I tried the Grimace shake 🍟

A failed vlog.

Yesterday, I shot a video of myself at the Penn Station McDonalds, reviewing the new Grimace Birthday Meal (shake, my first Big Mac, and fries). That video will never, ever see the light of day, but I’ll tell you my takeaways:

• Everyone who reads this letter knows we love the McDonald’s social media strategy right now. We love the Grimace takeover, we love the nostalgic commercial. That’s what drove me to get the shake.

• While I was going to get the shake, I thought about if this might be a response to Erewhon’s virality with their smoothie drops with celebrities like Hailey Bieber, Bella Hadid, and Kourtney Kardashian.

• I didn’t know you had to buy the whole meal to get the shake! Boost that AOV, Ronald.

• The packaging is great. Bags, cardboard containers, and the plastic shake cup are all covered with confetti/sprinkles that make it feel like it’s everyone’s birthday. I texted a few founders and brand consultants that I’m friends with from the middle of Herald Square and asked how McDonald’s has inspired their careers. They all said McDonald’s is the best brand.

• The shake was perfect, 10/10. It immediately reminded me of the berries and cream Starbursts.

• I’ve never had a Big Mac! It was also great. I really liked the pickles. When I saw the calories on the checkout screen I was like come on man, but then I thought, “It’s not like the white tablecloths at Minetta Tavern negate the calories in my the burger I had last week.”

And that’s my story.

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