News & Trending Shopping & Deals News

10 Fast Food Secret Menu Items That Are Actually Legit

Are fast-food secret menus a real thing or a social media trend?

person receiving in fast food drive thru window
Updated Sept. 24, 2024
Fact checked

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

We’ve all heard some great shopping hacks, but what about restaurant menu hacks? These menu hacks are often promoted on social media, but secret menus aren’t actually a thing at most fast-food places.

If you want to try some of these combinations, be understanding if employees say no to your requests. Chipotle employees say that some of these secret menu hacks are against their store policies, so they may not always be able to honor those requests.

But for those willing to take a chance and try something different, here are some fast-food secret menu items that are worth trying.

Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account

Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!1

With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!

This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.

Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.

Apply for a Discover Cashback Checking account today

Arby’s Meat Mountain

jetcityimage/Adobe arbys retail fast food

This secret menu item was introduced by Arby's own marketing campaign. In an effort to remind customers they serve more than just roast beef, they made an advertisement stacking all their meats into one sandwich. 

Customers started asking to purchase the “meat mountain,” and Arby’s obliged. As of 2023, this monster of a sandwich is still available for purchase at the price point of $12.

In-N-Out Neapolitan Shake

Walter Cicchetti/Adobe in-n-out burger sign

In-N-Out’s simplified menu allows for a mix and match of their basic ingredients to create whatever your heart desires. This creation is made by blending all three shake flavors, vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry, into one cup. Employees will likely already know how to make this shake, so you can simply ask for it by name.

Shake Shack Beer Float

vacant/Adobe shake shack casual restaurant

For root beer float lovers, this menu item is the grown-up version. This secret menu item is only for Shake Shack locations that sell alcohol, but the hack is to add a scoop of custard to your beer. You can ask for any flavor of custard with your order, but vanilla is recommended.

Get a protection plan on all your appliances

Did you know if your air conditioner stops working, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover it? Same with plumbing, electrical issues, appliances, and more.

Whether or not you’re a new homeowner, a home warranty from Choice Home Warranty could pick up the slack where insurance falls short and protect you against surprise expenses. If a covered system in your home breaks, you can call their hotline 24/7 to get it repaired.

For a limited time, you can get your first month free with a Single Payment home warranty plan.

Get a free quote

Burger King Frings

slyellow/Adobe burger king hamberger shop

For those who like both fries and onion rings, this secret menu hack is a match made in heaven. Customers can order half fries and half onion rings — or “frings.” While employees may not understand what you want by simply requesting “frings,” you can ask for half and half when ordering your combo meal.

Chick-fil-A Fried Chicken Club

Tada Images/Adobe chick-fil-a sign

Chick-fil-A doesn’t have an approved secret menu but is generally good at accommodating customer requests if they can. The restaurant’s app allows for a wide range of substitutions, but this version is only available when ordering in person. You can order it by asking for a grilled chicken club sandwich, but substitute a fried chicken filet.

Chipotle Fajita Quesadilla

Electric Egg Ltd./Adobe chipotle mexican grill sign adobe

This secret menu hack went so viral that Chipotle added it to the menu. The fajita quesadilla is a combination of fajita veggies, steak, and extra cheese — with a side of honey-chipotle vinaigrette dressing mixed with sour cream. 

Made popular by Tik Tokers, the initial popularity overwhelmed Chipotle stores to the point of refusing to make the secret menu items. In March 2023, the secret menu item was added to the permanent menu, but it’s only available for those ordering online

Chick-fil-A Strawberry Oreo Shake

Tada Images/Adobe chick-fil-a restaurant

Another hack made popular by social media, a strawberry Oreo shake can be requested all year round at Chick-fil-A. You can order this item by ordering a strawberry shake and asking the employee to add cookies. (The cookie bits come from the cookies ‘n cream shake).

KFC Poor Man’s Poutine

Björn Wylezich/Adobe kentucky fried chicken logo

For those unfamiliar with this Canadian comfort food, poutine is made by covering fries in cheese curds and gravy. At KFC, you can order a slightly different version by asking for a side of fries topped with cheese and gravy. 

If you are lucky and come across a KFC/A&W; combo restaurant, you can ask for cheese curds and gravy on top of your fries to get even closer to the real delicacy.

Jamba Juice White Gummy Bear

Eric BVD/Adobe jamba juice store

If you’re a candy lover, then you'll love this fruity, sweet smoothie combo from Jamba Juice. While this is a popular secret menu item, if the employees at your local Jamba aren’t familiar with how to make it, you can share the recipe with them or make your own version at home:

  • 6 oz. Peach Juice
  • 4 oz. Soy Milk
  • 1 Scoop Lime Sherbet
  • 1 Scoop Raspberry Sherbet
  • 1 Scoop Pineapple Sherbet
  • 1 Scoop Orange Sherbet
  • 1 Scoop of Strawberries
  • Ice

Stop overpaying when you shop online

Shopping online has its perks. It's super convenient, but it can be time consuming to find the best deals. Instead of hunting for coupon codes (that don't always work!) and opening tons of browser tabs comparing prices, you can try Capital One Shopping.

Capital One Shopping makes saving money effortless. Just add the browser extension and when you check out, it'll scour the internet for coupon codes to help you save cash. And before you check out at 25+ major retailers, Capital One Shopping will notify you with a friendly pop-up if the item you're buying is available cheaper somewhere else.

Capital One Shopping is free to use and won't show you ads. Add it today and stop overpaying!2

Get Capital One Shopping now

Starbucks Butterbeer Latte

wachiwit/Adobe starbucks coffee shop in bangkok

Harry Potter fans can get a taste of the wizarding world anytime they want with this Starbucks secret menu item. Don’t expect your barista to know this combo by heart, but here’s how you can order it.

Start by ordering a grande latte (hot or iced, whatever you prefer). Then ask for 2 pumps of toffee nut syrup and two pumps of caramel syrup. Ask for caramel drizzle inside the cup. To get that classic butterbeer foam topping, you can add salted caramel cream cold foam on top.

Bottom Line

Astarot/Adobe woman eating burger in restaurant

Coming straight from the mouths of the workers, most are happy to make your secret menu items as long as you know how to order them. But don’t expect workers to know the name and ingredients of the secret menu item. You should be able to articulate how to create whatever you’re ordering.

Making your order online or through the restaurant’s app can help ensure the options and ingredients are available for your “secret menu” item, and if you’re a member of a brand loyalty program, you might just earn extra points or rewards for ordering on the app.

Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

5.0
info

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details


Author Details

Holly Humbert

Holly is a writer who recognizes that there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to personal finance. She is passionate about entrepreneurship, women in business, and financial literacy. With more than four years of experience, her work has been featured on MarketWatch and The Ways to Wealth.