McDonald’s might be the go-to when hunger strikes, but not every item on the menu deserves your hard-earned cash. Some meals pack in way too many calories, while others just don’t deliver on value or taste. A few are overpriced compared to smarter alternatives, and some are simply letdowns in freshness. Before you place your next order, here are the Mickey D’s picks you’re better off skipping.
Big Breakfast with Hotcakes Is a Calorie Bomb
Think twice before starting your day with the Big Breakfast with Hotcakes. This tray of eggs, sausage, biscuits, pancakes, and hash browns piles up a massive 1,340 calories—without any extra butter, jam, or ketchup. That’s more than half of most people’s daily needs in one sitting. Sure, it looks filling, but it’s also the highest-calorie item on the entire menu.
Small Fries Aren’t Worth the Price
Paying over two bucks for a small pack of fries? Not worth it. For just a little more, you can grab a medium or large and get way more for your money. Even better, McDonald’s app often has “Free Fries Friday” deals where you score a medium fry with a $1 purchase. Bottom line: skip the small size and never look back.
Double Bacon Quarter Pounder Costs a Fortune
Looking for cheap fast food? This isn’t it. The Double Bacon Quarter Pounder with Cheese is the most expensive burger meal at McDonald’s, often topping $10. While it’s hefty, you could get nearly two full meals elsewhere for the same price. Unless you’re splurging, this one is hard to justify.
McDonald’s Frappes Are a Letdown
Sure, they look fancy, but McDonald’s Frappes are a wallet and waistline hit. A large caramel Frappe packs around 650 calories and doesn’t even give much of a caffeine kick. With the sugar overload and steep price, it’s more dessert than drink—and not the best bang for your buck.
Big Mac Is More Bun Than Burger
The Big Mac might be iconic, but let’s be real: you’re mostly paying for that extra middle bun. At around 590 calories and $5, it’s hardly the best value on the menu. A smarter hack? Order a McDouble, add lettuce and Mac sauce, and you’ve got nearly the same thing for less cash.
Milkshakes Come with Major Risks
Ordering a shake at McDonald’s is basically a gamble. Will the ice cream machine actually be working? Even if it is, a large chocolate shake clocks in at 800 calories—that’s more than some entire meals. Unless you’re ready to risk disappointment and a sugar crash, it’s best to skip.
10-Piece Nuggets Don’t Add Up
The nugget math here doesn’t make sense. A 10-piece order costs about $4.39, but a 20-piece is just $6.89. That means you pay less per nugget if you double up. If you’re craving nuggets, skip the 10-piece and go for the bigger box—it’s the only way it makes sense.
Breakfast at Closing Time Isn’t Fresh
McDonald’s no longer serves breakfast all day, which means the last half-hour before cutoff is a gamble. By then, those sausage patties and hash browns might’ve been sitting under the warmer for a while. If you want breakfast, get there early. Ordering late morning almost guarantees less-than-fresh food.
A Cheeseburger Meal Isn’t Always a Deal
Ordering a cheeseburger meal sounds simple—until you realize it includes two cheeseburgers. If you just wanted a small, lighter meal, you’re out of luck (or left with an extra burger you didn’t want). A Happy Meal might actually be the smarter choice for portion control and price.
Chicken Sandwiches Don’t Impress
When surveyed, over half of respondents said McDonald’s chicken sandwiches were the weakest item on the menu. Compared to competitors like Chick-fil-A or Popeyes, they just don’t measure up. While the McChicken is cheap, if you’re chasing flavor or quality, you’ll probably be disappointed.
4-Piece Nugget Happy Meal Wastes Money
Parents, skip the 4-piece nugget Happy Meal and go for the 6-piece instead. It’s only about 20 cents more, and you get two extra nuggets. If your kid can’t finish, that’s an extra snack for you. It’s a no-brainer upgrade that makes the smaller option look like a rip-off.
