Maryland law leaves McDonald's large fries lovers holding the bag

Maryland McDonald's customers ordering medium and large french fries are finding out Ronald has a brand new bag. Instead of the iconic red cardboard medium and large fry containers, those orders are now being handed out in paper bags, at least at some Golden Arches locations in Montgomery County. Some customers say the weight and portion size of the bagged fries are less than those served in the cardboard containers. But it's not simply a shrinkflation attempt alone by McDonald's. It turns out that Maryland passed a law in 2024 that mandated the retirement of cardboard fry sleeves forever.

The George "Walter" Taylor act was presented to the public as a bill almost no one would oppose. It would ban the sale and use of firefighting foam that contained "forever chemicals." This would reduce health risks and impacts for firefighters, and who could disagree with that? Well, it turns out another provision was hidden in the bill, one that applied a similar restriction to food packaging. Cardboard fry containers often are lined with a chemical coating that resists grease, and that supposedly contained a forever chemical. Cardboard was out, and the bill was signed into law by former Governor Larry Hogan.

I found the fry transition has been underway in a few other nanny states for at least a couple of years. Like so many nutty laws paased by the Maryland legislature and Montgomery County Council, this was yet another plagiarized from the great state of California. Now, thanks to both local legislative bodies, we not only have paper straws that melt and ruin the taste of your drink, but potentially smaller fry portions for the same high price.

McDonald's swears that the portion size is the same. Fast food packaging experts have noted that the shape difference, and dimensions of the opening of the new bag, together make it more difficult to stuff the same amount of fries into the bag as filled the cardboard. The jury is out. Your mileage may vary. And it will be something to watch in the coming weeks and months - please share your experience in the comments below.

Glenmont McDonald's drive-thru expansion planned

The drive-thru at the McDonald's at 12313 Georgia Avenue in Glenmont is about to get upgraded. Plans call for doubling the size of the drive-thru, with additional menu boards, canopies, and ordering microphones. Dual drive-thrus have become standard at many fast food chains these days, including McDonald's and Chick-fil-A. Drive-thru business accounts for a whopping 70% of sales at quick service restaurants.

Accused robber chases victim into Glenmont McDonald's

Montgomery County police have arrested a juvenile in a robbery and assault that took place in Glenmont Thursday, March 20, 2025. Shortly before 6:35 PM that evening, the 15-year-old victim was on a Ride On bus in the Glenmont area when he was approached by a 14-year-old who demanded personal property. The victim disembarked from the bus near the Glenmont McDonald's restaurant at 12313 Georgia Avenue. When he realized the 14-year-old suspect had also gotten off the bus and was following him, the victim ran into the McDonald's.

The alleged robber pursued the victim into the McDonald's, and again demanded the victim's personal property. He then began physically assaulting the victim. Police were called to the McDonald's after someone reported that a pair of juveniles were fighting behind the counter. Officers arrived and arrested the 14-year-old suspect.

He was transported to the 4th District Montgomery County police station, and charged with attempted robbery and assault. His case will be handled by the Department of Juvenile Services, and he has been released into the custody of "guardians," police said. They did not cite the injury status of the victim.

Angel Reese meal now available at McDonald's in Montgomery County

McDonald's' latest celebrity meal veers from the music world to the WNBA. The Angel Reese meal includes the new BBQ Bacon Quarter Pounder with Cheese. "Featuring an unapologetically bold and smoky BBQ sauce with crispy bacon, this breakout QPC® is taking it to the next level," McDonald's promises. "Each BBQ Bacon Quarter Pounder with Cheese is cooked when you order with a 100% fresh beef+ quarter pound patty, seasoned with just a pinch of salt and pepper, and sizzled on our flat iron grill. It’s smothered in smoky BBQ sauce and layered with crispy bacon, two slices of melty American cheese, slivered onions and tangy pickles all on a soft and fluffy sesame seed hamburger bun."

Reportedly, the BBQ sauce is a new recipe, and not the one used for McNuggets or the McRib. The Angel Reese Special also includes a medium fries, and Hi-C Orange is the recommended beverage pairing.(or other soft drink) round out the roster and has 1230 calories. Speaking of local basketball stars...here in Washington, we are looking forward to the Cooper Flagg Meal, if the NBA doesn't cheat us out of the #1 draft pick again.

Colesville McDonald's to "McDouble" drive-thru

The McDonald's at 504 E. Randolph Road in Colesville is going to "McDouble" the size of its drive-thru. Currently, the fast food restaurant has a single drive-thru lane. The franchisee's plan is to double that to two lanes in the coming months. McDonald's, like Chick-fil-A, has concluded side-by-side dual drive-thrus are more profitable and efficient. Given that the majority of fast food sales occur at the drive-thru window, maximizing volume and efficiency make perfect sense. 

Renovations ahead for Plaza Del Mercado McDonald's

Significant renovations are scheduled for the McDonald's restaurant at 2207 Bel Pre Road at Plaza Del Mercado in Aspen Hill. The front counter, dining room, and restrooms will all be remodeled or updated. New seating will be installed, as well as new kitchen equipment and fixtures. However, the restaurant is expected to remain open for business during the construction. We've seen a number of McDonald's in Montgomery County getting makeovers in recent times, particularly in the East County and Upcounty areas. Work at the Plaza Del Mercado location is anticipated to begin before the winter.

Minor remodeling ahead for Takoma-Langley Crossroads McDonald's

A minor remodeling project is now scheduled this fall for the McDonald's restaurant at 7911 New Hampshire Avenue, at the famous Langley Park Plaza mall, at the Takoma-Langley Crossroads. Changes will be made to the front counter area, largely to improve handling of takeout/delivery order pickup. Some minor upgrades will also be made to the exterior of the restaurant. A Big Mac by the fountain!

Montgomery County McDonald's now offering $5 meal deal

McDonald's restaurants in the Washington, D.C. area began a new promotion for these inflationary times yesterday. A $5 Meal Deal is now being offered for the summer season. The meal includes your choice of a McDouble or McChicken sandwich, a small fries, a 4-piece Chicken McNuggets, and a small soft drink of your choice. According to the McDonald's app, you can also choose a Hot n Spicy McChicken, as well. In addition to Montgomery County and the D.C. suburbs, the deal will also be available at participating McDonald's restaurants in the Baltimore region and on the Eastern Shore.

“We heard our fans loud and clear – they’re looking for even more great value from us, and this summer that’s exactly what they’ll get,” McDonald’s USA President Joe Erlinger said in a statement Tuesday. “Value has always been part of our DNA. We’re focused on living up to that legacy and offering delicious, affordable options customers can enjoy any time they walk through our doors, go through our drive thru or place an order through our app.”

McDonald's Bacon Cajun Ranch McCrispy chicken sandwich arrives in Montgomery County

It's not the legendary Cajun McChicken, but a Louisiana-inspired chicken sandwich is once again on the McDonald's menu for a limited time. The Bacon Cajun Ranch McCrispy has a Southern-style fried chicken "fillet" topped with applewood smoked bacon strips, crinkle-cut pickle slices, and a Cajun ranch sauce, on a toasted potato roll. A deluxe version adds lettuce and tomato. According to the official McDonald's nutrition facts, the Bacon Cajun Ranch McCrispy has 630 calories, 33 grams of fat, 7 grams of saturated fat, 85 milligrams of cholesterol, 11 grams of sugar, and 1650 milligrams of sodium. 

Renovation ahead for downtown Silver Spring McDonald's

One of downtown Silver Spring's finest restaurants will be getting some interior updates. The McDonald's restaurant at 8407 Colesville Road will undergo an interior remodeling in the coming months. Changes planned by the franchisee include a new design for the dining room and counter areas, and new bathroom fixtures. The announcement comes a few weeks after similar plans were disclosed for the Four Corners McDonald's.

Four Corners McDonald's to get interior remodeling

One of the busiest McDonald's restaurants in Silver Spring will be upgrading its interior soon. The McDonald's at 106 University Boulevard W. in Four Corners will undergo renovations to its front counter space and dining room. Work is expected to begin in the coming months. The restaurant will remain open during the renovations, as the drive-thru will be available even if temporary closure of the dining room is necessary at times.

McDonald's Cookies & Creme Pie arrives in Montgomery County

There's a new addition to the dessert menu at McDonald's in Montgomery County. The Cookies & Creme Pie features a baked chocolate crust, with a creme filling that also holds Oreo-style chocolate cookie pieces. This pie is reportedly not available in every market across the country, so we were fortunate to be one of those to have it. The pie will be available for a limited time only, as will the Oreo Frappe.

Orchard Center McDonald's to get interior refresh

It's been a year for renovations at the Orchard Center in Calverton. First, Target completed a major renovation. Now it's McDonald's' turn. The exterior of this McDonald's at 12044 Cherry Hill Road is very up-to-date. This renovation, which will be performed in the coming months, will remodel the dining room and counter area.

Oreo Frappe returns to McDonald's in Montgomery County

The Oreo Frappe has returned to the McCafe beverage menu at McDonald's. Originally released 7 years ago, it is scheduled to pop back up on menus nationwide May 17, 2023. But it appears to be arriving early here in Montgomery County. Check your local McDonald's location for this blend of mocha and coffee flavors, Oreo cookie pieces, and whipped cream, available for a limited time only.

Spicy McNuggets, Spicy McCrispy return; Strawberry Shortcake McFlurry debuts at McDonald's

McDonald's has new, limited-time only menu items in Montgomery County, whether you are seeking something hot or cold. The fast food chain's popular Spicy Chicken McNuggets return for a third time. Also back for an encore are the Spicy McCrispy and Spicy Deluxe McCrispy chicken sandwiches. And for the first time, McDonald's is offering a Strawberry Shortcake McFlurry. It combines vanilla soft-serve ice cream with "strawberry flavored clusters," and shortbread cookies. 

McDonald's challenges Chick-fil-A with new lemonade

McDonald's has already attempted to muscle into the chicken sandwich market with the very Chick-fil-A-esque McCrispy. Its spare pickle accompaniment and buttered bun leaves no doubt as to which fast food chain inspired its inception. Now the Golden Arches are again displaying the sincerest form of flattery toward America's favorite closed-on-Sundays restaurant, with a new beverage many Chick-fil-A customers find goes best with that famous chicken sandwich: lemonade. It's appearing in select markets across America right now, including New York City, Dallas, Chicago, Seattle, and...Montgomery County, Maryland.

But this lemonade isn't what you might have expected, given McDonald's' Coca-Cola partnership. It would have been easy, cheap and predictable to simply promote Minute Maid Lemonade. After all, Minute Maid has one of the best store-bought lemonades on the market.

Pre-made bottled or frozen lemonades haven't been the tradition at Chick-fil-A, though, so McDonald's is again turning to a formula that has worked for its upstart competitor. Chick-fil-A lemonade is made with "three simple ingredients: real lemon juice, cane sugar and water," according to the company's website. The new McDonald's Lemonade is made with...real lemon juice, cane sugar and water. Chick-fil-A lemonade has bits of pulp in it, due to being squeezed from real lemons. McDonald's Lemonade also has bits of pulp in it.

Wow, what a coincidence!

It's safe to assume that if customer reaction is favorable enough, the new lemonade will be added to the menu nationwide. For now, check your local McDonald's in Montgomery County, and you can be one of the first in America to sample it. Even on Sundays.

Bacon Ranch McCrispy arrives at McDonald's in Montgomery County

The new Bacon Ranch McCrispy has arrived at McDonald's restaurants in Montgomery County. While the limited-time-only menu item is scheduled to be available nationwide on March 13, 2023, it is popping up early at McDonald's locations in Montgomery County. The Bacon Ranch McCrispy sandwich features a "whole muscle chicken filet," topped with a special ranch sauce on both the top and bottom buns, applewood smoked bacon and crinkle-cut pickles. A Deluxe version adds sliced Roma tomatoes and shredded lettuce.

Rare Montgomery County test item Smoky BLT Quarter Pounder now on McDonald's menu nationwide

When fast food restaurants try out new menu items, their test markets are usually places like Ohio and Southern California, not Montgomery County, Maryland. Last year, McDonald's tested a Smoky BLT Quarter Pounder with two slices of American cheese, Roma tomatoes, Applewood smoked bacon, shredded lettuce and "smoky sauce" at several of their restaurants here in the county, including Bethesda (River Road), Rockville and Silver Spring. The burger was apparently well-received, as it has now been added to their menu nationwide for a limited time this month. Joining it is an Oreo Fudge McFlurry.

I'm only aware of one other time that a fast food chain has tested a possible menu item in Montgomery County, In the mid 1990s, McDonald's tested Mighty Wings. That iteration apparently wasn't ready for prime time, as a meatier and spicier version of Mighty Wings didn't get the green light for nationwide release until two decades later in 2013. Let's hope there will be more test items from McDonald's in the future, and that other fast food chains will recognize our usefulness as a test market.

Spicy Chicken McNuggets return to McDonald's

Spicy McNuggets drive-thru
advertisement at McDonald's

How do you make America's favorite chicken nugget better? Make it hot and spicy, of course. McDonald's has brought back Spicy Chicken McNuggets for a limited-time. A six-piece is $2.50 - not bad, considering what you pay for a four-piece McNuggets. Ranch is probably the best sauce for this McNugget variation.

McDonald's Smoky BLT Quarter Pounder arrives in Silver Spring

A new sandwich has arrived at many McDonald's locations in Montgomery County. The Smoky BLT Quarter Pounder with Cheese features the 100% all-beef patty topped with smoky bacon sauce, smoked Applewood bacon strips, Roma tomatoes, shredded lettuce and two slices of American cheese on a sesame seed bun. It cost $6.89 before tax. There is also a Chips Ahoy McFlurry for a limited time.

I have seen the burger at McDonald's restaurants in Bethesda (River Road), Rockville and Silver Spring so far. The secretive sandwich is either a test item, or a near-future release that came out early in our area. Which is great news, because the burger is delicious with the mystery bacon sauce. Watch my review, and then try it yourself.