I Bought the ‘Adult Happy Meal’ So You Don’t Have To

The power went out at my home around lunchtime, right as I placed into the oven some leftover chicken wings I had spent all day looking forward to eating. I needed a backup plan, and quickly remembered that McDonald’s was now offering what it is being referred to as the ‘adult Happy Meal.’

The new meal for those with bigger appetites has an official name, the longed-winded Cactus Plant Flea Market Meal Box, named for the collaboration with the fashion streetwear brand of the same name. I had forgotten half of those words when it came time to order, however, and I think I asked politely for the “cactus meal, or something like that” box.

Once the employee understood my garbled mess of an order and deciphered it as the Cactus Plant Flea Market Meal Box, I was asked if I prefer the Big Mac option, or a 10 piece Chicken McNuggets. Since I find myself craving a cheeseburger almost daily, my choice of a Big Mac was made without hesitation. Once rang up, my first observation was the price. It was definitely a few bucks more than your average Big Mac meal at $10.39.

I hurried back to the office lunch area and rapidly opened the meal to see it’s contents, and because I had skipped breakfast and was in need of a quick bite.

Just as I had imagined, inside was a regularly packaged Big Mac sandwich, a medium order of french fries, and a mysterious plastic bag which contains, according to McDonald’s website, a “side fit for a gallery;” one of four collectible figurines⁠. The drink with the meal comes separately attached and not included in the box.

That left just one question remaining; which of the four collectables would I receive?

Thankfully it was the least-creepy-of-the-bunch, four-eyed monstrosity that is the updated Grimace collectable. Other possibilities include the Hamburglar, Birdie, and the new Cactus Buddy collectable, all sporting the additional eyes.

I’m not so sure this is an experience worth purchasing again, but it did feel nice to relive the nostalgia of opening a Happy Meal once more, and certainly better than the cold leftovers I was contemplating eating instead.