This Is Why You Should Rethink Your Big Mac Order, According to a Former McDonald’s Chef
Updated: Dec. 04, 2023
Order this instead of a Big Mac, and you'll get a better deal
There are a lot of mind-blowing facts about McDonald’s: There’s the stuff that’s common knowledge, like the fact that Coke tastes better at McDonald’s than it does anywhere else. There are things relegated to rumors, like McDonald’s secret menu items. And then there are those things you’ll learn only from McDonald’s employees themselves—the prized insider knowledge that can get you even tastier food or better deals.
Coming in hot with all the tasty tips is former McDonald’s corporate chef Mike Haracz, who recently took to TikTok to let his followers know what to order (and what to skip) at the popular fast-food chain. As it turns out, one of your favorite burgers may not be the best bang for your buck. Read on for a smart tweak that’ll help you save on your next order.
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Insider info that’ll save you money
In a recent TikTok video, Haracz tells his followers, “Don’t order a Big Mac.” Then he offers up an alternative that will save you about $2—a decent amount of money considering how cheap McDonald’s meals are.
What should you order instead? “A McDouble like a Mac,” he says. “It is so much better and cheaper.”
So what’s the difference between these two orders, and how much can you really save? We’re breaking it down so you can order wisely.
McDouble vs. Big Mac
How exactly will a McDouble satisfy your Big Mac craving? It turns out, the two items are shockingly similar. By ordering a McDouble “like a Mac,” you’re asking for a tiny tweak that’ll land you a Big Mac dupe.
A classic Big Mac is assembled with two 100% pure beef patties seasoned with salt and pepper, a slice of cheese, lettuce, onions, pickles, a middle bun and the famous Big Mac sauce.
A McDouble also has two 100% beef patties and comes with pickles, onions and a slice of cheese. But instead of Big Mac sauce, it comes with ketchup and mustard.
According to Haracz, if you order your McDouble “like a Mac,” the restaurant will layer it similar to a Big Mac—sans middle bun—adding in the lettuce and subbing in the signature Big Mac sauce instead of the typical ketchup and mustard.
While Haracz is confident that you will be able to order your McDouble this way, if a restaurant won’t do it, he says, “maybe don’t go to that one—go to a different one, because this is the superior way.”
How much you’ll save by ordering a McDouble
Not only is the “Mac-style” McDouble highly praised by this former McDonald’s chef, but as he points out, it’s also much cheaper to order this McDonald’s burger. Thankfully, the prices don’t lie.
According to McMenu, a site unaffiliated with McDonald’s that collects the price of the fast-food chain’s menu items across the country, the cost of the average McDouble is $2.41, more than $3 cheaper than the typical Big Mac, which currently averages around $5.58.
While ordering a McDouble “like a Mac” may be cheaper than buying a Big Mac, it will limit you a tad. You can’t order a combo meal with it like you can with a Big Mac. So, what will the price come out to if you’re pairing the burger with a medium fry and drink for a DIY combo meal?
Luckily enough, even if you order a side of fries and a drink, you’ll still save money compared with a Big Mac meal. The average medium fry costs around $1.80, and a drink cost $1.25, so your makeshift “McDouble Combo Meal” will total close to $5.50. This is still more than $3 cheaper than a Big Mac meal, which costs an estimated average of $8.64. The simple swap could also save you a lot of money if you find yourself at the most expensive McDonald’s in America, where a Big Mac meal costs a startling $18. Also, once you’re done ordering, make sure to ask for your McDonald’s receipt.
All in all, if you’re not a fan of that soggy middle bun and you’re looking to save a little cash, skip the Big Mac order and try Haracz’s McDouble-like-a-Mac hack instead. Just be sure to avoid hitting the drive-through during the worst time to go to McDonald’s.
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