The following “Chew This!” column originally appeared in “The Courier-Times” and / or “The Shelbyville News”. Check their websites for further information and dates

CopyCat Recipe for the McBrunch Burger

Blaise Doubman

Over the course of my column, I have had people write to me several times and ask if I am familiar with any of the “secret menu” items that fast food chains have. Starbucks has a “secret menu” that people talk about all the time, as well as Panara Bread and Dunkin Donuts. I never really jumped on board for the “secret menu” items because I always figured that if the menu item was really that good, then the company would release it and actually make it a menu item for everyone to enjoy. Seems to make sense right? Plus, I had feeling that employees of these places just were not that thrilled when someone came in and ordered a “secret menu” item. How do you ring it up? How long is it going to take? Like I said, I have never really been a fan of the “secret menu” items over the years for various reasons, even though I found them interesting and found myself always wanting to know more about them. 

The recipe I am sharing here today is the CopyCat recipe for the “McBrunch Burger” which has popped up lately on TikTok and Reddit as the newest “secret menu” item that everyone seems to be crazy about. It is pretty easy to put together on your own and if you ask me, the version that is made at home is even better than that at McDonalds. If you try this recipe, please take a picture and email it to me and I may feature it in an upcoming column. Also, if you know of any “secret menu” items that you want me to try and recreate at home and share with everyone here in my column, please write to me and let me know. Let me know your thoughts! 

CopyCat McBrunch Burger

This should be eaten right away, the same day that it is made.

1  hamburger bun

2 hamburger patties, cooked

2 strips of bacon, cooked

1 large egg, scrambled

1 frozen hashbrown patty, cooked

3 pickles

3 slices of processed American cheese

Ketchup, mustard, salt and pepper for seasoning

Start by assembling the sandwich. Open the hamburger bun and layer all of the ingredients inside starting with the two hamburger patties, with a slice of cheese between and over each. Then the strips of bacon, scrambled egg with another slice of cheese on that, hashbrown patty, pickles and then the ketchup, mustard, salt and pepper as to your desired tastes.

Ask and Answer: Suzie M. from New Castle wondered if she could make my “Hot Chicken Salad” without the phyllo crust on top. Yes! Just prepare as written but skip the crust.