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Food

8 McDonald’s Items You Should Think Twice Before Ordering, According To Former Employees

July 22, 2024 by Julia DeKorte
shefinds | Food
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In the realm of fast food, McDonald’s stands as a titan, offering familiar favorites to millions daily. However, behind the golden arches, former employees reveal insights that might make customers hesitate. From insider perspectives on ingredients to preparation methods, these revelations shed light on items that may not always live up to the golden standard. Keep reading for a glimpse into what ex-workers advise avoiding on your next trip to the iconic fast-food chain.

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crispy chicken mcdonald's

1. Crispy Chicken Sandwich

First on the list is the Crispy Chicken Sandwich, which McDonald's describes as "a southern-style fried chicken sandwich that's crispy, juicy, and tender perfection." According to those that actually make them, though, it's not as delicious as it sounds.

"I'm sorry, but they get hard, dry, and tough," one former employee shared on Reddit. "They are not good." Perhaps you'd be better off at Chick-fil-A?

biscuits and gravy mcdonald's

2. Biscuits & Gravy

A classic southern-style dish, it's hard to mess this one up, but according to a former employee, McDonald's found a way. "First of all, the gravy comes in a can and they have to add hella water and then they let it sit there all morning and sometimes afternoon on the warmer til it's empty or someone realizes it's still there," one person shared.

"Also," they continued, "8/10 times the biscuits are hard af." Better left to the professionals!

mcdonald's sausage burrito

3. Sausage Burrito

This one, described as a soft tortilla featuring "fluffy scrambled egg, pork sausage, melty cheese, green chiles, and onion," it sounds like a great on-the-go breakfast option. But McDonald's employees have different thoughts.

"Consists of some questionable, pre-packaged scrambled 'egg' and pepper mix, half a slice of American cheese and the world's worst tortilla," one person said. "They are all made start of day and sit around until one gets ordered and thrown in the microwave." Yuck!

mcdonald's coffee

4. Coffee

Another item that's hard to make taste bad per se, but McDonald's coffee is way past that line. "You can get better coffee at any local gas station for the price you pay," one former employee shared. "It's watered down with tap water and loaded with milk and sugar. Doesn't even taste like coffee." Starbucks it is!

grimace shake mcdonald's

5. Grimace Shake

A purple milkshake is already a questionable beverage to order, so when we heard former employees' reviews, we weren't surprised at all. One person said that they brought one home for their friends and family to enjoy, only to have their boyfriend "puke 10 minutes after drinking 1/3 of it."

"That thing is nasty," agreed another former employee. Stick with chocolate!

pickles

6. Pickles

If any of your favorite sandwiches come with pickles on them, you might want to think twice about ordering them. "I love pickles," one former employee shared. "But the pickle slices where I worked get left out for days, they don't get put in the fridge or covered at any point. It's so nasty when it gets low and there's lettuce, soggy crumbs, and random food debris in it. The pickles get all dried up too." We love pickles too, but not that much!

mcrib mcdonald's

7. McRib

This one we're not necessarily surprised about, as there's always mixed reviews for the legendary McRib at McDonald's. But from the perspective of someone who's worked there, they don't recommend it. "The sauce gets everywhere and turned into concrete after 10 minutes," one person said.

"I just don't know why you would come to a McDonald's and expect ribs to taste good," another said. "Just go get some barbecue it won't be that much more expensive."

filet of fish mcdonald's

8. Filet-O-Fish

And finally, no surprises here, the Filet-O-Fish. Probably the most universally hated item at McDonald's the Filet-O-Fish is not a fan favorite or an employee favorite. "I can't explain how bad these smell," one person wrote on Reddit. "No matter what stage of life they're in—cooked, frozen, warm and sitting on the counter—so disgusting." Yep, not surprised.

Author:

Freelance Writer

Julia DeKorte is a New York-based writer. A graduate of the Columbia Publishing Course, Julia covers celebrity and brand news for SheFinds, reviews toys and games for People of Play, and loves cooking for her family, walking her dogs, and running outside, preferably in view of the ocean.

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Various types of bread on display.
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Woman experiencing joint pain discomfort.
Celebrity image from Shutterstock collection.
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Inside view of a Costco store.
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Image from SHEfinds
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Woman enjoying a cup of spearmint tea.
Various types of bread on display.
Costco bakery showcasing baked goods.
Woman holding her head in distress.
Woman experiencing joint pain discomfort.
Celebrity image from Shutterstock collection.
Dunkin' Donuts, Chick-fil-A, and Starbucks comparison.
Woman adding sugar to aromatic coffee.
Bagels, blueberries, and butter on wooden board.
Comparing cooking spray and olive oil usage.
Top view of Brazilian dish with rice and beans.
Checking time on watch while having breakfast.
Grocery store deli meats and sandwich display.
Cooked salmon served with rice and greens.
Inside view of a Costco store.
Woman taking magnesium supplement for health.
Image from SHEfinds
Image from SHEfinds
Image from SHEfinds
Image from SHEfinds