The world traveler in me just got pretty excited because the road-trip restaurant staple and provider of heavenly hash browns, McDonald’s, is introducing menu items with roots from all corners of the globe. From Europe-based Germany, France, and Italy to Hong Kong, Australia, and Canada—new menu items that have found a place in the heart of consumers on their home turf can now be found in the restaurant at the ground floor of the chain’s headquarters building in Chicago, Illinois.
“Customers’ enthusiasm for our first global menu exceeded our expectations and we look forward to showcasing these new flavors from around the world in this exciting, one-of-a-kind restaurant,” McDonald’s franchise Owner and Operator Nick Karavites shared.
The following are new options debuting at the headquarters location:
Blue Cheese & Bacon Burger
Origin: France
Description: This menu item features a quarter-pound burger on a toasted artisan bun. A slice of natural blue cheese, grilled onions, two slices of bacon, and blue cheese sauce sit atop the burger.
Wasabi Shake Shake Fries
Origin: Hong Kong
Description: Just about everything savory can be improved upon with the addition of wasabi, if you ask me. Now, McDonald’s World Famous Fries can be added to that list. A wasabi seasoning packet and an extra bag in which to toss and tumble the salty slices of potatoes and seasoning is provided. You can shake that to the bank.
Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
Origin: Australia
Description: Within a toasted artisan bun resides a buttermilk crispy chicken patty with bacon, lettuce, white cheddar cheese, a dry slaw mix, mayonnaise, and buffalo sauce—aaaaand I’m already salivating…
‘Keep Calm, Caesar On’ Salad
Origin: Canada
Description: Italy might not feel so far away when you munch on this mix of premium lettuces. Adding to the delightful crisp is shaved Parmesan cheese, bacon bits, roasted garlic focaccia croutons, and a choice of sliced grilled or crispy chicken. Not feeling the whole Caesar dressing thing but wanting to live your best parmesan cheese-meets-healthy-food life? You can swap in your choice of dressing—that is what I call bellissimo!
‘I’m Greeking Out’ Salad
Origin: Canada
Description: Opa! Another take on the mix-and-match technique, this option uses premium lettuces as the foundation for a salad offering sliced cucumbers, red pepper strips, crumbled feta, seasoned couscous, herb and garlic pita chips, and a choice of sliced grilled or crispy chicken. You can also trade in your choice of dressing on this one, but it comes with Greek dressing for those wanting to get in touch with their inner Aristotle.
Sausage McMuffin TS
Origin: Germany
Description: A toasted English muffin is made glamorous with the addition of tomato salad—which is what TS stands for in the title—and making it all the more enticing is the sausage patty, American cheese, tomato slice, shredded lettuce, and McDeluxe sauce. Available all day, it’s never too late to wake up and hit the ground running with this option.
Baci McFlurry
Origin: Italy
Description: Baci candy sauce of creamy chocolate and hazelnut bits are swirled into McDonald’s vanilla soft serve for this new take on the company’s dessert go-to.
What makes the Chicago location and its offerings so unique is the strategy behind it. The 6,000-square-foot Chicago restaurant is one of the chain’s Experience of the Future (EOTF) locations, which seek to use modern designs, self-order kiosks, table service, and mobile order and payment to create a cutting-edge and transformational experience for customers. There is also McDelivery with Uber Eats to bring the global party door-to-door. For those wanting a pick-me-up after indulging in a hearty meal, McCafé brews coffee from McDonald’s trained baristas.
Alongside the rotating global menu, Big Mac, the new fresh beef Quarter Pounder with Cheese, Chicken McNuggets and McDonald’s World Famous Fries are also available at the restaurant’s headquarters location, according to a press release. Looking for more options after your Wasabi Shake Shake Fries and 'Keep Calm, Caesar On' Salad? The company adds that a Latin American-style dessert center also has delicious desserts like crunchy sugar cones holding creamy soft serve in vanilla, chocolate, and twist varieties available for the taking. It also has other sweet treats from cultures throughout the world.
How will the addition of these new menu options in the headquarters-based restaurant impact the lineup the chain offers elsewhere? Will we be able to get our hands on the Spicy Buffalo and Chicken Sandwich from coast to coast soon? Deli Market News will keep you in the know on food trends and menu options throughout the industry, as we see the ripple effect take shape.
