McDonald’s Secret Menu: Uncover Hidden Favorites & Prices

Quick answer: The McDonald’s Secret Menu is an informal set of custom builds you can order by asking for simple tweaks to regular items, and prices equal the base item plus any add-ons.

This guide gives you practical ordering steps for popular secret menu items, clear price logic, and what to watch for with ingredients and allergens.

Most locations can make common requests at the register, kiosk, drive-thru, or in the app when customization is enabled. Staff can usually stack patties, swap sauces, or add fries to a sandwich, but complex builds may not be possible.

What to expect: Costs vary by base item and local pricing. This article shows price ranges instead of one national price. You’ll also get a starter list of burgers, sandwiches, desserts, and drinks, plus a scannable dietary table later so you can plan fast.

Read on for clear scripts to order each item, notes on taste and texture, and quick tips to keep your request friendly and realistic for crew members.

What the “secret menu” at McDonald’s really means in the United States

Quick framing: Many viral builds are customer-made tweaks, not formal offerings, so knowing the difference helps you order without surprise.

In the U.S., the secret menu refers to unofficial customizations you can request. It is not a hidden printed list. These are usually mashups made from regular menu parts.

Unofficial hacks vs. official menu items

Unofficial hacks are customer-created. Official menu items are built, marketed, and priced by the brand. That matters when staff ring your order and when ingredients run low.

Why availability varies

• Inventory: stores may not stock needed parts.
• Workflow: complex builds slow the kitchen during peak time.
• Local rules: franchise discretion affects what crew can make.

Simple rule: If it can be made from existing components and rung in as modifications, you have a better shot. If it needs new prep or ingredients, it likely won’t be available.

How to order secret menu items without confusion (or stress)

Start every custom order with a standard menu item, then add each change one at a time so the register and kitchen stay in sync.

Lead with the base item, then request modifications

Script: name a base sandwich, then say the swap. For example, order a Big Mac (base), then ask for an extra patty, extra cheese, or fries inside. Say each tweak plainly so the crew can ring it in.

Be kind to the server

Crew members may not know viral names. Use ingredient words instead. A friendly tone speeds service and reduces mistakes.

Use simple build instructions

Talk in kitchen terms: buns, patties, sauce, pickles, cheese, lettuce, ketchup. Offer sauce on the side if you want to avoid mess when stacking multiple patties.

Best times to order more complicated builds

• Keep changes short during rush hours.
• Ask for complex stacks during slow times or at the kiosk/counter.
• If the app won’t let you customize, confirm the build at the speaker or register before paying.

Next: With that approach, the next section shows popular fan-built burgers and exactly how to order them.

McDonald’s Secret Menu burgers and sandwiches fans try first

Try these simple, widely requested sandwich hacks first. They form a practical starter pack for anyone exploring mcdonald secret menu builds.

Why these? Each uses common components like buns, patties, cheese, lettuce, and pickles. Crew can usually ring them up at the counter, kiosk, or drive-thru.

McGangBang

Order a McChicken and a McDouble. Place the chicken patty inside the McDouble (or ask staff to stack it). It’s a chicken-and-beef sandwich with extra texture and flavor.

Poor Man Big Mac

Start with a McDouble and request Big Mac sauce-style additions where available. Add lettuce and pickles to get the Big Mac vibes without the full price.

Monster Mac

Begin with a Big Mac and add extra patties. This one is heavy and messy, but ideal if you want maximum beef and layers.

Big McChicken

Ask for a Big Mac-style bun structure and swap in a McChicken or its patty. The result is a chicken-forward mac-style sandwich.

Fries Big Mac

Order fries on the side and add them yourself. This hack adds crunch and salt. Getting fries separately keeps them crisp.

Price & calories: Totals vary. Expect the sum of base items plus add-ons (extra patties, cheese, sauce). Calories follow the same rule; use the official nutrition calculator for exact numbers.

Tip: Use plain ingredient names when ordering to avoid confusion. Be polite and expect variation by location and crew capacity.

The “three proteins” build for maximum bite

Ready for an advanced one-sandwich challenge that layers beef, chicken, and fish into a single towering bite? This is a maximum-bite build for readers who want a single sandwich that combines three classic proteins.

Land, sea, and chicken stack: how to order

Buy three full items: a Big Mac, a McChicken, and a Filet-O-Fish. Pay for each item and then assemble the stack yourself so the crew doesn’t have to ring a weird hybrid.

Using Big Mac buns as dividers

Use the Big Mac buns (the middle bun piece is key) as dividers between layers. Place beef patty + cheese, then a bun, then chicken patty, then a bun, then the fish patty. The extra bun layers help the stack stay upright longer.

Sauce strategy and mess management

Big Mac sauce, tartar, and mayo create a rich, tangy, creamy combo that gets messy fast. Ask for sauces on the side or skip one to reduce slip.

• Price note: this is three full items, so expect a higher total than a single sandwich.
• Dietary: contains fish, wheat, egg, soy, and dairy. Not gluten-free or keto without heavy changes.
• Simplify option: remove one bun layer or skip tartar to make it more protein-forward and less slippery.

Breakfast secret menu hacks worth trying

Breakfast hour unlocks a set of off-menu builds that use unique morning-only ingredients. These hacks are their own category because the lineup, timing, and staffing differ from regular lunch and dinner menu items.

Why breakfast hacks stand apart: Limited-time parts, separate prep lines, and higher variance by location mean some secret menu items are only realistic early in the day.

Chicken McGriddle: sweet-and-savory breakfast mashup

Order a McGriddle as the base, then ask for a chicken component or buy a morning chicken item and combine them yourself. If the kitchen can’t swap, buy two items and assemble it at the table.

• Flavor: sweet griddle cakes + savory chicken + creamy sauce = an easy crowd-pleaser.
• Timing tip: order earlier in service for the best chance crews have needed parts.
• Add-ons: hash browns work well as a texture boost; ask for them on the side.

Dietary note: Not vegan or gluten-free as built; may be high in sodium. Next, the article moves into sweet secret menu desserts and soft-serve mashups to try after savory breakfast hacks.

Secret desserts and ice cream creations (soft serve lovers, start here)

A quick buy of a soft serve cup plus a handheld pie unlocks an off-menu apple pie mcflurry-style treat. This approach works when machines and toppings are available and crew can sell both items separately.

Apple Pie McFlurry / Apple Pie Mini McFlurry-style order

Buy a McFlurry or a plain soft serve cup and an apple pie. Break the pie into chunks and stir them into the ice cream yourself.

Why self-mix? Some locations won’t blend pie into a McFlurry on request. Doing it yourself is the most reliable method.

Vanilla soft serve upgrades with apple pie mix-ins

Start with a vanilla soft serve base for the best hot-cold contrast. Add warm pie pieces for cinnamon-apple flavor and texture.

Ask for pie on the side if you want it warm. Stir just before eating to keep some crisp edges.

Chocolate twists and mix-in ideas

Combine small chocolate pieces, chocolate sauce, or cookie crumbles with vanilla for a richer, limited-time feel. This mimics seasonal chocolate-flavored items without depending on official offers.

Try a half-and-half swirl: vanilla soft serve with a drizzle of chocolate for a simple, nostalgic dessert.

• Availability: Dependent on soft serve, McFlurry cups, and pies being in stock.
• Price logic: You buy two items, so costs add up—expect the sum of each item plus any extra mix-ins.

Dietary note: These treats are not vegan and not gluten-free because the pie crust contains wheat and the ice cream contains dairy. Major allergens include milk and wheat. If you have nut allergies, ask staff about cross-contact with toppings.

Secret menu drinks and floats that feel like throwbacks

Throwback drinks like floats and layered shakes are easy to make with standard counter items. They tap into diner-style nostalgia and often require only a soda, soft serve, or a seasonal shake.

Root Beer Float (soda + soft serve)

Order a fountain soda and a vanilla soft serve cup separately, then combine them yourself. If root beer isn’t available, use any cola-style soda for a similar result.

McLeprechaun Shake-style mashup

When seasonal shakes are on the menu, pair a seasonal flavor with vanilla soft serve for a layered effect. This depends on local seasonal time offers and what the kitchen stocks.

Espresso milkshake-style customization

Some locations offer espresso; where available, add a small espresso shot to a vanilla shake or soft serve for a coffee-dessert vibe. Ask before ordering—espresso availability varies by store.

• Dietary note: These drinks are dairy-forward and not vegan or lactose-friendly.
• Ask for no whip or lighter toppings to control sweetness and calories.

Quick tip: Once you master drink combos, sauces and toppings are the fastest way to change any order and adjust the taste.

Secret sauces, cheese, and add-ons that change any order

Small swaps and add-ons are the fastest way to reinvent any order without committing to a full hybrid sandwich. Treat this as an upgrade toolkit you can apply to almost any item on the menu.

Big Mac sauce: when to ask and what it pairs with

Big Mac sauce (sometimes listed as mac sauce) shows up either as an add-on or a small dipping side. Ask for it on the side if you want control over mess and salt.

It pairs well with fries, beef patties, and chicken. Availability varies by location and inventory, so ask politely at the counter or drive-thru.

Common add-ons and smart swaps

• Extra cheese: doubles the creamy bite with little fuss.
• Extra pickles or lettuce: brightens the sandwich and costs little or nothing.
• Patty swaps or extra patties: order additional patties or swap a patty for a chicken patty if the kitchen can do it.
• Bun choices: ask for extra buns or no bun for a lower-carb option.
• Ketchup: request on the side or added for a simple flavor lift.

Grilled cheese-style approach

Request two buns and extra cheese for a quick grilled cheese-style sandwich. Say you want it “toasted with cheese” and optional ketchup on the side.

Not every location will grill it the same way, so be ready to accept a bun-and-cheese assembly if staff can’t grill it on the flattop.

Dietary and allergen quick notes

Speak-like-a-receipt template: “I’d like [base sandwich], add [mac sauce], add extra cheese, extra pickles, no [ingredient].”

Prioritize one change: If you only do one tweak, add sauce and extra pickles for the biggest flavor lift with the least complexity.

Conclusion

Wrap up your visit by ordering with a clear base item and one or two simple swaps. That approach makes the secret menu practical: name a base sandwich, list each change, and stay polite so crew can ring it correctly.

Start simple. Try a beginner burger, then add sauce, extra cheese, or pickles to learn what your location will do. Prices and calories follow an additive rule: expect the base item price plus any add-ons and calories that add up.

Choose your vibe: beef stacks for big appetite days, chicken mashups for crispy contrast, fries for crunch, and apple‑pie or vanilla treats for a sweet finish. Order complex builds during slow time to avoid hold-ups.

Check allergens (dairy, wheat, egg, fish) before you customize, save your favorite build, and use the base-item script next time to make your custom meal effortless.