By Derrick Warren, News Staff
The secret is out: the items on fast food menu boards aren’t the only things customers can order. Customers who are tired of ordering the same items are in luck, as chains are introducing a “secret menu” to their most loyal patrons.
The “secret menus” are not new, but many fast food chains are starting to embrace the trend. In-N-Out Burger, a west coast burger joint, has offered a secret menu to customers for years. Now the secret menu has expanded to fast food chains like McDonald’s, Chipotle, Taco Bell, Jamba Juice, Starbucks and more recently, Panera Bread.
On a secret menu customers can expect to find crazy combinations that will satisfy just about any craving. The secret menu won’t be displayed on the fast food menu boards, but can easily be found on the chains website, where customers can find the secret items and all of its ingredients.
McDonald’s has a few popular items on its secret menu that customers go crazy for. The most desired, according to a recent list from ranker.com, is the chicken and waffle sandwich, a McGriddle that includes a juicy chicken patty in the middle. Also on the secret menu is the McGangBang, a double cheeseburger with a chicken patty in between the two beef patties. Unfortunately, the McDonald’s in the Fenway-Kenmore area does not participate in the secret menu, but other local favorites like Panera Bread do.
Customers can head to Panera Bread on the corner of Huntington Avenue and Gainsborough Street to try the latest items on its secret menu. The Panera Bread secret menu includes everything except the restaurant’s signature item: bread. On it customers will find the Power Steak Lettuce Wraps which includes seared top-sirloin, leaf lettuce, cucumbers, diced tomatoes and red onions, basil pesto and finished with fresh lemon juice. The secret menu also serves breakfast. Customers can order up a Power Breakfast Egg White Bowl with Roasted Turkey or opt for a Power Breakfast Egg Bowl with Steak.
The secret menu has been up and running for two months according to an email the Panera company sent out to My Panera Card holders. Although Panera Bread has been promoting the secret menu through its website and on social media sites, the Huntington Avenue location has yet to see many people ask for items off their secret menu.
“It’s not very popular, and sometimes we forget we even have a secret menu when people ask about it,” said Shawneice Livery, a Panera Bread employee.
For coffee lovers the secret menu doesn’t exist at the neighboring Starbucks, but the chain does promote a variety of secret menu items at other locations. Starbucks offers several secret menu items like the Zebra Mocha, Crunch Berry – which tastes like Crunch Berry cereal – Cake Batter and Raspberry Cheesecake Frappuccinos.
Although Starbucks already features an expansive menu, customers are intrigued by the possibilities of an even broader drink selection.
Talia Mattos, a third year criminal justice major said, “I would go to Starbucks to check out their secret menu because they already offer a variety of drinks, so I would expect their secret menu to be even better.”
Jamba Juice, adjacent to International Village, has introduced a secret menu of its own. Students are now able to try more than 20 undercover treats with smoothies like Peaches & Cream, Fruity Pebbles and the Peanut Butter and Jelly – a frozen treat that includes soy milk, frozen yogurt, strawberries and blueberries.
Shannon Reardon, a second year cinema studies major, said she visits Jamba Juice often, but it wasn’t until recently that she discovered they had a secret menu.
“I overheard a lady order the the Sour Patch and knew that wasn’t on the menu, and although I didn’t try it myself my friend said that it was super good,” Reardon said.
Consumers who love the extra perks of customer loyalty will appreciate all of the fast food chains secret menus. However, customers should be advised that not all area restaurants participate, and those interested should call before they find themselves enjoying something not-so-secret.
