McDonald's Fried Chicken Wings

Seeing a new product offering at McD's. Fried chicken wings.

How are they?

Here's a review from last August:

http://www.seriouseats.com/2012/08/mcdo ... -what.html

The wings are actually pretty tasty. The skin is crispy; the meat moist. The wings come unsauced. The dipping sauces are brutal and the container is too small for the wing and it is annoying to dip a chicken wing (which is why they usually come sauced).

Although it is one of their better efforts, I'd be surprised if it becomes a full time menu item. IMHO...operationally, it would be too complex to sauce the wings after their cooked and before they are served. Saucing them before they are cooked would probably sacrifice the crispy skin. I'm not sure people will be able to accept the inconvenience of dipping them on their own (I could be wrong) and the premium price. The three pictured below were $3 - for the same #of calories for a cheeseburger. A 5 piece value meal may be about $7 (I can't recall). For a reason that I don't understand, the price of chicken wings can't be hedged as easily as the breast/nuggets/scraps. When the prices get high restaurants like Buffalo Wild Wings change their marketing to focus on other, higher-margin menu items. McDonalds is such a large buyer, they'd probably move the market a bit if they offered it as a permanent menu item in all their locations. Maybe they will offer it from time to time when the prices are advantageous to them.

Here is a photo:

milz50 wrote:The three pictured below were $3 - for the same #of calories for a cheeseburger. A 5 piece value meal may be about $7 (I can't recall). For a reason that I don't understand, the price of chicken wings can't be hedged as easily as the breast/nuggets/scraps.

Milz50,

Have you bought chicken wings recently? I shop frequently at Pete's and Fairplay, both of which have pretty competetive prices and whole chicken wings hover around $3.49 a lb, which I believe is due to demand, just like oxtails, soup bones and flank and skirt steak, which at one time were almost give away items. I paid $1.99 a lb the other day for beef knuckle bones. Sad.

Flanken short ribs were $4.99.

The wings look pretty good.

I tried a 5 piece the other day.

Do yourself a favor and go to the Jewel if you're really that out of options.

What do you mean by out of options?

kenji wrote:What do you mean by out of options?

I believe he means if you have such little options of things to eat that you are resorting to eating wings at McDonald's.

Evil Ronnie wrote:Milz50,

Have you bought chicken wings recently? I shop frequently at Pete's and Fairplay, both of which have pretty competetive prices and whole chicken wings hover around $3.49 a lb, which I believe is due to demand, just like oxtails, soup bones and flank and skirt steak, which at one time were almost give away items. I paid $1.99 a lb the other day for beef knuckle bones. Sad.

Flanken short ribs were $4.99.

The wings look pretty good.

Ronnie...I, for the life of me, cannot figure out the purpose of your post. Please enlighten me.

Are you disputing my use of the term "premium price"?

I wasn't stating that the wings are expensive when compared with the prices at Buffalo Wild Wings or Toons. I was stating that it is an expensive item for the menu at McDonald's, causing many to search for substitute goods, such as nuggets or burgers. McDonald's could sell a TruffledMcAndCheese or UniNuggets at cost, but if the menu price is more than customers are accustomed to paying, they may not sell well.

Wings are no longer a cheap item.

milz50 wrote:The wings are actually pretty tasty. The skin is crispy; the meat moist. The wings come unsauced. The dipping sauces are brutal and the container is too small for the wing and it is annoying to dip a chicken wing (which is why they usually come sauced).

I thought they were pretty good too. I ordered them with their hot mustard sauce which provided a nice kick. I heard that they are supposed to be 2 for $1.00 on Tuesday & Wednesday but I don't have a link.

Judge away, but I really like McD's Mighty Wings... The name, not so much.

They had these wings in Singapore as a special limited time promotion when I was younger, and I have seen them being offered in the US (maybe twice in the last 10 years!). I hope they keep them around longer. Meanwhile, I know what I am having for lunch today...

Hi,

My friend Helen and I split an order of 10 wings the other day. At the Highland Park McDonald's, this was less than $10.

I liked these better than Buffalo Wings where you have fried wings bathed in butter and hot sauce. These had some heat in the breading and were perfectly fine to eat as-is. We ordered (Asian) sweet chili and their hot mustard sauces, both choices are pretty decent for fast food. Helen who ordered the mustard drifted over to my chili. I happened to like the hot mustard better than the chili, so we quickly exchanged sauces.

While they have a Ranch sauce option, there is no blue cheese. It is tempting to bring your own and a few celery sticks.

I fully expected to order something else after checking out the wings. Helen gave me her fifth wing, because she was full. After six hefty wings, I was fine to go.

If we had not been sidelined by the wings, we would have had a Big Mac. We ended up spending twice more than planned and likely will again.

Regards,

zoid wrote:I tried a 5 piece the other day.

Do yourself a favor and go to the Jewel if you're really that out of options.

But how were the wings?

Artie wrote:... I heard that they are supposed to be 2 for $1.00 on Tuesday & Wednesday but I don't have a link.

I might try them for that price.

Cathy2 wrote: These had some heat in the breading and were perfectly fine to eat as-is.

Agreed.

Artie wrote:I thought they were pretty good too. I ordered them with their hot mustard sauce which provided a nice kick. I heard that they are supposed to be 2 for $1.00 on Tuesday & Wednesday but I don't have a link.

Saw a sign at the McDonald's on Dempster in Evanston and a quick ad on TV last night promoting the wings at 2 for $1 today and tomorrow (1/15 and 1/16). I called the Evanston McD's to ask if there would be a limit on how many wings you could order at the special price and was told no limit. However, the small disclaimer on the TV ad said one sample per customer....

This post is ruining LTH's street cred.

I am guilty as well.

I had some with my lunch today just to sample and found them perfectly fine. Do not forsee them becoming part of regular lunch rotation, but certainly one of the better options at McDonald's if you are in a pinch.

rmtraut wrote:This post is ruining LTH's street cred.

Nonsense!

I refuse to be a snob. Admittedly there are somethings I like more than others, though I will try absolutely everything.

Since the price-is-right, I went to McD's. I immediately asked if I could order more than one sample box. They checked their cash register to find there were no limitations. I ordered three boxes of two wings each for $3 and some change.

I, too, must confess.....
I got the "wing for a dollar" special today at MickyD's. I was surprised and impressed that the wing was well fried and seasoned. The wing was at least 10 times better than those quasi-chicken nuggets they sell. They're wing was fried perfectly to a golden brown color. The seasonings were subtle, I just tasted the correct ammount of salt and pepper. The "dollar wing" measured up well to wings that can be purchased at number of independent fast food joints around the city and surburbs for a little more than half the price of the McDonald's product.

The regular price of $3.00 for two chicken wings is simply too expensive for me to do with any regularity. Its easier to fry them myself, or get six wings, fries, and bread from the joint the neighborhood.

beelewis wrote:I, too, must confess.....
I got the "wing for a dollar" special today at MickyD's. I was surprised and impressed that the wing was well fried and seasoned. The wing was at least 10 times better than those quasi-chicken nuggets they sell. They're wing was fried perfectly to a golden brown color. The seasonings were subtle, I just tasted the correct ammount of salt and pepper. The "dollar wing" measured up well to wings that can be purchased at number of independent fast food joints around the city and surburbs for a little more than half the price of the McDonald's product.

The regular price of $3.00 for two chicken wings is simply too expensive for me to do with any regularity. Its easier to fry them myself, or get six wings, fries, and bread from the joint the neighborhood.

............Their wing was fried perfectly to a golden brown color.......

beelewis wrote:The regular price of $3.00 for two chicken wings is simply too expensive for me to do with any regularity.

Regular price is $2.99 for 3

I also picked up the sampler today. Impressive for McDonalds. As metioned previously, the breading does have a kick. I got the honey and drizzled it on the wings which made for a nice sweet/spicey combo.

As far as the "street cred," I'm with Cathy; we talk about anything and everything food related here. I stopped reading and posting for a long time due to certain attitudes expressed. I think it's great when an establishment can elevate itself with something edible on its menu.

It's very interesting to me that this thread is seeing so much action. I stopped by McDonald's on the way back from getting White Castle "supplies" for our event last weekend, and I wanted to try the Double Cheeseburger on the Dollar Menu to see how closely it approximated the Big Baby (it did, somewhat). I got the wings on an impulse and thought they compared well with other places that specialize in fried chicken.

I'm with C2 on the resistance to being a "snob." One of the drawbacks of being recognized as a food fanatic by civilians is that I constantly get the "well, you're the gourmet, so you would know" attitude, which is kind of sickening...though not as sickening as eating at White Castle ( )

I tried these wings as a work lunch last week... they were better than I'd expected, but they're too damn expensive for McDonald's. The 5-piece was $4.79, and a 10-piece would've been $8.99.

One can get 5 full wings (equal to 10 McD's wing segments) for $8.95 a Crisp, which are a hell of a lot better...

Did the sampler yesterday, 2 for a buck. Pretty good effort. The ranch dressing was yucky, honey would've been a much better complement. Quality kinda reminds me of those Banquet frozen wings you'd buy before there was a wing joint on every corner. McD's version is probably somewhat better than that.

Was limited to 2 for $1 at the location at Western and Milwaukee...was kinda banking on getting multiple for a cheap and lazy dinner. They were quite tasty though, and I agree that sauce is not necessary (good thing, as they didn't even include it in my bag). That being said, I don't think I would pay full price for these unless in a pinch (on a roadtrip, only option in airport, etc).

I tried them too. Was limited to one sampler, thought they were pretty decent. Their buffalo sauce has a creaminess to it which does not appeal to me. I also would not pay full price.

Since I have not had my McRib this year I stopped in.

Appetizer of the wing sampler... Flavorful and spicy breading. Would be too spicy for My Bride. Not big enough and a touch overcooked. Juicy from the deep fryer.

I would not go for a meal but perhaps a snack to round off a burger.

Even though the $1 for a McRib with purchase of a meal was over they honored the expired offer. I am good for another year.

I agree it should not affect LTH forum street cred. There are many people looking for reasonably priced fast, quick food and its good to see from time to time that some of the chains are delivering. Lets face it they are all over and can serve for a quick bite. I do love hearing also of the more refined food as well, and the little neighborhood places....all is of interest to me. I have not tried the wings at Mc D...I am not a big wing fan but I will pass it on to the fans in my family. My go to meal when I am tight on time and need a drive through eat is off the dollar menu. McDouble, small fries and a small coke zero. Will set you back $3.45 cents. You can't beat that price wise.

P.S. Supposedly they have drumettes too. They are calling them drumettes or wingettes.

http://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en/promotio ... wings.html

Tried McDonald's wings on Saturday . My hondurian kitchen crew has been eating them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner since they came out. ....not bad , they remind me of wings you would get at a ponderosa buffet circa 1987

A new regular item for those who had not heard.
http://search.yahoo.com/r/_ylt=A0oG7l39 ... -handle-it


Down with snobbery!