A Crazy McDonald’s Restaurant in the Heart of Chicago
Did you know that McDonald’s restaurants around the world often have different menu items than what we have in the United States? You can try international items at the Chicago McDonalds called Hamburger University!
Some links may be affiliate links. By clicking on them and/or making a purchase, I may make a small profit at NO extra cost to you!
A Chicago McDonalds Experience
Searching for places to eat with kids in Chicago, I stumbled upon a snippet about a special McDonalds location. Considering one of my kids is still in the phase where McDonalds is Haute Cuisine, we had to try it out! Looking for another place to take the kids in Chicago? Check out the Griffin Museum of Science & Industry!
Hamburger University
What is Hamburger University? According to Google, its a community college! In all actuality it is a training facility for managers and owner-operators of McDonalds restaurants. It is located at 1045 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607 and directly next door is a McDonalds restaurant that offers a rotation of international menu items.
The Menu
The restaurant serves all of the classic McDonald items and in addtion, they offer a rotating international menu of Global Favorites.
During our July visit the following nations or regions had menu items available:
- Germany-The 1955 Burger (beef, crispy bacon, fresh lettuce and tomato, grilled onions and smokey sauce.)
- The Middle East-The Chicken McArabia (Two Halal grilled chicken patties with lettuce, tomatoes, onions and flavorful garlic sauce held together by Arabic bread.)
- Australia-Onion Rings
- Canada
- The Creme Brulee Lil Donut (vanilla icing, crème brûlée cream filling, and a vanilla cookie crunch topping.)
- The Cookies n’ Creme Donut ( yeast raised ring donut topped with vanilla frosting and crushed cookies)
- Japan-Banana Tart McFlurry (a soft serve ice cream base, with a banana sauce and a crumbled graham cracker topping.)
- Spain-4 White Chocolate McPops (Mini powdered donut with white chocolate filling.)
- India-McAloo Tikki ( a potato and peas patty with special Indian spices coated with breadcrumbs, served with sweet tomato mayo, fresh onions, and tomatoes in a regular bun)
Review of Chicago McDonalds Global Favorites
The 1955 Burger
This burger was just as good as the best McDonalds burger you’ve had. Insert shrugging emoji.
Onion Rings
The onion rings were tasty and a fun alternative to the perfection of a McDonalds fry. I would order them again!
The Chicken McArabia
This sandwich should’ve been better. We were hopeful that the pita-like bread and garlic sauce would give it some flavor, but we didn’t care for it. If these same ingredients had been served at mom and pop restaurant or made at home, it probably would’ve been great. It is to Middle Eastern food what a McDonalds burger is to a juicy burger at a tavern.
The Cookie n’ Creme Donut
The donuts are technically a part of the McCafe menu. We thought this was tasty and a fun dessert at the end of a fast food meal.
Ambiance at the Chicago McDonalds Hamburger University Location
The location is as busy as you would imagine a fast food restaurant in downtown Chicago to be. We opted to use the self-serve kiosk to put our order in. While I was waiting for our food to come up, my husband and kids sought out a table.
While it was crowded, it was still easy enough to find a space for our family. The food took a reasonable amount of time given it was lunch hour.
At the tables there are charging pads for your phone! After a day in the city our batteries were being used even more than usual and this was such a welcome surprise for while we ate our lunch.
Would you try the international items at McDonalds? Comment below!
You May Also Like
Having a great time with kids at 3 Smithsonian Museums
Family Fun at the Adventure Science Center of Nashville
