McDonald's has made it pretty clear that it's all about improving itself these days. From embracing simplicity to tweaking its McNugget recipe to include less artificial ingredients, the popular fast food chain is implementing some serious changes in its quest to be a better Mickey D's. But in what is quite possibly our favorite (or at least the tastiest) move yet, McDonald's has seriously upped its French fry game. And there's garlic involved. Lots and lots of garlic.
The new menu item – Gilroy Garlic Fries – are made-to-order by tossing regular fries with a garlic purée mix that includes not just chopped garlic, but also olive oil, Parmesan cheese, parsley, and some salt. Named after Gilroy, California, which happens to be the "garlic capital" of the world and where McDonald's gets its garlic, the fries are meant to be "part of a trend at McDonald's to experiment with regional flavors and food on its menu," according to a press release.
McDonald's French fries were hardly in need of an upgrade – we're happy to eat our weight in them whether they're covered in garlic or not – but that doesn't mean that a bit of flavor experimentation for the iconic fast food side dish isn't welcome. And honestly, if we loved our McDonald's fries when they were plain Jane-ing it, just think of how we'll feel when their recipe gets an added flavor kick.
Unfortunately, not all of us will get to figure that out firsthand (at least, not right now) since McDonald's is currently rolling out the new fries exclusively in the San Francisco. And since this is part of a new move to infuse foods with local flavor depending on region, it's too early to say whether or not the new item will be spreading beyond the Bay Area.
On the plus side, this might mean that other regions can look forward to unique French fry flavors of their own. Orange-infused fries in Florida? Pizza fries in New York? Lobster fries in Maine? Garlic fries are just the beginning, guys. The possibilities are endless. (Well, maybe not endless, per se; Florida could probably use a little more brainstorming.)
Follow Delish on Instagram.