Ordering guide
What to order at McDonald's
Everyone knows the McDonald's menu; far fewer know how to order so the food arrives hot and fresh. That's most of the difference.
Order this at McDonald's
1Quarter Pounder with cheese
Cooked to order at most locations, so it's the freshest burger on the board.
2McDouble with Big Mac sauce
Cheaper than a Big Mac, same flavour profile, more beef per dollar.
3McChicken
The best-value sandwich on the menu and better with added Mac sauce.
4Sausage McMuffin with egg
The best breakfast item, and the round egg is a real cracked egg.
5Fries, no salt
Forces a fresh batch; add salt yourself from a packet.
Ordering tips
- Ask for 'no salt' fries to get a fresh basket, then salt them yourself.
- You can add Big Mac sauce to almost anything for a small charge.
- Order burgers 'made fresh' or 'no pickles' to avoid a pre-made one from the warming cabinet.
- The app deals are consistently better value than any combo on the menu board.
Frequently asked questions
What should I order at McDonald's?
A Quarter Pounder with cheese is the freshest burger since it's cooked to order. For value, order a McDouble with Big Mac sauce added and a McChicken. Ask for fries with no salt to get a fresh batch, and salt them yourself.
How do I get fresh food at McDonald's?
Order fries with no salt, ask for a burger with a modification (no pickles, extra onion), or order a Quarter Pounder since those are grilled to order. Any change to the standard build means it can't come from the holding cabinet.
What is the best value order at McDonald's?
The McDouble and the McChicken from the value menu, plus whatever the app is discounting that day. App deals routinely beat the printed combo pricing by a wide margin.
What is the best breakfast at McDonald's?
Sausage McMuffin with egg is the top pick — the egg is freshly cracked and it holds heat. The bacon, egg and cheese biscuit and the hash browns are the other two items worth ordering.
McDonald's locations on DishVote
See which dish real diners voted #1 at each location.
