Chicken McNuggets from McDonald’s
To quote myself from a previous review — “I grew up eating McDonald’s food, and no matter what anybody else says about them, there will always be a place in my heart (no heart-attack jokes please) for items like the Quarter Pounder, Chicken McNuggets and their world famous French Fries. These classic favorites from my past are showing their age, but it’s nice to visit the old friends to see how they are doing.”
Skip ahead a few weeks to today’s review of the Chicken McNuggets.
Some would say this is chicken, and fast food at it’s worse. But it’s not that bad. The chicken meat is not gray in color as some people would have you believe. There was a time when nuggets were made from a combination of light and dark chicken meat, therefore making the center an off-white shade of blended colors, but it was never the so-called “gray meat” that’s been described and exaggerated so often. A few years ago McDonald’s made a change to using “all white meat”. Whether that was actually an upgrade or not is debatable, but most people would probably consider it so.
Anyway, if you are expecting chunks of a fine breast filet at this price, you are being unrealistic. These are not ‘natural’ cut pieces of filet, they are formed-shapes made from minced breast and rib meat. They also include Mechanically Separated Meat or MSM, a product that’s been used since the 1960’s. The meat is not the best quality, but it’s also not from an alien planet or manufactured by mad scientists in a laboratory. It’s real chicken - with nutritional value - and it will satisfy your body’s hunger.
The nuggets are battered and deep fried, with a crust that’s golden brown, light and crispy. Aside from the switch to all white meat, these are the same nuggets I grew up eating, and they still taste pretty good. McDonald’s has more expensive, more natural chicken strips for the crowd that desires something better, but the nuggets continue to be popular among loyal fans, and it seems that kids universally love them.
Included with the nuggets is your choice of dipping sauce: Barbecue, Sweet N Sour, Hot Mustard or Honey Mustard. These bite-sized chicken pieces wouldn’t be the same without tasty liquid flavors to dunk in. It’s all part of the McNugget experience.
The product is not without controversy. Aside from the tales of gray alien meat and cardboard-like taste, some more legitimate concerns have been raised.
The 2004 documentary “Super Size Me” alleged that McNuggets were, at one point in time, made from sick and/or old chickens unable to lay eggs, and that they also included chemicals such as tertiary butylhydroquinone (phenolic antioxidant), polydimethylsiloxane (anti-foaming agent), and other ingredients not used by a typical home cook. As of 2007, these two ingredients are still listed as possible ingredients of the vegetable oil that is used to fry McNuggets.
Source - Wikipedia.
There are plenty of such claims on record, but sorting thru them and trying to separate fact from fiction is not something I’m qualified to do. I will leave that job for the nutrition experts and investigators. Ever since I was a kid, it seems somebody has been trying to prove McNuggets have a dark side. Wisdom or Witch Hunt? God only knows.
Chicken McNuggets from McDonald’s are one of the original, legendary fast food icons. They still taste pretty good as long as you aren’t expecting too much. They are great for dipping, and include a nice selection of tasty sauces to choose from. I loved them when I was younger, but they are not something I find myself craving anymore. The trip down McNuggets memory lane was fun, but when I’m eating at McDonald’s the higher quality, better tasting and more natural Chicken Selects will be my choice.
Price: $1.89 (6 piece) / Website: McDonalds.com
Fast Food Critic Score: C
Click here for rating system details.
Nutrition Facts - McDonald’s, Chicken McNuggets (6 piece).
Calories - 250
Calories from Fat - 130
Total Fat - 15 grams
Carbs - 15 grams
Saturated Fat - 3 grams
Trans Fat - 1.5 grams
Cholesterol - 35 milligrams
Sodium - 670 milligrams
[…] Medinfo wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptTo quote myself from a previous review — “I grew up eating McDonald’s food, and no matter what anybody else says about them, there will always be a place in my heart (no heart-attack jokes please) for items like the Quarter Pounder, … […]
Good review. I enjoy their hot mustard sauce, sometimes making these a guilty pleasure for me when I’m in the mood for dipping.
The nuggets are definitely improved since the switch to all-white meat. The McChicken though is worse. It definitely gets the lowest-end meat of all McD’s products.
When are you reviewing the new Southern Style Chicken Sandwich? They’re free this Thursday.
Good review. I’m not called “Old Geezer” for nothin! I have been going to McD’s since the very beginning of Ray Kroc’s earliest dreams. Nuggets are not meant to be a wholesome, balanced meal. They are a snack and a very good one at that. You are right on with your preference for Chicken Selects, but there is a place for nuggets as well.
BTW, just got a coupon in the mail for a free So. Style Chicken Sandwich, good until 6/30, with no purchase req’d. What’s up with that?
You are all going to die from eating from this junk. How does it feel to ingest chemicals and meat every day. It makes your mind weak and your body sick. You will eventually become a giant meat nugget yourself.
Try a salad or vegetables sometime you fast food freaks.
I am probably the only person on earth that PREFERRED the old dark meat chicken nuggets. The dark ones were juicier (greasier?) and I preferred them to the white meat ones, which always seemed a little dry and less flavorful.
For Sharon, I don’t have to listen to you because I am higher on the food chain than you. Also, I married a cardiac ICU nurse, so when I have my heart attack, I’m ready. Thanks for your concern for my help.
Ron - I have a confession to make. When I went to grab the fresh order of McNuggets for review, I also picked up the new sandwich. I will post my review of it before too long, but first I want to try it again. I might even try it a third time at a different location, just to make sure I get as broad a sample as possible. What did I think? You just have to wait for the review. I will say this — I would not be so anxious to try it again if it was bad.
Geezer - Was it by regular mail? Or by email? I know they are heavily promoting the sandwich thru TV, Internet and other media, and they are having a nationwide freebie day on May 15th.
Link here: http://fastfoodcritic.com/fast-food-news/mcdonalds-free-chicken-sandwiches
But I have not heard of people getting coupons in the mail before. I guess McDonald’s is going full-blown with the marketing for this sandwich. They are very proud of it.
Sharon - Hello. Thanks for sharing.
Tom - Hey I hear you about the dark meat. In fact, that was on my mind when writing the review so I added the part about being “debatable” whether the all-white-meat switch was an upgrade. You are definitely in the minority, but you are not alone.
I would like to see a review of the McRiblet or whatever they call it.
I last had one in 1982 while in college and on the long drive home during Christmas break. Me and my passenger both agree it was among the most vile things we had ever taken a bite of and could not finish them, which is a lot to say for starving college students.
I agree with rob, a review of the McRib would be great to see. It must be the *worst* fast food products of all times. Unfortunately, I think McD’s has retired it for good. See http://www.mcrib.com
Sharon,
May I suggest that your message would be more effective and better received if you pointed to something specific and relevant to the topic you are commenting on?
You’re among fast food enthuiasts and we’re all aware of the health concerns that go with it. Fast Food Critic makes a point of posting nutritional information with each item they review.
This is a review of Chicken McNuggets. Your comment boils down to, “Fast food is bad for you. Become a vegetarian.” It’s not relevant to the review and does nothing to dissuade us from eating fast food, much less meat.
You could talk about the fact that Chicken McNuggets are flavored with beef fat. You could talk about the amount of trans fat in McNuggets and the (so far) broken promises on McDonald’s part regarding eliminating trans fat.
Off-topic, against-the-tide griping is not only a waste of your time, it may even work against your cause.
McRib retired for good? I think you have spoke too soon!
The McRib is like Jason from Friday the 13th, he just keeps coming back and back and back. In my part of the country, its back every couple of years for about a month.
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