TikTok has changed the way we order fast food forever. Creative foodies began sharing their secret menu hacks, combining ingredients in ways restaurant executives never imagined. These customizations became so popular that major chains couldn’t ignore them any longer. From cheesy quesadillas to sweet-and-savory mashups, here are ten TikTok food hacks that went from social media fame to official menu items.
1. Chipotle’s Fajita Quesadilla Hack
The internet went wild when TikTokers discovered you could order a cheese quesadilla with fajita veggies and extra protein at Chipotle. Employees initially struggled with the overwhelming requests for this off-menu creation.
The hack became so popular that Chipotle officially added it to their menu in March 2023, naming it after TikTok creators Alexis Frost and Keith Lee who helped it go viral. Now you can easily order this cheesy, veggie-filled delight without confusing the staff.
The official version comes with your choice of protein, fajita veggies, and three different sauces for dipping – vinaigrette, sour cream, or guacamole.
2. McDonald’s Hash Brown McFlurry Sandwich
Breakfast meets dessert in this unusual creation that took TikTok by storm. The hack involves ordering a plain McFlurry and two hash browns, then sandwiching the ice cream between the crispy potato patties.
The contrasting hot-cold, sweet-savory combination created such buzz that McDonald’s tested it as a limited-time offering in select markets. The official version features vanilla soft serve between two specially-sized hash browns with chocolate drizzle.
McDonald’s even credited the TikTok community in their marketing campaign, showing how social media directly influenced their product development for this unique treat.
3. Wendy’s Ultra-Loaded Chili Bowl
Creative TikTokers transformed Wendy’s regular chili by asking for extra cheese, sour cream, diced onions, and crushed Fritos on top. The result was a hearty, loaded chili bowl that resembled a walking taco in a cup.
After millions of views and countless customers requesting the modification, Wendy’s introduced their official Ultra-Loaded Chili Bowl nationwide. The new menu item comes with all the fixings plus jalapeños for an extra kick.
Wendy’s marketing team even partnered with popular TikTok food creators to promote the launch, acknowledging how customer creativity shaped their menu innovation.
4. Popeyes Mac & Cheese Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
TikTok foodies discovered you could ask Popeyes employees to add mac and cheese and buffalo sauce to their classic chicken sandwich. The creamy, spicy addition created a texture and flavor combination that quickly gained cult status.
Popeyes took notice after the hack appeared in hundreds of videos with millions of views. The chain released their official Buffalo Mac Chicken Sandwich in early 2023, featuring their signature fried chicken topped with creamy mac and cheese and drizzled with buffalo sauce.
The company even acknowledged the TikTok inspiration in their press release, thanking creative customers for the million-dollar menu idea.
5. McDonald’s Orange Creamsicle Drink
Budget-friendly drink hackers on TikTok discovered that mixing McDonald’s Fanta Orange with a splash of their coffee creamer created a perfect dupe for an orange creamsicle. The simple two-ingredient hack cost less than $2 but tasted like a premium dessert drink.
McDonald’s executives were initially skeptical but couldn’t ignore the millions trying the trend. By summer 2023, they launched the Orange Creamsicle Shake in select markets before rolling it out nationally.
Their official version uses orange-flavored syrup mixed with vanilla soft serve and milk, topped with whipped cream for a more premium experience than the original hack.
6. Costco’s Glizzaroni Pizza
Food court enthusiasts on TikTok created this bizarre mashup by placing Costco’s famous hot dogs on top of their pizza slices. The name “Glizzaroni” (combining “glizzy,” slang for hot dog, with “pepperoni”) caught on quickly as videos of the creation spread.
Costco, typically conservative with their food court menu changes, surprised everyone by testing the combo in select locations. The official version features sliced hot dogs arranged like pepperoni on their classic cheese pizza.
The warehouse club even printed special “As Seen On TikTok” signs for the food courts that offered this unique pizza, embracing the social media origin of their newest menu innovation.
7. McDonald’s “Poor Man’s Big Mac”
Budget-conscious McDonald’s fans on TikTok popularized ordering a McDouble with Big Mac sauce, lettuce, and no ketchup or mustard. This clever hack delivered the Big Mac experience for nearly half the price of the real thing.
McDonald’s recognized the hack was actually hurting Big Mac sales while creating longer custom order times. Their solution? Introducing the “Mac Jr.” – essentially making the TikTok hack official while maintaining better profit margins.
The company cleverly marketed it as “inspired by our customers’ creativity,” without directly mentioning it was their response to a money-saving trick that had gone viral on social media.
8. Chick-fil-A Oreo Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich
TikTokers discovered you could ask Chick-fil-A employees to place a scoop of their vanilla ice cream between two chocolate cookies, creating a DIY ice cream sandwich. The hack went viral because many didn’t realize the chain had cookies beyond their signature chicken offerings.
After millions of views and countless requests overwhelming their staff, Chick-fil-A made it official. They introduced the Cookies & Cream Sandwich, featuring their Icedream soft serve between two chocolate cookies with Oreo pieces mixed in.
The official version comes pre-assembled and wrapped, making it more convenient than the original hack that required special assembly by busy employees.
9. Arby’s Steak Nuggets
TikTok meat enthusiasts created buzz when they suggested Arby’s should offer their roast beef in bite-sized form like chicken nuggets. The concept generated millions of impressions across social platforms with people imagining dipping steak bites in various Arby’s sauces.
Arby’s product development team paid attention. Just months after the viral videos, they launched Steak Nuggets – bite-sized portions of steak, breaded and fried to a golden crisp, served with a choice of dipping sauces.
The chain’s marketing explicitly thanked TikTok users in their launch campaign with the tagline “You asked, we listened,” showcasing how social media directly influenced their menu innovation.
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