The Original: 50 Years of the Egg McMuffin
March 2nd, National Egg McMuffin Day, McDonald’s iconic breakfast sandwich, has a rich history that revolutionized fast-food breakfast. It was conceived in 1971 by Herb Peterson, a McDonald’s franchisee in Santa Barbara, California. Inspired by Eggs Benedict, Peterson wanted to create a portable, handheld version that could be eaten on the go. He developed a sandwich featuring a freshly cracked egg cooked in a Teflon ring, Canadian bacon, and melted cheese, all served on a toasted English muffin.
After a successful test run, the Egg McMuffin made its national debut in 1975, becoming the foundation of McDonald’s breakfast menu. Its success led McDonald’s to expand its breakfast offerings, introducing items like **hotcakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, hash browns, and pastries. Among these additions was the Sausage McMuffin, which replaced the Canadian bacon with a seasoned pork sausage patty, offering a heartier, more indulgent alternative. The Sausage McMuffin with Egg soon followed, combining the best elements of both sandwiches.
The success of the Egg McMuffin didn’t just transform McDonald’s—it redefined fast-food breakfast entirely. Competing chains took notice, with Burger King launching the Croissan’wich in 1983, swapping the English muffin for a flaky croissant. Wendy’s, Jack in the Box, and Dunkin’ also expanded their morning menus, introducing similar breakfast sandwiches with eggs, cheese, and a choice of bacon, sausage, or ham. Even convenience stores and frozen food brands capitalized on the trend, offering ready-to-heat versions in grocery aisles.
2025 marks the sandwich’s 50th anniversary, celebrating half a century of mornings with McDonald’s first-ever breakfast item. The Egg McMuffin’s enduring popularity not only helped cement fast-food breakfast as a daily routine but also influenced an entire industry, proving that a simple idea—an egg on an English muffin—could change the way America starts its day.
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Fast Casual vs. Fast Food: A Look at Farmer Boys Most Popular Sandwiches
Did you know there’s a difference between fast casual and fast food? While both offer quick service, fast casual focuses on made-to-order meals, and fresh preparation—never pre-made or heat-lamp-held.
Founded in 1981 in Perris, California, Farmer Boys is a prime example of fast casual, with over 100 locations across California, Nevada, and Arizona. Customers order at the counter or drive-thru, but the food is cooked fresh to order, using farm-fresh ingredients and generous portions that set it apart.
This photograph features four of Farmer Boys’ most popular menu items—Farmer’s Burger, Big Cheese, Loaded Classic Fried Chicken Sandwich, and Classic Fried Chicken Sandwich—stacked against a deep black background. Flame-grilled beef, hand-battered crispy chicken, fresh produce, and toasted brioche buns define these sandwiches.
See my food photography, along with bold, provocative imagery, aviation, and other unexpected projects at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks!
National Fish Taco Day: Rubio’s Baja-Style Tacos
Today is National Fish Taco Day! Rubio’s, the originators of the Baja-style fish taco craze, created this holiday to celebrate their iconic dish. Back in 1983, Ralph Rubio brought the first fish taco to the U.S., inspired by the flavors of Baja California, and it quickly became a beloved classic.
This photograph showcases Rubio’s original fish tacos: crispy beer-battered fish fillets on warm corn tortillas, topped with shredded cabbage, fresh salsa, and lime wedges, all set against my signature black backdrop.
Love bold food photography like this? There’s so much more to discover! Visit http://SecondFocus.com to explore my unique take on food and much more. Dive in and look around—you might just find something that whets your appetite.
The McRib: Stacked and Photographed
My latest food photograph features six McDonald’s McRib sandwiches, casually stacked onto a black background. Straight from their packaging, the sandwiches showcase the iconic barbecue-glazed pork patties, cornmeal-dusted buns, and classic toppings of crisp white onions and pickles. The glossy barbecue sauce seeps between layers, creating a visual sense of indulgence and texture.
The dramatic black backdrop isolates the subject, enhancing the visual impact of this limited-time McDonald’s menu item. With professional lighting and composition, the photograph preserves the unstyled, straight-from-the-bag authenticity of the stack while elevating the overall presentation.
Check out my Food Photography and much more on my website at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks!
Chicken Strips
Working on my food photography project, I came up with an idea for a fast food chicken place. I think it would work! And yes this was AI. It is not perfect but I didn’t want to spend time on it. You can see my real food photography and much more on my website at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks!
National Chinese Food Takeout Day!
I know it is Election Day however it is also National Chinese Food Takeout Day!
To celebrate here is my close-up of Panda Express’ signature Orange Chicken, glistening in its tangy-sweet sauce. The crispy, golden-brown chicken pieces are perfectly coated, with flecks of orange zest and sesame seeds peeking through. This dish, created in 1987 by Panda Express’ head chef Andy Kao, quickly became the chain’s most beloved item, fueling the brand’s rise in popularity across the U.S. and beyond. With over 2,000 locations worldwide, Panda Express continues to serve millions of customers who crave the bold, addictive flavors of their Orange Chicken—a dish that has become a fast-food legend in its own right.
For my Food Photography and much more visit my website at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks!
Giant Taco Alert
When it comes to big and delicious, these “Giant Tacos” at Crazy Coyote Tacos live up to their name and then some. This is three of these massive tacos loaded… it’s a lot of food. Hidden away in an easy-to-miss shack of a building at the end of the road by Morongo Outlet Mall, this spot has been serving outdoor drive -up food for 25 years. If you know, you know… and if you don’t, you need to find out. My Food Photography and more on my website at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks!
Burger Box
Proud to share the latest in my Fast Food photography series. Burger Box, established in 1954, is the oldest restaurant in the Coachella Valley. A true roadside gem with outdoor window service that even featured a gas station back in the day. Pictured here are their iconic double cheeseburgers, cheeseburgers with pastrami, and freshly made fries, all grilled to order and served in simple brown bags. The taste and aroma bring back the nostalgia of an era that’s fast disappearing. Sadly, this beloved spot will be closing its doors at the end of the month. For more of my food photography, visit http://SecondFocus.com. Thanks!
Del Taco Then and Still Now
Del Taco was founded as a roadside fast food diner in 1964 in Yermo, California. The original menu featured tacos, cheeseburgers, fries, and tostados. While tostados are no longer on the menu, tacos, cheeseburgers, and fries are still there, although a little more expensive. At the time tacos were 19 cents and cheeseburgers were 24 cents. That first day they took in $169 in sales, the equivalent of 900 tacos! On my website you will find my Food Photography as well as many others of my photography and video clips. Take a look at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks!
National Cheeseburger Day!
Happy National Cheeseburger Day! 🍔 Did you know the cheeseburger was first invented in 1924 at a sandwich shop in Pasadena, California? Fun fact: the biggest cheeseburger ever made weighed a whopping 2,104 lbs, created at Black Bear Casino in Minnesota back in 2012!
To celebrate, here’s my photograph of a cheeseburger. And yes I ate it. Can you guess where it’s from? 🤔 Check out more of my food photography (and more!) over at http://SecondFocus.com You will find more cheeseburgers too! Thanks!
National Double Cheeseburger Day!
Here it is today September 15th, National Double Cheeseburger Day! And so my photograph of a tantalizing close-up of Carl’s Jr.’s iconic double cheeseburgers, known for their big, messy, and indulgent appeal. These burgers gained widespread attention starting in 2005, thanks to a series of provocative TV commercials, starting with Paris Hilton, who famously washed a Bentley while showcasing her sexy body and enjoying the latest creation from Carl’s Jr. I love it! More of my Food Photography and more on my website at http://SecondFocus.com Check it out and Thanks!
The Whopper!
The Whopper, Burger King’s iconic sandwich, first created in 1957 as a direct competitor to the McDonald’s Quarter-Pounder. It’s legendary slogan, ‘Home of the Whopper,’ became unforgettable over the years. And right here, we have three of them rotating before your eyes. Check out my Food Photography and much more on my website at http://SecondFocus.com Thanks!
Pretzel Baconator
Taco Tuesday With Jack!
“Taco Tuesday fun fact! 🌮 Did you know Jack In The Box sells a staggering 554 million tacos a year? That’s over 1,000 tacos every minute! I couldn’t resist and picked up ten for my Fast Food photo project. 📸 Check out more of my work at http://SecondFocus.com. Thanks for taking a look!”
National Chili Dog Day!
📸 Check out these mouth-watering chili dogs from Wienerschnitzel, serving up hot dog goodness since 1961.
👉 See more of my food photography at SecondFocus.com. These are some of my favorite photos ever!
National Hot Dog Day!
Hot dogs have come a long way since they were first sold in 1870 at Coney Island. Now, they’re a summer and baseball staple, with 150 million hot dogs eaten every July 4th!
Check out my photo of the original Mustard Dog and Kraut Dog from Wienerschnitzel. Back in the late 1960s, they were just 18 and 21 cents each!
For more delicious food photos, visit: SecondFocus.com
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Fast Food Sexy
National French Fry Day!
National Pizza Party Day
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