The second wave of McDonald's summer menu has seen the focus switch from June's Italian theme to new Mediterranean-based options. Released today, self-confessed Golden Arches fan Aaron Morris - a reporter on our sister site Chronicle Live - has already sampled the new additions, rating one of the latest offerings a mouth-watering 5/5 but another an underwhelming 1/5.
Last month's "taste of Italy" range saw the fast food giant's disciples gorging on the Italian Stack, the Crispy Chicken Italiano, the Tiramisu McFlurry and the mozzarella dippers. Now, the replacement limited-time choices have a Spanish and Cypriot twist and Aaron beat the queues to become one of the first customers to taste them.
Please read on for his scores on the doors:
The Spicy Spanish Stack - £5.39
"As far as McDonald's creations go, they seem to have somewhat missed the mark with their featured beef burger this time around. Although the product description seems as Spanish as it gets with patatas bravas sauce, onions, spicy cheddar and lettuce, the taste doesn't back it up at all.
"Don't get me wrong, the meat, as always, has its signature special taste, but the rest of the ingredients seem a little lost at sea. The sauce portioning at my local Maccies may be partially to blame, but I didn't get a great deal from it - with the salsa dipping pots you get with many sides packing more of a punch. I wouldn't say it was the most disappointing burger I've ever wrapped my mouth around, but it wasn't exactly anything special either."
Total score: 3/5
The Chicken Fiesta - £5.39
"The absolute pick of the bunch for me came in the form of the Chicken Fiesta. A mammoth chicken breast, lashed with spicy cheddar, rich tomato sauce, lettuce and onions - it's definitely the real deal.
"The bun itself is dusted with paprika which gives it a luscious little kick, while a layer of chorizo comes as a nice surprise, adding depth and texture. The chicken, on this occasion, was juicy and tender and, presentation wise, it was clearly made with care, and not slung together in a rush like many McDonald's I've suffered before. Top tier for the Chicken Fiesta."
Total score: 5/5
Halloumi Fries - £2.49 single, £6.49 share box
"No doubt, like many others across the United Kingdom, to say I was excited when I heard the news that halloumi fries would be introduced to the menu would be an absolute understatement. Whenever I dine out and see these little sticks of cheese on the menu, I waste no time in ordering them.
"Like many other fried cheese products from McDonalds, they come as a single portion for £2.49 or in the form of a share box for £6.49 - which is reasonable enough considering they usually hit the mark regardless of whether they are in disk, bite or stick form. However, I was far from impressed by Maccies' take on the halloumi fry.
"I would probably even go as far to say that they're the worst cheese-based product that the fast food giant has ever released. They're not too dissimilar to the mozzarella sticks in taste, even though it's two completely different types of cheese - and mine had a slight apple pie flavour to it (I can only imagine that the pies were being fried with them this afternoon).
"It's a shame as they look the real deal on paper and, even when you open the box up and see them, they have a delightful and appealing visage about them, but it's all downhill when it gets to the taste test. Very chewy and with the batter almost soggy, they're simply not pleasant. It's safe to say I probably won't be ordering these again in the near future, unless they tweak their recipe to hone in on mistakes made."
Total score: 1/5
Spanish Fruit Punch - £2.29 medium, £2.61 large
"I'm an absolute sucker for a summer drink - with glass bottles of Calypso's still soda being the cream of the crop in my eyes (despite their average sugar content). So, when I found out McDonald's were releasing a summer fruit punch, I was sold.
"I had high hopes after sampling KFC's watermelon and lime cooler last summer, and the fast-food Goliaths really delivered with their own take on a summer refreshment. A very sweet and fruity concoction, tasting similar to a strawberry and lime Kopparberg - and, from the first sip to the last drop, it's absolute nectar. My only qualm is that there's simply not enough, and it feels as if it's done in a number of mouthfuls."
Total score: 4/5
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