Latest news with #TanmayDhuri
News18
24-04-2025
- Business
- News18
McDonald's Chicago Outlet Serves India's Beloved McAloo Tikki To Draw Crowds
Last Updated: The McAloo Tikki holds a nostalgic place in the hearts of many Indians, making its limited-time appearance in the US all the more special. A McDonald's outlet in Chicago is generating major excitement among Indian customers with a special addition to its menu — the beloved McAloo Tikki. As reported by the New York Post, the vegetarian burger, which features a spiced potato-and-pea patty, is currently being served at the McDonald's Global Menu Restaurant in the city. The McAloo Tikki holds a nostalgic place in the hearts of many Indians, making its limited-time appearance in the US all the more special. The burger will be available only until June 23, so fans are rushing to get a taste before it's gone. 'It has nostalgic value to it," said Tanmay Dhuri, an Indian-origin customer. 'It's not something unique in terms of flavour, but it's something everyone has had growing up." An Axios reporter who tried the burger praised its taste but felt it wasn't very filling. Their tip for first-timers? Stack two patties in one bun for a more satisfying bite. 'The McAloo is tasty but not very filling, so I'd recommend getting two and stacking the patties on one bun. It's always nice to have a veggie burger that's vegetables and not heavy on the soy, which isn't as tasty and will give you a tummyache,' the reporter said. The item introduced to the menu earlier this month has been a spectacular success. One customer reportedly ordered 30 McAloo Tikki burgers in a single order. Currently, the Indian Burger is being sold at $5.99 (approximately Rs 512) at the Global Favourites Menu, which is the only place in the US to try out the veggie patty. The McAloo Tikki was introduced at McDonald's India outlets in 1998 and immediately became a favourite for its vegetarian nature and Indian spices alongside its customer-friendly prize. The Burger was initially available at INR 30 and is often recalled as the first Indian offering by McDonald's, which now has a wide range of items on its menu. First Published:
Mint
23-04-2025
- Business
- Mint
McDonald's takes Indians in US down memory lane with veg burger, adds ‘nostalgic value' to fast food
In Chicago's West Loop, there's a unique McDonald's called the Global Menu Restaurant. It is located right under the company's headquarters and training centre. Since 2018, it has served popular items from McDonald's menus around the world. Right now, plant-based eaters are excited about the McAloo Tikki burger. The spicy potato and pea patty with tomato and tangy mayo. It's a rare vegetarian-friendly option that's not just fries or ice cream. Vegans can skip the mayo to enjoy it too. This restaurant isn't just special, it's experimental. Open to the public, it changes its international offerings every 12 weeks. One visit might offer a Chicken McSpicy from Singapore or a Banana Tart McFlurry from Japan. But, don't expect the same items next time. It's a place where McDonald's tests global favourites. It is a fun and tasty stop for food lovers looking for something different from the usual Big Macs. Tanmay Dhuri tasted the veg burger, which reminded him of his younger days in India. "It has nostalgic value to it. It's not like something that's unique like in a flavour way, but it's just that everybody had it for so long," he told Axios. The McAloo Tikki burger was launched in India in 1998 and quickly became a hit. It combined Indian flavours with a crispy potato and peas patty, spiced with Indian spices. Its success made it McDonald's most iconic local menu innovation. Over time, the recipe has been improved. Now, there is less salt. The company claims there are no artificial colours or preservatives. McDonald's tried selling a plant-based burger called the McPlant in the United States. It used a Beyond Meat patty in 2022. But, it didn't become popular. According to the company's US head, American customers are not really interested in plant-based options. However, the McPlant is still available in some countries like Ireland and Switzerland, where it's doing better. First Published: 23 Apr 2025, 01:46 PM IST
Hindustan Times
23-04-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
‘Secret' McDonald's in Chicago sells burger that has a connection with India
A McDonald's outlet at a secret-ish spot in Chicago has introduced a new item to their menu, and it has a connection with India, reported the New York Post (NYP). According to the outlet, the venue, dubbed the McDonald's Global Menu Restaurant, is offering McAloo Tikki burgers to its customers. Though the burger has already created a buzz, especially among people with Indian roots, it isn't getting a permanent place on the menu. Reportedly, the outlet changes its menu every few days, and the vegetarian burger with a potato-and-pea patty will be available until June 23. Tanmay Dhuri, an Indian-origin customer who ordered this item while visiting Chicago, told Axios, 'It has nostalgic value to it. It's not like something that's unique like in a flavor way, but it's just that everybody had it for so long.' 'The McAloo is tasty but not very filling, so I'd recommend getting two and stacking the patties on one bun. It's always nice to have a veggie burger that's actually vegetables and not heavy on the soy, which isn't as tasty and will give you a tummyache,' an Axios reporter who tried the item recalled. According to Axios, the item introduced to the menu earlier this month has been a hit. Reportedly, a customer ordered up to 30 McAloo Tikki burgers at one time. Axios reported that the plant-based burger was introduced as part of the Global Favorites menu earlier this month. It is currently being sold for $5.99 (approximately ₹512). The outlet reported, "It's the only place in the U.S. to try the veggie patty.' Since its debut in 1998, McAloo has become one of the most popular items on the menu for McDonald's India outlets.
New York Post
22-04-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Secret McDonald's serves up fare you won't find elsewhere — and it's hiding in plain sight in the middle of this major city
Big Macs are basic — this Midwest McDonald's is serving up global eats with major street cred. Tucked into Chicago's bustling West Loop, beneath the golden arches of corporate HQ and its elite Hamburger University training ground, lies a Mickey D's unlike any other in the country. This secret-ish spot, officially dubbed the McDonald's Global Menu Restaurant, has been slinging international fan-favorite items since 2018 — and right now, it's got something plant-based eaters have been craving. Enter: the McAloo Tikki burger — a crispy, spicy potato-and-pea patty topped with tomato and a sweet-tangy tomato mayo. 3 Imported from India, the McAloo Tikki — a crispy, spiced potato-and-pea patty with tomato and zesty tomato mayo — is only available at one U.S. McDonald's, and just until June 23. Straight outta India, this veggie delight is available at just the one US location, and only through June 23. Consider it a limited-time edible souvenir. Tanmay Dhuri, visiting the Windy City joint from the Bay Area, made a point to order the burger that took him back to his roots. 'It has nostalgic value to it. It's not like something that's unique like in a flavor way, but it's just that everybody had it for so long,' the eager eater told Axios. For many Indian customers, it's a bite of home. 3 Hidden in Chicago's buzzing West Loop, beneath McDonald's corporate HQ and its exclusive Hamburger University, sits a one-of-a-kind Mickey D's you won't find anywhere else in the U.S. Google Maps For vegetarians — and vegans who ditch the mayo — it's a rare McDonald's win that isn't fries, ice cream or disappointment. The West Loop restaurant is an experimental playground that's open to the public. It rotates its global menu every 12 weeks, meaning one visit might land you a Chicken McSpicy from Singapore or a McFlurry Banana Tart from Japan — but good luck finding either again if you blink. 3 Sharing space with McDonald's high-tech test kitchens and burger think tank, the culinary unicorn is open to the public — no invite needed, just an appetite and a few bucks. Universal Images Group via Getty Images According to Food & Wine, this culinary unicorn shares space with McDonald's high-tech test kitchens and the brand's epicenter of burger research. But you won't need an invite or a name tag — just a hunger for novelty and a few bucks in your wallet. On a recent visit, Axios reporter Carrie Shepherd tried the McAloo herself: 'The McAloo is tasty but not very filling, so I'd recommend getting two and stacking the patties on one bun. It's always nice to have a veggie burger that's actually vegetables and not heavy on the soy, which isn't as tasty and will give you a tummyache' Shepherd also grabbed a side of France's crispy Deluxe Potatoes and washed it all down with a Banana Tart McFlurry from Japan — a worldwide trip for under $13. While the McAloo has popped up here before (in 2018 and 2023), it's not a permanent fixture — and its scarcity only adds to the hype. One cashier told Shepherd that it's the most-asked-about menu item and that customers have ordered up to 30 at once. McDonald's has struggled to make a meatless burger stick with the American crowd. The McPlant, launched in test markets with a Beyond Meat patty, fizzled faster than a flat Sprite. McDonald's USA president Joe Erlinger told The Wall Street Journal last year, 'I don't think the U.S. consumer is … looking for McPlant or other plant-based proteins from McDonald's now.' Tell that to the customers in line at the W. Randolph St. store. Either way, this stealthy international outpost is hiding in plain sight — and it's serving up what may just be the most unexpected burger on American soil. So whether you're homesick, veggie-curious, or just bored of the Big Mac, you'd better get to Chi-Town fast — before the McAloo packs its (veggie) bags.
Axios
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
McDonald's brings Indian classic to Chicago for a limited time
I don't eat McDonald's often, so when I learned a new plant-based burger at the international McD's in West Loop was causing a stir, I — as the team vegetarian — had to check it out. Driving the news: The restaurant connected to Hamburger University is serving the McAloo Tikki burger ($5.99) through June 23 as part of its Global Favorites menu. It's the only place in the U.S. to try the veggie patty. Why it matters: To Indian customers, the burger offers a taste of home — the McAloo debuted there in 1998 and is one of the most popular menu items. For vegetarians (and vegans if you order without the sauce), it's something we can actually eat besides French fries and soft serve. Dig in: The crispy patty, made of potatoes, peas and Indian spices, is topped with tomato and a tangy and somewhat sweet tomato mayo and served on the standard flat burger bun. I ordered a side of Deluxe Potatoes ($3.49) from France and a Banana Tart McFlurry ($2.99) from Japan, two more of the six items on the current global menu. What they're saying: Tanmay Dhuri, who was visiting from the Bay Area, said he had to get the burger that reminded him of growing up in India."It has nostalgic value to it. It's not like something that's unique like in a flavor way, but it's just that everybody had it for so long," Dhuri said. The intrigue: One of the cashiers told me it's the item people ask about the most and since they started serving it earlier this month, she's seen people order up to 30 at one time. Flashback: The global McD's also offered the McAloo Tikki in 2018 and 2023. State of play: McDonald's has tried to make a plant-based burger a regular thing in the U.S., but it hasn't quite caught on. They experimented with the McPlant, which was a Beyond Meat patty, in 2022 at restaurants in Dallas and the Bay Area, but McDonald's USA president Joe Erlinger told WSJ last year it wasn't popular and he doesn't think "the U.S. consumer is … looking for McPlant or other plant-based proteins from McDonald's now." McPlant is still available in other countries, including Ireland and Switzerland, according to Food and Wine. The verdict: The McAloo is tasty but not very filling, so I'd recommend getting two and stacking the patties on one bun. It's always nice to have a veggie burger that's actually vegetables and not heavy on the soy, which isn't as tasty and will give you a tummyache.
