It’s Time to Ditch Some of Those So-Called Classics
For a restaurant that’s been around for decades, McDonald’s hasn’t lost any of its appeal. It’s certainly had some flops over the years (we’re looking at you, spaghetti), but the classics never fail to disappoint, and we’re here to run through some of our favorite items off the menu—and some we’re good to skip.
Alex Liivet from Chester, United Kingdom on Wikimedia
1. McWrap
Alright, we’re not exactly starting with a controversial take, but we can’t ignore how terrible these things are. The idea was there, but the execution was just an overpriced mess with a serious lack of filling. They’ve threatened to make a resurgence in some countries, and we honestly hope they don’t.
2. Hash Browns
Though some people don’t mind the hash browns, count us among their haters! At the end of the day, these things are just deep-fried grease patties that soak clean through their poor wrappers, and they don’t make breakfast any brighter.
3. Double Hamburger
These don’t look disappointing. You have two-for-one fun with double meat and cheese, but this dry little burger actually doesn’t cut it. We can’t even say it’s too much of a good thing because there’s nothing very good about it.
4. Bagel Sandwiches
McDonald’s is a fast food place. We know this. They know this. But these joints are all about efficiency, which means they likely split bagels before making the sandwiches—at least, we hope that’s the case, otherwise we can’t think of any reason why their bagels are so chunky. All that bread and not enough meat (for any breakfast bagel sandwich) makes this a forgettable choice.
5. McRib
Thank goodness this thing’s only seasonal because we can’t imagine punishing our stomachs more often. Let’s be honest. The McRib…isn’t good. Yet, you bet we’re going to race to our nearest available location for one every time. Our toilets hate to see us coming.
6. McCrispy
In what was supposed to be a step up from the McChicken, this sandwich was more of a subpar sibling. It often suffers the same fate as its bagel cousins: too much bread. It’s also a hit or miss whether you get an actual crispy chicken breast or an overdone one.
7. Filet-o-Fish
We’re sure to ruffle some feathers with this one, but we can’t help it! The best we can offer is that the filet-o-fish is…fine. It’s not the worst thing on the menu, but it’s also far from the best, and we’re not the biggest fans of the weird cheese-to-tartar sauce ratio. However, the fish is surprisingly flaky.
8. McChicken
It’s not that the McChicken is inherently bad, it’s that the ensemble leaves so much to be desired. With a subtle enough flavor, you really need to make up for it with added toppings—and the best we got was a chicken patty slathered in “mayo style sauce” and limp shredded lettuce. That said, these sandwiches are way better fresh.
9. Coffee
What? You think because we drink McDonald’s coffee that that makes it good? False! We know it isn’t good. But their selection of menu options and their surprisingly good iced brews still make this worthwhile (depending on how bad you need a cup of joe).
10. Milkshakes
Those triple-thick shakes hit the spot on a summer’s day, but they’re also not our favorite; so many smaller places do them better and offer a wider selection of flavors. If you’re really looking for stellar shakes, McDonald’s isn’t exactly the place to be.
With some of the worst stuff out of the way, it’s time we dove into the best menu items.
1. French Fries
We don’t care what people say! McDonald’s has some of the best and most iconic fries around. When they’re fresh in the box, you bet your boots we’ll gobble down an entire large serving of those crispy, golden strips.
2. Plain Hamburger
Say what you want about their hamburgers, this plain Jane is still a great option. It’s a no-fuss option that comes with a balanced serving of toppings, and we can appreciate a quick bite of beef and pickle.
Filippos Fragkogiannis on Wikimedia
3. Chicken Nuggets
It’s hard to find fast food that tastes just as good cold as it does hot—but nuggets get the job done. Crispy shells filled with real, tender chicken meat (or so they say)? Delicious dipping sauces? We’ll be honest, 20 just isn’t enough.
4. Big Mac
We know what you’re thinking: how could you talk about the Big Mac being good if you don’t like equally dense items? Well, let us tell you something: this burger is the only one that gets it right. It’s balanced with a good portion of meat and toppings, and it doesn’t lack flavor.
5. Quarter Pounder
For those of us who don’t thrive with a third bun, the Quarter Pounder is a tried and true option. The original already offered enough, but with upgrades like double bacon and cheese, this hamburger is a step above the rest.
www.snack-nieuws.nl on Wikimedia
6. Apple Pie
McDonald’s doesn’t always get their desserts right, but the apple pie remains a beloved menu staple. Our mouths are watering just thinking about that golden crust and scrumptious apple filling. It’s like a holiday every time we order one.
7. McGriddle
We don’t understand anyone who snubs the McGriddle. Egg, sausage, maple-infused pancakes for buns? It has everything you could ever want in a breakfast sandwich! Sure, it’s a little heavy right in the morning, but that doesn’t make it any less delicious.
8. McFlurry
Call it nostalgia. Call it our sweet tooth. Whatever it is, McDonald’s ice cream will always have a place in our hearts. While the original cones are plenty good on their own, the McFlurry kicked it into high gear with unbeatable flavors like Oreo and Smarties (for the Canadians out there). The only speed bump is trying to get your hands on one.
Linda Avriani from Singapore, Singapore on Wikimedia
9. Egg McMuffin
Okay, maybe you don’t want pancakes for breakfast. Could we perhaps turn your attention to this classic choice instead? It’s a lighter option, and one of the only ones that offers ham as its star. You wouldn’t think a simple slice of ham and cheese would hit the spot, but it does when paired with a buttery English muffin.
10. McDouble
At first glance, the McDouble and the double hamburger are basically the same thing. But there’s one important difference: the cheese. Though less cheese sounds like a bad thing, it actually helps to balance out the flavors. You get more bang for your affordable buck and can actually taste what you paid for.
