McDonald's Reintroduces Chicken Strips, Drawing Comparisons to Costco's Offering
The fast-food giant's new McCrispy Strips feature a panko coating and Caesar sauce, sparking debate among customers and drawing parallels to recent changes in Costco's food court.
McDonald's has launched its new McCrispy Strips, a revamped version of a former fan favorite, featuring a panko coating and a limited-time Caesar Sauce. The reimagined chicken tenders, available since July 21, have elicited mixed reactions from customers online, with some lamenting the disappearance of the original Chicken Selects, which were discontinued in 2013.
Online discussions reveal a divide among consumers. Some express nostalgia for the older recipe, with one Reddit user stating, "Nothing is going to taste like the food back in the day." Others have criticized the new iteration, with some joking about its taste and texture and others questioning if the recipe change justifies the added calories. One customer noted, "Just had them today, decent taste but the chicken texture seemed kind of reconstituted. Cesar dressing was yummy but kind of wish that had been cold for contrast."
The introduction of McCrispy Strips has also drawn comparisons to Costco's food court offerings. The warehouse retailer recently added a five-piece chicken tender option, priced at $6.99, which includes a dipping sauce. These tenders, baked rather than fried, contain 1,640 calories, a figure that has deterred some shoppers. "I wish I could do two or three chicken strips for half the price. I know myself, five is way too many," a Reddit user commented. Another shopper described the tenders as "huge" and "really good," suggesting they might air fry them next time for added crispiness.
Costco members have also voiced opinions on other food court changes, with some expressing a desire for the return of the calzone combo. Meanwhile, McDonald's is promoting its new Caesar Sauce, a blend of parmesan, garlic, and lemon flavors, as a complement to its new chicken items. The sauce is available as a dipping cup or can be added to new chicken sandwiches and wraps. Additionally, McDonald's is offering versions like the Caesar Snack Wrap and the Bacon Caesar McCrispy Sandwich, which incorporates the new sauce, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, crispy onions, and pickles on a potato roll.