I still remember when Ray Kroc (the man who took McDonald's from a local hamburger stand to an international juggernaut) was interviewed by Johnny Carson:

(Paraphrasing)

Carson: It has been said that you sell junk food...
Kroc: Mr. Carson, my stores sell beef, bread, (audience begins applauding quietly) cheese, potatoes, (audience roars their approval), milk, ice cream... (audience drowns out whatever else he was saying).

"what drivels out of his mouth makes headlines and raises the debate, good or not."

No-one here's debating banning McDonald's.

Ironically, it appears that a Frenchman is about to become the CEO of McDonald's. He is already the director of McDonald's Europe after being the director of McDonald's France. He changed the menus in France and the rest of Europe after protests about the negative aspects of the food. McDonald's France is now the most profitable division of the entire company.

flanner Old Boy - though few favor outright banning many seem to say a tax on such food - this could be a way of banning them - much like the no-smoking ban will do away with the Edware sooshi(?) cafes.

There's been a vigorous debate about measures for discouraging so-called junk food for years.

Charles' alleged comments did nothing for that debate, except to undermine mildly the credibility of the anti-junk lobby.

It's unlikely that McDonalds will be getting the Royal Warrant anytime soon, but that's as far as it goes.

The Prince of Wales' views on things like this are very well known so it's hardly a suprise if he doesn't approve of McDonalds. However very few people would change their behaviour just because of his example.

Most of us don't talk to plants after all.

Now <i>that</i> would be extremely funny - the Golden Arches emblazoned with

<i><b><font color="violet">By Appointment to HRH The Prince of Wales</font></b></i>

They could print it on their sandwich wrappers, napkins, cups, styrofoam carriers...

welcome to the british nanny culture where the institutions feel it is their duty to solve everyone's problems.

Hanl,
&quot;If you ever come to Belgium, have a bite at Exki and see how it's done!..&quot;

Sorry, I have to disagree with you on that one. I don't think they're that great and I don't think they're really that cheap either for what you get. There are many places just as good in major U.S. cities like Portland, Chicago, Philadelphia, etc. It's not bad, but there are many wonderful, inexpensive places to lunch in Brussels. I just wouldn't put Exki anywhere near the top of the list.

like...the ubiquitous Frites stands and wagons? Wonder what kind of fat they're using - something they recycle from McDonald's?

Actually, it's diesel - cheaper per litre and better mileage.

I'm with Prince Charles. Has anyone read &quot;Fast Food Nation&quot;? Your beloved burgers are made and various animal parts-included hooves, and contain traces of feces. That should be banned!

I would hazzard that such detritus also may end up in the delicacies of fancy restaurants?

First of all - there are all sorts of other things to eat in MIckey D's besides the most giant burgers - they have salads, grilled chicken and all sorts of more healthy choices.

Second, they could do what NYC did and ban trans fats - so even the bad choices are not so bad.

Third - no one is stuffing the food into people's mouths (except for that poor child who looked at if his parents were stuffing the food into him like a goose for foie gras) - they have the choices of where, what and how much to eat.

I guess we've got no takers for <i>andouillette</i>?

If they ban McDonald's, where/what are all the Americans going to eat.

McDonalds sell the cheapest pint of beer in Paris.

AUDERETRUFACT!

No offense - but cheap beer is usually worth it.

McDonalds sell Kronebourg 1664 - which is a decent drop.

I'm not sure I'd want to spend the evening there though.

<i>Vraiment? &Ccedil;a, c'est formidable!</i>

I just scored two sixes @ $5.49 and am savoring every drop. How much does Mick charge?