Originally Posted by pinniped (Post 31245312)

For those of you ashamed to even consider eating fast food abroad, does this only apply to American brands or also to the local streetfood? Is it the quick-service style that's repulsive or the Americanness or corporateness of McD's, KFC, etc. that is repulsive?

What about Starbucks? Does it fall in this category too?

What about a local but corporate fast food chain? Pret A Manger in London, for example?

Most FTers don't have a problem with American brands abroad like Marriott or Hilton (and might even eat the food there). I find it interesting that restaurants strike a very different emotional chord.

I'll admit that I'm in the camp that tends to avoid McDonald's but would happily eat some local dish from a guy grilling stuff on the street, even if it's something mundane like a taco or sandwich. But I don't have any visceral opposition to the American brands, nor think terribly of people who occasionally hit one up for convenience sake.

Originally Posted by StartinSanDiego (Post 31245250)

There's a book called KFC In China? What?
WIkipedia says KFC is China's largest fast food chain https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KFC_in_China
I've heard the rumors that there are no biscuits or even no mashed potatoes and gravy in some KFC's. Mr StartInSanDiego ran across one in Eastern Europe.

Originally Posted by pinniped (Post 31245312)

For those of you ashamed to even consider eating fast food abroad, does this only apply to American brands or also to the local streetfood? Is it the quick-service style that's repulsive or the Americanness or corporateness of McD's, KFC, etc. that is repulsive?

What about Starbucks? Does it fall in this category too?

What about a local but corporate fast food chain? Pret A Manger in London, for example?

Most FTers don't have a problem with American brands abroad like Marriott or Hilton (and might even eat the food there). I find it interesting that restaurants strike a very different emotional chord.

I'll admit that I'm in the camp that tends to avoid McDonald's but would happily eat some local dish from a guy grilling stuff on the street, even if it's something mundane like a taco or sandwich. But I don't have any visceral opposition to the American brands, nor think terribly of people who occasionally hit one up for convenience sake.

Originally Posted by pinniped (Post 31245312)

For those of you ashamed to even consider eating fast food abroad, does this only apply to American brands or also to the local streetfood? Is it the quick-service style that's repulsive or the Americanness or corporateness of McD's, KFC, etc. that is repulsive?

What about Starbucks? Does it fall in this category too?

What about a local but corporate fast food chain? Pret A Manger in London, for example?

Most FTers don't have a problem with American brands abroad like Marriott or Hilton (and might even eat the food there). I find it interesting that restaurants strike a very different emotional chord.

I'll admit that I'm in the camp that tends to avoid McDonald's but would happily eat some local dish from a guy grilling stuff on the street, even if it's something mundane like a taco or sandwich. But I don't have any visceral opposition to the American brands, nor think terribly of people who occasionally hit one up for convenience sake.

Originally Posted by BuildingMyBento (Post 31245730)

The average FT piñata is filled with American brands; thus I joined the fray under the impression that Mackers and Starbuck's were the targets.

Moreover, I don't tend to equate fast food with street food, though they really would be one in the same. "Street food" would merit its own thread.

Originally Posted by pinniped (Post 31248840)

I look at "fast food" as a macro-category with the various formats of street food being subcategories.

In that sense, I tend to agree with others in that I avoid what's easy to get at home and try to snag something unique to that region. Less concerned about exact format, whether from a cart, an outdoor stall, a market, or a more contemporary counter-service style restaurant.

Originally Posted by BuildingMyBento (Post 31248991)

Though, I think that fast food often has negative connotations, whereas street food is what many travelers look forward to in various Southeast Asian/other locations.

Originally Posted by pinniped (Post 31249069)

I look forward to it almost everywhere, sometimes because it's uniquely good and other times because it's the fastest food. :) The negative connotations are probably from people only aware of one type of fast food, that which is provided by the big chains.

Originally Posted by Badenoch (Post 31249280)

It is bewildering that people can walk by the mesmerizing aromas emanating from a line of street food vendors only to trudge their way to a Burger King.

Originally Posted by pinniped (Post 31245312)

What about Starbucks? Does it fall in this category too?

Originally Posted by QtownDave (Post 31249305)

I have yet to see even a half empty US fast food joint overseas. And it’s mostly populated by locals who consider it the different.

Originally Posted by invisible (Post 31251379)

Heck, IKEA cafe in Singapore is considered an upscale dining place for local students where you can take (and impress) your date. No joke. If you go there on weekends after 10AM or before 10PM, expect to wait in line for 30-120min.