I drove to Chicago to try out McDonald's little-known CosMc's test location. Dunkin Donuts should be on alert.

Dominick ReuterJun 7, 2024, 01:03 IST

I visited the first CosMc's in Chicago.Dominick Reuter/Business Insider

McDonald's now has four CosMc's locations open, one near Chicago and three near Dallas.
The chain will test 10 locations of the small-format, limited-menu restaurant concept this year.

After a year of buzz, CosMc's is up and running.

McDonald's now has four locations open for testing — one near Chicago and three near Dallas — with six more Texas locations slated for this year.

"CosMc's is a small format concept with all the DNA of McDonald's but its own unique personality. Its menu includes new customizable drinks, sweet and savory treats and familiar favorites such as the Egg McMuffin," CEO Chris Kempczinski said at an investor meeting in December, just before the first location opened.

"And guys, please let me emphasize again, we're talking about 10 stores, okay? So let's not get too excited about it. It's 10 stores," he added.

Keeping in mind the CEO's warning not to get overly excited, I decided to drive to Chicago to give CosMc's a try.

I arrived a little after 11 a.m., but it was basically empty.

CosMc's drive thru in Bolingbrook, Illinois.Dominick Reuter/Business Insider

This location is drive-thru only, with four ordering kiosks and three pickup windows.

A sign at the drive thru entrance for CosMc's.Dominick Reuter/Business Insider

Each order lane had a digital menu, a speaker, and a payment terminal.

CosMc's order station.Dominick Reuter/Business Insider

The menu was definitely simpler than a typical McDonald’s menu, but I had a hard time choosing since it was so unfamiliar.

CosMc's menu looks a lot different than McDonald's.Dominick Reuter/Business Insider

A worker patiently waited for me to make my selection over the intercom: a Spicy Queso Sandwich and a S’mores Cold Brew.

A closer look at CosMc's menu.Dominick Reuter/Business Insider

I paid with a tap and the menu board asked me to sit tight while my order was prepared.

CosMc's payment terminal.Dominick Reuter/Business Insider

A little cartoon of CosMc, the 1980’s alien mascot, finally made an appearance.

CosMc's menu board. Look closely: there's the cartoon CosMc alien on the right.Dominick Reuter/Business Insider

My order was soon ready and I pulled up to window 2.

CosMc's order pickup windows.Dominick Reuter/Business Insider

The S’mores Cold Brew didn’t really taste like s’mores or cold brew, but it did remind me a lot of Dunkin’ Donuts.

CosMc's Spicy Queso Sandwich and S'mores Cold Brew.Dominick Reuter/Business Insider

The Spicy Queso Sandwich was quite tasty — easily as good as anything I’ve had at Dunkin’.

CosMc's Spicy Queso Sandwich.Dominick Reuter/Business Insider

CosMc’s future is not entirely clear, but that shouldn’t be any comfort for competing coffee chains.

CosMc's logo on a bag.Dominick Reuter/Business Insider

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