McDonald’s Angel Reese’s Special Leaves Some Diners Hating It After First Bite.

McDonald’s latest celebrity meal, the Angel Reese Special, was expected to be a slam dunk in the fast-food game. Instead, it’s become a major flop, with customers complaining that the first bite made them feel sick. What was supposed to be a celebration of the WNBA star has turned into a PR nightmare, with disappointed diners taking to social media to express their disgust.

Customers React: “I Nearly Threw Up”

As soon as the Angel Reese Special hit McDonald’s menus, eager fans rushed to try it. However, their excitement quickly turned to regret. Social media exploded with complaints about the meal’s taste, texture, and overall quality.

One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote: “Took one bite and almost threw up. What even is this?” Another reviewer described it as “one of the worst things I’ve ever eaten—McDonald’s should be ashamed.”

Food bloggers and YouTube reviewers jumped in as well, with many criticizing the meal for being too greasy, poorly made, and lacking flavor. Some even compared it to previous failed McDonald’s promotions that were widely mocked.

What Went Wrong?

The exact reason for the backlash isn’t entirely clear, but several factors seem to be at play. Customers have reported issues such as:

Overwhelming grease – Some say the burger or sandwich included in the meal was drowning in oil.

Strange flavor combinations – Many described an odd taste they couldn’t quite place.

Poor preparation – Customers complained about their meals being poorly assembled, with missing ingredients or cold food.

It appears that McDonald’s, in an attempt to capitalize on Angel Reese’s popularity, may have rushed the meal into production without ensuring a solid recipe.

A review of basketball champion Angel Reese’s Mcdonald’s meal, which is set to make history

In case you haven’t heard, Angel Reese is set to release her anticipated McDonald’s meal on Monday, which will make history as it is the first time the company has ever teamed up with a female athlete for a meal special.

The meal, which includes a BBQ Bacon Quarter Pounder with Cheese topped with a new BBQ sauce, french fries and a drink, has been available early at select locations, and I got a chance to give it a try this week. Now, I’ve had a Bacon Quarter Pounder before, so what I was really trying was the new BBQ sauce that comes along with the meal.

The BBQ sauce, which is described as “bold,” has a tangy spice to it, giving it a je ne sais quoi the original lacks. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind the original, but I have long preferred the brand’s Sweet & Sour sauce, as it gives an equal blend of tanginess that really enhances the taste of your food.

Of course, I also had to give the sauce a try with the chicken nuggets, so I ordered a four piece on the side to test out a few of them. Needless to say, Reese and McDonald’s might be onto something here, as I prefer the Bold BBQ even more than the Sweet & Sour I normally order for my nuggets. The final part of my taste test consisted of trying the fries. I’m usually not somebody who typically likes dipping my fries into any kind of sauce other than ketchup, but I can honestly say I enjoyed the mixture of flavoring here, and can see how a die-hard fry/BBQ sauce lover will have an appreciation for it.

Overall, I’d have to say the Angel Reese special was a nice little lunch/dinner that definitely hits the spot. According to McDonald’s, this partnership is all about “celebrating greatness” and “shining a light on the next generation of superstars.

“McDonald’s has always been a big part of my life, from grabbing a McChicken Sandwich as a kid to being named a McDonald’s All American in 2020,” said Reese in her official statement.  “It’s really a dream come true to be the first-ever female athlete to have my own meal and be a part of McDonald’s amazing basketball legacy. I hope the Angel Reese Special inspires young athletes everywhere to never give up on pursuing their dreams.”

“There’s a real connection between McDonald’s and basketball fans,” added Jennifer “JJ” Healan, Vice President of Marketing, Brand, Content & Culture at McDonald’s. “We want to continue to fuel their love for the game and support athletes on and off the court.  We’re excited to bring our legacy with basketball culture to a new generation, and partnering with Angel is only the beginning,” she continued.

The Angel Reese Meal will be available at all locations on Feb 10.

What are some of Angel Reese’s other brand deals?

Aside from Reebok, Reese also has endorsement deals with Hershey’s, Beats by Dre, Mielle, and many other notable brands.

What did Angel Reese average last season?

Reese’s rookie campaign with the Chicago Sky saw her averaging a WNBA-record 13.1 rebounds, 13.6 points per game, and 6 double-doubles (a record for rookies).