, and strawberry and watermelon (among others).
9. A&W Chili Cheese Fries
Okay, so the Fries Supreme® may not be available, but it’s A&W to the rescue with their chili cheese fries. It’s almost as good considering you get a nest of fries drenched in cheese sauce and chili, and best of all, it’s only in the States.
Fotografía de Alimentos on Unsplash
10. Dunkin Donuts Donuts
Dunkin Donuts tried their best to make it on Canadian soil, but there’s no place like home. This tried-and-true American chain set its roots back in the U.S. and continues to offer coffee and delicious donuts to this day.
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