I visited McDonald's Global Menu Restaurant in Chicago — and tried delicious international fare like the Chinese Kung Pao Chicken Sandwich and Malaysian mango sundae


  • I visited McDonald's Global Menu Restaurant in Chicago, located on the lower level of its corporate headquarters. 
  • The restaurant was opened in 2018 and offers a rotating menu of global items from McDonald's locations worldwide. 
  • My favorite were the Spanish chocolate hazelnut McPops and the Chinese Kung Pao Crispy Chicken Sandwich. 
McDonald's first opened its hugely popular Global Menu Restaurant in 2018. It's located on the lower level of the company's global headquarters in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood.

McDonald's Global Menu Restaurant

"As part of our new headquarters, we wanted to provide our customers with an exciting way to experience our global menu right here in Chicago," Steve Easterbrook, then-McDonald's president and CEO said in 2018. "We are delighted to showcase a taste of McDonald's from all over the world making this location a one-of-a-kind experience that Chicagoans will enjoy with friends and family."

In recent years, the restaurant has become the subject of several viral TikTok videos, depicting the restaurant's unique and international fare.

Screenshot of a TikTok inside the McDonald's Global Menu Restaurant
I moved from Brooklyn to Chicago earlier in the year and decided to visit the restaurant. As I approached the restaurant, it was right next to Hamburger University. It is a training facility for high performing managers, middle managers, and owners-operators.

McDonald's Global Menu Restaurant

The program has multiple campuses around the world and is intended for high-performers. difficult to get into. Bloomberg previously reported that only 1% of applicants are accepted at the Shanghai campus. reported

 

 

Upon entering, I could already tell this was no ordinary McDonald's restaurant.

McDonald's Global Menu Restaurant
The space measures 6,000 square feet and features a modern, chic design.

McDonald's Global Menu Restaurant
Digital ordering screens inside the McDonald's Global Menu Restaurant.

A crew of friendly, well-dressed staff members greeted me immediately with a warm welcome. They directed me to the menu which showed global offerings and the flag it hails from.

McDonald's Global Menu Restaurant
You can also find a separate handout that gives you a better look at the current global menu items. The restaurant features a rotating menu of offerings from McDonald's locations around the world.

McDonald's Global Menu Restaurant
Near the register, there was a display case of pastries that immediately piqued my interest, featuring the classic apple pie, but also goodies I hadn't seen before at American McDonald's.

McDonald's Global Menu Restaurant
I also spotted a designated pick-up area for McDonald's employees. About 2,000 people work at the Chicago corporate headquarters.

McDonald's Global Menu Restaurant

Source: Chicago Tribune

Unfortunately, a couple global menu items weren't available when I visited — including the Benedict Bagel from New Zealand, and the mini donuts and mini apple fritters from Canada — but I ordered every global item I could.

McDonald's Global Menu Restaurant
I arrived just before lunch rush so there was plenty of seating. However, the restaurant was quickly crowded during my time there. After ordering, I was given a number and instructed to sit down and wait for a staffer to deliver my food — I definitely wasn't in a traditional McDonald's anymore.

McDonald's Global Menu Restaurant
My food arrived on a large tray about five minutes after I ordered it.

McDonald's Global Menu Restaurant
Before I could make a decision, I peeked under the lids.

McDonald's Global Menu Restaurant
I started with the mango sundae from Malaysia, $2.59, before it melted, and because sometimes it's fun to have dessert first.

McDonald's Global Menu Restaurant
I've long been a fan of McDonald's hot fudge sundae in the US, as well as the famous vanilla soft serve, so this was a pleasant surprise. The mango topping reminded of Fage yogurt cups, so it made me feel like I was eating frozen yogurt.

McDonald's Global Menu Restaurant
Next, it was time for me to try my two sandwiches.

McDonald's Global Menu Restaurant
I started with the Kung Pao Double Crispy Chicken sandwich, $5.99.

McDonald's Global Menu Restaurant
The sandwich contains two McChicken patties, shredded cabbage, and Kung Pao dressing on top of a cross-baked bun.

McDonald's Global Menu Restaurant
This was delicious with a nice combination of flavors that complimented the crispy chicken.

McDonald's Global Menu Restaurant
After a few bites, the Kung Pao was put on pause so I could test the Aussie Angus Burger, which costs $6.99 in Australia.

McDonald's Global Menu Restaurant

The Aussie Angus Burger is massively popular in AustraliaThis was only available for a brief time.

This one was immediately overwhelming. It was so large and messy, I couldn’t pick it up.

McDonald's Global Menu Restaurant
It includes 100% Aussie beef and garlic mayo, shredded salad, onion rings, Monterey Jack cheese, and a rasher bacon on an artisan rolling.

McDonald's Global Menu Restaurant
This was a product I really wanted to enjoy. But there was just too much going.

McDonald's Global Menu Restaurant
I once had to ask for utensils in order to eat it.

McDonald's Global Menu Restaurant
Last but not least, I was most excited for the Chocolate Hazelnut McPops (Spain), $3.99

McDonald's Global Menu Restaurant
These were great — you can't really go wrong with doughnuts filled with chocolate hazelnut spread and covered in powdered sugar.

McDonald's Global Menu Restaurant
I chose chocolate hazelnut, but you can also choose white chocolate cream. They were very well paired with my latte (nothing particularly special or global about the coffee but still delicious).

McDonald's Global Menu Restaurant
At this point, I was quite full and ready to call it quits. McPops and Kung Pao Crispy Chicken sandwiches were my favorites. I highly recommend this place.

McDonald's Global Menu Restaurant
Check out the original article Business Insider

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