Drive-thru Gourmet
McDonald's dips into sweet goodness with new McCafe Donut Sticks
This week, I reached out for an order of McCafe Donut Sticks 2.0 at the No. 1 burger buster, McDonald’s, with 37,000 restaurants over the river and through the wood to grandfather’s house we go. I can hear you: it’s “woods” and “grandmother’s house.” Nope, you’re wrong, I’m right. Look it up.
McDonald’s introduced Donut Sticks to big sales back in February, so what makes these 2.0? A side jigger of chocolate dipping sauce. Now that’s what I call new and improved. I’d almost eat tofu dipped in chocolate sauce.
Almost.
Here’s the Donut Sticks breakdown: six sticks of fried sweet dough, sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon, served with chocolate sauce.
Total calories: 280. Fat grams: 13. Sodium: 260 mg. Carbs: 34 g. Dietary fiber: 1 g. Protein: 6 g. Manufacturer’s suggested retail price: $1.69.
McDonald’s may call these Donut Sticks, but a better name — especially in Texas — might be Churro Sticks. McDonald’s serves them six to an order, warm and sweet, slightly crunchy outside, soft and chewy inside. The side of chocolate sauce is just the right size.
They’re extremely tasty, for sure. They’re small and they aren’t cheap, but the root word of doughnut ain’t dough for nothing. Heck, one cinnamon twist at Shipley will run you the same $1.69. If you’re in the West U/Bellaire area, might I suggest a Hoffy Twist at Shipley, which boasts the same cinnamon and chocolate flavor profile as McDonald’s new Donut Sticks, but the H-Twist beat McDonald’s to the punch by about five years.
If you think churros are popular in Mexico and the U.S., especially in the Costco food court, you should see how Spaniards line up out the door in Madrid for “churros y chocolate” after midnight. I was in Madrid over New Year’s one time and heard all about the "churros y chocolate" at San Gines Chocolateria. It was like mini-fondue insanity in there. One of the best desserts I ever had, and I’m a dessert person.
McDonald’s also has introduced Cinnamon Cookie Latte, its first seasonal McCafe drink since White Chocolate Mocha Latte five years ago.
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Ken Hoffman reviews a new fast food restaurant item every Wednesday. Have a suggestion or a drive-thru favorite? Let Ken know on Twitter.
