Even if you already love McDonald's hash browns, you have to ask yourself: How well do you
really know them — and how well could you annoy friends by reciting unsolicited facts
about this legendary foodstuff?
Need some new material?
Get ready for the truth about McDonald's famous hash browns.
In 1969, McDonald's had barely begun to realize its full potential.
That's because in the late '60s, cheap burgers and milkshakes were the company's major claim
to fame.
"Here you are.”
“What's this?”
“Your food.”
“No, no, no.
I just ordered.”
“And now it's here.”
But that all began to change in 1970, when franchisee Jim Delligatti first received permission
from the top brass at corporate to begin selling donuts and sweet rolls during breakfast hours.
The idea was enough to get execs at the Golden Arches interested in the viability of a breakfast
menu — and they began testing the Egg McMuffin in 1971.
Fast forward to 1977, and McDonald's rolled out a full breakfast menu that included the
well-received Egg McMuffin, along with hotcakes, English muffins, sausage, Danish, and yes…
the now-infamous hash brown.
"Sure are cute little rascals aren't they?”
Within ten years, McDonald's would go on to achieve a statistical milestone, serving one
out of every four breakfasts eaten outside of the home.
The rest… is fast food breakfast history.
News flash: eating a McDonald's hash brown while operating a motor vehicle could land
you in court — yeah, seriously.
In 2018, Connecticut motorist Jason Stiber was pulled over for talking on a cell phone
while operating a motor vehicle, landing him a $300 ticket for "distracted driving."
But there was just one issue: Stiber maintains that he wasn't talking on a cell phone; he
was happily noshing a McDonald's hash brown.
"I don't blame the cop for misinterpreting what he thought he saw, but the fact of the
matter is there was no cell phone use and we have the cell phone records to establish
that fact.”
Stiber is fighting the citation in court, and it turns out he's got some evidence to
back up his claims.
His cell phone records allegedly show no calls placed from his cell phone around the time
of the infraction.
Here's a fact that really nearly broke the internet: McDonald's hash browns, like their
french fries, can be ordered well-done.
Turns out, with a simple request for "well done", the venerable hash brown can be transformed
from a sad, pale, and oily potato, to the golden brown, crunchy patty of your dreams.
And of course, thanks to McDonald's All-Day Breakfast, perfectly crispy hash browns can
even be served alongside your regular burger, in place of fries.
Our only question is: Why aren't the hash browns always cooked this way?
Are you living a gluten-free lifestyle?
Well, we've got some unfortunate news for you: McDonald's hash browns are not a gluten-free
food.
Listed right there in the ingredients is a big, all-caps warning that reads:
"CONTAINS WHEAT AND MILK."
"My God, that’s so sad!”
Though the hash browns are coated in corn flour for crunchiness, the wheat and milk
addition is probably linked to the "Natural Beef Flavor" that's also added to the mix.
Those avoiding gluten also need to be concerned with cross-contamination in the fryer oil,
since the same fryers are used for both hash browns and McDonald's french fries — another
item spiked with wheat and milk.
"You guys give up?
Or are you thirsty for more?"
McDonald's breakfast sandwiches, from the Egg White Delight to the Triple Breakfast
Stack Sausage McGriddle, are as close to portable breakfast perfection as mankind has been able
to achieve thus far.
But what if we told you there was a way to make your breakfast sandwich even better?
"You deserve better than this.”
So, this isn't so much a "hack," as it is "living your best life."
And it's as easy as breakfast pie.
Simply order the McMuffin of your choice, remove the top layer of English muffin or
biscuit, slip that hash brown right inside, and replace the lid.
Then enjoy your new and improved breakfast sandwich, complete with new levels of crunch,
greasiness, and deliciousness.
You're welcome.
We're in no way qualified to be dispensing anything remotely resembling medical advice,
but we will say this: McDonald's Hash Browns aren't going to undo the 13 Stoli-Raz-and-sodas
you drank last night.
But they aren't not going to help, either.
"I don't even remember going to dinner.”
“I know.
F---, I don't think I've ever been this hungover.”
“After the Hard Rock I blacked out, it was like emptiness.”
Contrary to what the internet may have led you to believe, greasy foods are not going
to help your body "soak up the alcohol."
But if eating a big plate of fried stuff makes you feel a little better after a hangover,
it probably has more to do with the carb load — which is easy for the body to digest.
And you probably are getting some electrolytes from all the salt, as well… but certainly
not enough to "cure" a hangover.
But either way, McDonald's hash browns are delicious — and if they don't exactly solve
your hangover problem, they a little bit make up for regrettable life choices.
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