McDonald’s customers give their real thoughts on the Gold Sauce…and reactions are very mixed

McDonald’s latest menu gamble is dividing fans — and some say it’s a blatant copycat.

The chain launched its limited-time Gold Sauce on September 3, inspired by South Carolina BBQ. 

Customers quickly took to social media to call it everything from ‘a Chick-fil-A knockoff’ to ‘nasty tangy sugar.’

‘It tastes like they are trying to emulate the Chick-fil-A sauce but without the depth,’ a customer wrote on Reddit.

‘Its just a sweet creamy sauce. That’s about it. You get kinda sick of it before you even finish the sandwich.’ 

Others admitted they liked it — but only because it reminded them of the rival chicken chain. 

The sauce comes with new menu items including the Gold Snack Wrap, Bacon Gold McCrispy, and Bacon Gold Deluxe McCrispy. 

The Snack Wrap’s return was a nostalgic play, nearly a decade after McDonald’s discontinued it.  

McDonald’s dropped a new Snack Wrap and McCrispy sandwiches featuring the sauce

The rollout is part of a broader push to recover from slumping sales. McDonald’s profits fell 3.6 percent in the first quarter, though sales have since rebounded 2.5% in Q2. 

To lure back budget-conscious diners, the company also relaunched Extra Value Meals on September 8 — eight combo options that are about 15 percent cheaper than buying items separately.

The deal includes classics like the Big Mac, Sausage McMuffin with Egg, and 10-piece Chicken McNuggets. 

Breakfast items come with hash browns and a small coffee, while other meals include medium fries and a medium soft drink.

Two fan favorites got even steeper discounts: $5 for a Sausage McMuffin with Egg combo and $8 for a Big Mac combo. 

McDonald’s became the poster child for high fast food prices last year after diners complained of Big Macs meals costing $18. 

The chain countered with its $5 four-item meal deal that launched last summer.

‘Customers are telling us they need more of the everyday value and affordability that defines the McDonald’s brand,’ said Joe Erlinger, head of McDonald’s US business.

Many customers loved or hated the sauce because of its taste

Besides menu changes, McDonald’s is adding 900 new US locations by the end of 2027, and AI technology in thousands of restaurants.   

It also completed its biggest hiring push since 2020 this summer by employing 375,000 workers in the US. 

Meanwhile, America has lost its crown in the burger world. 

On Monday, the internationally renowned World 101’s Best Steak Restaurants released its top 25 rankings for the best burgers that money can buy. 

The organization flew 21 experts around the world to sample more than 1,200 products. 

Testers, who visited restaurants and food trucks unannounced, evaluated each establishment on seven criteria, including meat quality, flavor, guest experience and online presence. 

Restaurants across Europe dominated the rankings, securing eight of the top ten spots. London was well represented with four venues. 

No outlets in the US — where burger giants such as McDonald’s and Wendy’s reign, and birthplace of the beef patty — made the top ten. 

Only four US restaurants – four in New York, and one each in Chicago, and Los Angeles – cracked the top 25.