Walk into any fast-food restaurant during lunch rush, watch the regulars order, and you’ll notice something interesting. They’re not reading the menu. They’re asking for combinations that seem to exist in a parallel universe where the displayed options are just suggestions.
Customers enjoy having “hacks”, especially when menus are limiting. Customers feel ownership in what they really want to eat, and appreciate fast food letting them do it. These aren’t random experiments. These are time-tested tricks that smart customers have discovered, refined, and passed along to others who know the secret language of ordering.
The McDonald’s McDouble Big Mac Switch
If you’re craving a Big Mac, for example, order a McDouble with no mustard or ketchup and then add shredded lettuce and Mac sauce for a small charge. It’s basically a mini Big Mac, and you can get two for less than the cost of one Big Mac.
This hack has become so popular that McDonald’s employees recognize it immediately. The beauty lies in the economics rather than just the taste. While a Big Mac might cost nearly six dollars, two modified McDoubles deliver more beef and save you money.
Former McDonald’s workers admit this is one of their personal favorites too. However, there are some ways to switch up your order, Haracz says, to create your own new menu item. Two of his favorite hacks are: Adding Big Mac sauce to the Filet-O-Fish and subbing the bun for an English muffin
Chipotle’s Legendary Quesarito
The Quesarito is exactly what it sounds like: a quesadilla-style burrito. While Chipotle lets customers customize their burrito or quesadilla order, combining the two isn’t officially offered on their menu.
Regular customers discovered this magic combination years ago. This secret menu item takes putting cheese in your burrito to an entirely different level. The Quesarito allows customers to wrap their burrito in a quesadilla-like tortilla, putting cheese between two tortillas instead of using just one.
Workers have mixed feelings about this one though. While it sounds like every cheese lover’s dream, it can potentially be every Chipotle worker’s worst nightmare. As you can imagine, the dish takes longer to prepare than your typical burrito, so try to avoid ordering during peak hours. Still, the popularity grew so much that it influenced Chipotle’s actual menu additions.
Burger King’s Frings Phenomenon
Here’s a cool secret for Burger King fans: you can order a mix of fries and onion rings together! It’s called “Frings,” and it’s half fries and half onion rings, all in one container.
This hack proves that sometimes the most obvious combinations are the best ones. Why choose between crispy fries and golden onion rings when you can have both? This secret menu item was so popular that Burger King has reportedly tested it as a regular menu item in some locations. So, next time you’re at Burger King and can’t decide between fries and onion rings, you can have both!
Raising Cane’s Extra Crispy Request
Here’s more of a menu hack than a secret item from a Raising Cane’s employee. You should order your chicken and fries “extra crispy.” It’s the best way to guarantee the freshest food made right when you order.
This isn’t about creating a new menu item, it’s about gaming the system to ensure maximum freshness. Workers know that requesting “extra crispy” forces the kitchen to make your order fresh rather than giving you chicken that might have been sitting under heat lamps.
It’s a simple phrase that transforms your entire dining experience. Smart regulars figured out that adding two words to their order guarantees they never get lukewarm chicken again. The beauty is in its simplicity and effectiveness.
Starbucks’ DIY Medicine Ball Alternative
Before Starbucks officially added the Medicine Ball to their menu, regulars were ordering it as a custom creation. For instance, if you’re trying to order a Mexican hot chocolate from Starbucks’ secret menu, you should know what’s in it; in this case, a hot cocoa with cinnamon and several pumps of mocha, white chocolate, and cinnamon dolce syrup.
The key with Starbucks hacks is knowing exactly what ingredients you want. According to the barrage of commenters, the chief sin of “hack” ordering is assuming that employees automatically have a lexical knowledge of every “hack” created by every random fan on the internet. In fact, that “secret menu” item you ordered might be a secret to the person behind the counter, too.
Successful regular customers don’t just say “Medicine Ball.” They order a Jade Citrus Mint Tea and Peach Tranquility Tea, half hot water, half steamed lemonade, with honey packets. This approach ensures they get exactly what they want without confusing anyone.
Taco Bell’s Cheesy Gordita Crunch Upgrade
A regular Cheesy Gordita Crunch is made with a hard taco shell tucked inside a soft tortilla with melted cheese. But this former Taco Bell employee suggests swapping the hard shell for a Doritos shell for added flavor.
This modification takes an already popular menu item and elevates it with one simple substitution. The Doritos shell adds both crunch and additional flavor that complements the existing cheese and tortilla combination.
Workers appreciate this hack because it’s straightforward and doesn’t complicate their workflow. It’s a simple swap that dramatically improves the taste experience without creating extra work or confusion.
