Whether you’re on a road trip or just craving a warm, salty snack to, well, not bring home, because it never seems to make it there, there’s something about digging into a fresh batch of McDonald’s fries. However, anyone who’s ever tried to snack on the chain’s best-selling menu item while operating a motor vehicle has surely dealt with the awkwardness. McDonald’s fries come in a paper carton and no matter how you position them, the fries eventually spill into the bag, leaving you, the driver, to rummage around for the remainder. Luckily, TikTok user, The Food Guy (@tommywinkler) has a solution for this common fast food woe. Next time you’re at a drive-through, ask for your McDonald’s fries to be served in a large drink cup for easy car snacking.
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In this recent video, Winkler does exactly that. The fries arrive in a large, clear plastic drink container, which he places in his cup holder, giving him easy access to his fries as he drives away. It’s such a simple fast food hack, we wish we’d thought of it ourselves. But is eating McDonald’s fries out of a plastic cup really the best way to consume this popular fast food snack? Let’s dive in.
Why eating fries out of a cup just makes sense
There are several reasons why enjoying McDonald’s fries out of a drink cup is more convenient than eating them out of a bag or paper container. For starters, it eliminates the need for a paper bag. If you order your McDonald’s fries in a cup, you can simply place them directly in your car’s cup holder. This prevents fry spillage and makes it easy for you to reach over and grab a few fries while keeping your eyes on the road.
Ordering fries in a cup also gives you the most bang for your buck. When you order fries at a drive-through the old-fashioned way — in a paper sleeve that’s placed inside a paper bag – you’ll inevitably arrive at your destination and find a few forgotten, now soggy fries at the bottom of the bag. A plastic cup ensures that no fry is left behind.
While eating fries out of a plastic cup is convenient, there’s a reason why fast food fries are served in paper containers. Paper sleeves like the ones used at McDonald’s help soak up excess grease (the same applies to parchment paper, newsprint, or a paper bag). Paper also retains heat while providing ventilation — something that’s necessary for perfectly crispy fries. According to the Idaho Potato Commission, restaurants should “Opt for containers or bags with small holes or openings that allow steam to escape, preventing condensation buildup that can lead to soggy fries.” In other words, not a plastic drink cup.
But don’t let that deter you from ordering your fries in a drink cup. McDonald’s fries are best when eaten as soon as possible, so if it’s a quick snack you’re after, the convenience of having fries in easy reach will likely outweigh any potential downsides.
