Hint: This food has been on the menu since 1949, and sells by the billions every day. Can you guess?
This Is the Most Popular Fast Food Menu Item of All Time
Updated Jun. 26, 2019
A handful of foods are so popular they’re actually iconic. Most people not only know how they taste but also how they look, their packaging, the way they smell. McDonald’s french fries epitomize this: the thin, pliable red cardboard container, the golden exterior and fluffy interior, the extra fine salt sticking to my fingers. I always dig into the box for the short, brittle, super-crunchy fries, though the longer, softer fries are definitely the best for dipping.
Turns out, I’m far from alone in my love for McDonald’s fries: They’re the most popular fast food of all time.
(Want to know the scientific reason McDonald’s fries are so tasty?)
By the Numbers
Obviously, McDonald’s is a burger-slinging giant, with 37,000 restaurants worldwide and 14,155 in the U.S. alone. They feed 69 million customers every day. How many fries does that require? About 9 million pounds. Every single day.
According to NBC News, McDonald’s uses more than 3.4 billion pounds of U.S.-grown potatoes every year. They’re the biggest buyer of potatoes in the entire world.
More mind-blowing facts about McDonald’s right this way.
Why Fries Are #1
According to HowStuffWorks, french fries are the most popular menu item at McDonald’s. Not only do many people order fries on their own, fries are also included in almost every meal, from Happy Meals to the biggest burger combos on the board.
Fries also have another edge on rival fast food menu items: They’ve been around for decades. French fries first appeared in 1949—back then they were made with fresh potatoes! Frozen spuds came along in 1967. Here’s what the McDonald’s menu looked like the year you were born.
What Makes ’em So Good?
Some people say it’s the coat of sugar the fresh-cut potatoes get before they’re frozen—the slight sweetness offsets all that salt and makes you keep eating. Others believe it’s the company’s artificial beef flavoring, which was added in the mid-’90s when the company switched from frying in beef fat to frying in vegetable oil (a move that made fries trans-fat free). The artificial beef flavor contains hydrolyzed wheat and hydrolyzed milk, so the fries aren’t gluten-free or vegan.
It might not sound particularly delicious, but they sure taste good.
How Do I Make French Fries At Home?
While you can’t beat the convenience of a drive-thru, this copycat fry recipe will satisfy your fast food cravings.
Ingredients
- 2 medium baking potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch julienned slices. A mandoline slicer ($30) makes quick work of this task!
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
Directions
- Place potatoes in a bowl drizzle with butter and toss to coat. Transfer to a lightly greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan.
- Bake, uncovered, at 400° for 45 minutes until golden brown, turning once. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Craving more McDonald’s? Replicate more of their signature foods at home.
McDonald's Copycats to Make NOW
Inspired By: Chicken McNuggetsI like to make these golden chicken nuggets because they’re so quick and easy. My whole family loves them. The seasoning can also be used on chicken breast halves to make amazing sandwiches. —Annette Ellyson, Carolina, West Virginia
Inspired By: McDonald's French FriesIt's a fact that McDonald's fries are one of their best-selling items, so we've created an even tastier way to eat their fries! The addition of Parmesan and garlic is optional, but they make this side dish simply irresistible. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Inspired By: Egg McMuffinOn a busy morning, this McDonald's copycat recipe save the day. A hearty combo of eggs, Canadian bacon and cheese will keep you fueled through lunchtime and beyond. —Christine Rukavena, Taste of Home Senior Editor
Inspired By: Quarter Pounder with CheeseThis McDonald's copycat recipe is a terrific taste of summer served with tall glasses of lemonade or cola. —Jesse & Anne Foust, Bluefield, West Virginia
Inspired By: Bacon, Egg & Cheese BiscuitI turned classic breakfast sandwiches into something heartier that you could even enjoy for dinner. We pile toppings like salsa and avocado—mayo and ketchup, too—on the homemade biscuits. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas
Inspired By: Honey Mustard SauceThis fast, easy mustard with rice vinegar and honey has more flavor than any other honey mustard dressing I've ever tried. —Sharon Rehm, New Blaine, Arkansas
Inspired By: McCafe Strawberry ShakeCool off with a thick and rich treat that will remind you of a malt shoppe! Nothing can beat this McDonald’s copycat strawberry shake recipe. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana.
Inspired By: HotcakesI found this fluffy and easy pancake recipe among our old family favorites and adapted it to make a small amount. It's quick and easy to prepare, but we still consider it a special treat. —Eugene Presley, Council, Virginia
Inspired By: Chicken SelectsHere's how to deep-fry or bake crispy, golden chicken strips, plus tons of ideas for how to serve them.
Inspired By: Tangy Barbecue SauceI've never cared that much for store bought barbecue sauce. I just like to make things myself from scratch including this spicy, deep red-brown sauce. You'll find it clings well when you slather it on grilled meat. —Helena Georgette Mann, Sacramento, California
Inspired By: Cinnamon MeltsA slow cooker turns day-old cinnamon rolls into a comforting, old-fashioned dessert. It tastes wonderful topped with lemon or vanilla sauce or whipped cream. —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana
Inspired By: McRibPerfect for a weekday dinner or cozy weekend meal, this McDonald's copycat recipe makes fall-off-the-bone tender meat with delicious flavor. —Margaret Luchsinger, Jupiter, Florida
Inspired By: Fruit & Maple OatmealI tasted muesli on a trip to Switzerland, and when I came home, I made it my way. Keep things interesting (and avoid midmorning munchies) by adding different fruits and nuts every day. —Maddie Kirk, Springfield, Pennsylvania
Inspired By: Filet-O-FishThe seasoned breading of this hearty sandwich turns mild-flavored cod or halibut into a taste sensation, and the creamy sauce just keeps it going! —Mildred Caruso, Brighton, Tennessee
Inspired By: Spicy Chicken McNuggetsBoth adults and adventurous kids will love these spicy chicken nuggets. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce.
Inspired By: Sausage BurritoThis is a great kid-friendly recipe that takes only 20 minutes to prepare and cook. —Sharon Haswell, Cheshire, Massachusetts
Inspired By: Sweet BBQ Bacon BurgerEvery family has a burger of choice, and this McDonald's copycat recipe is ours. It's stacked tall with bacon and crunchy onion rings. —Paula Homer, Nampa, Idaho
Inspired By: Fruit 'N Yogurt ParfaitThe best time for this dessert is midsummer, when the blueberries are thick in our northern woods. Red raspberries can be added to the mixed berries, too, to brighten the patriotic colors. —Anne Theriault, Wellesley, Massachusetts
Inspired By: Eggnog Shake
Enjoy the flavors of Christmas all-year-round with this McDonald's Eggnog Shake recipe. Simply add eggnog, vanilla ice cream, rum extract and nutmeg to a blender and blend it all together for that perfect milkshake. Don't forget the cherry on top! —Taste of Home Test KitchenNote: Every product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Originally Published: June 26, 2019
