7 McDonald’s Menu Items Iowans Hardly Ever Touch
McDonald’s golden arches are a familiar sight across Iowa’s highways and small towns, but not everything on the menu gets the same love from Hawkeye State residents.
While Big Macs and fries fly out the drive-thru window, some menu offerings sit lonely and forgotten.
Let’s explore seven McDonald’s items that Iowans typically pass over when placing their orders.
1. Filet-O-Fish
Landlocked Iowans rarely swim toward this seafood sandwich. Many locals joke that fish should come from local rivers or weekend fishing trips, not fast food restaurants.
Farm country residents simply prefer beef patties over these square fish creations, especially when corn-fed cattle is such a state pride point.
2. Side Salad
Growing up surrounded by farmland, most Iowans have access to fresher produce than what comes in these plastic bowls. Why pay for a handful of iceberg lettuce when garden-fresh options abound?
Locals visiting McDonald’s typically seek comfort food indulgence, not a reminder of the salad they could make at home with better ingredients.
3. Hot Tea
Asking for hot tea at an Iowa McDonald’s might earn you a puzzled look from the cashier. Coffee reigns supreme in this Midwestern state, especially during harsh winter months when temperatures plummet below freezing.
Practical Iowans typically visit coffee shops for specialty drinks, reserving McDonald’s stops for heartier fare that fuels long workdays.
4. Hotcakes
Morning farm chores start early in Iowa, long before most McDonald’s locations even open their doors. By the time breakfast-seeking farmers could grab hotcakes, they’ve already put in hours of work.
Local diners and family restaurants serve up fluffier, more substantial pancake stacks that better satisfy hardworking Iowans looking for a proper breakfast experience.
5. McCafé Hot Chocolate
Grandma’s homemade hot chocolate remains undefeated across Iowa households, making the McCafé version seem like a pale imitation. Family recipes passed down for generations have set impossibly high standards.
Winter warmth comes from tradition in Iowa, not from drive-thru windows. Most locals prefer making hot chocolate at home where they control the marshmallow-to-chocolate ratio.
6. Apple Slices
Just a stone’s throw from abundant orchards that dot the countryside, Iowans rarely opt for pre-packaged apple slices. Fall apple-picking traditions make McDonald’s version seem particularly unnecessary.
Parents might occasionally grab them for young children, but most locals have fresh fruit readily available from farmers’ markets, roadside stands, or their own backyards during growing season.
7. Fruit & Maple Oatmeal
Slow-cooked oatmeal simmering on farmhouse stoves makes McDonald’s version seem rushed and impersonal to many Iowans. Country breakfast traditions run deep in this agricultural state.
Morning meals often represent family time in Iowa households, making grab-and-go oatmeal cups feel out of sync with local values. Home-cooked alternatives simply deliver more comfort and nostalgia.
