I bought the Kerwin Frost McDonalds Happy Meal. Plus, why Frost is the perfect Mickey D’s collaborator, and my review…

But first, who, exactly, is Kerwin Frost and why is he designing an Adult Happy Meal? I really like Kerwin Frost, his idiosyncratic style reminds me of things I like to wear and see. I’ve always enjoyed him as an artist, an influencer, and a creator (please don’t roll your eyes if you hate those labels – it is what it is). But honestly, Kerwin doing a McDonalds collaboration really made me happy because he is an artist and personality that I like alot – and hey, I love McDonalds. So it feels like this little meal of joy will make a lot more people aware of him, who he is, what he does, and why he is so talented.

Kerwin Frost is (per Wikipedia) is a DJ, talk show host, and comedian. He has designed clothes lines for Adidas. He also has worked as part of an artistic collective known as The Spaghetti Boys that has spawned collaborations with Off-White, Heron Preston, as well as Nike Air. I primarily know him from the briefly aforementioned YouTube show: Kerwin Frost Talks. I like Kerwin’s sense of humor and his (possibly sardonic) embrace of his own personality and (for lack of a better word) imperfections.

Kerwin’s signature Happy Meal features the McNugget Buddies, characters that have been not seen in a long, long time. Well 2019 to be fair, but that was for a one off fig that was part of a larger giveaway for a Happy Meal anniversary line. In actuality, it has been 27 years since the buddies were given out as a Happy Meal set.

Per McDonald’s Wiki, the buddies first appeared in McDonalds commercials and as a Happy Meal set beginning in 1988. They then reappeared bi-annually in Happy Meal sets in 1992, 1994, and 1996. So they really have the highest nostalgia factor for millennials, though older Gen Zers might be slightly bemused. Kerwin was born in 1995, so I am very interested to learn how he became so interested in this beloved, if forgotten line of toys – or if this was just McDonalds’ pre-programmed consumer propaganda. We shall see.

Anyway, Kerwin gives us some new variations on the popular buddies that were previously seen in more career-based roles like the aforementioned fireman. But in this box, the McNuggets have re-emerged as more personality-based characters instead of career-based characters. In fact, each buddy comes with their own unique personality. There is Waffutu – the curious optimist, who grew up in Frost Way and was raised by the whole neighborhood; Darla, the dreamer, a soft-spoken yet peacefully confident singer who moved to Frost Way to pursue her dream of becoming a superstar as the lead singer of “The Frostettos” and who also runs the McDonald’s at Frost Way; Uptown Moe, the neighborhood hero who is a no-nonsense, street-smart, supportive guy from around the block; Don Bernice, the wise stylist and experienced fashion designer who creates all the outfits for the buddies of Frost Way; Brrrick, the cool guy and most adventurous buddy in Frost Way who is low-key nervous but always cool under pressure; and of course, Kerwin Frost, the Mayor of Frost Way. I really like the idea of these personalities, and frankly, they feel like they could support a new commercial campaign for McDonald’s, if not a sitcom – or TikTok series, at least.

I also liked the idea of Frost Way – since it is December, Frost has created something that is both his namesake and seasonally appropriate. And Kerwin naming a McNugget after himself begs the question, are these all based on real people – and if so, who are they? Are they us Each McNugget comes in a box of its own INSIDE of the Happy Meal. And on that box, the clever artwork asks, “What if one day you woke up as a McNugget?” – really placing the Happy Meal buyer in the mind of a life and existence of a McNugget. Sure it is kind of meant to be an off-the-wall incongruent question but it holds a think connection of tangibility that makes the buyer think, at least it did for me.

The box itself is impeccably designed (well for a Happy Meal box at least!) and, like the Cactus Plant Flea Market adult Happy Meal that preceded it, feels like something that might have been an exhibit at the Broad instead of something given to you at the end of a drive-thru order. Check out the artwork on the box:

I also love that the larger adult meal AND the price fit inside the box. The inside of the meal is pretty much exactly the same as a 10 piece McNugget Meal (medium fries, coke on the side. Hot Mustard – OF COURSE – though you can pick any sauce). If you are not a McNuggets fan (and who is not a McNuggets fan!?!), you can also get the meal with a Big Mac instead. See my meal below:

I got Brrrrick. Which was honestly one of the McNuggets that I wanted most. I thought Brrrick had a nice design and I really liked the shades. So I’m happy. My eyes were always drawn to Brrick the most.

I hope to get a Darla and a Waffutu next. And honestly by dinner time, I’m not sure if my McDonalds will even have any more Kerwin Frost Happy Meals, but I’ll try. My final rating:

• Box: 10/10
• Meal: 10/10
• Toy: 10/10
• Overall: 30/30

If you missed any of my other McDonalds Happy Meal coverage or reviews, click here:

• The McDonalds LOKI meal
• The McDonalds Captain Marvel Happy Meal Review
• The ETERNALS Sprite Happy Meal Commercial
• BTS Meal At McDonalds

Are you getting the Kerwin Frost Happy Meal? Which character do you like? Speaking of, click like and/or leave a comment. I’d love to hear from you!