CHOMPING down on the new halloumi fries, I didn’t they would taste better than the classic mozzarella dippers – but I was wrong.
I was one of the few lucky people to taste McDonald’s new summer menu last month before it hit restaurants.
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This summer, the fast food giant is serving up a number of new items including a tiramisu McFlurry and four new burgers.
The mega McDonald’s menu shake-up is summer holiday themed and is coming in two waves.
The first new “taste of Italy” items hit menus last month on Wednesday 8 June, and they included a new Italian Stack, the Crispy Chicken Italiano and a tiramisu McFlurry.
Today – July 27 – the second batch of snacks have arrived for fans to enjoy, and flavours are inspired by Spain and Cyprus
The Spicy Spanish Stack, Chicken Fiesta burger, Spanish Fruit Punch and the much-anticipated halloumi fries have hit the menu.
The cheesy snack is making a first-time appearance in the UK for £2.49 on its own or £6.49 for a share box.
I went down to McDonald’s HQ to try out the new menu items ahead of launching in restaurants.
The halloumi fries
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It’s the first time McDonald’s has served halloumi fries in the UK and soon the long wait will be over as they join the menu later this summer.
They tasted a lot like the classic mozzarella dippers that Maccies has had for a while, but they had a squeakier texture to the cheese – like you often find with halloumi.
The breadcrumb coating was nice and crumbly too and they made a good salty alternative to fries. I really liked them.
They come in a bag of four and a rich, tasty tomato dip, costing £2.49.
Lastly, I cleansed my palate with the new Spanish Fruit punch.
Costing £2.29 for a medium or £2.61 for a large when fans get the chance to try later in July, the thirst-quenching drink was a dream as the room started to hot up.
The chilled soft drink is great if you’ve got a sweet tooth like me as it is bursting with berry and citrus flavours – it’s no sangria, but McDonald’s it’ll do.
Sloppy and greasy – but good
The Italian Stack burger, which costs £5.39, has two beef patties, mozzarella, crispy onions, a rich tomato sauce, lettuce and a smooth cheese sauce.
It comes in a tomato and herb style bun. I found this burger to be a bit more on the greasy side – but in good way.
That’s because the beef burger tasted just like a perfectly sloppy lasagne.
If you like a cheesy burger then this is the one for you too, after all, a lasagne is ALL about the cheese layered between sheets of pasta straight out a hot Italian oven.
The Crispy Chicken Italiano is one for chicken lovers, with a crispy fillet topped by a juicy tomato slice, mozzarella, a basil pesto style sauce, red onion and lettuce, and served up in a toasted ciabatta-style bun.
In comparison to its beefy twin, the Crispy Chicken Italiano was very fresh tasting. It costs £5.39.
It had a nice light and airy bun, with plenty of fresh tasting salad in the burger.
If I had to liken it to anything I’d tried before, I’d say this burger tasted more like a Subway sandwich than anything.
The Tiramisu Mcflurry – my verdict
Next up was the tiramisu McFlurry. The classic soft serve ice cream has chocolate biscuit with a coffee and chocolate sauce swirled on top.
It was nice and velvety. It reminded me a lot of the secret menu hack, where fans have been adding a shot of coffee to a vanilla milkshake to create a McDonald’s affogato.
I was excited to try the Spanish Spicy Stack – and just like the McSpicy, it really lives up to its name.
There has been a lot of praise for the another recent menu addition – the McSpicy.
The burger has two beef patties, chilli cheddar, red onion, spicy tomato sauce and lettuce. It comes in a warm paprika bun and costs £5.39.
I was also excited to try the Chicken Fiesta. When I’m on holiday in Spain, I love ordering the fast food chain’s version of Patasa Bravas.
Somehow without the carby vegetable in sight, McDonald’s has managed to recreate the exact taste of that iconic dish in this burger.
It seemed a lot more tomatoey than the other versions on the menu, but that’s perfect if you’re after a proper Spanish taste.
The Chicken Fiesta, costing £5.39, comes with a crispy chicken fillet topped
with chorizo, chilli cheddar, spicy tomato sauce, red onion and lettuce
in its own warm toasted chilli and paprika topped bun.
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