McDonald’s Has Big News (Think McRib!) And One Seriously Big Menu Hack

Author Phil Harris

October 2nd, 2023 10:49 AM

A McRib is seen at a McDonald's restaurant in San Francisco, California. The polarizing sandwich was first introduced in 1981. (Photo by David Paul Morris/Getty Images)

Just when you thought fast food was becoming predictable and boring, McDonald’s has been full of surprises lately. We recently told you about fast food chain’s super secret menu item, the “McBrunch Burger.” It’s built with two sesame buns, two cheeseburger patties, bacon, eggs, and a hash brown. Thanks to TikToker Tommy Winkler, we know that it can only be ordered around 10:35 a.m. That’s when your friendly neighborhood McDonald’s crew is making the switch from breakfast to lunch and has ingredients from both menus on hand. But wait, there’s more!

McDonald’s Menu Hacks

The Daily Meal has revived interest in another secret McDonald’s menu hack, also courtesy of TikTok. Just in time for Halloween, the “Monster Mac” is back. It’s a classic Big Mac with six additional patties sandwiched between the lettuce, cheese, and onions. That’s a total of eight burgers! TikTok user @theglasssniper says the gargantuan sandwich cost him $11 when he first ordered it in 2021.

@theglasssniper
Reply to @ratingprofilepics The Monster Mac from McDonalds’ Secret Menu #dakwub
♬ original sound - The Glass Sniper

I’d be more likely to try the “McBrunch Burger” or the “Monster Mac” than the “Land, Air, and Sea.” Last year, competitive eater Raina Huang showed off this other variation on the Big Mac. She added a piece of Filet-o-Fish and a chicken patty from a McChicken sandwich. No thanks, but I might be willing to go back in for an old McDonald’s menu item that we thought was gone forever.

@rainaiscrazy
#mcdonaldshacks have you ever tried this? 🤤 land air and sea burger 👀 #rainaiscrazy #food #mcdonalds
♬ Roxanne - Instrumental - Califa Azul

McRib Is Back. Sort Of.

Last year, Mickey D’s tried to convince everyone that November 2022 was the “Farewell Tour” for the McRib. If you didn’t believe it, you were right. Apparently, they were only toying with our emotions. According to Today, McDonald’s has confirmed that the polarizing sandwich will be returning to “select restaurants” later this fall.

“It turns out not everyone was ready to say goodbye to the McRib after last year’s Farewell Tour,” said a company spokesperson. “While it won’t be available nationwide, some lucky fans may find their favorite elusive saucy sandwich at their local McDonald’s restaurants this November.” I can only pray your local Golden Arches will be selected.

It’s that time of year again. And no, we’re not referring to the leaves changing or the opening of the pumpkin spice floodgates — we’re talking about the return of the McRib. https://t.co/3vhDSC4auI
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) September 30, 2023

Phil Harris is 50% of "Phil & Mel in the Afternoon" on K104.7. He has been with the station since 2013 and on the air in Charlotte since 2000. Before coming to the Queen City, Phil worked for radio stations in Pittsburgh, Austin, and Seattle. In addition to the weekly "Throwback Threesome" music video feature, Phil writes about things that matter to Charlotte sports fans and pet owners. He happens to be both.

These Are America's Top 10 Favorite Chain Restaurants

People love to knock chain restaurants, especially the fast food variety, but we all have our favorites. Call it a “guilty pleasure,” but sometimes you just get an overwhelming urge to pull into a drive-thru and order up a sack full of greasy goodness. Sure, your doctor wouldn’t approve but it’s not like you this every day. Or maybe you do. I’m not here to judge.

So what are your favorite chain restaurants? Money talks, right? The Top 500 Countdown has just come out from Nation’s Restaurant News, revealing the top chain restaurants in the country based on their sales performance last year. They compiled sales figures of the 500 largest restaurant chains in the U.S. for 2022.

Say what you will about the Golden Arches, but they still bring it. McDonald’s was America’s top restaurant chain in 2022 with $48.67 billion in U.S. sales last year. Mickey D’s has been on top for years and doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. Starbucks, its next closest competitor, only did $ 27.5 billion in sales for 2022. Chick-fil-A comes in third with $18.81 billion, Taco Bell is fourth with $12.92 billion, and Wendy’s rounds out the top-five with $11.69 billion in sales.

As for the pizza wars, Domino’s continues to dominate and had $8.57 billion in sales in 2022. It’s also the 10th highest-earning chain overall. Pizza Hut is 13th overall with $5.27 billion in sales, Little Caesars is 16th with $4.72 billion, and Papa John’s is 26th with $3.71 billion.

Top 10 U.S. Chain Restaurants (based on 2022 sales)

10. Domino's
2022 U.S. Systemwide Sales: $8.57 Billion

The store front of Domino’s® 18,000th location on July 1, 2021 in La Junta, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images for Dominos)
9. Chipotle
2022 U.S. Systemwide Sales: $8.63 Billion

A customer orders food at a Chipotle restaurant on April 26, 2022 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
8. Subway
2022 U.S. Systemwide Sales: $9.19 Billion

A Subway sandwich is seen on a table at a Subway restaurant on January 12, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Photo Illustration by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
7. Burger King
2022 U.S. Systemwide Sales: $10.28 Billion

A general view of a Burger King restaurant on September 15, 2022 in Farmingdale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
6. Dunkin’
2022 U.S. Systemwide Sales: $11.28 Billion

A Dunkin’ Donuts sign hangs on a window September 7, 2006 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images)
5. Wendy’s
2022 U.S. Systemwide Sales: $11.69 Billion

A view of a Wendy’s restaurant on May 12, 2021 in Pinole, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
4. Taco Bell
2022 U.S. Systemwide Sales: $12.92 Billion

Taco Bell is continuing to innovate with tastes and flavors less familiar to other regions, while infusing familiarity and authenticity in every item. Photographed during the Taco Bell International Menu Tasting at Taco Bell Headquarters on December 9, 2019 in Irvine, California. (Photo by Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Taco Bell)
3. Chick-fil-A
2022 U.S. Systemwide Sales: $18.81 Billion

It’s the one that made them famous: a classic breaded chicken sandwich from Chick-fil-A. (Photo by Geno/BBGI)
2. Starbucks
2022 U.S. Systemwide Sales: $27.5 Billion

The Starbucks logo is display on a cup and bag at a Starbucks store on October 29, 2021 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
1. McDonald's
2022 U.S. Systemwide Sales: $48.67 Billion

A sign is posted in front of a McDonald’s restaurant on April 28, 2022 in San Leandro, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)