Retroist Chicken McNuggets Podcast 🎙️
Retroist Chicken McNuggets Podcast 🎙️
On this episode of the Retroist Podcast, I talk all about the fast food phenomenon that took the world by storm, McDonald's Chicken McNuggets.
Welcome to the 25th episode of the 15th season of the Retroist Podcast. Today’s episode, number 298, is all about the fast food phenomenon that took the world by storm, McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets. This will be the final episode of the season, but a new one is already in the works.
I begin the show talking about my first time eating McNuggets and how I made them a part of my identity. I didn’t realize it at the time, but the processed meat nuggets would be a regular part of my life moving forward. My Mom appeared happy that I made a choice, up until that point I was just along for the ride, but ordering my own food was a useful step in growing up.
After the story is over, I move onto the McNuggets themselves. I discuss their creation, where they came from, who worked on them, and how long it took. Along the way, I delve into the world of McDonald’s and how a product there can come to market.
Chicken McNuggets are weirdly controversial. They are a processed food, but the extent of their processing has been greatly exaggerated by the people who would rather see them not exist. For me, they were delicious hot food that I could go out and eat with my family. It felt special, and I will always have a soft spot for them because of it.
Listen and download The Chicken McNuggets Podcast
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Production Notes
25th episode of the new season and the 298th episode of the Retroist Podcast. This is the final episode of the season!
This will be the first episode I am sharing via email. I hope if you haven’t tried the podcast before, you give it a listen.
I enjoy doing fast food-related podcasts, especially ones at McDonald’s. The company has a rich history and interesting processes.
For years, all I got at McDonald’s was McNuggets. I think I was a teen before I got a burger of any sort again.
I had some more background on bios of everyone involved, but I cut a bunch of it out. Probably about 3 minutes of edited show.
Reduced the section of Baker to focus on just his Nugget work.
A lot of people do not give the credits to all the people involved with the final process. That makes sense with technical foods. I liked being able to name the people and how they participated.
I decided to keep my focus on the first few years of the nuggets. So I do not trace the full evolution of the nuggets over the years. I had recorded some stuff, but cut that all out.
Because I stay in the 80s, I don’t go into details about how the recipe has changed. The McNugget we have now does not taste like the McNuggets from the past. This was supposed to be to keep them healthier and less processed. I preferred the old ones.
I play a good amount of retro audio in this episode. The company has great advertising. I had to remove all that I wanted to include. It felt too much.
A lot of bad information on McNuggets out there. It is a heavily processed food, but the claims about what is in it are often greatly exaggerated.
It is amazing that they developed a chicken for the McNugget.
Yes, McDonald’s tried to sell Fried Chicken. I might do a short podcast about that in a supporter episode in the future.
If you want better McNuggets, go to lunch early. In my experience, the earlier nuggets are better. I like to go between 11 and Noon.
Music on the show is, as always, by Peachy.
Art used to promote this episode by Christoper Tupa.
Thanks for listening to the show and I hope you have a great weekend.
I didn't think a podcast about Chicken McNuggets would be interesting which is why I waited to download it, but man was I wrong. This was awesome, informative and made me hungry. Still have my McNugget happy meal toys.
I also remember the first time I had McNuggets. My uncle brought back a selection of foods from McDs when I was at my Aunt's house in the summer to go swimming. I thought they were the neatest thing. I still eat them on occasion almost 40 yrs later, with Sweet and Sour sauce. They taste very similar to what I remember.
My kids eventually ate them too. But I encouraged them to order things they wanted not just from the kids menu (at whatever restaurant we were at). They did not turn out like their friends who ate NOTHING BUT chicken nuggets for their entire childhood but are passionate about variety, what's in their food, and the quality choices they can make. At least one still eats at McD's very occasionally. The other is vegan but loves imitation chicken nuggets.