It’s as cuddly as a cactus. It’s as charming as an eel. It’s here at a local McDonald’s near you: the latest Grinch meal! It’s back, and whether it’s better than ever is still up for debate among hungry patrons, but there’s one guarantee lurking in your bag: a jam-packed value meal complete with toys and limited-edition holiday items.
New lattes, pies, and even a new salted caramel McFlurry have also graced paper bags everywhere, but the real piece-de-resistance is with the Happy Meal. Forget those cardboard books you received in the past; today’s meals boast a pretty solid Grinch toy that just about anyone can enjoy. But do an extra pair of socks make up for the deal inside? Don’t you worry—we’re here to break down everything you can expect from Whoville.
A Happy Meal for Adults? You Betcha
One of the best things us big kids have available is the adult Happy Meal. It has all the fixin’s of your traditional fare (menu item, drink, and fries), but the whole thing comes in an adorable Grinch-themed box. Your McChicken may also cost a little more than its everyday cousin, but that’s because these meals come with a special treat: Grinch socks!
Customers have more than enough menu options to choose from: chicken sandwiches, hamburgers, and veggie options dominate the selection, but you can also upgrade your fries to a poutine—or scrap those spuds altogether for the Who-Hash Bites. Wait, the who what? (Don’t worry, we won’t do the whole Abbott and Costello thing.) The Who-Hash Bites are bite-sized hashbrowns that, unfortunately, clock in around 360 calories. Normally, we’d let that scare us away, but what’s Christmas without a little weight gain?
Oh, and did we forget to mention the pickle McShaker fries? That’s right, if you’re in the U.S., you can indulge in the nostalgic fun of dusting your fries with a bit of oomph! We won’t lie, whether or not you enjoy it really depends on your love of dill. Fans of the flavor will get all the cheek-puckering, vinegar-soaked goodness they crave. If you’re on the fence…you might not get the same kick.
Why is Everyone Griping About the Price?
If you love funny, high-quality socks, McDonald’s delivered with this one. The thing is, you really gotta love dressing up your feet ‘cause these Happy Meals are sure to put a frown on your face. While the original meals don’t even scrape ten bucks, the Grinchy twist skyrockets the cost—and it’s not something every foodie loves.
For us, the socks and McShaker fries definitely cushion the blow. With a little self-restraint, we also weren’t planning to indulge every day of the week, leaving this a nice treat that makes us feel like kids again. That said, it’s still a steep price to pay for a pinch of Christmas magic, so it likely won’t rub everyone the right way.
If you’re wondering what the socks look like, they’re an adorable mismatched pattern of the Grinch and his trusty dog, Max. They’re actually pretty well-made, so you don’t have that terrible stretching commonly found in novelty items. Not to mention, if you’re in the States, you have your pick between four different designs! It’s really up to you if you think they’re worth the cost.
Salted Caramel All the Way Down
If you don’t want to shell out the money for a Grinch meal, you’re still in luck—McDonald’s released a whole slew of salted caramel items you can chow down on (the majority of which are desserts, so talk about a score). We’re talking McFlurries, coffee beverages, and even a new baked pie!
They didn’t forget about the dipping sauce, either. For a limited time only, customers can dip their precious nuggets into a new sour cream and onion sauce, one that’s complete with its very own chives. It’s also surprisingly good with those Who-Hash Bites, so don’t knock it ‘til you try it.
Of the line-up, our personal favorite is the chocolate chip cookie cold brew. McDonald’s isn’t exactly known for having the best coffee, but with a few pumps of cookie sweetener, that beverage turns into Christmas in a cup. Cold coffee might not be for everyone, especially in the winter, but paired with the salted caramel pie…it’s a divine duo.
We don’t know about you, but we live on the edge all year long with McDonald’s. When will they bring back the McRib? What new sauces are coming down the pipeline? Will they ever bring back the chocolate-vanilla ice cream cone? We don’t have answers to every question, but we do have a little of our Christmas spirit back with their latest options. Don’t judge us—we still get excited for pickles and socks this time of year!
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