In case you missed it, McDonald’s has announced the Friends Meal is officially coming to the UK.
Super exciting, right? I KNOW!
Launching in restaurants nationwide from February 3, the nostalgic meal features either a Big Mac, McPlant, or McNuggets, along with fries, a drink, and a toy.
Fans of the 90s sitcom can collect little figurines of all six Friends characters, with mini versions of Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Chandler, Joey, and Ross available.
Ahead of the launch, I was invited down to McDonald’s HQ in London to try some of the new Friends items before any other UK journalist.
Here’s my verdict…
There’s just one thing I’d change
If you loved collecting Happy Meal toys as a kid, this nostalgic Warner Bros collaboration is going to reignite your obsession, there’s no doubt about it.
As I waited for staff to hand me a tray of food, the eager anticipation I felt transported me straight back to my childhood. I was mentally keeping all my fingers crossed that inside the box, I’d find Monica… and reader, I got her!
All six of the little figures are cute, with some fun details.
Rachel is serving coffee, Monica is in her chef whites, Chandler is holding the chick, Joey has the duck, Phoebe is playing guitar, and Ross is joined by his monkey, Marcel.
Toys aside, the meal itself is pretty standard, filled with classics from the menu, but there’s a brand-new sauce that comes with it: Monica’s Marinara.
I have to admit, I didn’t have high hopes for the sauce. McDonald’s has launched many tomato dips and salsas over the years, and they all taste pretty much identical. So, I was expecting more of the same from this, just repackaged with Friends branding — but I was pleasantly surprised.
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The sauce is made with tomatoes, onions, herbs, and garlic, and tastes just like pizza.
There’s something so quintessentially American about it, which is exactly what you want for a show set in New York.
It was absolutely perfect paired with nuggets, but I’m also looking forward to trying it with the new Pizza Mozzarella Dippers when they launch as well. Sadly, these weren’t available during my visit.
I did get an early taste of the new Doughnut Latte, though, which is Central Perk-approved.
For this, doughnut-flavour syrup is added to a latte, then topped with cream and a sprinkle of doughnut crumb.
It’s the right mix of bitter coffee and sugary sweetness — I can imagine it would be right up Joey’s street.
While I loved trying the Friends Meal, I can’t help but feel one thing was missing, and that’s a bold new burger.
I don’t want to be greedy, as Maccies is giving the people exactly what they want with this launch, but as Friends is such a foodie show, it feels like the perfect excuse to get creative.
A meatball marinara concoction could have been interesting, or perhaps a version of Ross Geller’s infamous moist maker sandwich?
And a dessert inspired by Rachel’s ridiculously wrong trifle (hold the beef) would have been iconic, too.
Got some better ideas for the Friends adult happy meal? We’d love to hear them.
The only other sticking point is that this meal is by no means cheap.
Prices start from £9.09 for a Medium Big Mac or McPlant Meal and £9.19 for a Medium 9-piece McNugget Meal.
However, for Friends fans, getting a piece of exclusive merch just might make it worth it.
Prices may vary nationwide as restaurants can set their own prices.
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