It’s the holiday season, which invariably means three things:
1) The boys are really, really excited. About everything. They’re excited about Christmas cookies and concerts, presents under the tree and stockings hung over the fireplace. There’s a real sense of urgency to usher in the all things festive, merry and bright.
2) I’m really, really busy. The holidays are my “crazy” season; I’ve got year-end deadlines to meet while finding time to bake cookies, volunteer my time, trim the tree and buy presents.
3) We both need a break. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the holidays, we often need to just sit down and recharge, if only for a short while.
This month, we’re satisfying our Season’s Cravings at McDonalds.
Now I *could* go straight to telling you all about the deliciousness of the Potato Rosti and Bacon Burger pictured above, but that’s only part of the narrative. You see, stopping into your local McDonald’s is no longer your typical “fast food” experience.
Introducing Julie. Julie is a Guest Experience Leader, a brand new team member on hand to curate an enhanced dining experience for all dine-in guests at participating McDonald’s restaurants.
From hello to goodbye, Guest Experiences Leaders like Julie are there to ensure that your needs are addressed – and will assist with everything from placing orders at the Self-Order kiosk to helping with food or condiments.
Recently, after spending the better part of a frenzied day shopping, running errands and keeping appointments, I was craving warm food and a warm environment. We stopped by our local McDonald’s where we were promptly greeted by Julie. As I made a beeline for a table to sit down, she offered to help my husband and the boys try out the Self-Order kiosk.
“Grab items off the holiday menu!” I hollered, anxious to try the new Potato Rosti and Bacon Burger.
With Julie’s help, my husband was able to order for the entire family and even customize his burger to suit his refined (read: ultra picky) tastes. The touchscreen is very responsive and with the food icons being large and clear, the kiosk is actually very user friendly. Most importantly, the visual step-by-step ordering process allows guests to make substitutions for taste or nutritional preferences, something that may be overlooked when ordering straight from a static menu.
Should I say it? I’ll say it. It’s so easy, even a child could do it! (With a little help!)
Of course, other than the ease of use of the Self-Order kiosk, McDonald’s has solved an age-old dilemma for me: what to do when you want a quick, delicious and affordable (and customized!) meal but also want to be served at your table. Thank you McDonald’s (and Julie), I’m lovin’ it!
Now, can we talk about the Season’s Cravings holiday menu? Because the items are at the top of every foodie’s bucket list.
First, introducing the Potato Rosti and Bacon Burger. Made with a quarter pound of juicy 100% Canadian beef, topped with bacon pieces, a potato rosti, creamy cheese sauce, cheddar cheese and served on a toasted bun topped with rolled oats – it’s quite honestly one of the most deliciously decadent burgers you’ll ever enjoy. The Potato Rosti is made with diced and shredded pieces of potato and is formed into a flat patty – similar to McDonald’s current hash brown!
Texture-wise, it’s a winner. The progress from soft bun to crispy potato to juicy beef patty and back to bun is completely satisfying to the senses. The actual potato patty, which is very lightly seasoned on its own, is complemented by salty bits of bacon. Don’t try to dissect this burger – just take a big, juicy bite and revel in the taste!
Of course, I can’t forget the waffle fries! A twist on the classic McDonald’s fries, except this time, latticed together in a bundle of goodness!
I’d like to think that I’m somewhat of a waffle fry connoisseur, and trust me, these are high on my list of favourites. To make the fries, whole potatoes are cut in criss-cross diagonal design and coated with light, crisp batter. They’re served in a medium fry box – the perfect portion for snacking or as part of a meal. (Don’t let anyone bully you into sharing an order. You need your own, trust me!)
Now if sweets are your thing (and me and my little sugar monster are all about sweets), you simply must try the Turtles Sundae with Pecans!
Inspired by the flavour of Nestle Turtles, the sundae boasts a decadent combination of vanilla soft serve and hot fudge sauce, topped with mini chocolate turtles filled with caramel, pecan pieces, and a chocolate and caramel sauce. Heaven.
I’m not embarrassed to admit that I had 1.5 sundaes – I finished the remainder of my little guy’s, too. But hey, if I have to eat his leftover broccoli at home, I’m darn well eating his leftover Turtles Sundae!
And to finish off a most wonderful break from our crazy day? Fuel to keep going, of course.
Treat yourself to traditional festive flavours – for a limited time only. The new Salted Caramel Latte is made with 100% Arabica beans, perfectly balanced with fresh milk, steamed and frothed, and sweetened with a salted caramel syrup. The Peppermint Mocha, also made with 100% Arabica beans, is sweetened with peppermint mocha syrup and topped with crushed candy cane.
Now I have good news and urgent news for you, friends. The good news is that the Guest Experience Leaders are here to stay! So you can take advantage of an enhanced dining experience every time you visit your favourite participating McDonald’s restaurant.
The urgent news is that the Season’s Cravings limited-time menu items are only available until December 26! So, waste no time in trying out these delicious food offerings today!
As for me? I’m slowly starting to wind down, and things are getting a little less crazy. Want to meet for Peppermint Mochas? I’m always up for coffee and conversation.
For more information on McDonald’s Season’s Cravings menu, visit mcdonalds.ca.
This post is sponsored by McDonald’s, as part of our #TeamMcD’s partnership. The opinions on this blog, as always, are my own.
I would love to meet you one day for coffee Lena! Can I just say great pictures!! We have a brand new McDonald’s in town and it’s pretty fab. Just where do you find the time girl??
I gotta say mcdonalds has really upped their game with the new kiosks and brand ambassadors!
Hubby goes daily for coffee and solve the problems of the world with his friends :)
Will have to stop in to try it out.
OMG I love their coffee. We tried that new burger.. its pretty tasty!
I always used to put a hash brown on my big mac, I think they sole my idea! lol
Wow,i guess it’s time i take a visit to McDonalds and enjoy the experience.
I loved your McDonalds review. They’ve come a long way from their Big Mac and fries days. (Which I still love). But now I’ll have to stop in and try the waffle fries.
Love the new ordering screens, so easy to use! I have tried the waffle fries and they were good.
This post has got me craving McDonald’s right now!
I love McDonald’s French Fries, they taste better then anywhere else!
Yum! I would love to try their holiday menu!
That’s cool! (a self-order kiosk!!!) I haven’t been yet this holiday season but will check it out. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.
Their fries are so good.
The Turtle sundae is so good! I love the tiny little turtles in it!
ok seriously i haven’t visited a mcdonalds in forever (love their food tho) but that Potato Rosti and Bacon Burger looks so delicious!!
I love their fires! They are amazing!
We stopped in the other day after a bit of Christmas shopping and tried the Potato Rosti and Bacon Burger. It was delicious! I couldn’t eat it all, but my husband had no problem finishing it off for me, lol.
Wow! McDonalds has really changed since I last visited there!
Wow these items look unreal. Now I know why my husband always offers to pick up the food – he knows I’ll order that entire festive menu!
I know kiosk is so convenient and easy to use! I would love to try their new waffle looking fries! Have to say MCD has really done a good job! I see myself ordering from them a lot
I haven’t had Mcd’s in such a long time, I almost forget what it tastes like, those new burgers look so good and sadly I will never know what they taste like, boo
Their Salted Caramel Latte is so good, I am addicted to those right now!
Lena! I haven’t been in a McDonalds in almost three years but after reading your post and thinking WAFFLE FRIES AND TURTLE SUNDAES I did it……….. I visited my McDonalds in Markham. So good! The festive menu is amazing. Thanks for letting me know about it!!!!
Wow,i am surprised how much McDonald’s has changed since I last visited a few years ago.We enjoyed a beautiful meal after driving around to see the lights
I am totally pumped for all these new limited-time treats! I hear the waffle fries are super. I’m ordering the new burger! I better get in there fast before they’re gone!
We also have used the self serve kiosks and I was surprised how easy they were. At first I was a bit worried but it was painless and quick!
I really enjoy McDonald’s beverages but I gotta say the peppermint coffee almost traumatized me.
Wow! That potato Rosti and Bacon Burgur look delicious.I have to get out there and get me one!!The waffle frise look amazing too.Thanks for the great review. :)
I do love their salty fries maybe it’s time to visit.
We went to dinner last night with the grandkids to McMcDonald’s wow i was surprised at how many options they now have on the menu.We had a lovely meal with great service !
Those look mouth-watering!
It’s a fierce marketplace out there. If not for other fast food promotions, I would have given this limited-time menu a try…
I never did get to try this burger. Hopefully they’ll bring it back!
My kids loved those waffle cut fries
I hope they bring back these holiday menu items again this year!
I’m looking forward to seeing the holiday menu again this year!
Mcdonalds great year round