Golden Arches Shame

We are sophisticates, we are the elite. We have rubbed shoulders with the movers and shakers. So now it is time for confessions. At which exotic locations have you shunned local culture and gone for a Big Mac?

My McDonald's shame began in Lausanne, 30 years ago, when alighting from a train in Switzerland, for my first visit of many, I went straight to the adjacent Golden Arches and quaffed a Fishburger. It was eight in the morning.

Dr Weasel is worse, though there are mitigating circs. Whilst on a freebie (that you pay for) Dr Weasel had a Big Mac and Fries in Helsinki. Bearing in mind that a main meal in Finland is cheese on toast, and a feast is cheese on toast with a dill pickle, she was, by comparison with the local fare, having a blow-out.

Leave your confessions of McShame here. (Or is it just Weasels?)
In search of the Northern Lights

Dr Weasel's next freebie (that you pay for) is in Lake Como in April. She assures me that, rather than go for a pizza, that may include the head of a local hood, she will try and find a Wagamama. And at least there will be no mozzarella contaminated with dioxin, or Mafia-friendly olive oil that is really Duckhams 20/50 with green colouring.

12 comments:

Richard said...

I was taking my children back to their mother many years ago, and we stopped in Scunthorpe to get something to eat on the way. It was around 6pm on a Sunday night, and there was literally nowhere open. We had money, we had bellies to fill, and yet we could not find a cafe or restaurant anywhere. The only place open was Macdonalds. We ended up eating there, much to Anna's disgust - she hasn't been in one since, on principle. It says something about a town when visitors with cash to spend end up eating in the Golden Arches because there is literally nowhere else to eat.

Richard said...

Oh, and isn't Duckham's green anyway?

King Athelstan said...

First experienced them in Memphis in 1979, wasn't over impressed at how they shaped up against Wendys for example, less than a year later I first had one in England in Bromley High Street. Have since Done the arches in Venlo and Nijmegen in Holland, not a fan of Dutch food, Frankfurt, no excuse, Duisburg, I was in a hurry, Dharan, Saudi Arabia, no need to explain. La Defense Paris and also Rue Pigalle, cheaper more appetising and of course less insulting than the pavement cafes, now with the kids we're never out of them.

Wrinkled Weasel said...

Athelstan, I value your candour and feel your pain. I fear you may be up for an award.

Wrinkled Weasel said...

Richard. How would I know what colour Duckham's is? I never look under the bonnet.

Dave said...

I ventured inside one about twenty years ago to attend my son's birthday party. (Great marketing- very Jesuit)
having worked in the food industry I declined an invite to eat.

And last year whilst on tour with Nicki Gillis we met up at the McD's near Holbeach on our way from Middlesborough to Norwich. They have free wi-fi so I had a coffee while they sorted their emails. I sneaked a fry and the buggers took a photo. Damn.

And I won't eat one.Ever. Beef is defined as anything that comes from a cow's carcass. Anything.
Ditto pork.
No thanks

Span Ows said...

If there's an award going I can boast (not sure that's the right word!) but I intentionally go to MacDonalds in every country I visit, an excuse is to see if it really does taste the same ...and it does, (I'm a Big Mac addict btw)...or maybe it's a food version of the Big mac index re currecy values! Of course in some countries it's impossible: obviously in Iran the Abgoosht followed by lamb and rice with garlic yoghurt and sour milk drink (called dugh) was nice enough!).

At last count it's at least 25 countries...and that is a low estimate.

Re Dave's post...anything that comes from a cow's carcass isn't quite right, they use the meat (mainly...hehehe) but the animals they buy weren't always the best (i.e. cull cows) Not so true these days but meat's meat, if Dave eats sausages (ANY sausages) then he's eaten worse...or worst as the Germans say!...little joke there) Chicken fat was used in the shakes etc but who cares...nothing wrong with chicken fat, at least the body can digest it easily; if you think too much about where all your food comes from and what has happeneed to it en route there's not much you could eat.

madjockmcmad said...

I was trying to find the youtube vid of the famous big mac experiment. Basically they put a big mac and chips into a jar next to 6 other meals. 3 years later (sic) the other meals had joined the gorgon in slimey ga ga land. However the McFries were still yellow and edible looking and the burger had gone slightly grey but would have passed a quick check by someone pissed up. WTF is in that food ?

Wrinkled Weasel said...

Dave, those rock tours are just one long descent into madness and decadence. I've seen the clip on Youtube.

Span Ows, I can see why there is an attraction to checking them out - which is the best?

Mad jock..Did you ever see a movie called Soylent Green?

mad JockMc Fuckin mad said...

Just checked out Solyent Green. I'm up for a fuckin good fight if you fancy it ?

madjockmcfuckinmad said...

Ha ha, sorry too much Glenmorangie. have a wee dram then watch this video,

So funny........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCw9XeXp7P8&feature=player_embedded#

Span Ows said...

I don't really recall a best*...just when they're fresh and hot they are more edible!

*best burger ever? Despite the Mac addiction I have to go for Hardee's Jalapeno Thickburger. :-)