• Having traveled to more than 55 countries, photojournalist Gary has tried many McDonald’s menus.
• In his upcoming book, he captures the cultural essence of McDonald’s locations around the world.
• Speaking to Business Insider, he shared the top 10 items he wishes were on American menus.

In 2019, while on a trip to Morocco, Brooklyn-based photojournalist Gary Hay encountered an unexpected surprise with his regular McDonald’s order.

A packet of dates paired with chibakiya — a western dessert made from deep-fried dough shaped like a rose and drizzled with honey syrup — a tomato and bean soup called harira soup. say, and a bottle of liban or salted buttermilk, all packed. A small box.

Curious about the box and its significance, he turned to Google to learn more… only to find that there wasn’t much information available online.

“When I started researching McDonald’s properties in other countries, there was very little information, and most of it was scattered,” he told Business Insider.

That’s where the idea to document one of the world’s largest restaurant chains came from, who recalled, “Having the opportunity to play the role of a journalist and documentarian while sharing a lifelong love of McDonald’s. Also included and combined it into a single project.”

Five years later, the James Beard Award-winning photojournalist has traveled to more than 55 countries on six continents and compiled the 420-page book “Mecatles: A Global Guide to the Golden Arches,” to be released in November. The book features more than 200 photos of menu items and architectural marvels that show how this American chain has integrated across cultures.

Given that about 27,000 of the brand’s 40,000 restaurants are located outside the United States, one way the company maintains its popularity and tries to push its international sales is by selling locally popular items to McDonald’s. Introducing with a spin. The Wall Street Journal reported in 2023 that these local items would contribute about 30 percent of the brand’s food sales.

While some of these dishes were introduced to American audiences in 2018 as part of the brand’s rotating menu at its international restaurant in Chicago, most others are still off the plane.

Even he – who has tried and tasted many local offerings, from special Iftar menus in the Middle East to celebrity chef-inspired sandwiches in Europe. A piece of them always without traveling across the ocean.

Here, we’ve rounded up 10 global items he wishes were on American menus.