Culinary experts share their favorite non-burger orders from McDonald’s.
For 85 years, McDonald’s has been the go-to place for burgers and fries, earning its place as one of the world’s top fast food chains. But there’s more to the menu than Big Macs and Quarter Pounders. McDonald’s has plenty of non-burger items to crave, offering amazing taste, comfort and nostalgia for Golden Arches fans. For the best options, Eat This, Not That! asked chefs to name their favorite non-burger orders. Here are the top five.
Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Biscuit
Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Biscuits are easy and delicious. It’s an easy thing to take on a busy morning and go to Kelly Jaggers, personal chef, cookbook author, recipe developer, food photographer, food stylist, and founder of the Evil Shenanigans recipe blog. “When I’m out and need a quick breakfast on the go, I always order a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Biscuit,” he says. “The sandwich is filling and flavorful because of the bacon and the buttery biscuit.” Chef Kelly says, “When I order this, I replace the traditional scrambled egg with the round egg you get in the Egg McMuffin because it has a better texture and taste.”
McCafé Iced French Vanilla Coffee
McDonald’s has become a favorite of coffee fans. According to Chef Kelly, it competes with other top coffee chains. “To go with my breakfast sandwich, I’ll order a McCafé Iced French Vanilla Coffee,” he shares. “This drink is rich and sweet, with a fresh vanilla flavor that I find lovely.” He explains, “It might go toe-to-toe with other vanilla iced coffee drinks at other coffee shops like Dunkin’ or Starbucks, but it’s also useful!
Hash Browns
McDonald’s hash browns are iconic, addictive, and still reign supreme after all these years. Plus, the order won’t break the bank. You can buy one and add another for just $1. It’s something Chef Andrew Owens, a Michelin-trained independent chef in California, is passionate about. “Those little golden brownies deliver a shiny, crunchy exterior that’s impossible to resist,” she says. “They’re gloriously oily.” He adds, “These are quick breakfasts that will never disappoint.”
Chicken McNuggets
McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and perfectly sized, making it easy and fun to eat. “I go full nostalgia here and get the Chicken McNuggets,” said Chef Kelly. “There’s something about the crispy coating and the juicy meat that I find really interesting.” He says, “The key is finding the right sauce. They offer a lot of options, but I like to customize! I combine Sweet and Sour with Hot Mustard for a sweet, spicy, and slightly spicy mix that really makes the nuggets sing.”
Spicy Deluxe McCrispy
The Spacy Deluxe McCrispy stands out from other sandwiches with its crispy, juicy chicken that kicks up a notch. Another must have from Chef Kelly. “The addition of fresh vegetables makes this sandwich balanced, and the Spicy Pepper Sauce adds just the right kick,” he says. “The unsung hero of this sandwich is the potato roll which adds a rich, slightly sweet flavor to this delicious sandwich.”
Heather Newgen
Heather Newgen has twenty years of experience reporting and writing about health, fitness, entertainment and travel. Heather currently freelances for several publications. Read more about Heather
