We tried the same McDonald's meal in the US and the UK. They were the same price, but one was a better value.

We tried similar McDonald's meals in New York City and London to see how they compare. Erin McDowell/Business Insider; Roya Shahidi/Business Insider We compared similar McDonald's meals in New York City and London. The meals cost exactly the same, but there were some key differences. The US meal had a more flavorful sandwich and a bigger drink. McDonald's may be a globally recognized brand, but ordering the same meal on opposite sides of the Atlantic can feel like a completely different experience. We tried similar McDonald's meals in New York City and London — including spicy chicken sandwiches, fries, an apple pie, and a fruity drink — to see whether there were differences in taste and value between the two. Our New York-based reporter, Erin McDowell, found that the spicy chicken sandwich had a more distinctly Southern flavor profile, from the spicy mayo to the thick buttered bun and crunchy pickle slices. Our London-based reporter, Roya Shahidi, thought the UK's version of the spicy chicken could have done with some crunchy pickles like in the US, but the chicken was moist and crispy. We compared portion sizes, value, and, of course, taste to see how each meal compared in the US and the UK. Our New York-based reporter visited her local McDonald's in Brooklyn. Erin McDowell/Business Insider The restaurant was advertising the chain's new chicken tenders on its modern-looking exterior. This is one of roughly 13,600 McDonald's locations in the US, according to the company. That's far more than its number of restaurants in the UK, where it has around 1,500 locations. During our visits, the New York location also felt more modern and pared back, while the London restaurant featured brighter colors and more playful design details. Just inside the front doors, an ad promoted a new energy drink refresher … alongside a reminder that the restaurant is monitored by the NYPD. Erin McDowell/Business Insider That kind of highly visible security message felt distinctly New York. There was one security officer outside the McDonald's in London, though there were no big security messages like in the New York restaurant. The restaurant was pretty quiet for the midday lunch rush. Erin McDowell/Business Insider Inside, the restaurant had self-order kiosks, a counter for pickup orders, and plenty of seating for customers eating in or taking food to go. Erin ordered a spicy chicken sandwich meal with a dessert. She also tried the new strawberry watermelon refresher. Erin McDowell/Business Insider The meal came in McDonald's signature brown paper bag and included a spicy chicken sandwich, medium fries, an apple pie, and a medium-sized fruity pink drink. It cost $15.18, excluding tax. The strawberry watermelon refresher is made with strawberry and watermelon flavoring, lemonade, and ice. Erin McDowell/Business Insider It was also topped with pieces of freeze-dried strawberry. Erin enjoyed the balance of sweet watermelon, tart strawberry flavoring, and lemonade, but the dried fruit pieces made the drink awkward to sip — she kept getting chunks in her mouth. Still, it was a refreshing, summery beverage she'd order again, ideally without the strawberry topping. Next up was the spicy McCrispy chicken sandwich. Erin McDowell/Business Insider The sandwich is one of McDonald's biggest attempts to compete in the fast-food chicken wars. First launched nationwide in February 2021, the sandwich has become a staple on McDonald's menu and can even compete with fast-food classics like Chick-fil-A's famous chicken sandwich. It featured a thick, crunchy fried chicken filet topped with spicy mayo and pickles on a soft potato roll. Erin McDowell/Business Insider It looked far more substantial than the more basic chicken sandwiches often associated with McDonald's, like the McChicken. Erin was also impressed by the size of the chicken filet, which was about the same size as her palm. The chicken filet was moist, while the crispy breading held its own, despite the generous serving of sauce slathered on the bun. Erin McDowell/Business Insider It stayed crispy beneath the toppings and delivered a savory, black-peppery flavor that gave each bite a little extra kick, on top of the creamy, spicy sauce that left a slight lingering heat. No McDonald's meal is complete without fries. Erin McDowell/Business Insider The fries were thin, salty, and hot — the familiar classic that remains one of the chain's most consistent menu items. The US order came with a generously filled carton that was large enough to share, though Erin had no trouble working her way through most of it. The fries were delicious dipped in ranch — an American staple. Erin McDowell/Business Insider The tangy, creamy dipping sauce gave the salty fries an extra punch of flavor and made for an especially satisfying final bite. Erin also tried one of McDonald's baked desserts. Erin McDowell/Business Insider The hand pie had a flaky, golden