It's not really hidden, in that so many people know about it, but In & Out has long had a "hidden" menu. Items that aren't displayed on the menu, but are available upon request.
Personally, I'm partial to animal style fries, which is where the fries are topped with grilled onions, fry sauce, and cheese. Yum!! I also ask for grilled onions over raw onions when I order.
I know there's a lot of places that have their own hidden menu items, a lot of which are pretty good. What're some of your favorites?
What things are on In & Out's hidden menu?
Quote from: cabiness42 on May 12, 2021, 02:37:59 PM
What things are on In & Out's hidden menu?
There's quite a few. Animal style, which I mentioned above. They'll also do a grilled cheese, just their melted cheese between two buns. You can ask for a burger "mustard grilled" where they'll put mustard on the patty prior to putting it on the flat top. There's a 3 x 3 or 4 x 4 where the numbers indicate the number of patties. You can ask for fries well done so they're crispier.
Those are about all the ones I know of off the top of my head.
https://www.in-n-out.com/menu/not-so-secret-menu
Of course, it says that's "some of the most popular items"–which implies they left some out.
Quote from: kphoger on May 12, 2021, 02:41:42 PM
https://www.in-n-out.com/menu/not-so-secret-menu
Of course, it says that's "some of the most popular items"–which implies they left some out.
OK, those are just different ways of preparing things. When I think hidden menu, I think of how Arby's used to have bacon beef & cheddar (which they finally put on the actual menu).
Quote from: cabiness42 on May 12, 2021, 02:48:54 PM
Quote from: kphoger on May 12, 2021, 02:41:42 PM
https://www.in-n-out.com/menu/not-so-secret-menu
Of course, it says that's "some of the most popular items"–which implies they left some out.
OK, those are just different ways of preparing things. When I think hidden menu, I think of how Arby's used to have bacon beef & cheddar (which they finally put on the actual menu).
Looks like Jersey Mike's is kind of like that. The BLT sounds pretty good, I may have to inquire.
http://www.mashed.com/222253/jersey-mikes-secret-menu-items-youll-wish-you-knew-about-sooner/ (http://www.mashed.com/222253/jersey-mikes-secret-menu-items-youll-wish-you-knew-about-sooner/)
Quote from: cabiness42 on May 12, 2021, 02:48:54 PM
Quote from: kphoger on May 12, 2021, 02:41:42 PM
https://www.in-n-out.com/menu/not-so-secret-menu
Of course, it says that's "some of the most popular items"–which implies they left some out.
OK, those are just different ways of preparing things. When I think hidden menu, I think of how Arby's used to have bacon beef & cheddar (which they finally put on the actual menu).
I mean, I guess. But, if Arby's already had roast beef sandwiches and bacon and cheddar, then wasn't that also just a "different way of preparing things"?
Sometimes it's discontinued items that we still have all the ingredients for. When I was at Burger King we had the Extra Long Cheeseburger, which was basically a cheeseburger on an original chicken bun. It went away, but every once in a while someone would ask for one; those of us who knew how could still make one if asked and it was never removed from our computers.
It usually depended on the manager working; some would refuse to honor orders for them, while others would permit it.
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on May 12, 2021, 04:46:23 PM
Sometimes it's discontinued items that we still have all the ingredients for. When I was at Burger King we had the Extra Long Cheeseburger, which was basically a cheeseburger on an original chicken bun. It went away, but every once in a while someone would ask for one; those of us who knew how could still make one if asked and it was never removed from our computers.
It usually depended on the manager working; some would refuse to honor orders for them, while others would permit it.
Like how you can still order a cheesarito at Taco Bell, except that it takes about seventeen steps of adding and removing ingredients from an existing menu item, and then the cashier will just give you this annoyed look.
Quote from: kphoger on May 12, 2021, 04:59:17 PM
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on May 12, 2021, 04:46:23 PM
Sometimes it's discontinued items that we still have all the ingredients for. When I was at Burger King we had the Extra Long Cheeseburger, which was basically a cheeseburger on an original chicken bun. It went away, but every once in a while someone would ask for one; those of us who knew how could still make one if asked and it was never removed from our computers.
It usually depended on the manager working; some would refuse to honor orders for them, while others would permit it.
Like how you can still order a cheesarito at Taco Bell, except that it takes about seventeen steps of adding and removing ingredients from an existing menu item, and then the cashier will just give you this annoyed look.
Pretty much. When I used the eat at Taco Bell, the Enchirito was my go-to. It wasn't on the menu for the longest time, then it was.....but I haven't been there in at least 10 years, maybe someone can confirm if this is still a menu item or not.
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on May 12, 2021, 04:46:23 PM
Sometimes it's discontinued items that we still have all the ingredients for. When I was at Burger King we had the Extra Long Cheeseburger, which was basically a cheeseburger on an original chicken bun. It went away, but every once in a while someone would ask for one; those of us who knew how could still make one if asked and it was never removed from our computers.
It usually depended on the manager working; some would refuse to honor orders for them, while others would permit it.
At ours, it was the ham and cheese sandwich. We always had ham around (for breakfast), and of course cheese, so it was possible to make. It was just ham and cheese on a burger bun, if I remember correctly. Maybe mayo.
But anyone trying to order one would cause a problem, because first the cashier had to know that was a thing that existed, as well as where to find it on the register, and then inevitably the kitchen would see it on their screen and ask what the hell that was, and hope that the manager knew how to make it (or had the presence of mind to look it up in the ops manual).
Tip for anyone going to a generic Americanized Chinese restaurant, specifically one owned by a Chinese person, and want to eat some actual Chinese food: ask if they have a Chinese only/secret menu. If so, that's where the authentic Chinese food is. Instead of the General Tso Chicken and Egg Drop Soup crap, you may find stuff like a stir fry pork dish, rice noodles, or some sort of seafood soup. Sometimes, the menu is in Chinese only, so you may need help with translations.
Quote from: Scott5114 on May 12, 2021, 08:18:46 PM
But anyone trying to order one would cause a problem, because first the cashier had to know that was a thing that existed, as well as where to find it on the register, and then inevitably the kitchen would see it on their screen and ask what the hell that was, and hope that the manager knew how to make it (or had the presence of mind to look it up in the ops manual).
Wouldn't it be more likely that the order-taker would just say something like "Sorry, we don't offer that anymore"?
Quote from: webny99 on May 12, 2021, 10:03:32 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on May 12, 2021, 08:18:46 PM
But anyone trying to order one would cause a problem, because first the cashier had to know that was a thing that existed, as well as where to find it on the register, and then inevitably the kitchen would see it on their screen and ask what the hell that was, and hope that the manager knew how to make it (or had the presence of mind to look it up in the ops manual).
Wouldn't it be more likely that the order-taker would just say something like "Sorry, we don't offer that anymore"?
You think anyone accepted that answer?
Quote from: Scott5114 on May 12, 2021, 10:04:39 PM
Quote from: webny99 on May 12, 2021, 10:03:32 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on May 12, 2021, 08:18:46 PM
But anyone trying to order one would cause a problem, because first the cashier had to know that was a thing that existed, as well as where to find it on the register, and then inevitably the kitchen would see it on their screen and ask what the hell that was, and hope that the manager knew how to make it (or had the presence of mind to look it up in the ops manual).
Wouldn't it be more likely that the order-taker would just say something like "Sorry, we don't offer that anymore"?
You think anyone accepted that answer?
Uh... I guess I would, because I don't really know how I
wouldn't accept that answer. I can't say I've ever argued with a drive-thru order taker (although if you're referring to in-store orders, that might be a little different).
Quote from: webny99 on May 12, 2021, 10:07:45 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on May 12, 2021, 10:04:39 PM
Quote from: webny99 on May 12, 2021, 10:03:32 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on May 12, 2021, 08:18:46 PM
But anyone trying to order one would cause a problem, because first the cashier had to know that was a thing that existed, as well as where to find it on the register, and then inevitably the kitchen would see it on their screen and ask what the hell that was, and hope that the manager knew how to make it (or had the presence of mind to look it up in the ops manual).
Wouldn't it be more likely that the order-taker would just say something like "Sorry, we don't offer that anymore"?
You think anyone accepted that answer?
Uh... I guess I would, because I don't really know how I wouldn't accept that answer. I can't say I've ever argued with a drive-thru order taker (although if you're referring to in-store orders, that might be a little different).
"No, I've had it here before. You can do it, you just don't want to. Let me talk to a manager."
Quote from: Scott5114 on May 12, 2021, 10:16:45 PM
Quote from: webny99 on May 12, 2021, 10:07:45 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on May 12, 2021, 10:04:39 PM
Quote from: webny99 on May 12, 2021, 10:03:32 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on May 12, 2021, 08:18:46 PM
But anyone trying to order one would cause a problem, because first the cashier had to know that was a thing that existed, as well as where to find it on the register, and then inevitably the kitchen would see it on their screen and ask what the hell that was, and hope that the manager knew how to make it (or had the presence of mind to look it up in the ops manual).
Wouldn't it be more likely that the order-taker would just say something like "Sorry, we don't offer that anymore"?
You think anyone accepted that answer?
Uh... I guess I would, because I don't really know how I wouldn't accept that answer. I can't say I've ever argued with a drive-thru order taker (although if you're referring to in-store orders, that might be a little different).
"No, I've had it here before. You can do it, you just don't want to. Let me talk to a manager."
Golly. I'm not one of those type of customers, or at least I try not to be. (Quite possibly stemming from the fact that it would never even
occur to me to go to Burger King for a ham and cheese sandwich...)
Quote from: Scott5114 on May 12, 2021, 10:16:45 PM
Quote from: webny99 on May 12, 2021, 10:07:45 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on May 12, 2021, 10:04:39 PM
Quote from: webny99 on May 12, 2021, 10:03:32 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on May 12, 2021, 08:18:46 PM
But anyone trying to order one would cause a problem, because first the cashier had to know that was a thing that existed, as well as where to find it on the register, and then inevitably the kitchen would see it on their screen and ask what the hell that was, and hope that the manager knew how to make it (or had the presence of mind to look it up in the ops manual).
Wouldn't it be more likely that the order-taker would just say something like "Sorry, we don't offer that anymore"?
You think anyone accepted that answer?
Uh... I guess I would, because I don't really know how I wouldn't accept that answer. I can't say I've ever argued with a drive-thru order taker (although if you're referring to in-store orders, that might be a little different).
"No, I've had it here before. You can do it, you just don't want to. Let me talk to a manager."
We had people who would grumble that "you guys let me do it before" (wouldn't be surprised if it was another BK that they were too dumb to realize they are the same store) and put on a pouty face, but I don't recall anyone trying to die on that hill. But I didn't work register much, so that may be why.
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on May 12, 2021, 10:37:39 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on May 12, 2021, 10:16:45 PM
Quote from: webny99 on May 12, 2021, 10:07:45 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on May 12, 2021, 10:04:39 PM
Quote from: webny99 on May 12, 2021, 10:03:32 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on May 12, 2021, 08:18:46 PM
But anyone trying to order one would cause a problem, because first the cashier had to know that was a thing that existed, as well as where to find it on the register, and then inevitably the kitchen would see it on their screen and ask what the hell that was, and hope that the manager knew how to make it (or had the presence of mind to look it up in the ops manual).
Wouldn't it be more likely that the order-taker would just say something like "Sorry, we don't offer that anymore"?
You think anyone accepted that answer?
Uh... I guess I would, because I don't really know how I wouldn't accept that answer. I can't say I've ever argued with a drive-thru order taker (although if you're referring to in-store orders, that might be a little different).
"No, I've had it here before. You can do it, you just don't want to. Let me talk to a manager."
We had people who would grumble that "you guys let me do it before" (wouldn't be surprised if it was another BK that they were too dumb to realize they are the same store) and put on a pouty face, but I don't recall anyone trying to die on that hill. But I didn't work register much, so that may be why.
I generally preferred to take drive-thru if at all possible, because, while you get the angriest customers, it carried the least amount of cleaning (basically just had to mop my little window area, stock cups/condiments/ice, and clean the shake machine at the end of the night). Also, after I got used to it, I found that the mental stimulus of keeping the drive-thru running correctly and efficiently was much more my style than maintaining the (far too large for our level of business) lobby or the kitchen (while it's nice to get to avoid talking to customers, staying long after close scrubbing broiler parts isn't).
I have learned that Popeyes will allow you to order just about anything on their menu a la carte. I don't like getting drinks from restaurants (I prefer water with food), so I order most things by themselves. Most places allow you to do this via the menu ("#1, just the sandwich" for instance), but Popeyes does not seem to advertise just 'this' or 'that' as something that can be ordered by itself. Their online ordering service (for pickup) also does not offer a la carte options, requiring either a combo or dinner. So if I want a la carte options, I have to ask very specifically ('5 tenders, by themselves', etc).
When I first saw the title of the thread, I thought it had to do with hidden menus in computer software. I know that the computer game SimCity 2000 has a hidden "debug" menu.
SM-S102DL
Wawa used to offer a not-so-secret secret menu on their ordering kiosks, accessible by tapping the flying goose logo at the bottom of the screen. It wasn't really a true "secret menu", it was basically just limited-time specials. When Wawa redid their ordering system a couple of years ago, the secret menu went away.
Chipotle has a fairly well-known secret menu, but ordering from it generally requires a staff that's willing to go out of its way to actually make your special order. A lot of Chipotle employees resent making secret menu items, especially when they're busy. The pandemic and staffing shortages probably put an end to this, as a lot of Chipotle locations are online ordering only right now. Notably, customizable quesadillas were once something that was only available on the secret menu, but they're now on the actual menu (but only if you order online).
Quote from: Route66Fan on May 13, 2021, 07:56:49 AM
When I first saw the title of the thread, I thought it had to do with hidden menus in computer software. I know that the computer game SimCity 2000 has a hidden "debug" menu.
The advanced options menu on Cummins touch-screen money counters is hidden away in a particularly odd manner–clear the total from the machine, then long-press the zero on the current total display.
Didn't mcdonalds have both the mcdouble and the double cheeseburger and only one was on the menu?
The only difference between a McDouble and a double cheeseburger is that the latter has two slices of cheese and the former has one. The double cheeseburger was, in the late 2000s, on the dollar menu, and there was no such thing as a McDouble. But they wanted to raise the price of the double cheeseburger, but doing so would mean they'd have to remove it from the dollar menu. So they invented the McDouble and priced it at $1, hoping nobody would notice.
Later, they ran out of things they were willing to sell for $1 and the dollar menu became the $1-$2-$3 menu thing, which seems pointless to have, but whatever.
I believe Potbelly's has a semi-"secret" menu that is not advertised in stores but is easily accessed if you use their app. I've never used the app, but a former colleague did and he showed it to me. The one I recall is the "Wrecking Ball"–a Wreck (ham, turkey, roast beef, salami, and cheese) plus meatballs and marinara sauce.
Quote from: Scott5114 on May 16, 2021, 02:07:53 AM
The only difference between a McDouble and a double cheeseburger is that the latter has two slices of cheese and the former has one. The double cheeseburger was, in the late 2000s, on the dollar menu, and there was no such thing as a McDouble. But they wanted to raise the price of the double cheeseburger, but doing so would mean they'd have to remove it from the dollar menu. So they invented the McDouble and priced it at $1, hoping nobody would notice.
Later, they ran out of things they were willing to sell for $1 and the dollar menu became the $1-$2-$3 menu thing, which seems pointless to have, but whatever.
It wasn't a case of willing to sell, but rather what they could sell while making a profit. Soda is cheap, so that's really the only thing on the dollar menu right now. And since most people will get more than just the soda, they make up the profit on their other products.
BTW if you have the app, you can get $1 large fries every day.
Quote from: 1995hoo on May 16, 2021, 09:38:56 AM
I believe Potbelly's has a semi-"secret" menu that is not advertised in stores but is easily accessed if you use their app. I've never used the app, but a former colleague did and he showed it to me. The one I recall is the "Wrecking Ball"–a Wreck (ham, turkey, roast beef, salami, and cheese) plus meatballs and marinara sauce.
Potbelly's also has (had?) a "Fire Ball" - meatballs, cheddar cheese, chili, and hot peppers.
Quote from: Scott5114 on May 16, 2021, 02:07:53 AM
The only difference between a McDouble and a double cheeseburger is that the latter has two slices of cheese and the former has one. The double cheeseburger was, in the late 2000s, on the dollar menu, and there was no such thing as a McDouble. But they wanted to raise the price of the double cheeseburger, but doing so would mean they'd have to remove it from the dollar menu. So they invented the McDouble and priced it at $1, hoping nobody would notice.
I love cheese, but I actually liked the McDouble better than the double cheeseburger. I could still get it that way, but it doesn't seem right to let them keep the extra slice of cheese for free.
American cheese isn't even that expensive (you can get it at Walmart for 14¢/slice, and I know damn well McDonalds buys enough of it that they can get it for far cheaper), and whapping a slice of it on a burger isn't a meaningful amount of labor (let's say 10 seconds, and that's if you're a newbie and have trouble getting the slices apart like I always did when I worked kitchen at BK, which equates to about 2/10¢ in labor at $7.25/hour). The 30¢ price difference between the McDouble and the double cheeseburger is suspect.
Quote from: Scott5114 on May 16, 2021, 04:30:10 PM
American cheese isn't even that expensive (you can get it at Walmart for 14¢/slice, and I know damn well McDonalds buys enough of it that they can get it for far cheaper), and whapping a slice of it on a burger isn't a meaningful amount of labor (let's say 10 seconds, and that's if you're a newbie and have trouble getting the slices apart like I always did when I worked kitchen at BK, which equates to about 2/10¢ in labor at $7.25/hour). The 30¢ price difference between the McDouble and the double cheeseburger is suspect.
Markup is typically twice the cost. So 30c for a 14c item sounds reasonable.
Also note...you're guessing at the cost. But you're also going there and picking it up yourself. You're not paying for it to be delivered, which would be part of the price of all products a McDs store pays.
Well, they're going to get cheese delivered as part of a weekly/biweekly truck, and the cost of that delivery is going to be split across several dozen types of items arriving on that same truck, which is further divided between each individual unit in the case. Cheese is shipped in large cardboard boxes with several thousand slices in it. The per-unit delivery cost at that scale is hilariously negligible.
I am not entirely guessing at the cost, since I managed a Burger King and had access to the purchasing prices. I would imagine that McD's gets better pricing than BK because they have a larger number of stores than BK does and thus can leverage economies of scale. I do recall that the price at BK was below ten cents a slice in 2009, when I last saw them.
Quote from: Scott5114 on May 16, 2021, 05:19:32 PM
Well, they're going to get cheese delivered as part of a weekly/biweekly truck, and the cost of that delivery is going to be split across several dozen types of items arriving on that same truck, which is further divided between each individual unit in the case. Cheese is shipped in large cardboard boxes with several thousand slices in it. The per-unit delivery cost at that scale is hilariously negligible.
I am not entirely guessing at the cost, since I managed a Burger King and had access to the purchasing prices. I would imagine that McD's gets better pricing than BK because they have a larger number of stores than BK does and thus can leverage economies of scale. I do recall that the price at BK was below ten cents a slice in 2009, when I last saw them.
BK, for as long as I remember, charges 30c to 40c for a slice of cheese on the Whopper, which is already a fairly pricey sandwich for what you get. It's about the only sandwich I'll get without cheese.
30¢ is what I remember it being. Adding cheese to a Whopper actually gets you two slices of cheese according to the book. BK only stocks one size of cheese slice, so to cover the whole patty you have to overlap two of them in an interlocking-diamond pattern.
Quote from: 1995hoo on May 16, 2021, 09:38:56 AM
I believe Potbelly's has a semi-"secret" menu that is not advertised in stores but is easily accessed if you use their app. I've never used the app, but a former colleague did and he showed it to me. The one I recall is the "Wrecking Ball"–a Wreck (ham, turkey, roast beef, salami, and cheese) plus meatballs and marinara sauce.
My arteries hardened just reading that!