McD's- A contrarian view
Oct 29th, 2007, 08:09 AM
#21
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,748
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In the US i occasionally eat a grilled chicken snack wrap or once every 3 months of so a fattening biscuit sandwich. The coffee is pretty good. In Europe I visited mc D's when I wanted a large cup of coffee to have with a pastry I'd picked up at a bakery (yes I love Cafe Creme but at $5 a small cup well can't have too many of those a day). In Avignon they had "Le Petit Moutard" - a burger on a small square roll with some kind of sauce and it was very good as well as very cheap! They also had potato wedges with ranch sauce that I liked. I'm not a foodie so did not want to spend alot on meals every day.
Oct 29th, 2007, 08:16 AM
#23
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 852
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Perhaps this thread was in response to a recent article on Msn.com (http://travel.msn.com/Guides/article...umentid=428393), but the topic is timely.
My spouse and I have been to Europe seven times since 1975. In that span, we've eaten at an American fast food place three times:
--1975 at a McD in Amsterdam after 5 weeks of bumming across Europe as we were heading to the airport for the return trip home
--in 2000 at a Burger King t 11pm in the Oslo train station when no other restaurant was open
--Last month when starved and lost on German backroads in mid-afternoon and coming upon a McD at the entrance to an Autobahn.
Typically, unless faced with no other options (2 & 3 above) or falling prey to human weakness (#1 above), I try to not go to an American chain place when traveling to Europe.
For me, it's not even the food. It's more the dismay of the Americanization of places that at one time were so different from what you found in the US. I don't think there should be a McD, Subway, Pizza Hut or Starbucks on every corner; my eating at those places only makes us one step closer to that happening. (I will use their restrooms though, figuring one more added cost in the absence of revenue will contribute to a decision to close their shutters -- right)
Also, I find it sad that, for fear of the possibility of a bad meal, we as a culture have gotten to the point where we feel compeled to stick with uniformity rather than the opportunity for something usual and really memorable.
Whether locals or tourists patronize McDs and the like is irrelevant to me. That any of us do in such culturally/culinarily rich places as Europe is both amazing and unfortunate.
My spouse and I have been to Europe seven times since 1975. In that span, we've eaten at an American fast food place three times:
--1975 at a McD in Amsterdam after 5 weeks of bumming across Europe as we were heading to the airport for the return trip home
--in 2000 at a Burger King t 11pm in the Oslo train station when no other restaurant was open
--Last month when starved and lost on German backroads in mid-afternoon and coming upon a McD at the entrance to an Autobahn.
Typically, unless faced with no other options (2 & 3 above) or falling prey to human weakness (#1 above), I try to not go to an American chain place when traveling to Europe.
For me, it's not even the food. It's more the dismay of the Americanization of places that at one time were so different from what you found in the US. I don't think there should be a McD, Subway, Pizza Hut or Starbucks on every corner; my eating at those places only makes us one step closer to that happening. (I will use their restrooms though, figuring one more added cost in the absence of revenue will contribute to a decision to close their shutters -- right)
Also, I find it sad that, for fear of the possibility of a bad meal, we as a culture have gotten to the point where we feel compeled to stick with uniformity rather than the opportunity for something usual and really memorable.
Whether locals or tourists patronize McDs and the like is irrelevant to me. That any of us do in such culturally/culinarily rich places as Europe is both amazing and unfortunate.
Oct 29th, 2007, 08:19 AM
#25
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,369
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Italy was saturated with McDonalds - they were almost everywhere, even two in Venice. None in the Cinque Terre though - yet! Hope it stays that way.
Oddly I saw almost no other American fast food chains in Italy. I saw a sign for a Burger King in Rome but never actually saw one. In the Czech Republic KFCs are everywhere. It's funny how the different fast food companies have gotten into some countries but not others.
Oddly I saw almost no other American fast food chains in Italy. I saw a sign for a Burger King in Rome but never actually saw one. In the Czech Republic KFCs are everywhere. It's funny how the different fast food companies have gotten into some countries but not others.
Oct 29th, 2007, 08:21 AM
#26
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<Whether locals or tourists patronize McDs and the like is irrelevant to me. That any of us do in such culturally/culinarily rich places as Europe is both amazing and unfortunate>
amazing that some of us can not afford to eat in culturally/culinarily rich places that you do
and your attitude of using the facilities to help McDs go out of business, depriving locals of what they want, is simply disgusting.
Get off your high horse and don't castigate folks who do go to McDonalds because of economic reasons or they simply like it, like locals do.
amazing that some of us can not afford to eat in culturally/culinarily rich places that you do
and your attitude of using the facilities to help McDs go out of business, depriving locals of what they want, is simply disgusting.
Get off your high horse and don't castigate folks who do go to McDonalds because of economic reasons or they simply like it, like locals do.
Oct 29th, 2007, 08:28 AM
#27
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 852
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Gee, Pal. Got a crud crosswise today???
How do you know what my budget and palate are like? Lots of assumptions on your part, buddy boy.
Locals can do what they want--I have no problem with that. That shouldn't compel me to patronize the place, though, should it. Not wanting to do so hardly seems to be "High Horse". By the unnecessarily ill-tempered, misplaced anger of your responses, me thinketh that it is you that needs to park the steed.
How do you know what my budget and palate are like? Lots of assumptions on your part, buddy boy.
Locals can do what they want--I have no problem with that. That shouldn't compel me to patronize the place, though, should it. Not wanting to do so hardly seems to be "High Horse". By the unnecessarily ill-tempered, misplaced anger of your responses, me thinketh that it is you that needs to park the steed.
Oct 29th, 2007, 08:39 AM
#29
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I wrote: "That's wildly inaccurate"
and kirbyks responded: "Really? I must just be one unlucky guy to keep picking the bad ones."
I would also consider the possibility that you like taking cheap shots. I live in Ireland; I like good food; I can find it most times I eat out.
You can find poor meals anywhere, but if you do so consistently then I think your strategy for picking restaurants is poor.
and kirbyks responded: "Really? I must just be one unlucky guy to keep picking the bad ones."
I would also consider the possibility that you like taking cheap shots. I live in Ireland; I like good food; I can find it most times I eat out.
You can find poor meals anywhere, but if you do so consistently then I think your strategy for picking restaurants is poor.
Oct 29th, 2007, 08:43 AM
#30
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
(I will use their restrooms though, figuring one more added cost in the absence of revenue will contribute to a decision to close their shutters -- right
This to me is totally repulsive
<That any of us do in such culturally/culinarily rich places as Europe is both amazing and unfortunate>
not amazing to me - the prices for coffee for instance - a place to rest and write postcards - we all can't afford the $6-7 cup of coffee at a European cafe
i just find your attitude dismaying and your own words say it all
please don't bring the vehemence of the Lounge over here
This to me is totally repulsive
<That any of us do in such culturally/culinarily rich places as Europe is both amazing and unfortunate>
not amazing to me - the prices for coffee for instance - a place to rest and write postcards - we all can't afford the $6-7 cup of coffee at a European cafe
i just find your attitude dismaying and your own words say it all
please don't bring the vehemence of the Lounge over here
Oct 29th, 2007, 08:46 AM
#31
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 530
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i wrote in another post, the best cheeseburger ive ever had was in belfast.
stupid that you generalise a couple of colleagues (who were probably winding you up about "lovin it"
as to the whole of ireland's dislike of its other eateries.
not so, you should try centra sandwiches, quite well known as a mediochre eatery, or clements or any romas I, II or III in dublin city centre.
Nobody should eat in macdonalds out of principle.
stupid that you generalise a couple of colleagues (who were probably winding you up about "lovin it"
as to the whole of ireland's dislike of its other eateries.not so, you should try centra sandwiches, quite well known as a mediochre eatery, or clements or any romas I, II or III in dublin city centre.
Nobody should eat in macdonalds out of principle.
Oct 29th, 2007, 08:46 AM
#32
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,874
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Another factor is that McDonalds' tend to be pretty large and have lots of seating, whereas local places may be a lot smaller. We were touring Rome on an unexpectedly cold, wet June day (it hailed on us!). By the time we got to the Spanish Steps, we were chilled to the bone. We needed to go inside somewhere, but all the little local places were packed. But there was plenty of room in the two-level McDonalds nearby. It served its purpose of letting us have a snack in a dry place.
Oct 29th, 2007, 08:50 AM
#33
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 852
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Pal,
If the vehemence of the lounge is being brought here, look at yourself first, Pally-boy. You, not I, managed to toss in vehement terms like "disgusting" and "repulsive". What's your problem?
You know, I had thought of putting one of those smiley faces after that comment about the restrooms, but figured it would be obvious that I was making an overexaggeration/attempt at humor. I guess it wasn't and that I should have.
If the vehemence of the lounge is being brought here, look at yourself first, Pally-boy. You, not I, managed to toss in vehement terms like "disgusting" and "repulsive". What's your problem?
You know, I had thought of putting one of those smiley faces after that comment about the restrooms, but figured it would be obvious that I was making an overexaggeration/attempt at humor. I guess it wasn't and that I should have.
Oct 29th, 2007, 08:53 AM
#36
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,878
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The only time I ever eat in McDonalds at home is when I'm on a roadtrip and those kind of restaurants are the quickest and easiest thing along the highways. I have been to them in Europe, but usually just for coffee or a drink or a dessert, perhaps, never a sandwich.
Their coffee, ice cream sundaes, etc., are fine. I do think they are exotic in some places where they have just opened, I remember hearing about them (maybe China, some places like that). But they are not exotic in Europe, they've been around for years. They are better than Quicks, in my opinion, which is awful.
So, I don't like fast food, overly processed food, etc much anyway, but I've had certain McDonalds food that was superior to some of the execrable stuff served in British pubs, which I literally almost gagged on. I couldn't eat more than one bite, it was awful. I did have a lot of bad to mediocre food in Ireland, but it was a long time ago, so won't comment on current offerings. I don't think it's useful to say how well you can eat there if it just means you can go to expensive, nice restaurants, for a good meal. People shouldn't have to do that.
It is really mistaken to think only a few hundred locals go to a McDonalds in major European cities. There are many around Paris, for example, and I've been in lots in the outer arrondisements that are nothing but locals, and lots of them, and they may have 50 people in them just at one point in time (or maybe more). They eat there the same reason they are popular in the US -- believe it or not, everybody isn't rich, a "foodie" hanging around St Germain, wants every meal to be a cosmic experience, etc. The one at Place d'Italie is rather large, for example, and I've been in there when it was very busy, and there were not a lot of tourists in there.
Their coffee, ice cream sundaes, etc., are fine. I do think they are exotic in some places where they have just opened, I remember hearing about them (maybe China, some places like that). But they are not exotic in Europe, they've been around for years. They are better than Quicks, in my opinion, which is awful.
So, I don't like fast food, overly processed food, etc much anyway, but I've had certain McDonalds food that was superior to some of the execrable stuff served in British pubs, which I literally almost gagged on. I couldn't eat more than one bite, it was awful. I did have a lot of bad to mediocre food in Ireland, but it was a long time ago, so won't comment on current offerings. I don't think it's useful to say how well you can eat there if it just means you can go to expensive, nice restaurants, for a good meal. People shouldn't have to do that.
It is really mistaken to think only a few hundred locals go to a McDonalds in major European cities. There are many around Paris, for example, and I've been in lots in the outer arrondisements that are nothing but locals, and lots of them, and they may have 50 people in them just at one point in time (or maybe more). They eat there the same reason they are popular in the US -- believe it or not, everybody isn't rich, a "foodie" hanging around St Germain, wants every meal to be a cosmic experience, etc. The one at Place d'Italie is rather large, for example, and I've been in there when it was very busy, and there were not a lot of tourists in there.
Oct 29th, 2007, 08:57 AM
#37
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would like to disagree with the idea that restaurants in Ireland are mediocre at best. I am not particularly a foodie, but I have had some wonderful meals in Ireland--made with fresh local produce, meat, etc. The food has been presented an enticing way as well as being delicious. Further, as woman travelling solo, I have never been placed at an undesirable table or treated as a second class citizen while on my own. In fact, I have had more memorable meals in Ireland than in any other country in which I have travelled.
Secondly I must admit to more than a few MacD meals. As others have said, it was a quick choice when I wanted to squeeze in another sight or two or have time to just wander. Restrooms are dependable.
When hot and tired in summer travel,
MacD's always has iced drinks. Thanks to retirement, I no longer have to travel in summer, so iced drinks are rarely needed. And, last of all, heresy of heresies, I do like their food, albeit in limited quantities.
Just my two cents' worth.
Secondly I must admit to more than a few MacD meals. As others have said, it was a quick choice when I wanted to squeeze in another sight or two or have time to just wander. Restrooms are dependable.
When hot and tired in summer travel,
MacD's always has iced drinks. Thanks to retirement, I no longer have to travel in summer, so iced drinks are rarely needed. And, last of all, heresy of heresies, I do like their food, albeit in limited quantities.
Just my two cents' worth.
Oct 29th, 2007, 08:59 AM
#38
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 36,842
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've told this story before. I never eat at McD's at home, but a few years ago after a couple weeks in France and having lots of great pommes frites, we got stuck for a couple hours with a delayed train in the Florence train station, transferring to Bologna. I finally went over to the McD's in the station and got myself some fries, and my partner a milk shake. He raved about the milk shake -- well, where else in Europe do you get them like that? And in all honesty, if those fries had been on my plate in any of the really good Paris places I had eaten in the previous weeks I would have been perfectly satisfied. They were as good as any frites in France in my humble opinion. I suspect that most of those who will now groan about my total lack of sophistication have never had fries in a McD's in Europe, so their groans will be in ignorance.
Oct 29th, 2007, 09:06 AM
#39
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
McDonalds, perhaps under the spector of Bove-esque type attacks, has taken great pains to perfect the taste of its French frites
it has taters especially grown, all on French farms and aims to cook them to the French taste as much as possible
and probably in fats healthier than even in fanciey restaurants
it has taters especially grown, all on French farms and aims to cook them to the French taste as much as possible
and probably in fats healthier than even in fanciey restaurants
Oct 29th, 2007, 09:07 AM
#40
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,548
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would have been hard pressed to find any food in Ireland worse than McDonald's. Even their Supermac chain has better food. Seriously, McDonald's food is so bad even my four and six year old kids won't eat it. I don't know how they remain so popular with such bad food. Burger King (also in Ireland) and Carl's Jr. are so much better.
