Canarsie

You may or may not admit it if you have eaten American fast food overseas; but have you eaten at a fast-food place which is based in a different country?

For example — I had not had the opportunity to try it — but there is a chain of hamburger restaurants in South Africa called Steers —.as well as a chain of chicken restaurants called Nando’s, which is also based in South Africa.

Although Jollibee is based in the Philippines, this chain has expanded into the United States.

Even though I accidentally consumed one in Montreux, I really did not want to try the horse burger at Hot Horse — which is based in Slovenia — when I was in Ljubljana.

Those are only three of many fast food restaurant chains based in a different country from where I am based — but then again, I usually patronize restaurants which are not based on fast food when I travel.

Do you?

EuropeanPete

Nando's is absolutely one of my favourite places to get simple food, though with a 5+ min wait it's not really "fast food" in the same vein as an American burger shop - it's more of a pleasant version of Olive Garden or TGI Fridays. Ironically Nando's doesn't taste very nice in South Africa but is usually very good elsewhere.

A former colleague of mine has setup a healthy fast food chain called Leon (http://leonrestaurants.co.uk/) which I love getting food from. When you just want something fast and simple but would also like it to be clean and healthy you can't do much better, although their website at the moment is promoting less healthy than usual looking breakfast rolls!

Depending on your definition of "fast food", I might call the Singaporian hawker markets the pinnacle of good food, though being Dutch I'm also addicted to the "FEBO" (http://www.febodelekkerste.nl/), a slightly odd concept which deep fries stuff in bread and then puts it in heated lockers that you open with coins.

exilencfc

I love Nandos, though i've only had it in Britain. I didn't realise they were South African but I suppose that explains them selling South African cider.

I'm also quite keen on Backwerk which is a self service bakery chain in Germany and Austria. In Britain we have Greggs which is also a bakery chain but not self service. They specialise in sausage rolls, pasties and other such savoury delights.

I was wondering what those machines were called, thanks Pete. They're definitely a fun experience, actually Dutch fast food is generally quite good fun ime.

pseudoswede

Burger King is now technically a Canadian company...

crabbing

pollo campero is a central american fried chicken chain that recently expanded into the US. they are the best fried chicken anywhere.

half the fun is asking other customers for help with the menu, since i don't speak spanish.

365RoadWarrior

Another Dutch company, Maoz. (US website link.)

EuropeanPete

I didn't know they were Dutch. I enjoy Maoz in London's Soho and in New York.

lhrsfo

I love Leon's but it's still quite small. Eat and Pret are great and have much greater reach, with Pret in New York also. In fact, I've had lunch in Pret two out of the last four work days.

The big difference between those and American fast food places is that the former are much less unhealthy - in fact, you can easily obtain lunches that are actually good for you at them.

VivoPerLei

Yes! As a matter of fact, here's a similar thread on the subject from a few years ago.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/dinin...fast-food.html

bibbju

I really like Leon for getting something fairly healthy to eat on the go, although I wish they would stop fiddling with their menu and bring back the side orders of sweet potato falafel and broccoli (they've lost a lot of my business by getting rid of these).

I hate Pret. The food may be fresh but is loaded with fat.

I like Nandos occasionally. I used to go to Malaysia (KL) on business quite a lot and most of the English expats there went mad for Nandos pretty much every lunchtime. I find them a handy back-up when I need something quick but not too unhealthy. I've popped into them a few times for a takeaway when in Australia.

I like Chicken Shop and Dirtyburger but both have quite a small presence, mainly in London. They're from the team behind Soho House etc so food is pretty good.

I also like GBK (Gourmet Burger Kitchen) and Wagamama on occasion although they both seem to be less good than I remembered (I've been living outside the UK for a few years so only just re-trying places recently). Why have Wagamama got rid of chicken tama rice???!! Saying that, I think most people eat-in at these places rather than get takeaway so not sure if that rules them out as not being "proper" fast food?

I've tried Japanese chain MOS Burger (in HK) and found it fine but nothing to get excited about.

I find French bakery chain La Brioche Doree handy for lunch on the go when working in France. And now French chain Paul is in the UK as well....great coffee eclairs.

Canarsie

I saw that discussion; but it was not quite the same as this one...

...as in this one, FlyerTalk members might also want to discuss the worst fast food in any country other than where they are based — including the United States.

BuildingMyBento

I always liked the hot sauces and the peas at Nando's in Washington, DC. Noticed that they were at DMK (Bangkok's older airport) too. Had it in Johannesburg, but should've stuck with the pap.

Though it's not fast food, I wish any of the Japanese konbini (convenience store) companies would come (or come back...) to the states and convert our versions of the stores into theirs.

exerda

What about MOS Burger?

I've heard good things, but have never quite been able to force myself to try a fast food place, much less a chain one, abroad.


I was going to say "Tim Horton's," but I figured they were disqualified now because of Burger King buying them.

Taiwaned

Yoshinoya - it's a Japanese beef bowl fast food restaurant.

You see them in Southern California as well.

I love them, quick and seems less harmful to your health than a burger and fries.

lili

I just spotted this thread and was dropping by to put MOS Burger on the Do Not Go list (at least the one in Singapore near the Conrad. ) Don't know what it was but I truly disliked it.

(My apologies to the FTer with the handle Mosburger, don't know if you are a fan or owner, and this opinion is only mine and in is in no way meaningful.)

Ah Jollibee the chicken people. I was looking forward to trying it in Manila, and I did. But they were out of the highly acclaimed chicken, and seemed to have only spaghetti and burgers left. Burger was unpleasant, I wouldn't do it again and now have doubts about the chicken.