Crack the Code of the Secret Menu!

Feb. 12, 2016

A great meal out is a wonderful thing, but some days you might not have the time or the budget to take advantage of northern Michigan’s fantastic lineup of restaurants, so you turn to fast food. That doesn’t mean you have to settle for the usual. Order up some of these highlights of fast food “secret menus” from some of our favorite chains, and add some cool to that convenience.

MCDONALD’S

The McLeprechaun

Shake You can only snag it in March, but it’s worth it. The McLeprechaun Shake is what you get when you ask for half Shamrock Shake and half chocolate; enjoy those classic Peppermint Pattie flavors of chocolate and mint.

Cinnamon Melts A La Mode

Now that McDonald’s breakfast menu runs all day, it sets up their miniature cinnamon roll middles to become even better treats. Just request a small cone of vanilla ice cream, sans cone, to be piped right on top of the melts.

The Monster Mac Hungry?

The usual McD’s Big Mac might not be enough for you, but never fear — there are other options. Order a Monster Mac to get eight beef patties or a half Monster Mac to get four. Would you like Tums with that?

STARBUCKS

Cotton Candy

Frappucino Recreate a familiar county fair treat by requesting your barista add two to three pumps of raspberry syrup to a regular Vanilla Bean Frappucino. Hopefully, you won’t get this version stuck in your hair.

The Green Eye

If you’re always searching for as much caffeine as possible, then you’re probably already familiar with Starbucks’ Red Eye (regular coffee with one shot of espresso) and Black Eye (two shots.) Order a Green Eye and you’ll get three.

Dirty Chai

Perhaps you’re in need of caffeine, but not a huge fan of the coffee taste. This one works either hot or cold; order one shot of espresso and have it added to a chai latte. The taste is mostly chai, with a little extra kick. Get yourself one today!

ARBY’S

Turkey Reuben

Avoiding red meat, but still love the combination of flavors in a classic Reuben sandwich? Order a turkey Reuben and you’ll get the same zingy sauerkraut and Thousand Island on rye, but with turkey instead of corned beef.

Ultimate BLT

Heading in the opposite direction, if you can’t get enough bacon, get the secret Ultimate BLT, which arrives with a whopping five strips of bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayo on honey wheat bread.

Meat Mountain

And go all the way to crazy town for the off-menu Meat Mountain, which includes turkey, ham, corned beef, brisket, steak, roast beef, chicken tenders, Swiss and cheddar cheeses and three strips of bacon for $10.

TACO BELL

The Hulk

It seems simple, but it really makes a major difference in the flavor of your everyday Taco Bell burrito. Order a bean and cheese burrito with “The Hulk” and you’ll get a hearty dollop of Hulk-green guacamole rolled right in.

Lava It!

If you’re a fan of the spicy sauce from the Bell’s Volcano Taco, you can get that same kick by telling your server to “Lava It!” for pretty much any item on the menu; it’s especially good for adding some zing to regular tacos.

The Superman

You’re ordering your usual Cheesy Double Beef Burrito, but it’s just not enough anymore? Jump into the proverbial phone booth and add potatoes, guacamole, sour cream and tortilla strips to make it a Superman.

BURGER KING

Frings

Can’t decide between French fries and onion rings? That’s not a problem if you’re at Burger King, where their secret menu includes Frings, a half order of each (plus ketchup, of course.)

Rodeo Burger

This one is actually on the menu at some Burger Kings, but at others you’ve got to pull a secret-ordering cowboy maneuver to lasso this regular cheeseburger with onion rings and barbecue sauce on top.

Veggie Whopper

If you’re hankering for the decadent fast-foodie-ness of a Whopper, but cutting down on beef, substitute a Morningstar Farms veggie burger for BK’s beef patty, and you’ll enjoy all the same toppings.

Find many more secret menu options at hackthemenu.com, secretmenus.com, starbuckssecretmenu.net and hiddenmenu.com.