In case my last few posts weren’t enough of a hint, I’m a huge horror buff. I’m also a huge fan of the 80s, given that I grew up in that decade. So it’s no surprise that the Netflix series Stranger Things appeals to me. Granted, the last couple of seasons haven’t been as great as the first, but I’m hopeful that the final season will deliver a satisfying conclusion. Plus, Linda Hamilton is joining the cast, and she’s one of my all-time favorite actresses, so bonus!
Recently, there’s been a lot of excitement in Argentina about McDonald’s releasing Happy Meal toys modeled after the show’s famous characters—Eleven, Mike, Dustin, Will, and even a Demogorgon. But in most cases, the good collectibles never make it to Argentina, so I didn’t have high hopes.
Then, on McDonald’s Argentina’s Instagram, they started subtly teasing Stranger Things. It began with a receipt that had the number 11 printed on it. Naturally, I assumed this meant the collectibles would be available here. Based on the online comments, it seemed I wasn't the only one. I was only interested in the Demogorgon, but still—hope is hope. Then, on the 18th, something disappointingly strange happened.
They announced a Stranger Things menu, which included a chicken or beef burger served with the buns flipped upside down.
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| The names of the sandwiches on the wrappers were intentionally reversed |
They also introduced a McShaker Fries bag: you toss your fries into a paper bag, add a paprika seasoning packet, and shake.
The result? Slightly spicier fries—kind of like Checkers fries but without the crunch. The bag itself as well as the seasonal packet had an image of an old-school cassette with the Stranger Things logo on it.
The cups featured a red silhouette of the kids riding their bikes, which, combined with everything else, made the whole experience feel pretty cool for Stranger Things fans.
The best part was the oversized Happy Meal box designed to look like a boombox. For those of you who aren’t as old as I am, a boombox was a large machine where you’d insert magnetic-tape cassettes to listen to music. But there was something crucial missing…
Where were the collectibles? Had they been transported to the Upside Down, or had the employees simply forgotten to include them? Honestly, it wouldn’t have surprised us. McDonald’s employees in Argentina have a reputation for forgetting drinks or even entire side orders.
I reached out to McDonald’s Argentina on social media to ask why the toys weren’t included, and—as expected—they never replied. The customer service in Argentine McDonald’s is famously atrocious. I even went to one of the restaurants to ask in person, and they told me that the toys were not part of the Happy Meal in Argentina.
So, in conclusion, the only things we’re getting down here from McDonald’s are boxes, paper bags, and cups promoting Stranger Things—all of which end up greasy and stained from the food and therefore destined for the trash.
Were the hubs and I disappointed? Absolutely. Shocked? Not at all. Still, it was nice that McDonald’s Argentina did something to promote the show. And honestly, both the burgers and the fries were a bit spicier than usual. This will undoubtedly not be popular with the Argentine locals, who seem to despise anything even slightly spicy. But we were “lovin’ it” to the last bite!
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