McDonald’s will always be with us, even as we protest, “I can’t quit you.” Those french fries are just too crispy and deliciously salt-laden to pass by. But if you’re worried about making mistakes when ordering at McDonald’s, you’re not the only one. We all lie awake at night fretting about this. MSN is here to set us straight on the pitfalls of making these important culinary decisions. There are a few silly ones that we won’t even bother listing, like “don’t go to McDonald’s when it’s closed,” and “don’t order until you know what you want,” but these others do seem like important insights.
Here to improve your poor sleep are the mistakes to avoid:
1. Not using the app: there are perks and extras for those who order through the app. This includes free medium fries every Friday (fry-day) until Dec. 31, provided you order something worth at least $1 on the menu.
2. Arriving too late for breakfast: it’s not all day (not since Covid-19’s lockdown). This is sad when you really want that egg McMuffin and you have to adjust your thinking to lunch items.
4. Not customizing your breakfast sandwich: folded egg or round egg “patty?” This is the choice before you. Choose wisely.
5. Driving off without checking if the drive-through order was correct. This one should be first on the list. It’s frustrating to get home and realize employees forgot the dipping sauce or gave you someone else’s meal (you know: customized with a round egg patty instead of the folded egg you really wanted!).
6. Forgetting about seasonal items. Two words: Shamrock Shake. Please reassure us you indulged this St. Pat’s.
8. Neglecting the survey on the receipt. Provide some tracking data about your visit and get a code for free stuff for next time.
9. Paying too much for a Big Mac. This involves a complicated hack for ordering a McDouble and then customizing it so it’s essentially a Big Mac for less money. Get one over on the man!
10. Not being aware of the secret menu. This was news to us (we’re still excited about ordering stuff “animal style” at In & Out Burger like a VIP). You can get an off-menu grilled cheese or a wackadoodle thing called a Land, Sea and Air burger that merges a chicken patty, fish filet and hamburger (not sure how “air” translates to “burger”—are cows flying now?)
11. Calculating the cost-effectiveness of ordering 20 chicken McNuggets as opposed to the amount you are actually willing to eat. Buying in bulk is cheaper, it turns out.
We hope this clears up a lot of errors you have made in the past and ensures a smooth visit. Pat yourself on the back: you’re winning at McDonalding!