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For over six decades, the McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish has been a staple on the fast-food giant’s menu. But there’s one enduring mystery surrounding this classic: why does it only come with a half slice of cheese? While the answer might seem like a simple cost-cutting measure, the truth is rooted in a combination of factors…
According to McDonald’s, the half-slice is the result of a franchisee’s ingenious recipe from 1961. This inventor, Lou Groen, aimed to create a sandwich that appealed to Catholics abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent. He experimented with various ingredients, eventually landing on the combination of a fried fish patty, tartar sauce, and a single slice of American cheese on a steamed bun.
Originally, the FoF was made using fried Halibut but McDonald’s had Groen switch to a cheaper option, the Atlanta Cod.
He told the Cincinnati Enquirer: “I had to fall back on Atlantic cod, a whitefish, and I added a slice of cheese. But my halibut sandwich far outshines that onem”
According to lore, Groen eventually discovered that a full slice of cheese overpowered the delicate flavors of the fish and tartar sauce. He found that a half-slice struck the perfect balance, allowing the other components to shine through. This decision wasn’t just about taste; it also ensured the sandwich remained affordable and accessible to a broader audience.
The half-slice tradition has stuck ever since. It became an integral part of the Filet-O-Fish identity, contributing to its consistent flavor profile and value proposition.
Of course, some customers might prefer the extra cheesiness of a full slice. McDonald’s acknowledges this by offering the option to add extra cheese upon request. This flexibility allows customers to personalize their Filet-O-Fish experience without compromising the core recipe.
In recent times, the Filet-O-Fish has come under fire, not only for the decision to use just half a slice of cheese but also because customers believe the sandwich is shrinking. Customers have been posting pictures across social media showing obvious shrinkage. They’re even calling it a slider to further emphasize the point.
McDonald’s responded to the allegations with a brief statement a few months ago, denying that the sandwich had shrunk. Similar claims have been floating around in regards to other items on the menu like the Quarter Pounder. The terms being bandied about are shrinkflation, and greedflation. Corporations may be downsizing customer favorites while increasing prices for profit!
The next time you bite into a Filet-O-Fish, take it in, and remember that the seemingly simple half-slice of cheese is ostensibly a testament to recipe development, cost-effectiveness, and maintaining a classic taste profile. Of course, the possible ulterior motive to…keep costs down can’t be ruled out, no matter what they may say!
