USA vs Australia: McDonald's (McCafé) | Two Traveling Kings

Should Aussies grab a coffee at Macca's when visiting the USA? Let's find out :)
From reading your comments, Macca's seems like an OK place to grab a coffee in Australia.
So today, Jenny and I are going to find out McDonald's coffee here in the States can live up to its Macca's counterparts in Australia.
-------------------------------------------
Everyone's travel story is different, whether it is planning a week long vacation in Japan, or traveling long term. We are excited to share our travel adventures with you all and if you have any questions about traveling (what we packed, how we planned, how we booked Airbnb's, etc.) let us know in the comments!
Subscribe and click the bell to get notified when our next video is posted!
-------------------------------------------
Get $40+ off your first Airbnb stay!: www.airbnb.com.au/c/logank958...
-------------------------------------------
Follow Us:
Instagram: @twotravelingkings / twotravelingkings
Blog: www.twotravelingkings.com
-------------------------------------------
About Us:
We’re Jenny and Logan, American Millennials with a passion for traveling and eating delicious food from all around the world. Our love for travel started in the UK where we lived and worked for a while, traveling to different European cities almost every weekend. So when we went back to our “normal” lives in the US, we knew we weren’t ready to settle down. This motivated us to plan a trip around the world and then a year in Australia. We decided to give this vlogging thing a shot and have really enjoyed sharing our travel journey. Who knows where we’ll end up next, so be sure to follow along to find out! :)

[@twotravelingkings]

Would you get a coffee at Macca's in the US? We were actually surprised, it was better (and cheaper) than Starbucks :)

[@O2BSoLucky]

Do you get on the app on your phone in the 'my rewards' buy five coffees get one free? Bonus coffee ;-)

[@twotravelingkings]

@@O2BSoLucky yes we do! Almost there 😊

[@nitramluap]

“...better (and cheaper) than Starbucks” - to be fair, that’s a pretty low bar 🤣 I’ve found many great cafes in the USA when travelling that easily are as good as those in Australia - the only difference was they were harder to find and were usually located outside the ‘flyover’ states 🤭 A true long black is a single espresso with hot water to make up a full cup. If you draw the espresso for too long you get all the bitter elements and it ruins the coffee. Piccolos are my go-to. They’re like a mini-flat white more than a mini-latte I think, but more concentrated as there is less milk. It’s about half the volume of a normal coffee.

[@twotravelingkings]

@@nitramluap piccolos sound good! Will give it a try next time we're in straya

[@jonathont7866]

Everything is better than Starbucks.

[@kendavis7248]

In Australia you select the style of milk: full cream, low fat, skim etc.

[@twotravelingkings]

Cheers 😊

[@aussiebornandbred]

I just want milk that tastes like real milk🤣😂🤣😂(from the tv ad)

[@Stells555]

Or if you are like me, select the Soy option.

[@versacegang4140]

@@Stells555 or the new Milklab almond is actually heaps nice. Not watery and almond essency like normal almond milk which I find gross.

[@Kodiak1234]

Yep, I don’t like coffee so I will order a skinny chai latte - which is skim milk with chai (tea) flavoured with cinnamon and other spices

[@WatchingDude]

McDonald's used to do filter coffee but very few people in Australia like it. When they introduced McCafe the filtered coffee was discontinued.

[@twotravelingkings]

Smart move lol

[@infinityscarefuldriver7377]

Australians don’t like it because filter coffee burns the coffee and makes it taste nasty. 🤢

[@owenshebbeare2999]

The filtered stuff was great after a night-shift, to wake me up, but otherwise wasn't very good.

[@canto10mosha65]

Tim Horton’s make good filtered coffee. Next best thing would be Dunkin’s. But that’s if you’re really desperate.

[@-jacinta-]

Jenny is a proper coffee snob. I love it! ☕️

[@twotravelingkings]

Lol that she is 😊

[@1969firefox]

@@twotravelingkings she have bag packed ready to get Australia the minute she can.

[@its_Today_]

Coffee is Serious stuff, thoroughly agree :-)

[@MON-ud7sw]

A few years ago in Australia McDonald’s had an advertising campaign where they apologised for the bad coffee they had been offering and vowed to do better. While I wouldn’t go to McCafé by choice it is a lot better now. When you order coffee in Australia you specify the milk you want. Ie full cream, low fat, skim, almond, soy, lactose free etc. it is not specified on the menu but as a footnote.

[@twotravelingkings]

They're getting there!

[@infinityscarefuldriver7377]

Yeah, it’s kinda just assumed that if you say latte then you mean full cream milk....

[@arnebaekhansen]

More than that - the secret is the special milk for baristas... you can't buy it off the shelf, only from wholesalers. Different protein structure, denatures differently under heat.

[@WatchingDude]

Yes McCafe Australia works the same way that you just described the cafe in Hong Kong.

[@twotravelingkings]

Thanks for confirming 😊

[@erincarter9457]

Fun fact. When I was working in a cafe in my uni days espresso was also called a short black. So there was a short black and a long black.

[@twotravelingkings]

👍 good to know!

[@holidaymail]

McCafe actually started in Melbourne, Australia, before rolling out worldwide

[@twotravelingkings]

Smart move!

[@malx2316]

Nah it was actually Sydney

[@australianaus6453]

Melbourne*

[@ichabodnoodle9595]

don’t need a separate “non-fat” or “decaf” line item. all you have to do is ask for skim or decaf on any of the coffee types when you order. Decaf or Soy might be 50c extra but skim will be the same price. also, where was the chocolate dusting on the cap? not a cap without the choc dust, otherwise it’s just a foamier than usual latte.

[@twotravelingkings]

Missed that chocolate dusting!

[@WatchingDude]

A long black is a double shot of espresso with added water. It is similar to the way you drink black drip coffee except because it's made with Espresso it has a better flavour. I believe it is also similar to what you call an Americano but with a stronger Aroma and taste.

[@dekeonus]

depending on the cafe the difference between long black and americano is whether you add espresso to the hot water or the hot water to the espresso. There isn't any difference in taste, however presentation differs (dissipation of the crema).

[@n8b5]

long black: espresso shot pulled onto hot water so the crema sits on top, means you can scoop it off if you want else you need to stir it americano: hot water poured onto espresso shot, no chance to scoop off the crema depending on how good the coffee grinder is, the crema can have fine grounds suspended in the foam which can taste bitter in Australia long black tastes very different to a filter coffee from light roasted beans, but if McCafe USA uses the same coffee beans for both drip and Americano they might taste similar

[@twotravelingkings]

Good to know! Thanks everyone 😊

[@dekeonus]

@12:16 "see how it's getting wrinkly" - that means the milk was scalded ie over heated, poor steam control on the part of the barista.

[@twotravelingkings]

Oof 😅

[@harrygoldun5779]

If you want a low fat option with your coffee, just ask for skinny milk as opposed to the regular milk.

[@twotravelingkings]

👍 nice

[@WatchingDude]

The real coffee shake is made with real Espresso rather than a coffee syrup.

[@twotravelingkings]

Sounds tasty

[@sandyosullivan]

Yeah, you got it right...it’s usually a double shot on the top of already steaming double shot of water. You have to do it that way around so that the coffee still has a crema. I’m totally being a snob, but it also honestly does affect the flavour. Yeah, I’ve had a few moments in my life with travelling in Australia where I’ve had to have a maccas and I think the way I’d sum it up is that they’re not great coffees, but they’re still better than most coffees I’ve had in a North America.

[@twotravelingkings]

True, good to know!

[@PhotogNT]

I used to go to a McCafe in my city Australia when they had real baristas, however, they cut out the real baristas and just put regular staff in the McCafes as a cost cutting measure the coffee became almost as bad as Starbucks dishwater.

[@twotravelingkings]

Oof, doesn't sound good!

[@triarb5790]

I made the mistake if ordering one once. Bleeeeeeee. Never, never,never again.

[@ginalou5774]

It often depends on the individual stores. If the store is company owned there’s usually a trained barista (probably mid to late teens but still has done the course!) if you’re store is franchise operated they might just put the kid who had a couple of three hour training sessions on the job 🤣

[@sigdawg8355]

Depend on the reataurant i guess. Some maccas do train their barista.

[@pettaduffy6561]

Depends on the franchise, the one down the road do a decent flat white

[@benr9343]

A long black is effectively the same as an Americano. The difference between a long black and an Americano lies in what you pour first. A long black is made by pouring hot water into your cup, then adding espresso. An Americano is made by pouring espresso into the cup first, then the hot water.

[@twotravelingkings]

Good to know!

[@kellyhartley2693]

In Australia you just ask for skim milk for the non fat options. We just don't need to spell it out.

[@twotravelingkings]

Haha nice 😊

[@tonyswietochowski2282]

Or we say “skinny”. Skinny flat white, skinny latté etc.

[@timmcgrath676]

Soy wheat cow goat 🐐

[@owenshebbeare2999]

@@timmcgrath676 ..oat, almond, kangaroo, wombat!

[@313eve]

It's so awesome to see Americans that know how to say Melbourne properly! You truly are committed to learning the most about places you possibly can. Really refreshing for us to see.

[@twotravelingkings]

We try! :) We enjoyed our brief visit to Melbourne

[@bynkable]

Loving these USA vs Australia comparison videos!! Keep them coming!

[@twotravelingkings]

Will do 😊

[@CaptainKarisma69]

Hey guys, really got into your videos recently. Really love your insights and warm demeanours. I’m from Sydney , near Burwood where you guys once ate. Keep up the great work and we hope you can come back and enjoy more of Australia soon.

[@twotravelingkings]

Thanks for the support and kind words! Means a lot 😊

[@davidjones992]

The only time we get Maccas coffee is when travelling down to Brisbane from the Sunshine Coast, we get a sausage and egg burger for breakfast and a flat white. The coffees not bad, not café quality but good, the big bonus is it’s free for over 60’s 😋 with a burger.

[@twotravelingkings]

Nice!

[@kdavies3105]

A latte should just be coffee & steamed milk mixed, where as a cappuccino should be coffee, steamed milk & foam with distinctive layers. Generally a cappuccino is stronger coffee & less milky than a latte. Cappuccino generally comes with a shake of chocolate powder on top too.

[@twotravelingkings]

Yeah they were missing that chocolate powder!

[@melbclayman]

Mmmm... A lot of places have choc powder on the capp foam but strictly speaking no chocolate should be involved. Capps made in Italy won't have choc powder. It's like the Free Parking house rule where you put taxes in the middle of the board and win them when you land on Free Parking. No such genuine rule.

[@mickdijenner1590]

Choc on top of CAP is an Oz only adaptation. Latte is 10 mm of foam Cap is 25 mm therefore more coffee to milk ratio = stronger coffee taste. Flatty is no or minimal foam like 1mm.

[@Bitparto]

Australian Macca's Coffee can be very hit and miss. It has improved since they started, but should be avoided unless desperate.

[@twotravelingkings]

Haha 😂

[@dino2170]

i agree, there are plenty of cafes to go to for true coffee lovers.

[@heystevo82]

McCafe is a last resort for sure. Handy for 4am drive thru for me though, being a shift worker 👌

[@jamied1579]

Yup, we've been spoiled by a well developed coffee/café culture for some time

[@williamjones1271]

Love the vids guys. Such a great vibe from you two.

[@twotravelingkings]

Thanks so much 😊 we appreciate the support

[@jem5597]

I think McDonald’s Australia has been watching your videos because we know have smoothies on the menu 😂😂. Funny thing is, I thought about this video after I seen the ad for it 👍🏽

[@twotravelingkings]

Lol they're watching..

[@glenlance4735]

Yes, you guys have to come back. There are just so many things that you missed out on over here.

[@twotravelingkings]

We agree 😊

[@rickyjames5]

Love these videos. Keep them coming :)

[@twotravelingkings]

Will do! 😊

[@erincarter9457]

Literally got an ad for an espresso maker after this. 😂

[@twotravelingkings]

Lol 😂

[@petersmith247]

You have to try the coffee mocha and the coffee trap I think you'll love it

[@twotravelingkings]

👍

[@gamesetmatt23]

Not that I didn't enjoy the rest of your video, but I loved the personality in the bloopers at the end. Let's see more of that 😁

[@twotravelingkings]

Haha there's usually always some bloopers, will keep them coming 😊

[@inodesnet]

Long Black and Americano are almost like cousins with similar history. The Americano came from US troops in Italy during WW2. Espresso was easily obtained but it was watered down to be similar to what Americans were used to. They poured hot water on top of the esspreso (important distinction), and was watered down quite a lot. Italians called this dirty water. The long black became particularly popular with Italian-Australians who migrated from Italy post war. They brought the "dirty water" recipe but altered it to make a long black. The two flaws that led to the name "dirty water" were fixed. The first Americano flaw is that by pouring water second, the process of making a true Americano disturbed the crema. Instead, espresso is poured onto water in a long black, keeping the crema intact. Secondly, a long black uses less water, more espresso (or sometimes both in a strong long black). This makes it quite a lot stronger than what US troops back in WW2 would have accepted. But tastes are changing. I have often thought that the Americano was more about caffeination and volume and long black was more about flavour over volume. These days, it's not uncommon to find that baristas in the US making a Americano will add the shot last - because keeping the crema not only looks better, but does add extra bitterness to that first sip.

[@twotravelingkings]

It all makes sense now! Thanks for the info 😊

[@waxenboy]

Don't forget guys Australia has been judged to have the best baristas in the world . At McCafe In Australia you get your coffee at the cafe and if you want hash browns you go to the other counter.

[@susanhiggins7428]

I actually like MacDonalds coffee...

[@twotravelingkings]

Nice! Thanks 😊

[@anthonybelham1466]

World barista championships.2 aussies have won it. 2003 and 2015

[@peterwilson5567]

A babycino is an espresso sized cup with just the frothed milk sprinkled with powdered chocolate. It’s what you order for your kids when you have a real coffee. My grandson, aged 2 and some months loves them

[@twotravelingkings]

Sounds tasty 😊 thanks for the explanation!

[@ryankincade]

Can’t go past a flat white in my opinion. I have one every morning! I had a flat white at Maccas in Australia a few months ago and was very surprised, it was actually quite good. ☕️👍🏼

[@twotravelingkings]

Nice!

[@fergusmccosker2067]

Also if you are wondering what a flat white is it's basically a cappuccino without the frothed milk and chocolate dusting

[@TravelDrone]

This channel deserves more subscribers! Come on internet! Hello from UK 🇬🇧

[@twotravelingkings]

Cheers! Thanks for the support 😊 we're getting there!

[@WatchingDude]

Flavours in the latte are not mentioned on the menu but you can add them as an extra.

[@twotravelingkings]

👍

[@versacegang4140]

A standard traditional Iced Chocolate and Iced Coffee is either chocolate syrup/espresso, milk, a scoop of ice cream and cream on top. Most cafes serve them. Milkshakes are the same as the US but with no cream. Iced lattes are pretty new here and trendy atm that's why Maccas just introduced the flavoured ones for Summer. I prefer iced lattes to Iced coffee usually as they are healthier (espresso,milk and ice) and not so rich with all the ice cream and cream but I loved them growing up. I've been getting Maccas iced coffees all Summer haha.

[@twotravelingkings]

The iced chocolate sounds so good! Not something you'll find in the US

[@campradt]

Nice video, thanks for risking yourselves by buying Maccas coffee. I worked for 2 US companies, travelled a lot from Melbourne and Sydney to Ann Arbor and New York. Needed coffee to keep going after jet lag. Settled on single or double espresso. Coffee hit not a lot of water, milk or sugar. It was also best way to see who could best make an espresso shot. Found Starbucks ok in US , different to UK, Singapore and Dubai. The small you have looks more like a medium or large in some other counties. Best coffee ever, Italy, single shot early in morning sit at bar in coffee shop with loud Italian voices all around. The shot is what is important, all the milk and sugar in the world can not compensate for a bad shot. Thanks again for video and hope to see you back in oz soon. PS New York had some good coffee places

[@twotravelingkings]

We heard about some good places in New York! Thanks for watching 😊

[@kaindog100]

I’m an Aussie and I never drink coffee at all but I drink a lot of tea but only English breakfast. I also order hot chocolate when I’m in a cafe etc. When we went to Europe in 2019 I ordered a lot of hot chocolate as we travelled Europe and the best I’ve ever had in my life was at a cafe at the Blue Grotto in Malta. It’s a long way to travel from Australia for another one though. Oh yeah! Marshmallows floating on top are a must if they offer them.

[@twotravelingkings]

👍 nice

[@inodesnet]

Regarding the history of McCafe. You're spot on in that it originated in Melbourne (in 1993). Before this, McDonalds was attempting to push percolator pot coffee but no one was buying it (particularly in Melbourne). It expanded throughout Australia in the early 90's making it's way to the US in 2001. In Australia it has always been a separate entity to the restaurant, and therefore is done aside from the restaurant - possibly to distinguish the two types of product and potentially, the two types of customers. By coffee chain sales (this excludes cafes), McCafe is the largest is Australia. Its success in Australia contrasts with a stuttering in the US (the reverse is true for Starbucks in Australia). It could be that espressos are seen as everyday drinks, for everyday prices in Australia in a similar way to non-espresso "cup of joe" is a common persons drink in the US. Chains like Starbucks have fallen flat in Australia, by attempting to apply what would work in the US here (it failed), but obviously the type of drinks (large variety, large volumes, and in some cases a lot of sugar) appeal to the American market in a way the simple and straightforward espresso range might not. Sure McCafe can add Frappuccinos® to its menu, but these are really a trademarked Starbucks drink. Argh... the silliness of trademarking proper nouns (they have to call them Coffee Frape's)

[@twotravelingkings]

Very true! Interesting the comparison between Starbucks and Maccas in Australia and the US. Chains here (Dunkin) are starting to introduce more espresso based drinks but I don't know if they will take off. Seen as more "luxury" drinks like you would buy at Starbucks compared to your basic dunkin cup of joe. We like our limited edition seasonal items here in the US too haha. Strange coffee concoctions are created...

[@ellamatthews1904]

Hi! Just to answer a few of your questions/make a few comments that I haven't seen yet in the comments... - This may vary from Maccas to Maccas, but the one I work at in Melbourne, we have full cream milk, skim (nonfat), almond, lactose free and soy all as options for every hot and iced drink (not for frappes though). - And we also recently added iced chai lattes to the menu :) - A piccolo latte, I believe, is pretty much just a mini latte! 1shot of espresso and then milk like a latte, but it's usually in the same size cup as an espresso shot/macchiato. - An iced chocolate is not the same as a chocolate milkshake. An iced chocolate can be made differently at different cafes, but at maccas we just use ice, milk, and a chocolate syrup. Some cafes also add ice cream. It's not blended though. A milkshake would likely not have the ice, and would have ice cream, and would be blended more I believe. (Correct me if I'm wrong, I probably didn't explain that very well either haha, hopefully that makes sense, but the main point is that they are different, and also all different to frappes). And I have a question! Do cappuccinos and mochas in America not have any chocolate powder on them? And mochas no foam either? :)

[@twotravelingkings]

Thanks for the insider info 😊 and yeah most cafes in the US put cocoa powder or cinnamon on the top. And maybe whipped cream for mochas? Haha we don't drink them much so not sure!

[@Polizz1000]

So my understanding is Short black: shot of espresso (can be made double) Long black: water with a shot of espresso ontop (to not disturb the crema) Americano: espresso shot diluted with water Essentially a long black is an Americano but made in a different order, which gives a slightly different taste

[@twotravelingkings]

Nice 👍 thanks!

[@jax4062]

with all coffee's in Australia you can get any flouring added like caramel, hazelnut, vanilla, and any milk, full, skim, lactose, almond, soy, oat. and can mix and match also, there are tropical smoothies and mixed berry smoothies, but just like the frappes they are not actually made in the cafe area. and the long black is the same thing as the American. this is from someone that works a Mcdonalds in Australia.

[@twotravelingkings]

Good to know! Thanks for the info 😊

[@katharinegibbons6182]

Melbourne Australia here. In warm weather, I always a coffee frappe with no cream from Maccas on my way to work, in cooler weather, it’s always a McCafé hot chocolate.

[@twotravelingkings]

Sounds good 😊

[@nobikeman]

Piccolo/piccolo latte, piccolo is Italian for small so directly translates to small latte. They also should be made with a ristretto shot (Italian for restricted) which is approximately 3/4 of a espresso shot. The closest in NA is a Cortado.

[@twotravelingkings]

Good to know, thank you! 😊

[@ozzygrunt4812]

It all depends on what maccas you go to, some have the space to have the McCafe next to the service counter, but some larger Maccas have the McCafe seperate to the service counter where you collect your meal and then collect your coffee. Happy travels

[@twotravelingkings]

Fair enough

[@Ewarne]

I don't know if anyone has ever said this before but Jenny reminds me sooooo much of Pam from the office. And I mean that as a compliment

[@twotravelingkings]

Haha yeah we've gotten that before

[@ashrafdocrat8082]

Piccolo latte is served in the small espresso cup and is just a single shot of espresso topped with milk in the style of a latte. So literally a stronger, mini latte. Macchiato is similar in that it is served in the same, small espresso cup and is 1 shot of espresso but unlike the piccolo they don’t use the steamed milk, they just put a spoon of milk foam over the top of the espresso, very much stronger and closer to an espresso but almost smoother and thicker because of the milk foam.

[@twotravelingkings]

Good to know thanks! Definitely would give a piccolo latte a try. Sounds great 😊

[@kelvinhill9874]

My wife and I buy flat whites at Maccas McCafe here in Perth Western Australia all the time. It’s something we do a couple of times a week. You have to collect it from the McCafe counter too.

[@twotravelingkings]

Good to know!

[@kuangsheng3891]

McCafe was the only place I could get a real espresso based flat white where I lived while in Japan. I had to drive to the next town over so it was a real treat to get one from time to time.

[@twotravelingkings]

Worth it I'm sure!

[@Rocketpeople1975]

Love these vids! Long black is a black coffee.. but it's water first then the shot on top so you still get the crema. It's the opposite of an americano which is shot of coffee first, then water. Piccolo latte is a latte with 3/4 the amount of milk so it's stronger and smaller.

[@twotravelingkings]

Thanks so much! We have fun making them :)

[@harrylucas8423]

You two are just lovely genuine people. It a pleasure watching your videos. I’m glad you enjoyed your time with us downunder despite having to endure the lockdown. Feel free to migrate back if you get a chance. Love that you like vegemite. There area few other Aussie icons it seems you missed A classic “Bunnings” sausage sizzle A Golden Gaytime (the best ice cream lolly ever) Banana bread is everywhere Finally as a coffee geek it’s my impression that An Americano and a long black are almost the same. Americano is espresso with water on top. Long black is espresso on top of hot water (this preserves the “crema” for a richer taste

[@twotravelingkings]

Thanks so much for the kind words! 😊 And coffee tips

[@ArsenicApplejuice]

Smoothies were on the menu in Australia. I’m not sure if they were canceled or if they come back as a special like the McRib

[@twotravelingkings]

Haha fair enough

[@stickypunch]

I think you're right. I've definitely ordered them before. Maybe it's a summer option to compete with Boost juice.

[@achiruel]

There's tropical and mixed berry smoothies on the menu right now.

[@ArsenicApplejuice]

@@achiruel where? Maybe it’s regional?

[@janetpetersen1938]

I go for the real coffee shake when looking for a cold drink. My usual is a dirty chai, a chai latte with a shot of espresso - I know right, tea and coffee but it just works. 😀. With the no fat options, we can customise our coffee on the app and choose full fat or skim as well as other choices like soy milk, etc. Love your videos. Will remember to get a latte if I am over there.

[@WatchingDude]

That sounds interesting. I never thought the try something like that, thanks for the tip.

[@twotravelingkings]

Thanks for watching! Dirty chai sounds tasty 😊

[@janinebou-antoun6424]

An Americano is essentially a long black which is just a shot of coffee mixed with some hot water (usually 1 shot every 8oz of water). The difference is usually that an Americano is filtered coffee.

[@twotravelingkings]

Good to know!

[@jamezrobertz8638]

Miss you guys!! From an American living in Melbourne.

[@twotravelingkings]

😊👋

[@Minceir]

We also have lactose free milk option, soy (blechh), almond milk.

[@twotravelingkings]

Nice!

[@triarb5790]

And oat milk. I defy anyone to try milking an almond, an oat flake, or a soy bean....really hard to fit the teats on.

[@Minceir]

@@triarb5790 need a microscope and specialised tweezers 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Minceir]

@@triarb5790 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@starstarranking1]

Hi my friend.. Have a happy day this morning. Your friend in Korea will support you

[@twotravelingkings]

😊

[@dealinoutdevon5498]

The American menu seems to be filled out by listing non fat and caramel options for everything but in aus you can just ask for caramel to be added to any coffee as well as different kinds of milk be it skim, almond or whatever takes your fancy

[@twotravelingkings]

V true

[@gyommr]

Aussie Maccas also offers the syrup versions the US does. You just ask for the syrups to be added. Hazelnut, vanilla, caramel etc.

[@twotravelingkings]

Good to know!

[@iallso1]

You are correct, a long black (certainly in New Zealand) is two shots of expresso with some hot water. Depending on the cafe the water is in the cup or in a jug so that you can add water to taste. I tend to have a triple shot long black in a tulip (small cup) so that the barrister can't add too much water. I didn't drink much coffee when I last visited the US so I don't have anything to compare, but when I visited the UK five years ago and asked for a triple shot long black I either got a blank look or a massive cup filled to the brim with water, diluting the coffee to the point that you could hardly taste it. Fortunately on my return journey I spent a week in Italy where the coffee was truly great.

[@twotravelingkings]

Lol that's strong coffee!

[@iallso1]

@@twotravelingkings you gotta taste it, lol.

[@realityrea2375]

with coffees here in aust customers can add caramel, vanilla, hazelnut syrup to their coffees, we also do lactose free, skim, full cream, almond milk in your coffees.

[@twotravelingkings]

Good to know!

[@666Wizardsleeve]

I love the U.S. version of “small”. It would be a medium, verging on large in Australia. I don’t personally do Maccas but it is often the only choice for coffee on night shift. Love your videos, thankyou both.

[@CK8smallville]

Non-fat coffee is not specifically listed on the menu, because all or most places have multiple milk options: full fat, low fat, almond milk, soy milk etc. You can choose your milk type for whichever drink you want.

[@twotravelingkings]

👍 nice

[@juanitahenley4808]

We have for example latte then at the end of the menu will have a list of the different syrup flavours to add if you choose. There will be a list of different milks if you have a preference. So for example I would order an Almond milk hazelnut latte.

[@twotravelingkings]

Ahh gotcha

[@stillgreat2498]

Okay even though this comment is a bit late, as i work at a maccas in Aus the coffee options are more like you can get shakes varieties from chocolate, strawberry, vanilla and coffee plus when getting a type of coffee you can choose your milk from lactose full and lactose skim, skim milk, almond and soy plus the regular full cream milk and then you get all the different choices of coffee

[@dutchroll]

My wife is a bit of a coffee addict and though she considers Maccas coffee here in Australia moderately drinkable, she'd still much prefer the local café. The coffee of absolute last resort if she's totally desperate and thinks she's about to die from caffeine withdrawal is "servo coffee" - or gas station coffee as you might call it 😀. As you'd know from your time here, courtesy of a large migration here by Greeks and Italians during the 1950s and 60s, Aussies are spoiled for coffee choice and Maccas coffee just becomes a convenience thing. We lived & worked in Seattle for a year, a few years back. I think most coffee around the world is better than Starbucks. It hung around for 7 years but the company lost $105 million in our market by the time it withdrew from Australia!

[@twotravelingkings]

You are spoiled with your coffee over there! 😊

[@erincarter9457]

Iced chocolate is the best! You need a proper milkshake glass preferably. Chocolate syrup poured in first, usually down the sides. Put in a scoop of ice cream. Pour in milk. Whipped cream on top. Preferably fresh. It isn’t stirred. Iced coffee is also a thing. Some places like McDonald’s put in ice instead of ice cream. Not the same thing.

[@twotravelingkings]

Wow, iced chocolate sounds great!

[@fordimension]

4.90 for a medium latte from my Maccas. Not exactly a bargain, but it can be pretty good depending on who makes it. Bunnings has a cafe and they make pretty good coffee too. A popular drink in South Australia is Farmers Union Iced Coffee, which is a prepackaged drink you can buy pretty much anywhere that has a fridge, even Maccas. It's sells more than Coca Cola.

[@twotravelingkings]

Oof, and heard about farmers union yeah.

[@QueenKas1]

Here’s one for you to try make it yourself with whatever brand coffee that you prefer overheat teaspoon and three heat teaspoons of milo and then if you prefer to have sugar or whatever sweetener try that that’ll get you closer to the Australian version of the mocha

[@twotravelingkings]

Sounds nice 😊

[@WatchingDude]

I'd like you to go into the store and see if they have an espresso machine like the ones you find here in Australia.

[@twotravelingkings]

Can't right now because of you know what but might have to make a follow up video 😊

[@thegorn9904]

Hi Kings2! Cool comparison. I think you've definitely made the case that when in the States and desperate for a coffee (which is usually me), bypass Starbucks and head for a McCafe. Since PieFace in New York went under (I used to start every day with an "Aussie Iced Coffee") my latest Go-To was a Chick-Fil-A Iced Latte Shake, doctored with some extra filtered coffee from the hotel foyer. Ya gotta work hard for a coffee in the USA. I feel you guys have put so much effort into this, surely there is a money-making opportunity in there for you somehow. All this research cannot go to waste.

[@twotravelingkings]

Haha we love making the content and all the comments from everyone. We learn so much 😊 and yay Chick-fil-A! They are great!

[@Lovelifealways16]

FYI. MAC CAFE does have a choice of skinny milk (low fat) soy milk, almond milk and full cream, people just ask for it, it’s not usually on the board people just know it’s available. 😊

[@twotravelingkings]

Nice!

[@tessab8038]

a long black has a similar makeup to the americano but a bit less water in it and therefore a bit stronger. preperation is slightly different too.

[@twotravelingkings]

👍

[@zoneofk]

I didn't see if anyone else wrote it about our Aussie McCafe's or anywhere you buy your coffee's when you're out and about (dining in or take away), you can specify which type of milk you'd like in it, so for Jenny, just as an example, re: your love of flat whites, you can have regular milk (full cream milk), skim milk (non fat), soy milk and other milk types. You just have to specify your milk type preference, sometimes they'll ask you ;-) any coffee you have milk in, you just specify what kind of milk you'd like :) and for the long black in Australia - basically, that's just black coffee (no milk) lol. Probably similar to your filtered coffee machine in your home! :D Your videos are pretty cool to watch as an Aussie - I live up in sunny Qld, though obviously when you guys were here, was when the bushfires were raging - it was the worst in the last century, that's for sure. They actually started up here in SE QLD and as it had been a drought, the bush (forested) areas went ablaze with the speed and ferocity as if someone had poured fuel over something akin to 40,000 hectares from Queensland to Victoria - so many people lost homes, livelihoods, livestock, pets, their own lives trying to protect their homes, but when the fire's burning that hot - rather like what the California wild fires must be like I'd imagine, and you get fire tornados, it's scary stuff. The first of the fires started in September 2019 up here in south east Queensland, more recently the weathers gone the other way and we've been having really severe floods (*eye roll*) which was really bad in so many places, but again affected the entire eastern seaboard of Australia, meanwhile, Western Australia was on fire instead... Eh, such as life in Australia! Check out a poem written in the 1906, about Australia, Dorothea Mackellar's famous poem “My Country” :D

[@telanos2492]

I got coffee at Maccas back when they offered it free to healthcare workers last year. I found the standard ranged from OK to (surprisingly) pretty good - depending on who was making the coffee. You could certainly get better coffee, but I'm not going to argue with free. You can actually also find good coffee throughout US/Canada as long as you trawl through the google maps reviews for highest rated cafes/find a coffee review website for the city you're in. It might be less practical for a local that probably wants to have a decent coffee shop in an accessible/convenient location to go to regularly, but as a tourist meandering through the city on a whim; it works great.

[@twotravelingkings]

👍 true!

[@O2BSoLucky]

Hello, In Aus we have for eg Latte on the menu, then you ask what type of milks there are, Maccas have skim, soy and normal. Local shops will often have some sort of soy free animal free as well. You just have to ask.

[@twotravelingkings]

👍

[@harrygoldun5779]

You guys need to become Aussie citizens and enjoy the life you are missing and make the move to Melbourne, awesome coffees and food everyday of the week. Lovin' the videos too, awaiting the next, also a trip inside a US McDonalds would be interesting to see the comparison to ours here in Melbourne.

[@twotravelingkings]

Thanks so much 😊 we miss Australia. We'll try and pop inside when possible! Strictly drive thru here in the US at most fast food places

[@bofhzip]

Macdonalds Shake we call a thickshake which from other Americans describe it the same as a milkshake. The long black is the same as a Americano from my understanding. Our non fat is selectable via the option during checkout for our coffee selections not shakes. Hope this helps

[@twotravelingkings]

Nice 👍

[@Larissa_aus316]

Your americano is probably the closest to a long black. The difference between a cappuccino and a latte should be this (from my understanding, Aussie baristas correct me if I'm wrong):a cappuccino is 1/3 hot coffee 1/3 hot milk and 1/3 foam with chocolate dusted over top. A latte is 2/3 milk coffee and 1/3 foam. Also want to say, I hope you move back to Australia. You both light up whenever you mention it. Please, please, please document it! We would love to journey with you! 🇦🇺 😊

[@twotravelingkings]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@petercrott9301]

A Mocha in Australia is basically a latte with a shot of chocolate - or a hot chocolate with a shot of coffee! There’s always a foam top on one though. I once explained that to a cafe in Italy not realising that Italian hot chocolates are thick! So the ‘mocha’ I got in Italy with a thick hot coffee chocolate concoction!

[@twotravelingkings]

Still sounds tasty :)

[@utha2665]

Macca's coffee *can* be ok at times, but it depends on the store. One I go to has a very nice flat white that I will get on the way to work sometimes, it measures up to some of the barista coffee, but if you're looking for consistency across the stores you're going to be disappointed. On another note, us Aussies don't say moe-ka, we use the short, hard sounding o, as in dot, or cot, mocha.

[@twotravelingkings]

Fair enough!

[@chantel3047]

in australia we dont have "non-fat" as a separate option, when you order they ask what milk you would like from a large selection including non fat options

[@twotravelingkings]

Right 👍

[@pauliejay4161]

We don't tend to specify non-fat options on a coffee menu in Australia because most people will specify what type of milk they would like - a non-fat latte (made with skim milk) would be referred to as a "skinny latte" for example.

[@twotravelingkings]

Nice 👍

[@davidhunt9993]

Hi you two - enjoying your channel. BTW I know you would never walk up and order a Long Black in the USA! But the Long Black it is renamed to Americano for the US because it meant to be with espresso, not just drip coffee. My home espresso machine (Breville Oracle) is labelled Long black, and same machine in US is labelled Americano. Piccolo Latte is latte but the size of a single shot espresso plus foamed milk ~ 60ml about 2 fl.Oz in US. Most place including Maccas you can get full strength milk , low fat milk, almond milk, soy milk, to cater for non-dairy sometimes macadamia milk (the best non dairy taste). I think US Macca is using an auto machine. If you get to a AU Maccas McCafe they will have an actual espresso machine otherwise they would not compete with the cafe's. Look forward to seeing you back!

[@twotravelingkings]

Awesome, thanks for all the tips!

[@shaunpcanavan]

Next time you guys need to come to Brisbane! We have the best coffee!

[@twotravelingkings]

Sounds good 😊

[@sarahobah3443]

Babycino is frothed milk for the kids so they can have a cuppa with their parents. It's pretty cute.

[@twotravelingkings]

Sounds nice 😊

[@danbennett2600]

A long black is typically 2 shots of espresso over hot water (the closest to this is an americano in the US). I think you guys would love the piccolo.

[@twotravelingkings]

Sounds close to a flat white the piccolo. Sounds good!

[@mickdijenner1590]

We have been asking "can i get a flat white mate" in the US for 2 years now with limited success. Enjoyed your adventure

[@twotravelingkings]

Let us know if you find anything good 😊

[@tigerroar649]

Speaking about coffee, when you guys coming back to Australia (especially Melbourne), please go straight to any 7-Eleven store and try their coffee, which only costs $1 for S/cup. You'll be surprised compare to Maccas's. Sorry for change the subject.

[@twotravelingkings]

Huh, sounds good! 7-11 isn't the best here haha

[@jesserowlingsify]

@@twotravelingkings idk what this is on about but if you don’t hate yourself, don’t get a 7/11 coffee in Australia lmao

[@rivertam7827]

Maccas used to have smoothies, but I think they were part of the regular menu rather than the cafe menu. The banana Berry smoothie was ace, I'm dirty they stopped them, we don't have any real decent smoothie options here in the outback where I live.

[@twotravelingkings]

Interesting!

[@terrythetuffkunt9215]

The first thing they ask when you order a coffee at maccas is if its ‘full cream’ or not. My standard order is a large flat white, on full cream, with an extra shot and two sugars. Maccas are notorious for not stirring the sugar in. They used to be notorious for making it way too hot, but they stopped that after a few spills in drive thru.

[@twotravelingkings]

Good to know!

[@mainepants]

As an Australian I would not put a fire out with Maccas coffee. As a Victorian, its pronounced "Mel Bun" without the space, we do like to squish our consonents! Bonus points if you can say Prahran (its pronounciation is contentious even in Melbourne) and more if you can say Wagga Wagga without someone from Wagga knowing you're not from Wagga.

[@twotravelingkings]

😊

[@kennethprocak5176]

In Melbourne we like our coffee the way it should be STRONG. The automated fresh ground coffee machines at 7/11 and shell petrol stations are great basic coffees. Fluro wearing workers know a good coffee.

[@twotravelingkings]

I (Jenny) would do well in Melbourne. Strong coffee is the best 😊

[@elcardil]

There's too many versions of what is what and most miss. For me there is only a short black (espresso), a long black (double espresso), cafe latte (flat white [no friggen foam{textured milk}, thus the flat]), cappuccino(espresso with foam{textured milk}[OK, chocolate dust on top if you like]), Mocha (Espresso + Hot Chocolate). These are traditional and centuries old. Edit: Oh, if a coffee is good enough you won't need sugar. If you need a sweetener then add milk.

[@twotravelingkings]

👍👍😊

[@denkoxh8610]

Surprisingly had a Maccas coffee recently because i was desperate for a coffee and was pleasantly surprised at how smooth and rich the taste of the piccolo was. Definitely beats Starbucks. But would I go back, probably not 🤣

[@twotravelingkings]

Won't find a piccolo here but sounds good!

[@tclayden1]

Love my coffee, wouldn't get it from macca's though! Enjoyed the vid☕

[@twotravelingkings]

Lol fair enough 😊 thanks for watching

[@cassandrad950]

I swear my whole office switches from drinking flat whites in winter to iced long black “with a dash of milk” in the summer. Much lighter and easier to drink than a frappe or iced latte. Yum. I’ve made a half decent version with my Nespresso pod machine.

[@twotravelingkings]

Nice!

[@versacegang4140]

I love how you compared the menus, it was heaps interesting. I've never had filter coffee as it isn't common here but would be keen to try it. I don't like the cups the US coffees are shown in for some reason haha prob bc I'm not used to them. Also, why are some coffees served with cream on top? Is that a common thing in the states? Also is there a seperate window to collect the coffee at the drivethru like here?

[@twotravelingkings]

So interesting! Love the differences 😊 and if you do try filter coffee you want a fancy pour over. Fairly common yes for a "fancy" coffee to have whipped cream on top. And nope same window!

[@DavesIneosGrenadier]

Latte and Cappuccino should be mostly hot milk on top of a double espresso shot. Cappuccino adds milk foam and chocolate powder on top. Yours looked like American coffee with powdered milk added.

[@twotravelingkings]

Haha could've been!