June 27, 2006

McDonalds - Global Sanctum? "Indeed, despite its vaunted reputation as a juggernaut of American culture, McDonald's has come to function as an ecumenical refuge for travelers of all stripes. This is not because McDonald's creates an American sense of place and culture, but because it creates a smoothly standardized absence of place and culture — a neutral environment that allows travelers to take a psychic time-out from the din of their real surroundings." Still, I had fun visiting India, Russia, Japan, South Africa and some quirky Island.

I might have a Vitingo, while I visit the goings on at the Russian McDonald's (very clean logos). And there's nothing I like more than the hygenic food at McD's India. The .jp site just scared me away.

posted by petebest 18 years ago
  • Reminds me of Shelton/Mavrides "Idiot's Abroad", where every city Fat Freddy goes to, he runs to the nearest McD's.
  • A (Kiwi) friend of mine says he likes a burger with a nice big slice of beet root on it, but there's no evidence of such an aberration on the .nz site. Do you have to go to Burger King to have it like that? Blech, anyway, the idea belongs at weird-food.com.
  • Shh - you'll get kit all excited. ixnay on the eetrootbay.
  • I escape to a familiar place when out of my own environment on occasion also. Sometimes it's nice to have a break from the 'different'. Interesting article from Yahoo didn't know they did those for some reason.
  • announcing that you patronize McDonald's is kind of like confessing that you wet your bed, eat your boogers, or have unprotected sex with lepers Kind of like? IT IS EXACTLY WETTING YOUR BED AND EATING YOUR BOOGERS AND HAVING UNPROTECTED SEX WITH LEPERS AT THE SAME TIME. Which is why I eat there, incidentally.
  • I was interested to see that the McDonalds-India stores do not serve beef, which is interesting in that it is also the policy of the Harvey's chain in Canada. Don't know what that shit is, but ain't no way it's beef.
  • Ralph, it appears to be veggie-ish. They're eating my sacred soybeans! Infidels!
  • Perhaps it's an intolerant attitude from me, but I really scoff at fellow tourists that fill up a McD... hey, if you're in another country, try at least to sample a little of the local offerings! I have not eat in a McD in ages; and the only one time I did it abroad was in the USA. Local flavor and all...
  • What about the regional offerings at McD's? The Maritimes have lobster (or "lobster") rolls. Haven't gone to one on the other coast, but I'd expect McSushi or McSalmon in California and BC.
  • The MickeyD that used to be at the Toronto Zoo served hot dogs. (Shopsy's, if I recall.) Blew my mind as a kid. Highlight of the trip. I'll admit to having gone to McD's while overseas, but for reasons not mentioned here: 1.) It's cheap. Or cheapER, at least. Sampling the local cuisine tends to break the bank after a while. 2.) It's predictable. After guessing-the-meat for a few days, it's good to have a meal where you know exactly what you're getting. You know the mass and stomach-filling capacity, and you know you can be out of there and on your way again in fifteen minutes. 3.) They're easy to find. Train station? Boom. Mall? Boom. 4.) They're quite willing to take credit when you're running low on the local qwatloos. 5.) Did I mention it was cheap? All that being said, if you're in France or Belgium and you go to McD's instead of Quick, you're a fucking moron.
  • I have since been informed that it is spelled quatloos... *hands in geek badge*
  • Hey, I've been to the Quick right outside Gare du Nord. It reminded me of Jack du Box.
  • All that being said, if you're in France or Belgium and you go to McD's instead of Quick, you're a fucking moron. You had me at the Inuit chick in the fur bikini.
  • When I lived in Japan, I used to go to McD's every month or so when I wanted something that didn't squirm when I tried to eat it or wasn't pickled and/or fermented and/or rotten (a delicacy!). It wasn't cheap, but the service was excellent, the stores clean, and the food hot and fresh -- in short, best McD's experience I ever had, every time I went there. I have to say, though, that HokkaHokkaTei (Japanese flash site) is the dog's bollocks. Fast Japanese food. Chicken karaoge basket with rice. Damn. That sounds really good.
  • I've gone to McDonalds outside the US for the Diet Coke [or Coca Light] with lots of ice. After drinking little bottles of warm soda in a glass with maybe one ice cube, McDonalds was a little like home.
  • I've gone to McD's in other countries when I felt a little homesick. Which is funny, because I don't go there when I'm at home... unless they have a really good toy in the Happy Meal. Sometimes I'm 5.
  • The bub-encased beetroot slice is a Kiwi Burger - they have ad campaigns occasionally ("For a Limited Time Only!!!") and probably only available in Noozild. Which makes me even more sure I was washed up on a South Island beach at birth because I'm the only one in my family who can't eat the greasy red crap. Oh, and we're not an island! We're... er... three? Archipelago? Barrier Reef? A big fish and a canoe?
  • It's good to be 5!
  • McD sucks. The McD in Adana, Turkey really sucked. But then the Hard Rock Cafe in Ankara wasn't all that great, either. (but I did get a T-shirt)
  • The best burger fast food here is フレッシュネスバーガー!
  • Whatever gets you through the niiight .. .'salright . . . s'allright . .
  • one of the more interesting things about mcdonalds, is that outlaw journalists who are working in authortatian or semi authortarian countires, or activists, often use it, because it is not under surrevaliance, and its easy to find. (including china)
  • PinkMoose, aka RatFinkle, meet me by the napkin dispenser. signed, Crocky the Dying Squirrel.
  • A lot of people hate the placid conformity of places like Starbucks and McDonalds. What they fail to realize that the placid conformity is why such places are popular. One person's "placid conformity" is another person's "reassuring familiarity." I know it's heresy to say so, but there are worse things in the world. I live in one of the most self-consciously hip cities in the world (Seattle). Let me tell you, it's rather nice to be able to just walk right into a Starbucks, without having to worry if I'm cool enough to order something there.
  • a neutral environment that allows travelers to take a psychic time-out from the din of their real surroundings and to take a dump in easy to find, generally clean toilets.
  • the mcdo's near piazza di spagna in rome is recommended in some guidebooks. it's very big and has fountains, marble floors, and (when last i visited) an all-you-can eat salad buffet. in ireland, i used to be quite peeved that green milkshakes were not available for st paddy's day. this might have changed.
  • Never mind all that, McDonald's -- it's time you paid your farmworkers fairly. And Homun -- funny as that is, it recalls the most horrific moment of Mr. Norton's career and modern cinema. I can still hear the sound of teeth on curb. Shiver.
  • "the mcdo's near piazza di spagna in rome is recommended in some guidebooks. it's very big and has fountains, marble floors, and (when last i visited) an all-you-can eat salad buffet." The one on B'way just north of Wall Street has a full-time pianist. Which must be a lousy gig for a musician, but oh-so-steady.
  • it's rather nice to be able to just walk right into a Starbucks, without having to worry if I'm cool enough to order something there. D'oh. That has to be a suckilicious creepiness.
  • Mmhhh... well, have to accept that, while avoiding any global junk-food franchise, I've beelined to starbucks in every city I've been. Yes, the surprise-free environment, the basic level of quality to be expected... *hangs head in shame*
  • Hey there is no shame Flagpole. Sometimes you need the "time out" in a generic place. Relaxes the brain.
  • One often encounters metal detectors and security guards when entering the McDonalds in Jakarta. Aaah, the price to pay for some fried chicken, rice and chili sauce...
  • We went to Seattle about a year ago, and I loved the original (and naughty) Starbucks logo. It has boobs!
  • I haven't had McD's in months (thank goodness, mom hasn't had a craving for their fries so far), and for burgers, I usually beeline to Burger King's for their Rendang Burger or their very cheesy Mushroom Swiss. However, the McCafe is the only 24 hour place within walking distance of my home, so I've spent some wee hours there, chilling with other night owl friends. They've built a rather pleasing little bungalow-like building at the edge of the park across from my place, very few glaring neon lights or garish furnishings.
  • MonkeyFilter: It has boobs!
  • I am jealous of the Indian McDonalts..organic and vegetarian food which you'd never get here.
  • Seconded. *checks under thread for h-dogg* Ronald MacDonald Charged in Wendy's Theft Ha!
  • RalphTheDog - the saddest thing about Harveys is that it used to be a very good chain - thick beefy burgers, excellent fries and onion rings. Like a mom and pop place. But then they were bought out - by Wendy's? Probably trying to kill it as competition. Familier is nice. I love Starbucks for that - it's the only good coffee shop in town that also does brew coffee. (Not just espresso)
  • Carls Jr bought them, didn't they? I remember seeing Harvey's in North Carolina and they had the same logos and look and feel of Carls Jr, with a different name. I think there's a mention of the buyout in Fast Food Nation.
  • I've never heard of Carls Jr - could be, but they sound like a States only chain. Wendy's did buy Tim Horton's, but that's a donut/coffee/sandwich&soup shop, so little competition there. Tim Horton's is amazing though. I didn't miss it so much before I left Canada, because they have lots of good donut shops there and Tim Horton's has bad coffee, but they have no decent donuts in Britain. I really want a good donut. And some poutine.
  • We got Carls Jr here, although fairly recently. They put up huge ads on buses telling people just how unhealthy and messy their burgers are. I guess because they cater to the pretty young crowd (late teens to early twenties), that's all right.
  • You've never heard of Carl's Jr? Then I'll bet you never saw this [sorta NSFW]. If it doesn't get all over the place it doesn't belong in your face.
  • I may be confusing Harveys with Arby's. Ahhh, I don't know any more.
  • Harvey's is owned by Cara. (Big supporters of Mike Harris, back in tha day.) Same guys who own the Swiss and Second Cup. Also do big business with airline food, and rez cafeterias.
  • McDiploma