10 Menu Hacks Everyone Knew Before TikTok
People used to swap items, order off-the-menu combinations, or tweak recipes to get more out of their meals.
- Daisy Montero
- 3 min read
TikTok may have made menu hacks trendy, but most of these clever tricks were around way before the app existed. This list breaks down some of the most memorable hacks that regulars kept to themselves. You might recognize a few or even remember trying them years ago.
1. The “Poor Man’s Big Mac”
Filippos Fragkogiannis on Wikimedia Commons
McDonald’s fans knew you could order a McDouble with special sauce and extra lettuce to recreate a Big Mac for cheaper. It tasted almost identical without the middle bun. This hack saved money and felt like an insider’s trick.
2. Starbucks “Secret Menu” Drinks
4028mdk09 on Wikimedia Commons
Before TikTok, regulars already swapped syrups, added extra shots, or asked baristas for creative combos. Drinks like the “cotton candy frappe” or “undertow” were shared quietly among friends. These became unofficial legends long before going viral online.
3. Chipotle Double Wrap Burrito
User:proshob on Wikimedia Commons
Hungry fans figured out you could ask for an extra tortilla at no charge. It made burritos stronger, less likely to fall apart, and way more filling. This quiet hack was a lifesaver before TikTok showed it off.
4. Deli Free Pickles
Unknown author on Wikimedia Commons
Local diners and delis often gave free pickle spears on the side. Regulars learned you could politely ask for extras at no cost. It was a small hack that made sandwiches and burgers even better.
5. Pizza Hut Half-and-Half Orders
Yum! Brands on Wikimedia Commons
Pizza chains let you order different toppings on each half, giving you two flavors in one pie. Friends and families used this hack to save money and please everyone. Long before social media, this was the ultimate compromise order.
6. In-N-Out Animal Style Fries
The original uploader was Pbroks13 at English Wikipedia. on Wikimedia Commons
West Coast fans already knew the secret menu existed. Ordering fries or burgers “animal style” meant special sauce, grilled onions, and melted cheese. It was passed along by word of mouth way before going viral online.
7. McDonald’s Free Water Cups
Dinkun Chen on Wikimedia Commons
A common hack was asking for a cup of water, which many places gave for free. It saved money if you didn’t want soda. Some people even used it to sneak in lemonade from the fountain machine.
8. Olive Garden Free Refills
General Mills Restaurants on Wikimedia Commons
Many sit-down restaurants quietly offered unlimited refills. People learned that iced tea, lemonade, and coffee often came with free top-ups. It was a way to stretch a small bill into a long hangout.
9. Subway Double Meat Sandwich
SoHome Jacaranda Lilau on Wikimedia Commons
Fans who wanted more protein figured out they could ask for double meat instead of paying for two subs. It was cheaper and made a sandwich more filling. Subway regulars passed this along quietly before TikTok picked it up.
10. TGI Friday’s Birthday Dessert
Teviot Studio on Wikimedia Commons
Chain restaurants and diners often gave free desserts if you mentioned it was your birthday. People took advantage of this hack long before influencers made it a trend. Sometimes, you’d even get a song from the staff.