Miscellaneous Forum

Firstly, I want to know: What is McAndaluzia? The McPapas actually sound good. In Egypt we went to KFC..daughters had to go there. No biscuits, just some sort of bread that I don't even remember at this point. Pizza Hut...nothing with pork, but they had beef hot dogs. All I remember from that was my youngest put ketchup on her pizza with the hot dogs. Gross! I love the fact that in Maine you can get lobster rolls at Micky D's and they were actually pretty darn good. But...that was a good 20 years ago since I've been up in that neck of the weeds. ~

Shame on McDonald's for competing with restaurants owned and operated by the citizens of developing countries. I refuse to patronize a chain or corporate business of any type while I am on vacation. One more great reason for me never setting foot in any McDonald's again in my life.

McDonald's in Hawaii has saimin on the menu. Not very good saimin, but at least it's a tip of the hat to local food.

Here is a local variation within the same country: The KFC in Chengdu, China is spicy. It is not spicy in many other parts of China like Shanghai. Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan China. :)

But I don't think about it as patronizing. I hardly ever go to McDonald's here, in the US (only when on a roadtrip and out of home-made sandwiches and there's no Arby's around, lol). But I've been to McD's in Moscow, Rotterdam and Kuwait City and enjoyed it. I didn't buy anything in Moscow's McD's, bought fries with mayo in Rotterdam (and hubby bought a beer) and bought fries (can't you tell I love 'em) and Chicken McWings. It's actually fun to go just for a look-see and compare different menu options. Very educational.

There is nothing wrong with going to McDonalds while travelling. I got up at 5am in Tokyo to go to the Tuna auctions and fish market, the traditional thing to do after this is have a sushimi breakfast but after looking at all that fish I couldnt stomach it so i headed for McDonalds for something hot and familiar. I also find the big mac is a good way of checking prices in different countries.

I don't like to eat at Micky D's. My stomach gets really sour. But when traveling, I do like to see what they have to offer that's different than my neck of the weeds. And...to check prices as well. ~

I wouldn't mind paying for Mcpatatas (in Mexico) or a .99 cents (US) cup of coffee if I can get the free wifi. Very useful on the road! I noticed there was valet parking service for a very crowded Starbucks in my hometown in Mexico. That thing is so succesful there.

I apologize for speaking out of turn. I almost forgot that poor countries have as many millionairs per capita as wealthy countries. Sure these richies have to eat somewhere.

Drew: We have poor people here in the US as well. You know that. Micky D's isn't real competition for quality food. It's fast...it's cheap. For some people, it's the only "quality" meal that they get. They have a "Dollar menu" that all can afford. You can get a salad, oatmeal with fruit and nuts, juice, etc. I've eaten their salad and their oatmeal off that menu. You can get a double cheeseburger, chicken nuggets, etc. Even a homeless person can acquire the money to eat there when the shelter's are out of room to feed. Try and keep the faith dude. ~

I rarely see millionaires in a McD, even in the poorest of countries. I do see middle class, working people, people who are only buying a cup of coffee to get out of the cold.

Interesting eh...? I am reminded of my favorite quotable film Pulp Fiction. The two main characters played by John Travolta (Vincent)and Samuel L. Jackson (Jules), have a conversation about this subject: Vincent: It's the little differences. I mean, they got the samehit over there that we got here, but it's just – it's just there it's a little different. Jules: Example? Vincent: All right. Well, you can walk into a movie theater in Amsterdam and buy a beer. And I don't mean just like in no paper cup, I'm talking about a glass of beer. And in Paris, you can buy a beer at McDonald's. And you know what they call a Quarter Pounder with Cheese in Paris? Jules: They don't call it a Quarter Pounder with Cheese? Vincent: Nah, man, they got the metric system, they wouldn't know what the f*** a Quarter Pounder is. Jules: What do they call it? Vincent: They call it a "Royale with Cheese". Jules: "Royale with Cheese". Vincent: That's right. Jules: What do they call a Big Mac? Vincent: A Big Mac's a Big Mac, but they call it "Le Big Mac". Jules: [in mock French accent] "Le Big Mac." [laughs] What do they call a Whopper? Vincent: I don't know, I didn't go in a Burger King. Sorry, could not resist......d:o)

Interesting eh...? I am reminded of my favorite quotable film Pulp Fiction. The two main characters played by John Travolta (Vincent)and Samuel L. Jackson (Jules), have a conversation about this subject: Vincent: It's the little differences. I mean, they got the samehit over there that we got here, but it's just – it's just there it's a little different. Jules: Example? Vincent: All right. Well, you can walk into a movie theater in Amsterdam and buy a beer. And I don't mean just like in no paper cup, I'm talking about a glass of beer. And in Paris, you can buy a beer at McDonald's. And you know what they call a Quarter Pounder with Cheese in Paris? Jules: They don't call it a Quarter Pounder with Cheese? Vincent: Nah, man, they got the metric system, they wouldn't know what the f*** a Quarter Pounder is. Jules: What do they call it? Vincent: They call it a "Royale with Cheese". Jules: "Royale with Cheese". Vincent: That's right. Jules: What do they call a Big Mac? Vincent: A Big Mac's a Big Mac, but they call it "Le Big Mac". Jules: [in mock French accent] "Le Big Mac." [laughs] What do they call a Whopper? Vincent: I don't know, I didn't go in a Burger King. Sorry, could not resist......d:o)

Ooops!!!

Wow, sorry I missed the common working tradesfolk of Central America (subsisting on their average wage equivalent of 4 USD per day) eating at chain restaurants owned by U.S. billionaires. I did however, join with many of them as we dined at ramshackle, locally owned outdoor eateries, on very humble local cuisine. Hey, each to his own, and I apologize for interupting this lovely thread. By the way, my heart goes out to the many victims (especially the poor ones) of the mudslides and other flood related events triggered by Tropical storm Agatha.

In Great Britain, I suppose that they call a quarter pounder a 1/56 of a stoner.

Eric: Awesome!! I can hear Travolta speaking those lines in my head right now...~

I love Maccas when I'm traveling. There's almost always a clean toilet, A/C or heating when you need it and ice cream in the hot, fries in the cold. You can also meet some really interesting people - locals and travelers alike. I do on the odd occassion also eat a burger and when O/S have tried some local variations and they've been OK but I do prefer "real" food when I am in a foreign land.

I tried to hold back, so at the risk of getting on some peoples bad side I must speak up. If you believe that eating at a Mc Donald’s is a no harm no foul kind of decision you are just misinformed. This is especially true in undeveloped countries. The Mc Donald’s model is based on large government subsidies that is why it so cheap. The food is loaded with many unhealthy additives and is often prepared in a way that is unhealthy. (check out the list of ingredients on a “milk” shake at Mc D’s) The Mc Donald’s model is designed to mine as much cash from the communities where they are located as possible. Almost all of the food they serve is produced in factories and shipped is THOUSANDS of miles. The large food conglomerates that supply these type of chains are putting enormous pressure on governments to support inhumane animal factories and vast commodity type farms. These companies are global and aggressive. If you do not believe me look into the suicide rate among small farmers in India. These companies are masters of externalizing costs. Things like water pollution, soil depletion, carbon emissions, inhumane working conditions in factory farms and packing houses are paid for with our health and our taxes. This is neither sustainable or fair. So when you belly up to that counter and give them your dollar just be honest with yourself. My rant is now over. I also like to check out what kind of stuff they have on the menu in foreign countries. It is illuminating how good such large companies are at plugging into local tastes and customs. I just cannot see spending my cash there when there is a real restaurant down the block with real food owned by people that live in that town or city. Now for my sin admission. I have and do go to chains. Chipotle in the U.S. is a large chain. They are also the largest purchaser of organic beef and pork in the U.S. They are working to develop programs to use locally produced foods. So when I am jammed for time and cannot find a local spot I give them my business. On my pages from Italy I have recommended GROM because I like their gelato. I know they are a chain. They make an effort to buy local and organic. I have talked to the employees and they feel happy and well treated. Still if it is between GROM and Fiore di Luna I have to go di Luna. I am then sure that more of my money will stay in the local economy and I have rewarded a brave and creative entrepreneur. Well I am gong to step down from my high horse now. Happy Trails, Randy

It is hard to argue your points Randy. I have seen personally - although just a fraction, - of how Mac has destroyed miles of Brazilian jungle in order to raise the beef used in Macs, which is as you say, shipped thousands of miles. It is really a mindblower that Chipotle is the largest buyer of organic food products in the US, as Chipotle is a relatively small chain. There is surely a story to be told there...... I am done too.....d:o) So, anyone else remember that Pulp Fiction conversation.....?

Randy: I agree with your viewpoint. But..I also stand behind what I said. I love Chipotle. Thankfully I have several in my immediate area. I stood in line not to long ago and watched the "machine" of Chipotele's in action. The line was almost out the door. I thought to myself, if I were to own a franchise, this would be the one. Easy, quick and customer satisfaction. Alas! They are not a franchise to be had. Here's the kicker for you...McDonald's used to own a small part of the company. Yup..that's right. I did the research when I was in that store and went back to my desk to see how much it would cost to own a franchise. ~

Zanzooni, Yea, I am aware of the Mc D's connection. I felt that it was wrong to whip them in an area where they are trying to do the right thing. Pulp Fiction what a ride. I wonder what real hit men talk about in the slack time. Randy

Lobster rolls in Maine and a Lobster McMac - YUM

I love junk food, but I rarely get fast food at home - if I want fries, I probably have a bag of the oven-bake kind in the freezer, which are a much better value (I like pretty much everything overcooked, or extra-crispy, and I can spray the pan with olive oil spray, which obviously makes the fries healthy ;) ). And I don't order shakes anymore because even the small is just too big - I only get them to dip the fries into, and I don't need to pay more than1 for dip! That said, last week, when my friend and I got back to Milan from Venice and realized we had a few extra minute before we had to meet our host at a Metro station, we ran across the street from the train station to one of two McDs. I only got fries and a Coke (the only other things I tend to get at McDs in the States are the fruit and walnut salad or a shake if I got fries) but she got a tomato and mozzarella salad, because it was "local." She also rarely goes to McDs when in the States, but kind of got a kick out of it because... well, our host was a tool (long story).

>>>... well, our host was a tool .... Coffee through the nose onto the keyboard..........d:o)

I hope you can get it cleaned up easily, Erik. But really, he was. My friend and I spent about half our trip trying to figure out how he became his uncharming self when everyone else in his family was great.

Hey Allison, every family has at least one tool. Balance of nature, ya know......d:o)

True, but not always to this degree in the immediate family. They had a grandfather who I guess gave away a large part of the family fortune to some woman he took up with after his wife died. The tool gene must have come from him.

Not a McDo addict these days - only the occasional visit in extremis. I'm more careful about my health having survived my 40s & well into my 50s. I remember being vastly impressed on my first visit to a McDo in Paris (in the 70s) - the served beer. Also remember rendang burgers being on the menu at B-King in Singapore in the 80s. For those who don't know, rendang is a dry Malaysian style curry.

I had an interesting discussion last Saturday with the owner of the Krakow record shop I visited. He was avery proud emotional Krakow citizin and he hated the McDonalds invasion in the old town. I agreed with him, because my first downtown Krakow impression was a great entrance tower (Barbakan) followed by the first McDonalds. The shop owner had nothing against McDonalds, but only with its location. In his feeling the Krakow center should stay original and not be invated by these commercial chains. I have the same feeling with Starbucks. I have said it before: Starbucks at the Amsterdam RLD; over my dead body (matter of speech). BTW I stopped ordering hamburgers at McDonalds; it's a salad for me and there it ends. PJ