McDonald's Bacon Cheese Fries Tries (And Fails) To Improve On Perfection

Nevin Barich

LOS ANGELES , March 6, 2019 (Industry Intelligence Inc.) – I don’t like writing food reviews. There’s already too many people who read my blog who automatically think that I’m a food critic. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve been asked how many number of “stars” I’d give some food item. I’m an analyst, not a critic. I don’t rate things.

That being said, I was compelled to critique McDonald’s new bacon cheese fries, because McDonald’s fries have always been a symbol to me of one of my favorite mantras: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

There are three inventions in this world that they got right the first time: the wheel, the paper clip and McDonald’s fries. I don’t care what anyone says, McDonald’s fries are the king (or queen) of all French fry creation. It has the perfect amount of crisp, the right amount of salt and whenever I get them, I feel like I’m eating happiness.

So it was with mixed feelings that I put McDonald’s bacon cheese fries in front of me. On the one hand, I love bacon and cheese, and now three phenomenal food items — bacon, cheese and McDonald’s fries — were now a trio! On the other hand, can you really improve on perfection? History often tells us that you can’t. Remember New Coke?

So I put a forkful of the new menu item into my mouth and after the first bite, I said to myself:

“Nope.”

The fries have three main problems. First: There’s hardly any bacon. There were maybe three little bacon pieces at the top, that’s all. Second: The cheese tasted like it came straight out of a can. It had a very processed taste to it that was frankly disappointing. McDonald’s would have been better served with something like shredded cheddar. And third: There was way too much of the processed cheese, which completely overwhelmed the taste of the fries. With the lack of bacon and the abundance of cheese, it was basically like eating a box of processed cheese.

I commend the Golden Arches for trying to improve on perfection. But its bacon cheese fries are proof that it simply can’t be done.

Nevin Barich is the Food and Beverage Analyst for Industry Intelligence, which can help YOU better address your own industry challenges. We invite you to come take a look at our service. Call us today at 310-553-0008 and we’ll schedule you for a 15-minute demo.

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