McDonald's has been ruling the fast-dining restaurant niche for decades now, and for a good reason: they know how to make delicious food! Moreover, they know how to innovate, changing their world-famous menu now and then to satisfy the public's cravings.
But did you know you can also technically order off-menu items at your local McDonald's? "Cheat" the system and get a taste of something you've never had before with these 35 hacks. We might even save some bucks on our next meal if we do things right!
How to Get the "Discounted" Big Mac
The Big Mac, Mickey D's signature meal, has become more expensive in the decades following its introduction in the '60s. But there's still a way to get the super-sandwich a bit cheaper than its retail price.
As a crew member told Business Insider, all we need to do is ask for a McDouble with Big Mac sauce instead of the usual ketchup. The only thing we'll miss is the bun in the middle of the burger. But will we really be looking for that after saving a couple of bucks?
Say Goodbye to Long Lines
Once upon a time, fast-food drive-thrus were the faster way to order our daily fill of burgers and fries. But with more and more people choosing that option, the lines at McDonald's to-go windows seem to get longer and longer. Luckily, there's a hack to help us skirt around that exact problem.
We can always order in advance through Mickey D's mobile app and schedule our meal for pickup. And if you're still determined to skip the drive-thru lines altogether, you can always drop inside the actual place and pick up your order from there.
Now You Can Dip And Drive
Eating and driving is a regular activity for people always on the go. But it's not an easy task, especially when dipping sauce is involved. There's a way to eat and drive without the risk of spilling your food inside your fresh-from-the-car-wash ride, though.
Before heading off to enjoy the food, ask a McDonald's employee for an extra McFlurry lid with your order. You can then use that nifty invention as a sauce plate securely placed on your drink. And there you have it, a no-sweat solution to a potentially messy problem!
The Contested Bended Fry Box Hack
This next hack is still a bit contested among Mickey D fans. In a Twitter post, a user called Today Years Old shared that bending a McDonald's fry box backward will work well for holding your dipping sauce. That sounds like a great idea, right?
Not really, at least according to netizens who found a lot of faults with the hack. Some pointed out that folding the box would only result in ketchup being catapulted onto the eater's clothes, ultimately defeating the purpose of fashioning a sauce shelf out of a cardboard box to avoid spills.
Fast DIY Burger Holder
Speaking of avoiding spills, we found a hack that might work better than the previous one. Once again, this one involves a McDonald's fry box, but this time used as an improvised "burger holder." Of course, it goes without saying that you should eat your fries first before trying this one.
Aside from that, we don't see any other downside to this clever hack. If it helps to save your favorite dress or shirt from pesky stains, it's worth at least a try, right? What's more, there's no harm in following the environmentalist mantra: "Reduce, reuse, and recycle!"
Learn the Secret to a "Happier" Meal
Kids love McDonald's and its signature Happy Meals. What moms don't love is how messy their children can be when they eat their share of burgers and fries. Fortunately, a mother, who goes by MumLifeMyLife on TikTok, shared a life-saving hack every parent would appreciate.
As demonstrated in a short video taken with her phone, all it takes is pulling on the tab that wraps around the Happy Meal box. Doing so would separate the box's top portion (where the golden arches are) and the bottom part, which the kids can use as a plate for their meal.
Brunch At Mickey D's
It's hard for busy modern-day women to live out their "Breakfast At Tiffany's" moment these days. You can always switch out the jewelry store for your local McDonald's for an equally tasty morning meal, though. And if you're not an early riser, there's a way around the 10 a.m. breakfast cut-off.
Well, that is if you visit Mickey D's during the weekends, when the cut-off time is pushed back to 11 a.m., according to Delish. That'll give you ample time to get a brunch of McMuffins and pancakes in before your day begins!
Discover the One-Handed Meal Hack
Want to have your Mickey D's meal and eat it, too? Then you might want to try this one-handed hack popularized by McDonald's Australia. Posting on their Instagram profile, the fast-food chain shared a four-step guide to safely stacking burgers and fries on top of your drink.
As you can see in this illustration, you need to pierce your burger box onto your straw and balance your food onto the two cardboard containers. And there you go! You can now eat while holding your meal in one hand and use the other to scoop it into your mouth, all while rushing to class or work.
How to Get Fresh Fries Every Time
It's no secret that McDonald's fries are the bomb. The only problem is that they can get stale when left out and then served to you cold, especially if you order during non-busy hours. Here's one easy solution to that problem: ask for non-salted fries.
By making that request, the staff would have to fry up a new batch for you since they usually immediately add salt to fries after cooking them. And if you still want some flavor on your French fries, ask for a free packet of salt and add it to your food.
Receipts, Please
You might have heard the word "receipt" used when people demand accountability or some proof on the Internet. But did you know you can also benefit from a habit of asking for receipts while ordering at Mickey D's?
Managers often give better service to mystery diners, who are purposely sent to eat at specific locations to assess how a McDonald's restaurant is run. So if you want a freshly made Big Mac or a piping apple pie for your next meal, don't forget to mention a receipt so your cashier knows what's up.
The Best Time For A Big Mac
In that same vein, you'll also benefit from avoiding McDonald's altogether during peak ordering hours if it's good service you're after. According to Kamran Adnan, a former fast-food worker, the best time for a Big Mac or any other meal of your liking is usually around 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
He called these hours "gap-buster times," which mystery shoppers pick to order at Mickey D's. As mentioned before, ordering during these timeslots and asking for a receipt would make staff think you're a mystery shopper and give you better service.
Hold The Egg, Please!
Is the Sausage McMuffin your go-to breakfast meal from McDonald's? Then we've got good news for you because you can get it for about $1.60 cheaper if you know this hack. According to the TikTok page HealthyJunkFood, order a McMuffin or a Biscuit without the egg first.
Choosing either would bring your bill to just $1.19. Then you can order the egg, whether you like it folded or cooked sunnyside up, as an add-on for $1. Your total would come to $2.19 instead of the $3.79 you would have originally paid for a Sausage McMuffin with egg.
Ask, And You Shall Receive
As it turns out, the phrase "ask, and you shall receive" doesn't just work in prayer form. It also works when someone's craving hash browns with their breakfast but doesn't want to spend extra cash. And it's made possible by a function called "Uplift Hash Brown" at the McDonald's cash register.
As LADbible reported, hash browns typically cost 70 to 80 cents apiece. But if you ask the cashier to add some of the potato patties to your existing order, they'll give it to you for 30 cents apiece. Those savings won't buy you a yacht, but they're still welcome, especially when you're a week away from payday.
Two Drinks For the Price of One
Now that we're on the topic of saving on your order, it's high time you find out you can get two drinks for the price of one at McDonald's, too. An anonymous former staff shared on Quora that you can get one free refill when buying a hot drink.
It doesn't matter if it's a cup of coffee or hot chocolate; just down your drink and head to the cashier for a refill. If they ask you what your initial order was, you can say it was a promotional drink, which is more expensive, and get it free of charge.
Beware of The Decoy
Like many companies, McDonald's relies on a nifty marketing trick called the decoy or attraction effect. As university professor Gary Mortimer explained in a piece for The Conversation, it happens when a company introduces a product that appears to be the middle ground between the cheaper option and the more expensive one.
Decoys are typically used to drive customers to pick one option (usually the more profitable one) over the other. That said, it's best to be aware of this trick the next time you're lining up to order at McDonald's. Hey, maybe it's better if you don't upgrade your fries and drinks after all.
McFlurry 2.0
The McFlurry is a favorite among many McDonald's diners. Oreo cookies whipped to perfection in a base of vanilla ice cream are a match made in heaven if you ask us! But what if we told you there's an affordable way for you to make this dessert even better?
As Twitter users shared in 2017, diners in the United Kingdom can get extra toppings (read: more cookies and shots of chocolate) for 20 cents. There's a good reason why this hack is still a secret to many. According to Metro, only selected restaurant locations grant this McFlurry upgrade request.
McFlurry 3.0
Speaking of the McFlurry, you can upgrade it even further depending on what kind of toppings you want. The ice cream treat comes in many flavors—from M&M to Butterfinger—aside from the original Oreo one. But by using the same 20-cent add-on we've talked about, anyone can mix and match to their heart's content.
And if you really want to splurge, upgrade that to 40 cents, and you can create the perfect ice cream-to-cookie ratio with a side of extra chocolate and candy bar toppings. Sure, it may not be the most diet-friendly treat, but you deserve to indulge occasionally!
The 20-Piece Nugget Equation
You better get out a pen and paper for this one. There's a way for you to get a 20-piece McNugget for a lot less than its retail price, and it involves an ordering technique that might not make sense at first.
TikToker Luke Urda said he took advantage of a McDonald's self-order system glitch. He ordered a four-nugget meal from the $1 to $2 menu and then multiplied it by five in the sauce selection window. His total bill was $5.43, with the original 20-piece retailing for $15.
Milkshake With A Kick
Craving a sweet treat but also need a jolt of energy for the coming workday? Then, you might want to try adding a shot of espresso to your regular shake order for a milkshake with a kick. Like many of the hacks we've discussed, this one's masterminded by another TikToker.
In their version, they ordered a vanilla shake separately from the espresso and mixed the two ingredients in their car. When the hack gained traction, others tried it and even labeled the combo "genius." It's worth noting that the McCafé already sells a similar drink: the mocha frappé.
How to Get This Secret Menu Neapolitan Milkshake
Remember eating those tubs of Neapolitan ice cream at children's birthday parties? Prepare to relive your favorite childhood memories but in milkshake form this time. TikToker Melika Zaidi went viral when she hit her local McDonald's drive-thru to order three shakes: strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla.
With the extra two cups she requested, Melika then concocted her own Neapolitan milkshake by layering the three flavors on top of each other. The verdict?—it tastes just like ice cream! Other netizens were even inspired to share their winning combos, like banana and chocolate, after seeing her creation.
Bootleg Milk Tea
McDonald's finally added the widely popular boba or bubble milk tea to their menu in 2021. But before this became available, people made do by creating their own bootleg version of milk tea—without the chewy tapioca balls, unfortunately—from the available items at their local Mickey D's.
If you want to try it, order a sweet tea and then ask for creamer. Mix the two ingredients together, maybe even add more dashes of creamer, and there you have it! Not really the best, but it's a money-saver because the sweet tea is just $1 a pop.
The Stronger, The Better
If you are a coffee lover or just someone who needs a serious caffeine kick, this next hack is for you. Create a more robust cup of joe by ordering an extra shot, maybe two, of espresso with your iced coffee or frappé order.
As Heather Jasper, a former McDonald's restaurant crew member, shared on Quora, diners can customize their drinks to their heart's content, from adding extra dollops of syrup to requesting decaffeinated coffee. The additional costs depend on your requests, of course, with each shot of espresso being around 79 cents in the United Kingdom.
Presenting: The McAffogato
The "affogato" is an Italian dessert comprised of scoops of gelato or ice cream "drowned" in coffee. Sounds like a simple yet fancy treat, huh? Well, you don't really have to spend a lot to get a taste of it if you go to McDonald's.
While Mickey D's doesn't officially have dessert on its menu, you can improvise your own McAffogato. This hack reportedly began in the United Kingdom with police officers ordering a vanilla milkshake and espresso shots to mix. The McDonald's UK Twitter profile even shared its own version of the treat!
You'll (Want A) Float, Too
It looks like all that talk of floating from Pennywise of "It" movie fame got people craving for floats, too. And once again, the people on TikTok are spearheading the creation of a McFloat drink through creative food hacks that will veer us off track from our diet plan.
We can make our own float by ordering a half-filled cup of Coke with a side of vanilla ice cream. Then, all that's left to do is dunk your cone into the cup and enjoy your refreshing drink! It's worth noting, too, though, that the McFloat is a menu item in countries like the Philippines, India, and Indonesia.
The Sweetest "Burger" On The Menu
Another item that McDonald's might want to add to their menu officially is the ice cream sandwich. There's already an assured market for it, what with people improvising their own sandwiches with burger buns and even cookies as the bread element after seeing it done in a 2017 viral tweet.
As for the filling, some prefer classic vanilla, while many also go for McFlurry to smear between the bread pieces. Not really the best dessert to have when you're on a diet and weight loss kick, but it's still an affordable indulgent treat when craving something super sweet.
The Perfect Hot And Cold Dessert
Have you ever had a "Pie à la Mode"? Then you'd love this perfect hot and cold dessert one can easily make from classic McDonald's menu items. The next time you order an apple pie, add a plain sundae on the side and eat the two desserts together.
We can indulge even more by ordering a hot fudge sundae instead and adding a chocolatey element to our apple pie concoction. PopSugar writer Mary Everett said this dessert only cost her $4 when she tried it. A treat that won't break the bank?—Uhm, yes, please!
Pancakes With A Healthy Twist
McDonald's menu items aren't really known for their stellar nutritional content. Still, there are ways for us to make your fast-food meals a bit healthier. For example, we can ask for a packet or two of those promotional fruit bags to add to our order of pancakes.
That'll help us meet your daily nutrient needs while eating delicious food and maybe even eliminate the need to take expensive supplements. You might want to skip pouring sugary syrup all over your pancake-and-fruit combo unless you want to undo the benefits of the healthy stuff you added to your meal.
The Controversial Sweet And Salty Combo
Now, this next hack divided the Mickey D fan club, that's for sure. Piping hot, salty French fries dipped in a cup of cold, sweet sundae? It's the perfect food combo for some adventurous foodies but a gross one for ketchup-only with fries purists.
Interestingly, McDonald's competitor Burger King released a limited-edition dessert of fries submerged in a serving of ice cream after noticing their diners dunk their potato strips in sundaes. Mickey D's doesn't seem to have plans to follow suit, so people would have to stick to their controversial hack.
DIY Buffalo Ranch Fries
Here's another hack that might anger ketchup-with-fries purists. In a video shared by TikToker Jackson Howe, he showed people how to make Buffalo ranch fries out of regular McDonald's ones. As you might have guessed, his recipe involves Buffalo and ranch sauces at its heart.
These ingredients are then dumped in a paper bag along with the French fries before being shaken. The result is a serving of flavor-coated potato goodness. To avoid messing and staining your clothes with all the shaking, mix the sauces in a different container and dip your fries there.
The Diet-Conscious Meal
Believe it or not, McDonald's also has a variety of salads on its menu. And if we don't want to pay full price for one, we can still get a healthy meal. Just order a side salad with ample servings of cucumbers, tomatoes, and lettuce, then bulk up its protein content by adding an order of chicken nuggets as a topping.
Who says we can't eat at McDonald's when following a strict diet plan? What's more, we'll save over $1 with this hack and maybe even have some cash left over for another order of salad for dinner.
DIY Chicken Caesar Salad
Another healthy option at McDonald's is this improvised chicken Caesar salad. While the actual dish is available on the menu, you can get more chicken (protein) by ordering a side salad with a grilled chicken or maybe even two.
This will definitely be a filling meal if you're the type to hit the gym a couple of times a week to lift. Moreover, thanks to its high protein content, it can help us hit our macros without much effort. The only tradeoff is that we won't save cash after this hack.
The Ultimate "All-Meat" Burger
Now, if anyone's not health-conscious, this one's for you. Would a burger with all three types of meat available at McDonald's—fish, chicken, and beef—taste like? You won't have to any longer if you know how to order from the fast-food chain's secret menu.
Dubbed the Land, Sea, and Air Burger, it's basically a Big Mac with a fish fillet and chicken patty stuffed between the buns. As you might have already guessed, this creation is not a healthy diet staple. But we're still curious about what a triple-meat burger would taste like.
The Elusive "Nasi Lemak" Burger
With locations in over 100 countries, it's no surprise that McDonald's has tailored its menu to reflect the culinary delights in other corners of the world. In Malaysia, it introduced the "Nasi Lemak" burger for a limited period as a nod to the famous coconut and anchovy dish of the same name.
It sold out when it was first introduced in 2017 and has been an anticipated item since whenever it comes back on the menu. Unfortunately, you can only taste this special meal by flying to Malaysia. Maybe it's time to browse the Internet for a cheap flight.
Round Eggs > Folded Eggs
Familiar with those folded eggs served with McDonald's breakfast sandwiches? If you are, then you already know they don't taste great, what with these eggs being pre-cooked. We can get real, freshly-cooked eggs, though, with just a straightforward request.
The next time you order a McMuffin, ask for a round egg or sunnyside-up egg with your sandwich. Staff would replace the rubbery folded one with a fresh egg, free of charge. As with many hacks we've discussed, the key here is knowing what to ask for (and doing so nicely).
Not All Buns Are Created the Same
If you've ever had a Filet-O-Fish, you'd already know that the seafood sandwich comes with a different bun. See, instead of being toasted on the grill; its bread is prepared through steaming, giving it a more pillowy texture than the regular sesame buns.
So, if we want fresh bread with your next burger, request a steamed bun, and the staff will make a fresh one for us. No more tough, cardboard-like bread from now on! We reckon this hack is a lifesaver, too, for those who have a sesame allergy, so it's a win for everybody.