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McDonald's all-day breakfast now in Ohio but there's a catch

Wendel on the Web is WKYC reporter/producer Kim Wendel's "take" and commentary on the news of the day
Sausage and Egg biscuit

While McDonald's All-Day Breakfast doesn't start nationwide until Oct. 6, the 250 restaurants in Northeast Ohio got an early start.

They started today. Who knew?

I prefer breakfast -- a very late breakfast that is usually more brunch than breakfast -- so I read this news with a smiling nod. I don't usually eat McDonald's breakfast -- or lots of other McDonald's meals -- but I have been known to sneak in a hash brown.

But what I didn't know was -- there's a catch and you had to (literally) read between the lines in today's press release to catch it. (pun intended)

"Customers can now get Egg McMuffins, hotcakes, hash browns, sausage burritos and a few other breakfast items after 10:30 a.m."

You see, the all-day menu will be limited to only a couple breakfast sandwiches, pancakes, and sides. Here's the lowdown.

McDonald's individual restaurants will serve either McMuffin sandwiches or biscuit sandwiches — not both — depending on local preferences, according to the company. The restaurants serving McMuffin sandwiches will only serve three kinds: the egg McMuffin, the sausage McMuffin with egg, and the sausage McMuffin.

Those serving biscuit sandwiches will also have three options: The bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit, the sausage biscuit with egg, and the sausage biscuit.

Pancakes, sausage burritos, yogurt and oatmeal will also be on the menu. Hash browns may be available at some restaurants.

But McGriddles and bagels won't be available anywhere. (I never liked those anyway)

Why make a big announcement and then back-pedal?

McDonald's is limiting the menu to prevent kitchens from getting overwhelmed by cooking breakfast and burgers at the same time.

See, the fast food chains are vying for supremacy and breakfast is the latest battleground, as sales of lunch and dinner slowly drop.

Taco Bell has been aggressively targeting the breakfast market among fast-food chains since last year, when it unveiled a new breakfast menu and a campaign that took a jab at McDonald's to go along with it.

Taco Bell began "breakfast defectors" when they started serving breakfast longer. Burger King has long been in the breakfast business and I must admit I like their croissants.

So, are you in breakfast mix? I know someone who loves the Dunkin' Donuts coffee but I never asked if he orders breakfast on any of his coffee trips. I've cooked breakfast for him but I think I just gave him orange juice. I forget.

Well, enjoy your breakfast/brunch when you get the chance.

Follow WKYC's Kim Wendel on Twitter @KimWendel

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