Odds are your local McDonald’s contains only the basic menu items like fries, cheeseburgers, Big Macs, and, most recently, breakfast all day. But in some regions across the U.S. and in countries all over the world, McDonald’s is serving up dishes that highlight the foods of the area or culture.
Read on to see what you’re missing out on, or discover a regional menu item close to home. Warning: bursts of jealousy may ensue.
1. Peaches & Mango Pie—Hawaii
While here on the mainland we get the basic apple pie, Hawaiian McDonald’s serves up a peaches and mango variety, which are regional fruits there. The baked, crispy golden crust is still the same however.
I can only imagine how nice eating a tropical pie must be on the beautiful beaches of Hawaii. How come they get all the nice things?
2. McAloo Tikki—India
At first glance, this may look like a breaded chicken sandwich, but it’s actually a potato, pea, and bread-based patty between two of your classic McDonald’s buns. The sandwich is then topped with tomatoes, onion, special veggie sauce, and ketchup. If only it were sold globally, then vegetarians everywhere could be lovin’ on McDonald’s too.
3. McBratwurst—Wisconsin and Illinois
McDonald’s really can do it all. In 2002, they teamed up with Johnsonville to create the McBratwurst, adding a power player to their classic menu of cheeseburgers and fries. The McBratwurst was discontinued in 2009, but has recently made a comeback, perhaps in response to Burger King’s addition of hot dogs to their menu.
Either way, being able to buy a Johnsonville brat at a McDonald’s is a game changer (only if you live in Wisconsin or Illinois though).
4. Chicken Singaporridge—Singapore
I, for one, am a huge fan of this pun on Singapore and porridge. McDonald’s took a savory spin on porridge with the addition of sodden rice, chicken, ginger, onions, shallots, and chili pepper. It’s sure to be satisfying when you need something warm and hearty on a cold night, or for when you’re feeling under the weather.
5. McLobster—Maine & New England
When you live in a place that practically survives on the seafood market, of course it’s gonna show up in the local McDonald’s. The McLobster is served during prime lobster season and is made with 100% Atlantic lobster meat. It’s basically the fast food version of a lobster roll, served on a hot dog bun with “lobster sauce” and shredded lettuce. Whether or not you trust the seafood on a McDonald’s menu is your call.
6. Rice Fantastic—Hong Kong
In a lot of Asian countries, rice is a staple of people’s diets, and is consumed in a variety of ways. At the McDonald’s in Hong Kong, they make a special burger—the Rice Fantastic—that uses rice patties instead of buns.
7. Biscuits and Gravy—Southern States
If you’re in the south and need some good old country cookin’ pronto, head to your nearest, uh…McDonald’s? That’s right, biscuits and gravy can be found in most southern states in the US. While they’re almost definitely not as good as your grandma’s, they may suffice if you’re away at college and desperately need some comfort food.
8. McArabia—Egypt and the Middle East
In 2003, the McArabia was introduced to satisfy the taste profiles of Egypt and the Middle East. The sandwich is made with an Arabic flatbread, folded around either grilled chicken or grilled kofta (beef with spices), lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and garlic sauce. It provides a good alternative for those unaccustomed to greasy cheeseburgers, like those of us here in America
9. Le Croque McDo—France and Belgium
Introducing McDonald’s version of the Croque-monsieur, a traditional sandwich around these parts with baked or fried boiled ham and cheese. McDonald’s version consists of two slices of Emmental cheese and one slice of ham toasted between two buns. It honestly looks sad in comparison to the real thing. Hit and a miss, McDonald’s.
10. Mozzarella Dippers—United Kingdom
Remember when McDonald’s was serving up these fried cheese beauties everywhere? Those were the days. Well, according to Eater, the mozzarella sticks were discontinued after a lawsuit was filed for them not containing 100% mozzarella cheese. I thought they were fine. But luckily, you can still find them at McDonald’s in the UK, so if a huge craving hits catch a flight across the pond.
11. McKinley Mac—Alaska
Apparently, McDonald’s is “big on Alaska.” This epic burger is a Big Mac, made with quarter pounder patties, delivering extra protein, extra juiciness, and yes, extra calories. It’s fit for only those with the biggest of appetites and stomachs. If you’re up for the challenge and don’t live in Alaska, you can still try to get it at your local McDonald’s by asking to substitute quarter pounder patties in a Big Mac.
12. McGazpacho—Spain
Soup at McDonald’s? The game has changed. Gazpacho is a popular chilled soup served in Spain that’s made from a variety of vegetables. McDonald’s version is filled with chopped tomatoes, onions, cucumber, peppers, and celery, all flavored with lemon juice and Tabasco. The soup also comes in cute containers that are great to take with you on the go.
13. Mini Bundt Cakes—Los Angeles, Atlanta, San Diego, Houston, and Florida
Going with the whole McCafe theme, these mini bundt cakes pair perfectly with a hot latte or mocha. They come in either Cinnamon Coffee Cake, which is drizzled with cream cheese icing, or Double Chocolate, which is drizzled with chocolate icing. While they’re certainly not comparable to any homemade goodies, they’re cheaper than the typical baked treats you find at coffee shops, and you really can’t go wrong with chocolate, right?
14. McShrimp Burger—Japan, Russia, Greece, and Italy
First there was the fish fillet sandwich, now there’s the McShrimp. I guess McDonald’s is trying to get into the seafood market as well? The McShrimp Burger is filled with lightly fried minced shrimp, lettuce, and a special sauce in between two buns. I’ve never thought to make shrimp into a burger, but McDonald’s does it all, I guess.
15. Honeydew McFlurry—Singapore
We’ve got the Oreo, M&M, and seasonal flavors of McFlurries, but Singapore has a fruity version made with honeydew. The McFlurry also contains a smattering of cereal. An odd combination, but it must taste good. And maybe since it’s made from fruit it’s healthier?
16. McBacon Roll—United Kingdom
For some, this may be a breakfast dream come true. It’s a bread roll filled with British bacon and either Heinz tomato ketchup or brown sauce. Odd toppings, as bacon and ketchup definitely don’t go together and wtf is brown sauce? Maybe you should just stick to the bacon and bread, because that’s all you really need anyway.
To check out the full list of international McDonald’s menu items, check out this link.