Fast Food: Best secret menu ideas as told by the fans

We list some of the best Secret Menu items from your favorite fast food restaurants

Everyone knows about the not-so secret menu at Starbucks. Other fast food joints have jumped on this as well, so let’s go take a peek at some popular items!

I’m sure by now, if you haven’t heard of a restaurant having some sort of fan-created and inspired secret menu, then you’re probably living under a rock. Starbucks was the first sort of establishment to have something like this, that we know of, and now, some drinks on their menu have become some true fan-favorites.

Ever wonder if your favorite fast food place has a secret menu? Well, lucky for you, there are a few apps out there that list a bunch of restaurants across the US and other parts of the world, that have some secret menu items listed.

Secret menu items are super fun to try, here are some of the best

After doing a bunch of research, I’ve compiled a list of the best, or best-sounding, recipes and menu items on the secret menus and will describe them to you below. From Starbucks, to Taco Bell and everything else in between. You name it, there’s more likely than not some sort of secret menu for it.

In the coming slides, you’ll be seeing and hearing about some of the best hidden gems at different eating establishments that will have you wanting more. Come on, let’s go and check them out!

Secret menu at Starbucks

Of course, I couldn’t begin this list without beginning with Starbucks, the OG of all secret menus. Here, I’ll list 3 of my personal favorites off of their secret menu! Let’s go!

1. Oreo Frappuccino

While this one doesn’t necessarily give you that identical taste to an actual Oreo, it’s just about the closest to drinking an Oreo that you can get at Starbucks, without blending actual Oreos inside of it. It starts with a creme-base, but let me tell you, if you do a coffee base instead, it still tastes just as good; however, it’s freaking delicious either way!

Here’s the recipe:

• Double Chocolatey Chip Frap
  • Blend it with white mocha instead of regular mocha syrup
  • Top with whipped cream

  This is probably one of the easiest things off of the secret menu to order without listing 10 million things for your barista to try and accomplish.

  Craving something even sweeter? Check out these next two candy drinks!

  2. Cotton Candy Frap

  This was probably the OG drink on the Starbucks secret menu. When the secret menu first started to scratch the surface, Starbucks’ raspberry syrup, which is used in this particular recipe, was bright pink, and now, it’s clear. So, you don’t get the same color, but the taste is there just the same, if not even better.

  Here’s the recipe:

  • Vanilla Bean Frappuccino
    • Add in pumps of Raspberry to taste and depending on the size ordered

    If you’ve got a sweet tooth and don’t like coffee-based drinks, this one’s for you!

    3. Raspberry Caramel Macchiato

    This one I’ve just gotten around to trying recently, and boy was it delish! It was something that I was a bit unsure of at first, not knowing how the two would taste together; however, it was one of the best combinations and definitely way better than I could’ve ever expected it to be! Now, keep in mind that I’ve only tried it HOT so far, but I’m sure that an iced version of this tastes just as good if not even better as well! It takes a cult classic and puts a sweet and fruity twist on it!

    Here’s the recipe:

    • Caramel Macchiato
      • Add in pumps of Raspberry to taste AND depending on size ordered

      

      Secret menu at In-N-Out

      Call me crazy, but I’m not a fan of In-N-Out at all. I personally think that it’s way overrated; however, given that everyone else in this world seems to drool over it, I thought to include it in here as well. I’ll go over two of the most fan-favorite and popular additions to the secret menu!

      1. Animal-Style (anything & everything)

      While I’ve been to In-N-Out and wasn’t a fan of it, I didn’t get a chance to try anything animal style, and I kind of regret that. In case you’re new or unaware of exactly what animal style is, here’s some information on it: mustard is grilled onto the burger patties, pickles, grilled onions, and extra spread of theirs. Being a huge fan of grilled onions, this would definitely be a winner for me; however, nothing will ever change my opinion on In-N-Out, so don’t try to convince me otherwise (sorry, not sorry).

      Is animal style not enough onions for you? Try a whole onion on your burger!

      2. Whole Grilled Onion Burger

      Basically, if you ask for this, the In-N-Out cooks will slice a whole onion, grill it, and place it smack dab on top of your burger. Not much more to be said here.

      

      Secret menu at Taco Bell

      This is yet another establishment that allows you to customize anything and everything, so creating a secret menu for a place like this really isn’t that hard. Let’s take a look at two of the most popular menu items on Taco Bell’s secret menu, and see how they compare to all the rest!

      1. Cheesarito

      This particular secret menu item, according to some sites, is one of Taco Bell’s most popular secret menu upgrades. It’s basically an upgraded version of their Cheesy Roll Up that you can find for a dollar on their value menu (of course adding things into it won’t make it a dollar, but still super affordable).

      Here’s what’s in it: scallions and your favorite taco sauce of theirs (plus the cheese of course). Read more about it.

      If you’re a huge fan of super heroes, try this super strong burrito too!

      2. The Incredible Hulk

      This just sounds gigantic, and I’ve seen someone on YouTube try it (yes, it’s huge). Given that the Incredible Hulk is green, there is definitely some added guac to this burrito, so let me tell you all about it.

      The Incredible Hulk is essentially a 5-Layer Burrito (delicious) with Guacamole instead of the Nacho Cheese Sauce in the middle of it (more delicious). I’m a HUGE fan of guac on anything, so I will be sure to try this one next time I get or find myself at a Taco Bell drive-thru. Here’s more about it.

      

      Secret menu at Dunkin’ Donuts

      I decided to include this place on the list to make it even between two food-based establishments, and two coffee or drink-based ones as well. There’s always a hot debate between whose coffee is better, and if you know me then you know my answer, but we won’t get into that too much here. Let’s see where Dunkin’s secret menu items relate to Starbucks’ secret menu items on this list over here, beyond, and of course with/among the fans as well.

      1. Peaches and Cream Coolata

      Upon finding this one and reading all about the recipe, it not only seems super delicious but also super easy to order, in case you’re shy about ordering super crazy drinks with a million shots added to it.

      To order a Peaches and Cream Coolata, start with a Vanilla Bean Coolata and add three shots of peach flavoring (or more or less depending on what size you order). This sounds super delicious and refreshing, which is the most perfect drink for a hot Summer day, which we hopefully have coming sometime soon!

      2. Raspberry Hot Chocolate

      Again, this drink is just a super simple variation of a favorite hot drink of many. Just simply ask for a hot chocolate with raspberry flavoring, again depending on the size that you may order. While I won’t be ordering this one anytime soon because of the warm weather coming up, I will DEFINITELY be trying this this upcoming Winter Season!

      This next drink will have you craving a certain candy bar consisting of coconut!

      3. The Almond Joy

      If you’re a huge Dunkin’ fan and know their drink menu in and out, then you’ll know that this particular drink was on a limited-edition menu back in 2016 as a part of several candy-inspired drinks as well.

      Here’s how to order it: start with a coffee or hot chocolate base and add in the following flavors: toasted almond, two shots of coconut, and one shot of mocha! Easy enough if you ask me! And yes, it does have a slight taste to the candy bar itself.

      

      As you can see, there are so many different things on so many different fast food places menus. Beyond the restaurants and items listed here, there are a million other things too. Also, if you don’t see a single thing that you like on ANY of their secret menus, then simply just customize your own and call it a secret to keep for yourself!

      By now, most fast food establishments know about the secret menu, especially Starbucks, so when you go to customize and order something, a light bulb will go off in their head, and they’ll know exactly what you’re ordering (happened to me once at a Starbucks drive-thru, and the barista and I had a whole conversation about all things secret menu, and how some love it and some absolutely hate it).

      If you’re not a huge fan of customizing things and like eating them the way that they;re supposed to be ordered, then by all means do that too. This list and slideshow is just a way to give people some general ideas if they’re ever looking to switch things up just a bit as well over here!

      If you think we missed something secretive on this list, be sure to drop us a comment in the comments down below. Also, which of these items on our list is your personal favorite?