Not So Secret Menus

Are secret menus really that secret?

Animal+Fries+from+In-N-Outs+secret+menu.+

Tammera Magana

Animal Fries from In-N-Out’s secret menu.

Tammera Magana and Janine Tadiaman

Throughout the years, popular food joints have continuously captured customers with their creative and one of a kind menus. One thing people might or might not be aware of when ordering food are the secret menus. Starbucks, Jamba Juice, and In-N-Out are some of the few known to have such menus.

“I get the ‘Pink Star’ [which] tastes like a pink starburst,” said Oxnard High School junior Breanna Campbell, referring to her favorite Jamba Juice secret menu item. “At In-N-Out, you could order a bunch of patties, but it’s not on the menu,” added Campbell.

Through the power of the Internet and social media, one can learn more about secret menus from different places. OHS Junior Ana Sanchez said that she found out about Starbucks’ secret menu through Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

According to hackthemenu.com, McDonalds serves a “Monster Mac — eight burgers piled inside of just one bun.” The same source also said Subway has an item called the Wing Effect, which is just bologna on the edges of a sub. Aside from secret drinks, Starbucks also has secret sizes such as the Short Drink, an eight ounce cup and the Trenta, a 31 ounce cup available for Refreshers.

Every lesser known food had its origins from the creative minds of the customers. According to qz.com, In-N-Out Vice President Carl Van Fleet said, “The so-called ‘secret menu’ items are simply variations in methods of preparation for our basic menu items. We always make each burger exactly the way a customer orders it.”

Anyone can contribute to the ingenious creations that make up a secret menu, but they vary by location.