Secret menus have long been part of fast food culture. They’re unofficial, off-menu creations that fans of a particular chain have developed and shared online, sometimes even becoming so popular that employees expect customers to order them. While not every location will know these orders by name, knowing how to customize the ingredients correctly can unlock new flavors, better value, and a sense of being “in the know.” From viral Starbucks hacks to classic In-N-Out requests, these secret menu items add variety to your go-to drive-thru stops—and they’re surprisingly easy to try if you know what to ask for.
In-N-Out is one of the most famous fast food chains when it comes to secret menu culture. The chain has never published an official list, but popular items are widely accepted by staff. Animal Style is the most well-known modification, which adds grilled onions, extra spread, and mustard-grilled patties to your burger. You can also order fries Animal Style, topped with cheese, grilled onions, and extra sauce. Another popular order is the 3×3 or 4×4, which simply means three or four patties and cheese slices stacked into one towering burger. These are widely accepted at In-N-Out locations and often featured in fan reviews and YouTube taste tests. Flavor-wise, the Animal Style additions give a tangy, savory kick that elevates the standard burger, and they’re well worth ordering if you’re near one of their locations in the western U.S.
Starbucks is another major player in the world of secret menu hacks, although most require custom ordering rather than a code phrase. The Pink Drink with vanilla sweet cream cold foam has gone viral on platforms like TikTok, combining a Strawberry Açaí Refresher with coconut milk and a topping of sweet cream cold foam. For a dessert-like twist, the Butterbeer Frappuccino—a mix of caramel and toffee nut syrup in a Creme Frappuccino base with caramel drizzle—is a must-try for fans of rich, indulgent drinks. Starbucks baristas won’t recognize these drinks by name, so you’ll need to specify ingredients, which can be done easily in the Starbucks app by customizing your drink before ordering.
McDonald’s also has a few secret menu items, though they vary in popularity by region. The McBrunch Burger combines a regular cheeseburger with breakfast items like a hash brown or egg, though availability depends on whether the location offers all-day breakfast. The Land, Sea & Air Burger combines a beef patty, Filet-O-Fish, and McChicken into one towering sandwich. It’s not for everyone, but it’s a fun challenge and a surprisingly flavorful mashup if you’re craving variety. You’ll need to order each item separately and assemble it yourself. Ordering through the McDonald’s app can help you customize quickly, and using the Fluz app to purchase gift cards in advance means you can earn cashback while trying out these hacks.
At Chick-fil-A, fans often ask for the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, which isn’t on the menu but can be made by ordering a regular chicken sandwich with buffalo sauce packets on the side. Other popular combos include a Spicy Char (grilled spicy sandwich) or a Cookie Icedream Sandwich, where guests use two chocolate chip cookies and soft serve to create their own dessert. Chick-fil-A’s mobile app doesn’t support some of these off-menu hacks directly, but you can usually assemble them by requesting sauces and extras separately.
Wendy’s secret menu isn’t as expansive but still includes a few clever builds. The Barnyard Burger combines beef, bacon, spicy chicken, and cheese for a multi-protein sandwich that’s surprisingly well-balanced in flavor. There’s also the Grand Slam, which layers multiple patties and bacon into a deluxe-style burger that rivals premium menu items in size and taste. The Wendy’s app allows for some customization, and you can access rewards through Wendy’s Rewards.
Burger King’s secret menu features items like the Suicide Burger, which contains four beef patties, four slices of cheese, bacon, and special sauce on a sesame seed bun. It’s a heavy meal, but one that regularly appears in fan reviews for its value and flavor. The Rodeo Burger, originally a promotional item, is another fan favorite made by adding onion rings and barbecue sauce to a standard cheeseburger. You can usually request this customization at the drive-thru or make it through the BK app.
When ranking these secret menu options based on flavor, ease of ordering, and value, In-N-Out’s Animal Style and Starbucks’ Pink Drink with sweet cream cold foam consistently earn top spots. They’re widely loved, easy to modify, and offer a strong return for the price. The Chick-fil-A Buffalo Chicken hack and the Wendy’s Barnyard Burger are also worth trying, especially if you enjoy bold flavors and don’t mind assembling your meal at the table or in the car.
