A McDonald’s April Fools’ Day joke about a new sandwich caused a backlash on social media from fans who thought the fantastical sandwich was a reality.
Fans’ mouths started to water upon learning of the new McPickle burger, a pickle and cheese sandwich supposedly coming only to Australia, from a post on Instagram.
“Pickle lovers, it’s the news you’ve all been waiting for. We’re super stoked to announce the launch of our brand new McPickle Burger. It’s time to tuck into juicy, flavoursome pickles layered between melted cheese, ketchup sauce and toasted sesame seed buns. It’s sure to be a treat for all your senses,” the fast food chain wrote on its mcdonaldsau Instagram account.
The text was accompanied by a video of a double-layered pickle burger, complete with steam rising from it. More than 37,000 people watched the video of the burger and left at least hundreds of comments.
“I’m gonna order 1000,” commented Instagram user samanthakacho.
“If only it were true,” commented thisislivingbarry.
“heartbroken to find out this is fake,” commented bumblebeecake.
“even though this is a definitely an April’s Fools’ joke, I would order this and you know it,” commented alyce.nehme.
“cruel this isn’t real” commented taliacain.
In one of the comments, McDonald’s says the burger was “Available until yesterday,” hinting that it was all an April Fools’ joke.
“though this is fake it’s still disgusting,” commented rarnsmt, an Instagram user who was less of a fan of the pickle burger concept.
Some of the comments fans were outright distraught that it was only a joke. Others thought it would be a great option for vegans who visit the restaurant looking for food made without animal products.
“you vegans can now rejoice,” commented hugh.duong.
The commotion led McDonald’s to issue a statement after being contacted by news outlets, via News.com.au:
“We know there’s a lot of love out there for our famous pickles, and the McPickle Burger has certainly got people talking about them. We’re glad Australians have enjoyed our April Fools’ joke!”
As for other McDonald’s social media accounts, it was difficult to tell at first if new item offerings were April Fools’ Day jokes or not.
In a video posted to the main McDonald’s account, an account that is not country-specific, McDonald’s posted a video about a new series of dipping sauces. The sauces are based on the flavors of McDonald’s milkshakes.
The ad shows chicken, a fry, and even an apple pie getting dipped in Vanilla Shake Sauce, Strawberry Shake Sauce, Chocolate Shake Sauce, and even Shamrock Shake Sauce. The dipping containers look just like the ones given with savory sauces for Chicken McNuggets.
McDonald’s didn’t identify the sauces introduction as an April Fools’ Day joke, although some of the commenters seemed to think it is. Others were really hoping that it was not.
On the mcdonaldsuk Instagram page, the company also revealed a new set of milkshake dipping sauces, slightly different in appearance, with flavors from the main McDonald’s account. Perhaps due to the time zone difference, the company already followed up with another video post indicating the sauces were an April Fools’ Day joke.
The Instagram account for McDonald’s Canada revealed a new McNugget Singles item. It is basically a small box big enough for an order of one single McNugget. McDonald’s also didn’t say it was an April Fools’ joke, but fans figured it out in the comments section.
