QSR chain McDonald's has introduced a bold, new summer menu with items that take the fast food restaurant away from its usual offerings with some exciting Mediterranean-themed additions.
One of the most reported menu additions initially is that of Halloumi Fries which makes UK menus for the first time. Aside from this snack, there's a range of new items in a summer menu that's split in two with a taste of Italy initially, from 8th June to 26th July, followed by a taste of Spain and Cyprus, from 27th July to 6th August.
The Italian menu features a new beef burger with The Italian Stack which features two beef patties, mozzarella, crispy onions, tomato sauce, lettuce and a smooth cheese sauce, served in a toasted tomato and herb bun. There's a new chicken burger too with The Crispy Chicken Italiano which features a crispy chicken fillet topped with a slice of tomato, mozzarella, a basil pesto sauce, red onion and lettuce served in a soft toasted ciabatta bun. There's a sweet treat too as the McFlurry gets a new twist in Tiramisu flavour.
Come late July, the theme switches and we see the Spicy Spanish Stack land, which features two beef patties, chilli cheddar, red onion, spicy tomato sauce and lettuce all served in a warm paprika bun. Alongside this there is a new Chicken Fiesta with a crispy chicken fillet topped with chorizo, chilli cheddar, spicy tomato sauce, red onion and lettuce. And this can all be washed down with a Spanish Fruit Punch to finish as well.
Having visited his local McDonald's to check out the new menu in person, tfp Director Charles Banks commented: "I'm impressed! So often brave (for McDonald's!) flavour and format frontiers never make it off the paper or get canned in screening and never make it onto the menu board but good for McDonald's for sticking with it to bring these Mediterranean inspired products to fruition for summer. The Italian Stack is a game changer. Who wouldn't love Lasagne in a bun, it's a stroke of genius! The Tiramisu McFlurry to start with felt like biscuit-topped vanilla ice-cream but once mixed in with the sauce it all came together, I loved the packaging too! I look forward to trying the taste of Spain and taste of Cyprus in July!"