Fast food giant McDonald’s has launched an Italian inspired menu for summer including two new burgers, the return of a fan favourite cheese side, and a fresh flavoured McFlurry - and it launched in stores today.
The Taste of Italy menu was revealed on Monday, landing in McDonald’s today (June 8), until July 26. Inspired by the Mediterranean, the latest menu items include the Crispy Chicken Italiano and The Italian Stack.
Mozzarella dippers are back as single portions and share boxes, while the latest potentially-divisive McFlurry is Tiramisu flavoured.
READ MORE: I tried McDonald’s new McCafe Iced frappes as menu sees shake up
I headed into my local branch to try the four Taste of Italy menu items, and one of them tasted like my favourite Italian dish: Lasagne.
Outside the weather was pouring with rain, so it didn’t feel much like summer. Clearly my floral midi dress had tempted fate. But I hoped that if I closed my eyes while taking a bite, it might just feel like I’m on holiday. I ordered:
Italian Stack - £5.39
Crispy Chicken Italiano - £5.39
Mozzarella Dippers - £1.99 (single) or £5.39 (share box)
Tiramisu McFlurry - £1.19 (mini) or £1.69 (regular)
I’ll start off with the mozzarella dippers, seeing as they’re the first thing you have to eat. If you leave them until last, the cheese goes rubbery, so they’re best enjoyed fresh out of the fryer to get that satisfying cheese pull. The mozzarella dippers are probably in my top three McDonald’s cheese sides (nothing beats the festive edition), but could next month’s halloumi fries knock them off the podium?
Next I went in for the Crispy Chicken Italiano, which consists of a crispy chicken fillet topped with tomato, mozzarella, a basil pesto style sauce, red onion and lettuce served up in a soft freshly toasted ciabatta style bun. Opening the box, the buns really make this burger look the part, and its more luxurious ingredients are reflected in the higher price.
I’m not keen on pesto usually, but with the chicken, mozzarella and salad, it paired well to give an overall interesting and flavourful experience.
If it’s comfort food you desire, I totally recommend The Italian Stack, made up of two beef patties, mozzarella, crispy onions, tomato sauce, lettuce and a smooth bechamel cheese sauce, served in a toasted tomato and herb style bun. The beef, tomato, mozzarella and bechamel combo made this burger taste just like a lasagne sandwiched between two soft, doughy slices of bread bun.
In terms of size, these burgers are pretty beefed up - much bigger than your standard cheeseburger or chicken legend - and I definitely think they’re worth the money. You’d pay more and wait longer in a pub for potentially sub-standard food, and I was more than happy with the quality of these Maccies meals.
As someone who doesn’t drink coffee, I was cautious about the Tiramisu McFlurry, so opted for the smaller size. The ice cream sees the McFlurry swirled with chocolate flavoured biscuit pieces, and a coffee and chocolate flavoured sauce, however, it’s not overpowering or too strongly flavoured. There’s definitely a hint there, but this is a dessert non-coffee drinkers can get behind.
Following the Italian menu will be a Taste of Spain and Cyprus available from July 27 to September 6, featuring:
Spicy Spanish Stack - £5.39
Chicken Fiesta - £5.39
Halloumi Fries - £2.49 (single) £6.49 (share box)
Punch - £2.29 (M) £2.61 (L)
