“Secret menus” are one of the most intriguing parts of modern restaurant culture. They are collections of unofficial, unadvertised dishes that customers can order if they are “in the know.” These items often start as employee experiments or customer modifications that become so popular they spread through word-of-mouth and the internet. Ordering from a secret menu can make you feel like part of an exclusive club. While some are simple customizations, others are legendary creations with their unique lore. Here are 13 famous secret menu items and the stories behind them.
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1. In-N-Out Burger’s “Animal Style” Burger and Fries
This is perhaps the most famous secret menu item of all. Ordering your burger “Animal Style” gets you a beef patty cooked in mustard, with lettuce, tomato, extra sauce, pickles, and grilled onions. “Animal Style” fries are topped with cheese, spread, and grilled onions. The name reportedly originated from the rowdy surfer and skater kids who would hang out at the original locations in the 1960s, whom the In-N-Out staff affectionately called “animals.”
2. Starbucks’ “Medicine Ball” (Honey Citrus Mint Tea)
This drink became so popular as a secret menu item for soothing sore throats that Starbucks eventually added it to its official menu. It started as a customer creation combining Jade Citrus Mint Green Tea, Peach Tranquility Herbal Tea, hot water, steamed lemonade, and a touch of honey. Its reputation as a cold-buster spread rapidly online, and customers began ordering it by its unofficial name, “Medicine Ball.”
3. Chipotle’s “Quesarito”
The Quesarito is a legendary secret menu item for the truly hungry. It involves the staff using a cheese quesadilla as the “tortilla” to wrap a burrito. It’s a massive, cheesy, and labor-intensive creation. Because it slows down the line significantly, some Chipotle locations may refuse to make it during busy hours. It’s a feat of fast-casual engineering born from customer ambition.
4. McDonald’s “McGangBang”
With a famously crude name, this secret menu item is a testament to value-seeking creativity. It consists of a McDouble sandwich split open with a whole Hot ‘n Spicy McChicken sandwich placed in the middle. It combines two items from the value menu into one massive sandwich. The name spread through internet forums and college campuses as a cheap way to get a very filling meal.
5. Jamba Juice’s “White Gummy Bear”
Jamba Juice has a whole roster of secret menu smoothies named after candies. The “White Gummy Bear” is one of the most popular. It’s typically made with peach juice, soy milk, lime sherbet, orange sherbet, pineapple sherbet, and raspberry sherbet. The final result uncannily mimics the flavor of the white gummy bear candy. It’s a sweet, nostalgic treat created by employees and customers experimenting with flavor combinations.
6. Taco Bell’s “The Hulk”
This is a simple but effective customization. Ordering a bean and cheese burrito “like the Hulk” or “Hulk-style” means asking them to add guacamole inside. The green of the guacamole gives the burrito its superhero-inspired name. It’s a popular modification for adding extra flavor and creaminess to a classic value menu item.
7. Shake Shack’s Peanut Butter and Bacon ShackBurger
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Shake Shack is known for its high-quality ingredients, and their secret menu is no different. A popular off-menu creation is the Peanut Butter and Bacon ShackBurger. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a classic ShackBurger with the delicious, savory addition of peanut sauce and bacon. This sweet and salty combination is a favorite of those who know to ask for it.
8. Five Guys’ “Patty Melt”
Five Guys allows for incredible customization, which is the source of its secret menu. To get a “Patty Melt,” you order a grilled cheese sandwich and ask them to add a burger patty and any other toppings you want inside. They grill the bun inside-out so the soft side is toasted, creating a perfect, melty, cheesy burger experience that isn’t an official menu item.
9. Arby’s “Meat Mountain”
This secret menu item is so outrageous that it has become the stuff of legend. The “Meat Mountain” sandwich supposedly contains every single type of meat Arby’s offers: two chicken tenders, roast turkey, ham, corned beef, brisket, steak, roast beef, and bacon, all layered between two buns with cheese. It originated from a promotional poster showing all their meats, which led customers to ask if they could get them all on one sandwich.
10. Chick-fil-A’s “Spicy Char”
This item combines two of Chick-fil-A’s popular chicken types. It’s a spicy chicken fillet that has been char-grilled instead of breaded and fried. This offers the flavor of their spicy chicken with fewer calories and a different texture. It’s a healthier-leaning customization popular with regular customers who know they can request different preparation methods for their sandwiches.
11. Whataburger’s “Hulk” Drink
Not to be confused with Taco Bell’s burrito, the Whataburger “Hulk” is a drink. It’s a very simple secret menu item created by combining Powerade and Vault soda (or another green-colored lemon-lime soda). The result is a bright green, energizing beverage popular with fans of the Texas-based chain. It’s a classic example of customer-driven off-menu creations.
12. Burger King’s “Suicide Burger”
This is another massive, multi-patty secret menu creation. The “Suicide Burger” (also known as the “Quad Stacker”) typically consists of four beef patties, four slices of cheese, bacon, and special sauce packed into one bun. It’s an extreme challenge for burger lovers and a way to get a huge amount of food by customizing their Stacker line of sandwiches.
13. Subway’s “Pizza Sub”
Though it has occasionally appeared on the official menu, the “Pizza Sub” is a long-standing secret menu favorite. It’s made with pepperoni, marinara sauce, and cheese, all toasted on a sub roll. It’s a simple, effective way to get pizza flavor in sandwich form. Even when not officially listed, most Subway locations have the ingredients on hand and can easily make it if you ask.
The Fun of Being an Insider
Secret menus add a layer of fun, discovery, and community to the dining experience. They are a testament to the creativity of both customers and employees. While some items might be harder to order or may vary by location, knowing about them makes you feel like a true brand insider. These unlisted creations, born from experimentation and passed along through word-of-mouth, represent a unique and enduring part of modern food culture. Just remember to be patient with staff when ordering, as they may not all be familiar with every wild creation.
What is your favorite secret menu item from any restaurant? Are there any local secret menu items in your area that deserve to be better known? Share your insider knowledge below!
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