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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Bethan Shufflebotham

I went to McDonald’s to try the Spanish menu and the halloumi fries are golden

Today is the day cheese lovers have been waiting for. Halloumi fries have FINALLY arrived on the McDonald’s menu as part of a tasty Spanish inspired summer menu.

The high street fast food chain has launched two brand new burgers, the cheesy side, a refreshing drink and a fan-favourite McFlurry as part of their Taste of Spain and Cyprus menu, which launched in stores today (July 27).

And I got to be one of the first to get my hands on the new menu items at 11am this morning after heading into the kitchen myself to watch exactly how they’re made.

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The two burgers include the beef-based Spicy Spanish Stack and the Chicken Fiesta, both of which cost £5.39. There’s a new summer punch drink costing £2.29 for a medium or £2.61 for large, while halloumi fries will come in at £2.49 for a single portion, or £6.49 for a share box.

Heading into the kitchen, I watched as the team got to work making orders the moment they started to roll in.

The Spicy Spanish Stack comes on a paprika bun onto which goes Bravas sauce on both the top and bottom. Then on goes three or four red onion rings, seasonal lettuce and spicy cheddar cheese followed by not one, but two beef patties that get sandwiched between the dressed buns.

Meanwhile, the Chicken Fiesta is virtually the same, this time with a lattice bun and one, rather than two pumps of Bravas sauce. Onions, seasonal lettuce and spicy cheddar cheese all go on, but the Chicken Fiesta features a pico chicken patty and three tasty chorizo slices.

The halloumi fries come in bags of four or share boxes of 12, and are fried before entering the Universal Holding Cabinet (UHC) ready to be bagged up.

Then there’s the summer punch, which is a light and fruity summer drink which, unlike many of McDonald’s drinks, isn’t blended, and a Galaxy Cookie Crumble McFlurry.

After watching my order be made in real-time at lightning speed, I was ready to sit and eat my food in two minutes flat.

I couldn’t wait to tuck into the halloumi fries - something I’ve been willing to be on the menu for years - and they didn’t disappoint. They weren’t squeaky as halloumi can often be, but instead were soft on the inside with a crisp coating and offered that salty cheese flavour we all know and love. I really hope these become a regular menu item throughout the year because they are absolutely golden. They could even rival my seasonal favourite festive cheese bites.

The Spicy Spanish Stack is the smaller of the two premium burgers, but is full of flavour and packs a punch. It’s not too spicy, but instead offers a tasty kick thanks to a dual helping of Bravas sauce and paprika bun. The Chicken Fiesta was my favourite of the two, though. The spicy cheddar with the pico chicken and chorizo was a match made in heaven - it’s like a charcuterie board on a burger, which I’m all for.

The Mediterranean inspired menu saw the Tiramisu McFlurry swapped out for the Galaxy Cookie Crumble, which is sure to be a hit this summer with crunchy cookie pieces and smooth chocolate sauce. I’ve got a real sweet tooth and it was the ideal way to finish my McDonald’s meal, considering the sun had also made an appearance.

And finally, for those days where you just need to be on a sun lounger with a cold drink in hand, there’s the summer punch. It’s like an adult slushie and offers a burst of berry freshness that is sure to quench your thirst and almost make you feel like you’re on holiday.

The new menu items are available from 11am each day until September 6.

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