Everyone seemed to lose their minds when McDonald’s rolled out its limited-time Grinch Meal this holiday season. The drive-thru ran deep with folks in a frenzy trying to score Grinch socks and exceed their daily sodium intake via the pickle-seasoned fries, almost as if they were a bunch of Whos heading to the Whobilation. Employees quickly became overwhelmed with the hullabaloo and took to social media to express their disdain.
“I’ve worked here 3 months and this is the craziest I’ve seen it,” wrote one McDonald’s employee on Reddit. “Every time I turn around there’s Grinch meals. It’s insanity.”
Here’s the thing: You’re going to be okay if you don’t get your McDonald’s Grinch Meal and foot swag. We found cheaper ways to partake in the festive holiday meal.
Let’s Break Down the Draw
Ask anyone what the fascination with the Grinch meal is, and you’ll get a mix of “the socks” and “the pickle-salted fries!” Beyond those highlights (and the Grinch-themed box the meal is packaged in), that’s all that sets this meal apart from your average Big Mac or McNugget meal. Basically, you’re paying around $15 (depending on the location) for a regular ol’ Big Mac (not made of Roast Beast, much to our dismay), fries with a pack of pickle-flavored salt, a drink, and a pair of Grinch socks. And if all you’re after is the socks and pickle flavoring, it’s not exactly worth the price you pay.
How to Make a McDonald’s Grinch Meal Dupe
There are so many pickle-flavored seasonings on the market. If you’re looking for the best options, The Pickle Guy on Facebook goes through all of them. On average, you’ll pay around $5 for a bottle of the seasoning, which you can use for several rounds of fries. For the fries themselves, consider grabbing a giant bag from Costco, where you’ll pay around $10 for a 5-pound bag. It doesn’t take a mathematician to determine how much better of a value this approach is.
Onto the socks. For starters, not everyone is satisfied with the socks. They come in multiple colors and, just like the kids who get toys with their Happy Meals, you aren’t guaranteed the color your heart desires. Plus, a friend of mine told me that the socks are branded with McDonald’s logos, which she didn’t like. Head to any TJ Maxx, Marshalls, or even Five Below, and you’ll find a variety of Grinch socks to choose from. I personally saw a 3-pack for $6 at my local TJ Maxx just a couple of days ago. Save your money and the sanity of McDonald’s workers by creating your own McDonald’s Grinch Meal this holiday season. We believe in you.
More From Cheapism
- McDonald’s Holiday Pie Is Back and People Are Lovin’ It — Well, Almost Everyone — The newest fast-food holiday craze is here, and the internet is already buzzing about it.
- McDonald’s New Grinch Meal Includes Pickle-Seasoned Fries — If you still want to get the original Grinch Meal, here’s what you need to know.
- 11 Secrets McDonald’s Employees Want You to Know — From how customers treat workers to why the infamous ice cream machine is always broken.
