For months, Facebook shopping groups have been full of praise for Aldi's take on McDonald's menu.
The discount supermarket launched its version of the fast-food's famous hash browns, Big Mac and Chicken McNuggets. From appearance alone, you'd be pushed to know that you weren't eating a McDonald's meal, given the almost identical packaging.
However, when it comes to taste, can Aldi really live up to McDonald's? LancsLive reporter, Rebecca Lockwood, tried Aldi's version of some of McDonald's best-loved menu items - and compared them to the fast-food chain's originals.
READ MORE: We compared Marks and Spencer and Aldi ketchup with Heinz
Here's how they compared:
Hash browns
Before even tasting the hash browns, Rebecca noticed a major colour difference between McDonald's version and Aldi's. She noted that the McDonald’s hash brown is long and yellow compared to Aldi's golden hash brown.
Rebecca said: "The Aldi Hash Brown is cooked in the oven for around 20 minutes. In taste, the hash browns are pretty different. The McDonald's hash brown is an expert hash brown, it's light, deep-fried, and essentially tastes pretty similar to their fries. Freshly served, you’d think they are unbeatable.
"In comes Aldi's hash browns. This is where I am stumped. In simplest terms, it just tastes more potato-y. It's richer than McDonald's.
"But honestly, I am conflicted. Maybe I'm stubborn and I’m not ready to admit McDonald's has been ever so slightly beaten by Aldi. But then came the price. At McDonald's, it costs 89p for just one hash brown or £1.78 for two - at Aldi it's £1.59 for 10. Case closed."
Winner: Aldi
Big Mac vs Big Stack
Aldi's cleverly named Big Stack comes with three layers of bun to separate the two patties and is a microwave burger.
To cook it you place the burgers stacked on top of each other in the centre of a microwavable plate for two minutes - at the halfway point, you flip the burgers over. You then take them out, assemble the burger and put it back into the microwave for one minute and 30 seconds before adding the accompanying burger sauce. It costs £1.49.
Rebecca said: "Once heated, the Big Stack patties look eerily like the Big Mac burger. I honestly don't know how that could be achieved, bread aside, I'm not sure I could tell the patties apart. It tastes decent, the only teller that it's not a Big Mac is that the middle slice of bread begins to look like it has been microwaved.
"If I saw it inside a McDonald's box I would maybe think 'that's a funny looking Maccies burger' but I wouldn't interrogate it any further.
"The Big Mac costs £3.91 for a medium meal, but it's an original for a reason. You know exactly what you're getting when you order it and while it doesn't have the grandeur of a Big Mac, it's still a solid win. In this taste test though, I felt some pity for the Big Stack due to the Big Mac's additional garnishes like lettuce and onion."
Rebecca continued: "Side by side, it was bothering me. I decided to bite one and then the other and the main difference I could honestly point out was that it's evident the Big Mac has been on a grill. Out of the two, I'd give the crown to the Big Mac - but I wouldn't shy away from bagging another Big Stack."
Winner: McDonald's
Chicken nuggets
Out of all the dupes, Rebecca said Aldi's chicken nuggets were the most disappointing, but she said that's just because McDonald's version are 'other worldly'.
Rebecca said: "The Aldi nuggets land in the top tier of freezer nuggets. They're probably the best-frozen chicken nuggets I have ever had priced at just £1.69 for 12, with two dips. As they cool, they do begin to get slightly cardboard-esque in their bite, but I'm certain if you didn't want to put in a huge order at McDonald's and instead got these, you'd be happy.
"The McDonald's Nuggets are priced at £3.79 for six alone, which in comparison seems extortionate. But they win because the chicken is just far, far better."
Winner: McDonald's
Aldi vs McDonald's conclusion
Rebecca concluded: "So let's break it down. Can Aldi provide you with a happy meal with their dupes? When it comes to Hash Browns and Big Stacks, I'm happy to say absolutely yes. Knock yourself up some fries and serve them with the burger and you'll be grand. On nuggets, McDonald's can keep their crown. You can't beat them."
Overall winner: McDonald's (just)
