When I was a kid, McDonald’s was a big dang treat. I’ll tell you. When our parents took us out for a Big Mac and fries, it was headline news.
I guess there’s still a little nostalgia in me about those visits to the Golden Arches.
In common conversation as an adult, though, most people scorn McDonald’s, saying it is just the worst of the fast food choices. But every time I drive by a Mickey Ds, the drive-thru line is wrapping around the building. Somebody is loving it. In fact, McDonald’s is still the most popular fast-food chain in the country. Maybe in the world, even.
So. What are people ordering? What is the most popular thing on the list?
A recent survey and map tracked the most popular McDonald’s menu item in each state. It gave us a little snapshot of America’s fast food choices.
And their clear winner?
The Quarter Pounder.
Nine states crowned it king. This was especially true across the South and West. It has been around for several decades now. I suppose people love a bigger burger. Some of these have come and gone in other food chains, but the Quarter Pounder remains a fixture.
Here is a funny story about that big sandwich. In the 1980s, A&W introduced a third-pound burger at the same price. Guess what? The thing failed. It lost out because customers thought one-third was smaller than one-fourth. Apparently, fast food eaters aren’t so good at math.
Anyway, back to McDonald’s. In second place comes the McCrispy. It is McDonald’s answer to the chicken sandwich. They introduced it in 2021, and it quickly found loyal fans in states like Illinois, Maryland, and Utah. Crunchy chicken and mayo. What’s not to like?
The McChicken came in third, especially in places like California and Missouri. It’s not new. But I suppose it is a reliable favorite. I wonder how those chickens feel.
Then things get wonky. Some states don’t reach for sandwiches at all. Tennessee and Virginia favor hotcakes. Breakfast for dinner. Michigan and Ohio go all in on Chicken McNuggets. Lots of kids, I think. Nebraska and Rhode Island break from the pack entirely, choosing the Oreo McFlurry.
But then there is this.
I asked ChatGPT about the top McDonald’s items.
This is what Chatty said.
French Fries
Big Mac
Chicken McNuggets
Quarter Pounder with Cheese
Egg McMuffin
McFlurry Oreo
Hash Browns
That sounds more like it.
I usually get the Big Mac or the Filet’O’Fish.
But I haven’t been to McDonald’s for about ten years.
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“What we eat says a lot about who we are.”— Anthony Bourdain
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“Fast food isn’t about speed. It’s about familiarity.”— Michael Pollan
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“People want comfort, and food is one of the fastest ways to get it.”— Ruth Reichl
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