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Cheapism / Insider Food

Under-the-Radar Eats

While most chains have abandoned the notion of a legitimate secret menu (Things like In-N-Out’s “Animal Style” are hardly secrets anymore), hordes of TikTok teenagers have relaunched the idea.


Nearly every chain you can think of has a “menu” full of hacks that have been put together with the ingredients already available. Curious about some of the best hidden menu hacks from your favorite fast-food spots? Take a look at these 11 chains, and some of the wacky stuff you can get at each of them.

Wilder Shaw / Cheapism

1. McDonald’s: Land, Sea, and Air Burger

To construct the oddly renowned Land, Sea, and Air Burger, you’ll need to order a Big Mac, Filet-o-Fish, and a McChicken. Then, you need to stick the fish and chicken inside your Big Mac. Does chicken really count for “air?”


Other McDonald’s Secret Menu Favorites:

  • Apple Pie McFlurry
  • Bababooey Burger
  • Ice Cream Sandwich
  • Big Mac & Cheese
  • Surf & Turf
Whataburger / Twitter

2. Whataburger: Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Sandwich

To make this famous hack, order the Honey Butter Chicken Sandwich, and substitute the honey butter for Honey BBQ sauce.


Other Whataburger Secret Menu Favorites:

  • The Monterey Melt
  • Breakfast Ranchero Sandwich
  • The Triple Triple
  • Chicken and Pancakes
  • Fish Tacos
Reddit.com

3. Five Guys: Patty Melt

If you order your burger on Texas toast rather than the standard bun, and opt for only grilled onions and Swiss as toppings, you’ve got yourself an instant patty melt.


Other Five Guys Secret Menu Favorites:

  • Burger Bowl
  • The Artery Annihilator
  • “Sloppy Joe”
  • Chicago Dog
  • Presidential Burger
r/Elaerys_Lynx via Reddit.com

4. Starbucks: Butterbeer Frappuccino

Harry Potter fans are invited to order a Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino, then add some caramel syrup, Toffeenut syrup, and a little caramel drizzle on top.


Other Starbucks Secret Menu Favorites:

  • Barbie Frappuccino
  • Unicorn Drink
  • Grasshopper Frappuccino
  • Winnie the Pooh Frappuccino
  • Purple Drink
theendorsement/YouTube

5. Chipotle: Quesarito

To mimic the dearly missed Taco Bell dish, you’ll order a burrito and a plain, unsliced quesadilla. Then you wrap your burrito inside that quesadilla — best of luck with that.


Other Chipotle Secret Menu Favorites:

  • Dragon Sauce
  • Double Decker Taco
  • Elote Dip
Del Taco / Facebook

6. Del Taco: Stoner Burrito

Get Del Taco’s bean and cheese burrito (which is the absolute best in the game) and add fries, green sauce, red sauce, and special sauce.


Other Del Taco Secret Menu Favorites:

  • Breakfast Tacos
  • Cheese Burrito
  • Chocolate Chip Cookie Shake
  • Cheese Burrito
  • Bun Taco
Via Reddit.com

7. Chick-fil-A: Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

To get yourself a Buffalo chicken sandwich, order a spicy chicken sandwich and add Zesty Buffalo sauce to it. Easy peasy.


Other Chick-fil-A Secret Menu Favorites:

  • Double Down Sandwich
  • Fried Chicken Club
  • Chicken Bacon Ranch Deluxe
  • Double Cookie Milkshake
  • Icedream Sandwich
Daym Drops / YouTube

8. Jersey Mike’s: Chipotle Mayo Cheesesteak

You can lather any of Jersey Mike’s cheesesteaks up with chipotle mayo for some extra creamy goodness.


Other Jersey Mike’s Secret Menu Favorites:

  • Lumberjack Salad
  • The Martian
  • Chicka-Fila-Roni
  • The Meateor
  • Pepperoni Pizza Sub
Dutch Bros

9. Dutch Bros: Grasshopper Mocha

Ask for this and your barista will blend you a Dutch Freeze with crème de menthe and chocolate syrup.


Other Dutch Bros Secret Menu Favorites:

  • The Fleck
  • Irie
  • Cinnamon Toast Crunch
  • Majestic Forest
  • Double Rainbro
Maggie M. /Yelp

10. Jamba Juice: Dream Machines

There are a variety of “Dream Machine” drinks you can grab from Jamba’s secret menu. Start out with a scoop of frozen yogurt and soy milk, then add the sherbets and fruits of your choice.


Other Jamba Juice Secret Menu Favorites:

  • Orange Oasis
  • Reese’s Pieces
  • Mocha Horchata
  • Skitles
  • Raspberry Shortcake
Christina B. / Yelp

Waffle House: Apple Cinnamon Waffles

There are many ways you can customize a plain, old Waffle House waffle. One of them is to add apples and cinnamon into the batter.


Other Waffle House Secret Menu Favorites:

  • Double Ds
  • Pecan Waffles
  • Waffle Sandwiches
  • The Heart Attack

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