Given the chance to try out CosMc’s out-of-this-world menu, we bit. A drive-through review

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Normally, driving to Dallas from my southwest Fort Worth apartment is the bane of my existence, but not today. A sour cherry energy burst awaited me.

The drink is just one of the offerings from CosMc’s, McDonald’s new beverage-centric concept that opened in Dallas this week at 6033 Campbell Road. The Dallas restaurant is the second ever CosMc’s location. It’s first store opened last December in Bolingbrook, Illinois.

McDonald’s announced its latest spin off idea last year, which is aimed at solving the mid-afternoon slump with a caffeine boost. The menu offers a variety of lemonades, teas, coffees and slushes.

CosMc’s invited local media to stop by its Dallas restaurant on Thursday to check out the new digs, after initially opening Tuesday. With a wealth of drinks on the menu, I opted to ditch my normal three-cream-one-sugar morning coffee.

I hopped in my car and began the 53-mile journey to north Dallas.

While the drive to the Dallas restaurant may be a bit much for some Fort Worthians, fret not, CosMc’s plans to open nine more locations across the North Texas and San Antonio regions.

As for when that might be, a CosMc’s spokesperson told me, “Sooner than you think.”

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Colorful beverages and signage await at CosMc’s

Despite cloudy gray skies overhead on Thursday morning, when I spotted CosMc’s from a nearby stop light it felt like the sun was peaking out.

The blue and gray building with yellow “CosMc’s” is hard for passing drivers to miss on Campbell Road. The sharply colored building is sandwiched between a Murphy Express gas station and a Kroger.

As I got out of my car, the drive-through lane was buzzing with several cars lined up to see what the new store had to offer. I was right there with them, eager to taste what tasty beverages awaited me.

Walking through the double glass doors, I was met with a blue and yellow interior and high energy staff happy to help me. That’s where I met operations manager Carlos Hoyos, who walked me over to one of two ordering kiosks.

Hoyos said folks have three different ways to order at CosMc’s: at the inside kiosk, at the inside counter and through the drive-thru.

Patrons have primarily used the drive-thru in the few days the restaurant has been open, and around mid-afternoon is when business gets busy. Those heading inside won’t find much other than the ordering kiosks, since this is a “grab-and-go” type establishment.

The touch screen kiosk had dozens of options to choose from, so I asked Hoyos what his favorite drink is and he replied, “The tropical spiceade.” A few taps and minutes later, I was sipping on the lemonade-like drink that tasted of pineapple and dragonfruit.

While tart, I found it to be quite refreshing and sip worthy.

Chowing down on CosMc’s concoctions

As I was chatting with Hoyos between customers, a CosMc’s spokesperson said that I should go through the restaurant’s drive-thru to see how the process worked.

I obliged, said my goodbyes to Hoyos, and exited for my car. A few vehicles were ahead of me in line, which meant I had some time to decide what offerings to try.

My order was as follows: sour energy cherry burst, churro cold brew frappé, melon herb chiller, spicy queso sandwich and a mixed bag of McPops.

I grabbed the cherry burst first and was met with, you guessed it, an overwhelmingly blast of sourness. The drink also comes with melon-flavored boba, which helped counteract the sour cherry.

Next was the melon herb chiller, which was a much milder and more refreshing beverage. The melon- and lemon-flavored drink is less tart than a lemonade and reminded me of fruit flavored water.

My taste buds were likely questioning what was happening as I began sipping on the churro cold brew frappé, after indulging CosMc’s sour and lemony offerings. But to my delight the cold brew was mighty tasty and the cinnamon sprinkles atop the drink were a nice spiced surprise.

With the drinks duly tasted, next was the food.

Hoyos kept mentioning how the spicy queso sandwich was an early fan-favorite, and I have to agree. The brioche bun is a perfect vessel for the sandwich layered with a sausage patty, fluffy egg, white cheddar cheese, spicy queso sauce and crispy jalapeño chip.

There was some heat, sure, but the sandwich was delectable and the one item I would order again.

Finally, I turned to the McPops to finish off my CosMc’s experience.

The filled doughnut hole-sized treats come in three different flavors: cookie butter, hazelnut and apple cinnamon. I ordered the mixed bag, which includes one of each, with hazelnut easily being my favorite of the soft and sugary pastries.

Is CosMc’s really ‘out-of-this-world’?

All in all, I’d say CosMc’s is worth the trip and a worthy addition to the golden arches universe.

The vast beverage menu alone is enough to make one smile. The new bites only enhances the experience. Plus there’s a few tried-and-true McDonald’s favorites hanging around the menu such as the classic Egg McMuffin.

My favorite drink is a toss up between the tropical spiceade and the churro cold brew frappé. They’re both going for different flavors but are both delicious, I must say.

As for the food, the spicy queso sandwich is the clear-cut winner. The mix of spicy and savory pairs well with the soft brioche bun.

CosMc’s is open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Sunday at 6033 Campbell Rd., Dallas.