# Poll: McDonald's fries and Big Macs are substandard, even for fast food **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 13, 2019, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-mcdonalds-fries-and-big-macs-are-substandard-even-for-fast-food/831074 "2019-03-13T15:46:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-mcdonalds-fries-and-big-macs-are-substandard-even-for-fast-food/831074/21 "2019-03-13T16:28:58Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > If you read my OP carefully, my friend, you’ll see I have not “only had McDonald’s fries after they’ve been sitting.” Ahh, but “hot” isn’t necessarily “hasn’t been sitting”. How immediately have you eaten them? I find that the taste drops off incredibly quickly. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-mcdonalds-fries-and-big-macs-are-substandard-even-for-fast-food/831074/22 "2019-03-13T16:30:40Z")
Fast food shoestrings are their own category and McDonald’s makes the best fries in that category. Maybe where you are they do it differently but round here they are better than the greasy flavorless soggy lot you get everywhere else. There’s no poll for the Big Mac but it is an atrocity. Two miniscule burger patties hidden inside a useless pile of condiments and soggy bread. ---
**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:** [March 13, 2019, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-mcdonalds-fries-and-big-macs-are-substandard-even-for-fast-food/831074/23 "2019-03-13T16:30:46Z")
The OP is totally wrong. McD’s fries aren’t the best, but they _are_ superior. The Big Mac is exactly what it is, and fills a needed niche in the fast food pantheon. Comparing it to even the Quarter Pounder is an apples/oranges thing. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-mcdonalds-fries-and-big-macs-are-substandard-even-for-fast-food/831074/24 "2019-03-13T16:31:58Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Ahh, but “hot” isn’t necessarily “hasn’t been sitting”. How immediately have you eaten them? I find that the taste drops off incredibly quickly. Sounds like if you order a Big Mac and fries, you’d better eat the fries first. That’s a weird necessity for something that is basically a side dish. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-mcdonalds-fries-and-big-macs-are-substandard-even-for-fast-food/831074/25 "2019-03-13T16:32:02Z")
That AV club article matches my experience. I think the taste drop off might even start at minute 3. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-mcdonalds-fries-and-big-macs-are-substandard-even-for-fast-food/831074/26 "2019-03-13T16:35:02Z")
McDonalds’ fries may be worthless, but I happen to like the Big Mac, as long as they don’t skimp on the special sauce. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-mcdonalds-fries-and-big-macs-are-substandard-even-for-fast-food/831074/27 "2019-03-13T16:35:39Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Ahh, but “hot” isn’t necessarily “hasn’t been sitting”. How immediately have you eaten them? I find that the taste drops off incredibly quickly. I have eaten them in every conceivable condition – including, right out of the fryer, finding them in the car a day later, and from the refrigerator a week later. I have more than enough experience with McDonald’s and fast food generally to form a solid basis for my opinions. Trust me. ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-mcdonalds-fries-and-big-macs-are-substandard-even-for-fast-food/831074/28 "2019-03-13T16:38:29Z")
I like the McDonald’s french fries; they are definitely worlds better than Burger King’s. Since those are the only two fast food burger places in my town I almost always go to McDonald’s first. That being said Wendy’s fries are better both and Five Guys fries are probably the best of all(at least of the places I’ve been too). Also I think McDonald’s Quarter Pounders taste worse ever since they switched over to “fresh” beef. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-mcdonalds-fries-and-big-macs-are-substandard-even-for-fast-food/831074/29 "2019-03-13T16:43:22Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > McDonalds’ fries may be worthless, but I happen to like the Big Mac, as long as they don’t skimp on the special sauce. They’ve steadily added more special sauce to the Big Mac over the years as every other ingredient became more expensive. Used to be a lot more lettuce but even that costs more now-a-days. But I do eat them. If I just need a quick dinner for some reason like being on the road then I may pick up a Big Mac sometimes. I go to McDonald’s because they have the most consistency in what you get of all the fast food places. Well, consistently not making me want to puke as some other places do. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-mcdonalds-fries-and-big-macs-are-substandard-even-for-fast-food/831074/30 "2019-03-13T16:51:56Z")
Their fries are the best, nothing inexplicable about it, even without the beef tallow. I mostly go to Mc’D’s for breakfast but I’ve been known to have an all french fry lunch on occasion. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-mcdonalds-fries-and-big-macs-are-substandard-even-for-fast-food/831074/31 "2019-03-13T16:59:09Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > I have eaten them in every conceivable condition – including, right out of the fryer, finding them in the car a day later, and from the refrigerator a week later. I have more than enough experience with McDonald’s and fast food generally to form a solid basis for my opinions. Trust me. Then your opinion (at least for the first few minutes) is objectively wrong. 😉 Maybe try Wendy’s? ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-mcdonalds-fries-and-big-macs-are-substandard-even-for-fast-food/831074/32 "2019-03-13T17:06:41Z")
Big Macs are an abomination. Thousand Island dressing on a burger? No thanks. The fries are fine, and can even be just what the doctor ordered- as long as they’re hot. As they cool and get floppy and crappy it’s kind of astounding how quickly they turn to garbage. ---
**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:** [March 13, 2019, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-mcdonalds-fries-and-big-macs-are-substandard-even-for-fast-food/831074/33 "2019-03-13T17:09:24Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > I have eaten them in every conceivable condition – including, right out of the fryer, finding them in the car a day later, and from the refrigerator a week later. I have more than enough experience with McDonald’s and fast food generally to form a solid basis for my opinions. Trust me. Would you eat them in a box? Would you eat them with a fox? ---
**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:** [March 13, 2019, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-mcdonalds-fries-and-big-macs-are-substandard-even-for-fast-food/831074/34 "2019-03-13T17:10:44Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > Big Macs are an abomination. Thousand Island dressing on a burger? No thanks. You’re making the mistake of thinking of the Big Mac as a burger. It’s not: it’s its own thing. You either like that thing or you don’t. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-mcdonalds-fries-and-big-macs-are-substandard-even-for-fast-food/831074/35 "2019-03-13T17:20:39Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > Their fries are the best, nothing inexplicable about it, even without the beef tallow. I mostly go to Mc’D’s for breakfast but I’ve been known to have an all french fry lunch on occasion. My biggest guilty pleasure is a large order of fries (made to order) and a chocolate shake to dip them in. Drinking the shake is just an afterthought. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-mcdonalds-fries-and-big-macs-are-substandard-even-for-fast-food/831074/36 "2019-03-13T17:29:06Z")
I like my fries crunchy and not overly soft and potatoey. McD fits the bill. ---
**Author:** ![amaguri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@amaguri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amaguri)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-mcdonalds-fries-and-big-macs-are-substandard-even-for-fast-food/831074/37 "2019-03-13T17:38:38Z")
the only fast food joint that has fries as consistently decent as McD’s is Del Taco, and that’s not nationwide as far as I know. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-mcdonalds-fries-and-big-macs-are-substandard-even-for-fast-food/831074/38 "2019-03-13T17:45:52Z")
McD’s fries are, for me, undeniably the best for skinless fries. I slightly prefer skin-on fries a la Five Guys, but McD’s are perfection. Let that way since I’ve first had them and knew no better, and still feel that way now that I’m older and wiser. Back as a freshman in college, before I was a foodie dork, I remember extolling the virtues of a McD’s fry, saying the true test of a fry is whether it needs a condiment, and their fries do not, That said, Bug Mac is inferior to quarter pounder with cheese. Hell, I think it’s inferior to a McDouble. That middle bun is pointless. ETA: and I’m also a Hunt’s guy when it comes to ketchup. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-mcdonalds-fries-and-big-macs-are-substandard-even-for-fast-food/831074/39 "2019-03-13T17:48:18Z")
> [@amaguri](#): > > the only fast food joint that has fries as consistently decent as McD’s is Del Taco, and that’s not nationwide as far as I know. Del Taco had the best fries. But there aren’t any up here. ---
**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:** [March 13, 2019, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-mcdonalds-fries-and-big-macs-are-substandard-even-for-fast-food/831074/40 "2019-03-13T17:52:16Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Del Taco had the best fries. But there aren’t any up here. _Have._ I had some for breakfast this morning, in fact. 😛 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-mcdonalds-fries-and-big-macs-are-substandard-even-for-fast-food/831074.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-mcdonalds-fries-and-big-macs-are-substandard-even-for-fast-food/831074.md?page=3)