Fabulous Frugal Finds

This Is A Game Changer #CreateYourTasteCA

create your taste regina

If you have a busy family like mine, chances are you may have noticed the signs at your local McDonald’s drive-through – black flags advertising Create Your Taste. If you have a busy family like mine, you may have heard about the self-ordering kiosks inside McDonald’s restaurants across Canada, but didn’t really follow what Create Your Taste was all about. Because, if you have a busy family like mine, you can’t recall the last time you were actually inside a McDonald’s restaurant as opposed to zipping through the drive-through.

I’m telling you (and all my friends), that it’s time you brought your family inside McDonald’s because things have changed in a big way! I was recently invited to the newest McDonald’s restaurant location here in Regina, SK, to learn about the new self-serve kiosks and experience Create Your Taste for myself. I brought along two very interested food connoisseurs, my daughters!

mcdonalds regina create your taste

Here’s the big light bulb moment – I thought that the self-serve kiosk was the showstopper of Create Your Taste, but it’s not – it’s just the beginning! Sure, you can walk in and order your usual Big Mac and large fries as usual, but the big news here is that you can also create your own burger, just the way you like it, with gourmet burger toppings! And, yes, those delicious McDonald’s french fries and other sides are available as well (along with dessert!)

create your taste regina

I am *so* excited about what I’m about to tell you next, guys. Customers at McDonald’s with Create Your Taste offered can now order an Angus Burger with a lettuce wrap instead of a bun! I have long said that our family definitely utilizes fast food with no apologies, we’re busy and sometimes dinner just doesn’t get planned (or taken out of the freezer in time, or whatever the case may be!) In my recent endeavour to drop a few pounds and build some tone, take-out has presented some challenges. I’ve learned though, that there are a bunch of options for people on the same path as myself – you can still enjoy a meal with your family withย  a few adjustments.

create your taste mcdonalds lettuce wrap

A lettuce wrapped Angus burger from McDonald’s is one of those amazing adjustments that taste oh so good! An Angus Burger at McDonald’s comes in a 320 calories. Add a yummy Brioche Bun to it and you’ve got another 220 calories. If you swap out a lettuce wrap instead that’s 220 calories saved! Of course, you can also add a few calories with the cheese, grilled mushrooms, caramelized onions and garlic aioli sauce like I did, but that’s entirely up to you! I mean, who could resist grilled mushrooms and caramelized onions?

mcdonalds create your taste

My daughter opted for the Angus Burger with Brioche bun, guacamole, bacon and cheese, oh my! She enthusiastically gave it a thumbs up, and I had to taste it of course to ensure I was being a good blogger (ha!)

mcdonald's gluten free options

We also discovered a bunch of new dessert or coffee-pairing options in-restaurant as well. I had no idea that McDonald’s offered these delicious temptations and – this is a big one – the gluten-free chocolate brownie didn’t taste like a cardboard box (thankfully we don’t have to deal with gluten issues in our household, and gluten-free or not, this brownie was a delicious surprise!)

Other things we were impressed with and will bring us back to dining-in at McDonald’s – after ordering at the self-serve kiosk, you’re given a coaster like other dine-in restaurants and your meal is brought to your table, along with a helpful staff member who is also eager to offer you ketchup, napkins or whatever else you need. Being invited as a guest to the restaurant, I did clarify if this was special treatment or what every customer would receive, and was pleased to learn that nope, I am not that special! ๐Ÿ˜‰ Everyone will now get efficient, helpful assistance inside all 24 participating McDonald’s restaurants in Saskatchewan (6 of each in Regina and Saskatoon).

mcdonald's create your taste

In fact, with the roll-out of this new technology and burger options, 350 jobs are being created in Saskatchewan alone! I found that statistic interesting since many of us equate more technology with less customer service. With greeters at the kiosk assisting you, and staff bringing your food to your table, along with specific people hired just to make the customized burgers in a separate location in the kitchen – I can see where these positions will add up.

We truly enjoyed our dining experience at McDonald’s, and going forward I’m going to halt our busy-ness and take the time to dine-in with the family instead of zipping through the drive-thru, so that we can take advantage of the Create Your Taste ordering kiosk and dining experience. If you, like me, have not actually been inside a McDonald’s restaurant in awhile, I encourage you to check it out for yourself. You, like me, are likely going to be surprised with what’s waiting inside.

 

 

 

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  • I’m actually really in love with McDonalds lately because of the build your own burger movement. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Big Mac just as much as the next person, but having the option of a lettuce wrap vs a bun has made me fall for McDonalds all over again. Same goes for my husband who quite enjoys the self serve kiosk.

  • I can’t remember the last time I was in a McDonald’s. My husband mentioned this. I’ll have to check it out.

  • I absolutely love the lettuce wrap option. I do wish, and I’ve said this so many times before, that they offered a whole wheat tortilla option, especially in the grilled chicken snack wraps (which are a great choice for folks watching their calorie intake). Glad to see more options on the menu to make your order truly your own!

  • I have seen these kiosks, but didn’t realize the options were customizable. That’s a direction I didn’t see coming for this chain.

  • I am not a fast foI am not a fast food gal as a whole, but I really love the idea of this custom burger.. I can see this being a big hit for McDonalds to draw new customers in and get the old ones returning

  • Very interesting. I haven’t tried this yet. I find there menu very hard to read. It doesn’t show you every item ad is always changing. I would love to see all the options right I front of me, so this sounds good.

  • I used it last time I was at McDonald’s but I still ended up with the Big Mac. I may change it up next time.

  • Sounds awesome to be able to make your own burger, but I will probably stick with my big mac that is the whole idea of going to McDonalds, I can get a burger at other places but I can not get a big Mac, sorry I’m old school!

  • I haven’t been to a Macdonalds in a while so not sure if they have this here or not. I must check it out. Usually I just go to the drive through when I go there.

  • This is fabulous, way to go McDonald’s! I don’t do well with a lot of carbs so this is a perfect way for me to be able to eat out and not feel sick after. Awesome !

  • As someone who likes to eat low carb, I am excited to see that you can get a lettuce “bun”! Can’t wait to try it!

  • I had no idea they were doing this I guess I may pass on my usual kid size burgers! I love how the beef tastes there already so I will have to check it out. I do hope this won’t reduce the jobs there in the long term though or the prices higher. Its always been a treat for me not a regular thing so calories be dammed lol.

  • This is not available to any McD’s I’ve been to yet but, i look forward to this amazing experience!!!! THanks!

  • I haven’t seen this feature in my local McDonalds, but I will be on the lookout. That Angus Burger looks amazing! The fact that it’s creating jobs too is a big plus…….and now I’m hungry! lol

  • holy Mcdonalds has come a long way!! To have a self-serve kiosk AND be able to order your meal on lettuce instead of a bun! That is fantastic. good on you Mcdee’s

  • This is going to lead to some pretty interesting creations in our family. The kids are definitely going to love this!

  • Wait a minute… seriously?? How have I not heard of this!!!! I LOVE adding things like grilled mushrooms, caramelized onions and garlic aioli sauce – sounds so gourmet!! Can’t wait to try it.

  • I had NO idea that you could do a lettuce wrap! I end up tossing half the bun because its too much bread for me.. I will totally check that out!

  • I haven’t tried create your own taste yet but I’ve played around with the machine and it’s certainly interesting!

  • Wow,that sounds so awesome!! I don`t know if we have that at our McDonalds,I will have to check it out!

  • We don’t have any of these here yet, but I would go for it.
    It sounds like a fun way to create a burger.

  • Lettuce Wrapped Burgers?!! I’m SO IN!!!! What a great concept picked up by Mcdonalds. I hope it’s here to stay!!

  • I love all the new options at McD’s. It was a little awkward when they were bringing the food and drinks to your table though, you just don’t expect that from McD’s.

  • Very cool! You’re right, we haven’t been INSIDE of a McDonald’s in a very long time – we are a drive-thru family all the way! Will have to go see if we have these at our local restaurant, I’d love to try my own customized burger!

  • This is a great idea. I would love to give it a try. My local McDonalds is horrible so I’ll have to find a different location to try it at. Too many screwed up orders for me to ever return.

  • Looks like I should actually go inside next time I go to McDonald’s. I can’t remember the last time I actually went in. The drive-thru is just so much easier!

  • I really like this idea. It will probably never make it to my town (too small) but I’ll defintely look for it in a bigger city.

  • I have not tried the create your own burger yet. I really love the kiosk’s though. It makes ordering so much easier, especially when you take the bun off or sauce off of other burgers. Your’s looks really good too!

  • I LOVE the McDonalds Create Your Taste new option, to build my own lettuce wrapped Angus burger, it’s so yummy!

  • We don’t step into McDonalds too often, but you may have convinced me to check it out! I do like their coffee though ?

  • That looks really good! I haven’t used the self-serve kiosks because they look so intimidating but now with the lettuce wrap idea, I might just attempt those things!