McDonald’s Employee Shares 7 Lesser-Known Menu Tips

Ever wonder what really goes on behind the golden arches? A former McDonald’s insider reveals the ordering secrets that can transform your fast food experience. Former corporate chef Mike Haracz, who’s gained millions of followers on TikTok, spills the sweet tea on some behind-the-scenes intel that McDonald’s employees don’t want customers to know. These aren’t just random hacks; they’re professional insights from someone who actually designed menus for the chain.

Always Request Round Eggs for Superior Quality

The round eggs on the McMuffin come from fresh-cracked eggs, and the round egg is the freshest, best quality from the consumer standpoint. Here’s something that might shock you about breakfast sandwiches.

Meanwhile, the least favorite option is the folded egg, which is stocked as a frozen, fully cooked egg square and heated up before it’s placed on the chain’s biscuit and bagel sandwiches. According to McDonald’s employees, the scrambled folded egg is frozen and then reheated, while the round egg is a fresh egg that is cracked into a circular ring and then cooked.

Folded eggs are made from a pasteurised egg mixture which also contains water, xanthan gum and other additives, and they’re shipped to stores already cooked. Round eggs – which are used in McMuffins – are cooked in store; fresh eggs are simply steamed in a ring mould.

Order No Salt Fries for Guaranteed Fresh Batches

However, when someone orders french fries with no salt, they must be made fresh. This means when you order a salt-free fry, you are guaranteeing the restaurant will have to make a fresh batch for you. This might be one of the most popular insider tricks, though it comes with a catch.

While placing an order for fries with no salt will get you a fresh batch, Calder says it “ruins the flow and slows down the process” because employees “have to wipe all the salt off the fry station and fry a new portion”. Try ordering them without salt; the cooks will have to fry a new batch. The downside is that they might not give you as many, and you could be waiting a little longer.

There will probably be a small amount of salt on the fries since the scoop likely contains salt. However, if you need more salt, you can then add your own. The bottom line is this: you’ll wait longer, but you’ll definitely get the hottest, crispiest fries possible.

Ask for Your Receipt to Trigger Secret Shopper Treatment

Certain people are paid to visit McDonald’s restaurants and rate their experiences online, and they are reimbursed for their purchase. So if a customer asks for a receipt, we are more likely to serve that customer first and give them the freshest food. This psychological trick taps into employee awareness about mystery shoppers.

Insisting on a receipt, even for a meal that doesn’t cost much, could convince employees that you’re a secret shopper, there to assess the restaurant. Some people are sure this means they’ll serve you the freshest food – and quickly, too.

Employees know that McDonald’s hires secret shoppers to rate the food and customer service. To make good impressions, employees will want to give suspected secret shoppers fresh food and good service. McDonald’s website explains, “we send in mystery shoppers at peak periods to see how well each restaurant handles the demand of a busy service”.

Use the McDonald’s App for Maximum Savings

McDonald’s launched their new McValue Menu on Jan. 7, 2025. This new value menu includes in-app offers, local deals, and buy one get one for $1 deals on items such as the Sausage McMuffin, Sausage Burrito, Sausage Biscuit, Double Cheeseburger, 6-piece Chicken McNuggets, and the McChicken.

The free McDonald’s app lets you place a pickup or delivery order, but most importantly, it gives you all the current McDonald’s coupons that can be scanned right from your phone. Get free medium fries when you download the app, sign up for MyMcDonald’s Rewards, and make any purchase of $1 or more.

Place a mobile order through the McDonald’s app to earn 100 points per dollar with MyMcDonald’s Rewards, then redeem at 1500, 3000, 4500, or 6000 points for free items. The app is not just a feature; it’s the core of the McDonald’s value experience today.

Order Secret Menu Items by Describing Ingredients

The key is to order by ingredients, not by a “secret” name. For example, instead of asking for a “McGangBang,” you would order a McDouble and a McChicken, then combine them yourself. This approach prevents confusion and almost always works.

If you ask for an off-the-menu item, we might not know how to make it. Just tell us exactly what you want; we will whip up almost anything we have the ingredients for. However, there are some ways to switch up your order, Haracz says, to create your own new menu item.

First and foremost, be kind to the Server: as mentioned before, it is not an employee’s job to know each of these secret menu orders. Although, due to popularity and their own taste buds, employees most likely have heard of and may have even tried these themselves.

Create Money-Saving Big Mac Alternatives

The classic favorite is to order a McDouble and add the Big Mac sauce, and lettuce. The Big Mac typically costs around $5.49, and the McDouble around $3.39, so you can save approximately $2.10 by ordering this way. Prices may vary by location. This hack essentially gives you the Big Mac experience without the iconic middle bun layer.

Saving big on your favorite Mickey D’s order isn’t rocket science. Try ordering a sausage muffin ($1.29) and a side of round egg ($1) to make a cheaper version of the Sausage Egg McMuffin ($3.29).

Instead of ordering a £4.19 Big Mac, save £1.90 by creating this MoneySaving version. To do it, order a Double Cheeseburger for £2.29, and ask or select to add extra shredded lettuce. Smart ordering can cut your meal costs by nearly half while keeping you satisfied.

Season Your Chicken with Burger Seasoning

He claims these tips will make everyone’s meals at the fast food restaurant chain “so much better,” especially if you are a fan of chicken. “The seasoning for the burger patties is incredible on nuggets or chicken selects,” 20-year-old Jamie Calder told What’s The Jam.

This hidden customization transforms ordinary nuggets into something extraordinary. The burger patty seasoning consists primarily of salt and pepper, but when applied to chicken pieces, it creates a flavor profile that many employees prefer over the standard preparation.

If it’s quiet enough not to be an annoying request, I would highly recommend asking for it. The timing matters here; during busy lunch rushes, this special request might get declined, but during quieter periods, most employees are happy to accommodate the extra step.

These insider tips reveal that McDonald’s offers far more flexibility than most customers realize. Whether you’re seeking fresher ingredients, significant cost savings, or unique flavor combinations, knowing how to communicate with employees makes all the difference. The key is being polite, patient, and understanding that not every location can accommodate every request during peak hours. What tip surprised you the most?