Macca's hash browns just aren't the best anymore

I stopped into Macca's for a hash brown this morning. Just a regular lazy Monday, the kind where you're making easy life choices, not good ones, the kind that lead you back to the golden arches because that's where all good french fry addicts end up.

And look, it did the job. It was hot-ish, it was an oval shaped object, but somewhere between bite one and bite two I was like "this used to be better". Not "back in my day" better. Actually, measurably, better.

A couple of weeks back I'd had one from Piccolo Me, and it kind of ruined me a little, if I'm honest. It was crispy where it should be crispy, pillow soft on the inside and not just varying shades of beige. And there's some kind of seasoning happening on it, paprika maybe, or some smoky BBQ dust, I genuinely couldn't tell you. All I know is it tastes like someone in the kitchen actually cared, which feels like a wild ask for a takeaway shop.

Here's the thing though. It's probably the same frozen McCain hash brown. I should know, the hash brown addict in me is screaming so. Piccolo Me's just cooking it with a bit of pride and whatever that seasoning is. Macca's is cooking it like it personally wronged them.

For those that don't know of the existence of this frozen goodie, you're welcome! But some days you just can't be arsed getting oil all over the stove or cleaning an air fryer pan for one hash brown. That's the whole reason why we make bad choices.

Still though. Global fast food giant quietly outclassed by a local cafe chain half the country still can't spell right on the first go (it's Piccolo Me, not "Piccolo May", not "Picolo Me", get it right DoorDash reviewers).