The Best Food to Order at McDonald’s
By Lana Kisner | December 2, 2023
With separate breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus, there’s no shortage of delicious items to get at McDonald’s. They have many hearty burgers, sandwiches, sides, and sweet treats. While it’s not easy to come up with a “best of list” when it comes to the McDonald’s menu, I’ve taken it upon myself and ranked the 25 best foods to order at the fast-food chain. From McNuggets to McFlurry to world famous fries, here are what I think are the winners.
25. Filet-O-Fish
As one of the unique menu items, I couldn’t exclude the Filet-O-Fish from my list. It’s the only seafood option on the McDonald’s menu, and although it has a specific fan base, it has remained popular since its debut. Each fish patty is made with 100% wild-caught and sustainably sourced Alaskan Pollock. The patty is breaded and fried for a crisp outer texture and a soft and flakey interior. It’s then paired with a slice of American cheese and delicious tartar sauce and served on a hamburger bun.
24. Big Mac
The Big Mac is one of the most popular McDonald’s burgers, which is essentially two burgers in one. It slides a third bun between two 100% beef patties and tops it with pickles, lettuce, onions, and cheese. And don’t forget about the special Big Mac sauce! I think the whole magic lies in the secret sauce here. The extra bun makes the burger more filling to get you through a long day.
23. McChicken
The McChicken was the original chicken item on the McDonald’s menu. It was replaced by Chicken McNuggets after an unpopular start, but a few years later, it was reintroduced to the menu and still stays strong. I love this sandwich because it can be a tasty snack, a light meal, or a great option when you’re not in the mood for a beef burger. It starts with a breaded chicken patty topped with shredded lettuce and creamy mayo, and everything is served on a toasted burger bun.
22. McDouble
The McDouble takes the classic McDonald’s cheeseburger and ups the protein amount. It features two beef patties and a slice of American cheese, along with chopped onions, pickles, ketchup, and mustard on the traditional burger bun. This burger can only be ordered individually at most locations, but it’s the perfect size for a light lunch or a mid-day snack.
21. Quarter Pounder With Cheese
I actually love all McDonald’s quarter-pound burgers. They’re meatier, more filling, and are served on a sesame seed bun, which happens to be my favorite. As its name implies, this burger comes with a quarter-pound beef patty topped with two slices of American cheese, onions, and pickles. Sign me up!
20. Hotcakes
Pancakes are a true breakfast staple, and McDonald’s version doesn’t disappoint. They’re always warm and fluffy and satisfy even the biggest sweet tooth. Each order comes with three fluffy hotcakes. They’re served with salted butter and maple-flavored syrup. Pair them with a hot cup of McDonald’s coffee, and you’re golden!
19. Big Breakfast
The Big Breakfast earned its spot as one of the most popular McDonald’s breakfast items that will surely fill you up. Each plate starts with fluffy scrambled eggs and a sausage patty. It also comes with a side of hash browns and a soft butter biscuit. Grab a coffee or orange juice on the side, and you’ll be ready to tackle the day!
18. Sausage Burrito
I love this menu item because it adds variety to the McDonald’s breakfast options. When you’re not in the mood for a classic biscuit or breakfast sandwich, you can order the Sausage Burrito. It comes with eggs, sausage, chili peppers, onions, and cheese. All of these are wrapped in a flour tortilla and served with a sauce of your choice. I recommend pairing it with their hot picante sauce!
17. Cheeseburger
The Cheeseburger may be a bit simple compared to other McDonald’s burgers, but it’s a classic menu item worth mentioning. It’s also part of McDonald’s value menu at many locations, which is a huge plus. When ordered as a meal, you’ll get two cheeseburgers, a side, and a drink.
16. Hotcakes With Sausage
I’ve already raved about McDonald’s Hotcakes, so adding this menu item to the list is all about flavor dynamics. This breakfast item is basically an order of hotcakes with a sausage patty on the side. I love having sweet and savory flavors for breakfast, and this meal checks all the boxes for me.
15. Fruit & Maple Oatmeal
Oatmeal may not be the first thing that comes to mind when eating at McDonald’s, but it’s surprisingly a delicious breakfast item, and I love that it adds variety to the menu. Each bowl comes with warm whole-grain oats that have been sweetened with light cream and a touch of brown sugar. Diced red and green apples, dried cranberries, and raisins are added on top for a well-balanced breakfast that doesn’t make you feel guilty.
14. Vanilla Cone
Getting a Vanilla Cone at McDonald’s always gives me childhood nostalgia. There’s something special about that crispy cone with their delicious soft-serve ice cream on top. If you want to finish off your meal with a tasty dessert, this may be right up your alley.
13. Bacon Egg and Cheese Biscuit
This is one of the top breakfast sandwiches at McDonald’s. It has that classic combination of breakfast staples that will please your tastebuds. It starts with a fluffy butter biscuit. The biscuit is filled with applewood smoked bacon, a folded egg, and melted American cheese to create a savory and filling sandwich to kickstart your day.
12. Double Bacon Quarter Pounder With Cheese
There’s no way I could make a “Best of McDonald’s” list without including the Double Bacon Quarter Pounder with Cheese. It’s the ultimate carnivore burger packed with protein, and it’s filling enough even for the biggest appetites. It’s made with two quarter-pound beef patties topped with thick-cut applewood smoked bacon and two slices of melted American cheese. All of this is served on a sesame seed bun with sliced white onions, pickles, tomatoes, lettuce, ketchup, and mustard. Yum!
11. Deluxe Crispy Chicken Sandwich
I think this is the ultimate chicken burger at McDonald’s. It combines a chicken patty with fresh vegetables and a hearty roll to create a juicy and filling meal. The sandwich starts with a breaded crispy chicken fillet topped with shredded lettuce and Roma tomato slices. It’s then finished with some mayonnaise and served on a potato roll.
10. Chicken McNuggets
Ah, the Chicken McNuggets! It’s one of the most popular McDonald’s menu items of all time! These bite-sized pieces of white meat chicken are just so versatile. You can order them as a side to your favorite burger or make a meal out of them. Pair them with your favorite McDonald’s dipping sauce, and you’re in for a treat!
9. Baked Apple Pie
McDonald’s Apple Pie is a classic dessert item on the menu. It’s warm, flaky, and has a sweet gooey filling. It’s made with 100% American-grown apples and a sugar-coated crust. A lattice adorns the top of the pie so that the upper portion of the filling gets cooked, and the whole thing is baked for the perfect crisp texture. It goes great in the morning with coffee and is the sweet treat that I always say yes to.
8. Coffee
I don’t know about you, but I always loved McDonald’s coffee. I think they would give a run to many popular coffee chains for their money. There are many coffee drinks on the menu, from hot to iced varieties, but I usually stick with their premium roast coffee, which is also served with their breakfast meals.
7. Happy Meal
The Happy Meal is an iconic McDonald’s tradition. Although it’s a meal rather than a specific menu item, it’s the signature go-to for kids and adults alike. It comes in three varieties – the main course of a Hamburger or 4-piece or 6-piece Chicken McNuggets. It also includes kids-size fries, 1% low-fat milk, and apple slices. As an extra special treat, all Happy Meals come with a toy, which includes a rotating variety of options based on availability.
6. Hash Browns
I love McDonald’s Hash Browns because they’re perfectly crispy on the outside with a soft and warm potato filling. They can be ordered as a side item during McDonald’s breakfast hours and are the default side for breakfast items ordered as a meal.
5. Egg McMuffin
The Egg McMuffin is a fan-favorite breakfast sandwich that combines a toasted and buttered English muffin with a slice of Canadian bacon, an egg, and melted American cheese. It’s tasty and satisfying, and it’s the perfect light breakfast to order at McDonald’s.
4. Sausage Egg & Cheese McGriddle
The Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddle earned the number one spot on my best McDonald’s breakfast items list, but it also deserves a mention on the entire menu rankings. I think it’s a unique menu item in that it perfectly combines sweet and savory flavors. It starts with two sweet maple-flavored hotcakes. Between them, you’ll find a sausage patty, a fluffy folded egg, and a slice of melted American cheese. It’s not only delicious but also the perfect sweet and filling breakfast on the go.
3. Oreo McFlurry
The Oreo McFlurry is a true classic. McDonald’s offers a variety of McFlurry flavors, but this one is my favorite by far. It perfectly combines Oreo cookie crumbles with creamy vanilla soft serve for a sweet treat with a bit of crunch.
2. Quarter Pounder With Cheese Deluxe
This one made the number one spot on my best McDonald’s burgers list, and for good reason. For starters, it comes with the deliciously famous quarter-pound patty. It also includes a variety of fresh vegetables to add flavor depth. It’s a great all-around burger that can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner.
1. Fries
Honestly, this wasn’t a hard decision. I picked french fries as the best McDonald’s menu item without thinking twice. These crispy, golden fries live up to their name. They’re made with real potatoes and have the perfect texture and flavor to be enjoyed as a snack or part of a meal. I also think they’re one of the best fast-food fries of all time!
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