McDonald’s fries sizes

Author
Discussion

Spare tyre

Original Poster:

10,650 posts

140 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
quotequote all
I have a couple of McDonald’s a few times a month - typically when I have a car full work kit I’m reluctant to leave - so use a drive through

In the last couple of years I don’t reckon I’ve received more than 60% of my fries (when ordering large)

I maintain you get the same amount of fries in a large or medium container as it’s the same tool to scoop the fries up and they are just lazy

If I’m in the restaurant on foot I always mention it and I get what the serving suggestion looks like in the pictures

Any one else noticed this, first world problem I know, but if it was any other product people would kick up ore of a fuss

bolidemichael

15,697 posts

211 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
quotequote all
My brother in law is very economical with his money, and ordering medium fries is an indicator of his financial prudence. He has always maintained the same, that medium is always better value.

Lotobear

7,482 posts

138 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
quotequote all
My son has a wheeze with McD - always asks for fries without salt and reckons you then get them freshly cooked. Then he adds his own salt.

Probably correct about the size - it's a bit like curry in a pub, if you don't take up the 'half and half' option you still get the same amount of rice as you do with chips and rice

Terminator X

16,748 posts

214 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
quotequote all
Lotobear said:
My son has a wheeze with McD - always asks for fries without salt and reckons you then get them freshly cooked. Then he adds his own salt.

Probably correct about the size - it's a bit like curry in a pub, if you don't take up the 'half and half' option you still get the same amount of rice as you do with chips and rice
As a kid I used to ask for a cheeseburger x2 no gherkin. Same thing, it always came freshly made.

TX.

sherman

14,039 posts

225 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
quotequote all
The mcdonalds fry scoop has the carton on the bottom so as they shovel the fries the go directly in the carton.
The fries actually in the container will be more in the medium as the scoop is one size and will fill it fuller than the bigger large carton if only one scoop of fries is used.

The no salt is a fallacy as they will get fresh fries but still the same amount and they will still be drained into the same salted hot box serving area.

Same as no gerkhins just means a premade on gets reopened and the gekhins taken off and served.

Yes I once upon a time worked in Mcdonalds

Terminator X

16,748 posts

214 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
quotequote all
sherman said:
The mcdonalds fry scoop has the carton on the bottom so as they shovel the fries the go directly in the carton.
The fries actually in the container will be more in the medium as the scoop is one size and will fill it fuller than the bigger large carton if only one scoop of fries is used.

The no salt is a fallacy as they will get fresh fries but still the same amount and they will still be drained into the same salted hot box serving area.

Same as no gerkhins just means a premade on gets reopened and the gekhins taken off and served.

Yes I once upon a time worked in Mcdonalds
No way as it would still taste of gherkins + it used to take them at least 5 mins to arrive and piping hot not lukewarm.

TX.

CKY

2,039 posts

25 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
quotequote all
Terminator X said:
sherman said:
The mcdonalds fry scoop has the carton on the bottom so as they shovel the fries the go directly in the carton.
The fries actually in the container will be more in the medium as the scoop is one size and will fill it fuller than the bigger large carton if only one scoop of fries is used.

The no salt is a fallacy as they will get fresh fries but still the same amount and they will still be drained into the same salted hot box serving area.

Same as no gerkhins just means a premade on gets reopened and the gekhins taken off and served.

Yes I once upon a time worked in Mcdonalds
No way as it would still taste of gherkins + it used to take them at least 5 mins to arrive and piping hot not lukewarm.

TX.
Nothing like a former employee offering a direct experience, and being refuted by some "back in myyyy dayyyy" memories of childhood rofl

blue_haddock

4,075 posts

77 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
quotequote all
sherman said:
The mcdonalds fry scoop has the carton on the bottom so as they shovel the fries the go directly in the carton.
The fries actually in the container will be more in the medium as the scoop is one size and will fill it fuller than the bigger large carton if only one scoop of fries is used.

The no salt is a fallacy as they will get fresh fries but still the same amount and they will still be drained into the same salted hot box serving area.

Same as no gerkhins just means a premade on gets reopened and the gekhins taken off and served.

Yes I once upon a time worked in Mcdonalds
You obviously havent worked in one for quite a while as they havent pre-made stuff for quite a few years.

All burgers are made on demand now.

Terminator X

16,748 posts

214 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
quotequote all
CKY said:
Terminator X said:
sherman said:
The mcdonalds fry scoop has the carton on the bottom so as they shovel the fries the go directly in the carton.
The fries actually in the container will be more in the medium as the scoop is one size and will fill it fuller than the bigger large carton if only one scoop of fries is used.

The no salt is a fallacy as they will get fresh fries but still the same amount and they will still be drained into the same salted hot box serving area.

Same as no gerkhins just means a premade on gets reopened and the gekhins taken off and served.

Yes I once upon a time worked in Mcdonalds
No way as it would still taste of gherkins + it used to take them at least 5 mins to arrive and piping hot not lukewarm.

TX.
Nothing like a former employee offering a direct experience, and being refuted by some "back in myyyy dayyyy" memories of childhood rofl
2 sets of first hand experience you say coffee

TX.

wyson

2,968 posts

114 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
quotequote all
blue_haddock said:
You obviously havent worked in one for quite a while as they havent pre-made stuff for quite a few years.

All burgers are made on demand now.
Exactly this, there is a massive thread here dedicated to McDonald’s new ordering system. The only thing I have seen ‘pre made’ are row of fries in my local McD’s, and then only in peak hours. All the burgers are made to order, no matter when you go in.

blue_haddock

4,075 posts

77 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
quotequote all
CKY said:
Terminator X said:
sherman said:
The mcdonalds fry scoop has the carton on the bottom so as they shovel the fries the go directly in the carton.
The fries actually in the container will be more in the medium as the scoop is one size and will fill it fuller than the bigger large carton if only one scoop of fries is used.

The no salt is a fallacy as they will get fresh fries but still the same amount and they will still be drained into the same salted hot box serving area.

Same as no gerkhins just means a premade on gets reopened and the gekhins taken off and served.

Yes I once upon a time worked in Mcdonalds
No way as it would still taste of gherkins + it used to take them at least 5 mins to arrive and piping hot not lukewarm.

TX.
Nothing like a former employee offering a direct experience, and being refuted by some "back in myyyy dayyyy" memories of childhood rofl
I may not work for them but my eldest daughter has been with them for 6 years and is now a shift manager for them whilst doing her post grad degree and her boyfriend is 1st assistant manager for them which is basically second in command at the branch.

So as a result i've got pretty good knowledge of their working practices and certainly much more up to date than someone who worked for them many years ago.

sherman

14,039 posts

225 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
quotequote all
blue_haddock said:
You obviously havent worked in one for quite a while as they havent pre-made stuff for quite a few years.

All burgers are made on demand now.
True its been a few years but what I said is exactly how it was done in my day. I only worked for them for 2 years.

wyson

2,968 posts

114 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
quotequote all
Has anyone tried the large size in the States? I was a tourist in NYC. The chap asked if I want to supersize. I was really hungry and thirsty so said sure, thinking it would be like a UK large. Holy moly. I needed both hands to lift the cup it was so girthy. I couldn’t finish all the fries, it was ridiculous, like 2x or 3x medium UK fries. The burger was the same size though, quarter pounder with cheese. It looked like a cheeseburger next to that soda and fries though.

ambuletz

11,079 posts

191 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
quotequote all
wyson said:
Has anyone tried the large size in the States? I was a tourist in NYC. The chap asked if I want to supersize. I was really hungry and thirsty so said sure, thinking it would be like a UK large. Holy moly. I needed both hands to lift the cup it was so girthy. I couldn’t finish all the fries, it was ridiculous, like 2x or 3x medium UK fries. The burger was the same size though, quarter pounder with cheese. It looked like a cheeseburger next to that soda and fries though.
must've been a long time ago you went to NYC, ever since the 'supersize me' movie came out in 2004 they've stopped the supersize option.

wyson

2,968 posts

114 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
quotequote all
ambuletz said:
must've been a long time ago you went to NYC, ever since the 'supersize me' movie came out in 2004 they've stopped the supersize option.
Yup was in 2000. Their large size must still be massive. Have you been recently?

bolidemichael

15,697 posts

211 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
quotequote all
In Five Guys (UK), I always order small fries when eating in and they fill the container and the bag up with them! It'll feed a family of four (alongside the other bits and bobs) easily. We just grab some of the peanut containers and portion them out.

ambuletz

11,079 posts

191 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
quotequote all
according to mconalds

medium fries - 337cal
large fries - 444cal

wyson

2,968 posts

114 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
quotequote all
ambuletz said:
according to mconalds

medium fries - 337cal
large fries - 444cal
On the USA website:
medium fries are 320cal
large fries are 480cal

So not ridiculous anymore.

Supersize fries were 610cal. So pretty much 2x a medium fries.

The supersize soda was 42oz, about 1.2litres.

Sort of disappointed they got rid of their supersize.

Edited by wyson on Thursday 16th November 17:53

The Gauge

3,777 posts

23 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
quotequote all
wyson said:
ambuletz said:
must've been a long time ago you went to NYC, ever since the 'supersize me' movie came out in 2004 they've stopped the supersize option.
Yup was in 2000. Their large size must still be massive. Have you been recently?

I was in NY a few weeks ago and their large drinks were enormous, as the other poster said you almost need two hands to pick it up. They may have got rid of the term ‘supersize’ but their drinks certainly are supersize.

greysquirrel

333 posts

179 months

Thursday 16th November 2023
quotequote all
wyson said:
Has anyone tried the large size in the States? I was a tourist in NYC. The chap asked if I want to supersize. I was really hungry and thirsty so said sure, thinking it would be like a UK large. Holy moly. I needed both hands to lift the cup it was so girthy. I couldn’t finish all the fries, it was ridiculous, like 2x or 3x medium UK fries. The burger was the same size though, quarter pounder with cheese. It looked like a cheeseburger next to that soda and fries though.
Ha, I once did this in Florida in about 2000 around the time of the supersize me film. I was 17 at the time. I proudly asked for a double quarter pounder supersized. The lady behind the counter, no doubt hearing my English accent, simply said “you don’t want that”. Gave me a medium and I couldn’t finish it. The drink cup was a bucket, and it was free refills!