McDonald's has rolled out a fresh 'secret' menu across the UK, but the launch has been met with a chorus of similar complaints from disappointed customers. The fast-food giant revealed its latest lineup on Monday, January 5, 2026, featuring a mix of new creations and returning favourites.
What's New on the McDonald's Menu?
The freshly launched selection includes the comeback of popular items like the Chicken Big Mac and the Big Arch burger. Brand new offerings making their debut are the Mini Apple Pie McFlurry and the Surf N' Turf burger. The chain announced the update with a promotional video on social media, aiming to generate excitement among its customer base.
Customer Reaction: Nostalgia Over Novelty
However, the response from diners has been overwhelmingly focused on what is not on the menu, rather than what is. Under the announcement post, a flood of comments revealed a unified demand for the permanent return of several axed items.
One social media user pleaded, "Return of the chicken legend when??" Another echoed the sentiment, stating, "All we want, chicken legend and the ACTUAL BIG Big Tasty !!! And bagels…" The call for the breakfast bagels was particularly forceful, with a third commenter writing, "I'm going to say this so slowly. JUST BRING BACK THE BAGELS."
The Lost Favourites: A Brief History
The strength of feeling is rooted in the history of these discontinued products. The Chicken Legend burger, a fan favourite featuring a crispy chicken breast in a ciabatta bun, was first introduced in 2007 and removed from menus 15 years later.
Meanwhile, the breakfast bagel had an even longer run. It arrived in Britain in 2004 and became a morning staple for 16 years before being cut during the Covid-19 pandemic. Its recipe included a bagel with egg, cheese, a choice of meat, and a hollandaise-style sauce.
While McDonald's continues to innovate with new secret menu items, it is clear that for a significant portion of its UK customer base, the real innovation would be listening to their persistent calls and reinstating these much-missed classics.
