# McDonalds, give it a rest already, everyone knows that "Special Sauce" is.... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 8, 2010, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-give-it-a-rest-already-everyone-knows-that-special-sauce-is/528095 "2010-02-08T01:53:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-give-it-a-rest-already-everyone-knows-that-special-sauce-is/528095/21 "2010-02-08T16:21:26Z")
I’ve never tasted a Big Mac, simply because of fear of the unknown “special sauce.” I can’t imagine anyone biting into an unidentified sauce for the first time. If you don’t want to give it a descriptive name, do not expect me to eat it, that’s what I always say. If I go to McDonalds, all I get is a 1/4 pounder, “no sauce” at all. [I realize I could, perhaps, order the Big Mac with “no sauce,” but it seems wrong somehow. They seem so proud of it, and they act like it’s an integral part of the experience.] ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-give-it-a-rest-already-everyone-knows-that-special-sauce-is/528095/22 "2010-02-08T16:35:32Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I’ve never tasted a Big Mac, simply because of fear of the unknown “special sauce.” I can’t imagine anyone biting into an unidentified sauce for the first time. If you don’t want to give it a descriptive name, do not expect me to eat it, that’s what I always say. You wouldn’t want to [eat here](http://www.eriksdelicafe.com/), they use “Secret Goo”. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![MitzeKatze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ad7895/32.png) [@MitzeKatze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MitzeKatze)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-give-it-a-rest-already-everyone-knows-that-special-sauce-is/528095/23 "2010-02-08T16:35:36Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > If I go to McDonalds, all I get is a 1/4 pounder, “no sauce” at all. [I realize I could, perhaps, order the Big Mac with “no sauce,” but it seems wrong somehow. They seem so proud of it, and they act like it’s an integral part of the experience.] You have no idea what you are missing! Of course I am craving a Big Mac right now so I might be biased. 😉 I detest mayonnaise, mayonnaise based “sauces”, and anything remotely resembling Thousand Island dressing, “sandwich spread”, tartar sauce etc…but I do love a Big Mac every once in a while. Just order it with no sauce or even sauce on the side if you want to try it like that. There is no duplicating the flavor of a Big Mac (which is not a good hamburger, but once you accept it as its own entity, it is very tasty!) even if you can duplicate the sauce. I think it is the very cheap beef and high amounts of sodium that make it so very good. 🙂 I get a lot of eye rolls over the “no mac sauce” orders, but it is worth it to me. ---
**Author:** ![Randy\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee7513/32.png) [@Randy\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randy_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-give-it-a-rest-already-everyone-knows-that-special-sauce-is/528095/24 "2010-02-08T16:41:35Z")
> [@MacTech](#): > > Does _anyone_ still think that “special sauce” is anything other than Thousand Island dressing? I think it’s Russian dressing. ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-give-it-a-rest-already-everyone-knows-that-special-sauce-is/528095/25 "2010-02-08T19:11:44Z")
… and animal semen. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-give-it-a-rest-already-everyone-knows-that-special-sauce-is/528095/26 "2010-02-08T19:19:37Z")
> [@Astroboy14](#): > > … and animal semen. :eek: And that’s the best kind! ---
**Author:** ![foolscap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9a140/32.png) [@foolscap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolscap)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-give-it-a-rest-already-everyone-knows-that-special-sauce-is/528095/27 "2010-02-08T19:38:54Z")
> [@Randy\_Seltzer](#): > > I think it’s Russian dressing. No, Russian is thiner and more red (Russian dressing natch):smack: ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-give-it-a-rest-already-everyone-knows-that-special-sauce-is/528095/28 "2010-02-08T20:18:17Z")
McDonalds uses Thousand and One Island dressing. That extra island is what makes it special. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-give-it-a-rest-already-everyone-knows-that-special-sauce-is/528095/29 "2010-02-08T20:20:35Z")
> [@](#): > > No, Russian is thiner and more red Thin? Red? Russian? Sounds like Uncle Joe is whipping up a batch of his secret recipe Kulak Sauce. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-give-it-a-rest-already-everyone-knows-that-special-sauce-is/528095/30 "2010-02-08T20:38:14Z")
> [@dhkendall](#): > > Thousand island dressing?? On anything other than a salad?? Try it on roast beef some time. That (or with Russian dressing) is how God intended roast beef sandwiches to be made. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-give-it-a-rest-already-everyone-knows-that-special-sauce-is/528095/31 "2010-02-08T20:47:00Z")
Okay damnit, now you guys have me wondering. What exactly IS special sauce? I always got the impression it was mayonaise with some pickle relish, maybe a dash of ketchup or mustard or perhaps lemon juice. I’ve never been a fan of the MAC and havent had one in forever, but I never had the impression it was JUST ranch dressing. Okay, so whats the dope or the sauce as it were? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-give-it-a-rest-already-everyone-knows-that-special-sauce-is/528095/32 "2010-02-08T21:02:53Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > Okay damnit, now you guys have me wondering. What exactly IS special sauce? > > **I always got the impression it was mayonaise with some pickle relish, maybe a dash of ketchup or mustard or perhaps lemon juice.** > > I’ve never been a fan of the MAC and havent had one in forever, but I never had the impression it was JUST ranch dressing. > > Okay, so whats the dope or the sauce as it were? That **is** Thousand Island. Ranch was never a part of the Big Mac. Special Sauce is a variant of Thousand Island, but McDs keeps the exact recipe secret. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-give-it-a-rest-already-everyone-knows-that-special-sauce-is/528095/33 "2010-02-08T22:06:35Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > That **is** Thousand Island. Ranch was never a part of the Big Mac. > > Special Sauce is a variant of Thousand Island, but McDs keeps the exact recipe secret. Okay, so its pretty much like “Thousand Island”, but NOT Thousand Island “Ranch”. That makes sense, because I was pretty sure the stuff was not like “ranch” dressing. Thousand Island probably made ranch dressing famous but just because a dressing is Thousand Island doesnt mean its ranch 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-give-it-a-rest-already-everyone-knows-that-special-sauce-is/528095/34 "2010-02-08T22:36:08Z")
Is Russian dressing what Arby’s put on their Super Roast Beef sandwich? I am so pissed at them for taking it off the menu. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-give-it-a-rest-already-everyone-knows-that-special-sauce-is/528095/35 "2010-02-08T23:07:45Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > Okay, so its pretty much like “Thousand Island”, but NOT Thousand Island “Ranch”. That makes sense, because I was pretty sure the stuff was not like “ranch” dressing. Thousand Island probably made ranch dressing famous but just because a dressing is Thousand Island doesnt mean its ranch 🙂 😕 Ranch dressing and Thousand Island dressing are two completely different animals. Not even close to one another. [[URL=“[Ranch Dressing I Recipe](http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Ranch-Dressing-I/Detail.aspx)”]Ranch](1/2 cup mayonnaise) is sour cream, buttermilk, mayo and a buttload of herbage. Thousand Island is mayo, catsup, pickle relish, onion, and maybe a little bell pepper. How did one make the other famous? Or are you refering to a brand instead of a dressing? ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-give-it-a-rest-already-everyone-knows-that-special-sauce-is/528095/36 "2010-02-08T23:13:46Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > 😕 > > Ranch dressing and Thousand Island dressing are two completely different animals. Not even close to one another. [[URL=“[Ranch Dressing I Recipe](http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Ranch-Dressing-I/Detail.aspx)”]Ranch](1/2 cup mayonnaise) is sour cream, buttermilk, mayo and a buttload of herbage. Thousand Island is mayo, catsup, pickle relish, onion, and maybe a little bell pepper. How did one make the other famous? Or are you refering to a brand instead of a dressing? I get THAT. If you (or at least I) buy ranch dressing there is a good chance it was made by thousand island. And I’d WAG that thousand island was the first big name in brand name dressings in general. Does that answer your question? ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-give-it-a-rest-already-everyone-knows-that-special-sauce-is/528095/37 "2010-02-08T23:16:33Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > I get THAT. If you (or at least I) buy ranch dressing there is a good chance it was made by thousand island. And I’d WAG that thousand island was the first big name in brand name dressings in general. Does that answer your question? Whaaa? “Made by thousand island?” Thousand Island is a type, not a brand. ---
**Author:** ![Sleel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/73ab20/32.png) [@Sleel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleel)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-give-it-a-rest-already-everyone-knows-that-special-sauce-is/528095/38 "2010-02-08T23:20:18Z")
> [@Remarkable](#): > > Does anybody know if they produce and then ship the sauce overseas? A mac in Japan tastes _exactly_ the same as it does here.. I’m thinking they must, else regional variations regarding ingredients would possibly affect the flavor? From what I know, they work with local suppliers to keep their supply chain shorter and reduce shipping and other costs. The thing is, this stuff is produced in huge factories. It has to be, or they’d never be able to supply their stores. That means it’s all planned out, and McDonald’s “taste engineers” are undoubtedly involved in calibrating the production. One of the points of fast food is that there isn’t much variation in taste. You want a consistent product. Also, a lot of the products they use are commercial already. They don’t have to worry about building ketchup factories since Heinz is already available pretty much anywhere in the world. Same with Coke, Danone dairy products, Nestle, Minute Maid, etc. And yeah, everything in Japan tastes virtually identical to the same products in the US. Regional special items are available seasonally. Those are different. But a Big Mac tastes just like a Big Mac. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-give-it-a-rest-already-everyone-knows-that-special-sauce-is/528095/39 "2010-02-08T23:24:25Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Whaaa? “Made by thousand island?” Thousand Island is a type, not a brand. Maybe I am just totally misremembering stuff here, but ISTR that Thousand Island was a type made by a specific company, then they got famous making that type and branched out to all kinds of other types, ranch being a “somewhat” close relative to the original “thousand island” flavor, as opposed to stuff like oil and vinegar/italian/russian/blue cheese kind of dressings. If I AM totally misremembering this, just ignore the fact that for some reason I made a mental connection between “ranch” and “thousand island”. Geez, its nots worth getting your salad in a toss or spilling some special sauce 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-give-it-a-rest-already-everyone-knows-that-special-sauce-is/528095/40 "2010-02-08T23:25:44Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Whaaa? “Made by thousand island?” Thousand Island is a type, not a brand. Maybe he’s thinking of Seven Seas? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-give-it-a-rest-already-everyone-knows-that-special-sauce-is/528095.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-give-it-a-rest-already-everyone-knows-that-special-sauce-is/528095.md?page=3)