We spent around $15 at McDonald's in the US and UK. One was a much better value.

We tried similar McDonald's meals in New York City and London to see how they compare.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider; Roya Shahidi/Business Insider We compared similar McDonald's meals in New York City and London.

The meals cost exactly the same, but there were some key differences.

The US meal had a more flavorful sandwich and a bigger drink.

McDonald's may be a globally recognized brand, but ordering the same meal on opposite sides of the Atlantic can feel like a completely different experience.

We tried similar McDonald's meals in New York City and London — including spicy chicken sandwiches , fries, an apple pie, and a fruity drink — to see whether there were differences in taste and value between the two.

Our New York-based reporter, Erin McDowell, found that the spicy chicken sandwich had a more distinctly Southern flavor profile, from the spicy mayo to the thick buttered bun and crunchy pickle slices.

Our London-based reporter, Roya Shahidi, thought the UK's version of the spicy chicken could have done with some crunchy pickles like in the US, but the chicken was moist and crispy.

We compared portion sizes, value, and, of course, taste to see how each meal compared in the US and the UK .

Our New York-based reporter visited her local McDonald's in Brooklyn.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider The restaurant was advertising the chain's new chicken tenders on its modern-looking exterior.

This is one of roughly 13,600 McDonald's locations in the US, according to the company.

That's far more than its number of restaurants in the UK, where it has around 1,500 locations.

During our visits, the New York location also felt more modern and pared back, while the London restaurant featured brighter colors and more playful design details.