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-   -   Consolidated "McDonald's" thread (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/diningbuzz/647180-consolidated-mcdonalds-thread.html)

kipper May 20, 2013 10:07 am


Originally Posted by wrp96 (Post 20780537)
What? Just because 99% of the time when I tell them I want a turkey sandwich no cheese, they still ask me what cheese I want two seconds later, doesn't mean they couldn't follow a coded system.:rolleyes: I finally gave up going to Subway. It was easier than trying to get them to stop putting cheese on my sandwich.;)

To add I've had similar problems at McDonalds who can't understand why I would want a quarter pounder without cheese. I make it simple for them - I just order a hamburger now and at least that doesn't confuse them.

Our local Subway was running a promo last week for a free 3-inch breakfast sandwich and cup of coffee, if you signed up online for it. Mr. Kipper and I used ours yesterday, and it took close to 10 minutes for them to make the sandwiches and add the veggies, because they kept screwing up the veggies.

Starwood Lurker May 22, 2013 12:18 pm

The wife tried this the other day and wasn't that impressed. On the other hand, she loves the McFib sandwich. :rolleyes:

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traveller001 May 22, 2013 5:45 pm


Originally Posted by Gamecock (Post 20780353)
Not sure what a Carolina BBQ Tendercrisp Sandwich is supposed to be, but I'll give it a shot.

It sounds good but the Pepper Jack might be over the top. The "BBQ" comes from a red sauce...

http://www.bk.com/en/us/mobile/menu-...577/index.html

traveller001 May 22, 2013 6:01 pm


Originally Posted by TMOliver (Post 20763285)
Any resemblances between the pork patty in a McD's McRib and at least visually, the BK facsimile are less than tenuous. BBQ, be it beef or pork (or other meats), is a cultural icon to those of us who live/have lived in the belt across the US from whence the culinary tradition came and in which it survives in classic form. Sloshing some thick, gummy, over-sweetened glop atop baked, prepared meats in not BBQ, and practitioners and regular consumers thereof are not worth the wood it would take to immolate them at some gala auto-de-fe purging us of heretics.

I'm a huge fan of BBQ with char and slow smoked.

Pseudo BBQ spots are popping up all over the US using commercial smokers and never getting a char. That's smoked not BBQ.

CFFrost May 23, 2013 10:48 pm


Originally Posted by WillCAD (Post 20765724)
. . .
Back to the original topic, though - I liked the Angus burgers, but they're just too doggone BIG.
. . .

I totally disagree.

One of my biggest guilty pleasures is a double quarter pounder (DQP for short). Every once in a while I get fixated on it and I NEED one. For me, the problem with the Angus burgers wasn't size - it was quality. The meat was always kind of dry (probably the result of "higher quality" beef that presumably had lower fat content) and the buns were dry, too (probably the result of the fact that less people order them, and the bread isn't as fresh, or maybe a result of the "whole grain"). Add to this the fact that they were always substantially more expensive - and it became an entirely unsatisfying experience. Personally, I think being able to order a DQP with the extra toppings will make these "premium" burgers way more successful.

To be clear, I am not saying McDonald's is "good" food - or even a good burger. Someone for me it became comfort food from the drunk or hungover college days. I can also appreciate that In-n-Out and Five Guys are both WAY better - but sometimes they just don't hit the spot in the same way.

dchristiva May 24, 2013 5:18 am


Originally Posted by anaggie (Post 20755076)
If I get a craving for a burger -- 5 Guys it is.

My junk food soft spot is Popeye's.

Can't argue either point!

brp1264 May 28, 2013 8:11 am


Originally Posted by Jorgen (Post 20778919)
Y'know what I really hate about Subway? The decision tree. What kind of bread do you want? What size? What kind of sandwich? What kind of cheese? Now, please tell us individually each vegetable you want on your sandwich...

Aaarg! I want a sandwich, not a conversation *about* sandwiches. There is such a thing as decision fatigue, and needing to make fifteen different decisions before I can actually get my sandwich means fifteen more important decisions I can't make after lunch. I might as well just make my own darn sandwich.

Also, the paradox of choice. The more choices you have, the less likely you are to be happy with whatever choice you make.

I have to say, I understand what you mean and why you feel that way, but I feel exactly the opposite. Oftentimes at restaurants I feel that I have to "settle" for the sandwich as it is made for me and suffer through either a topping/condiment I don't want (MAYONNAISE I HATE YOU!) or ask them for a special order that some places take as an insurmountable request.

With Subway I get the sandwich exactly the way I want, with exactly the right toppings and condiments I want, in exactly the right proportions if I am proactive enough with the person putting the veggies on. The system works great here in China as well where I can just point to the veggies and topping I want - it makes me happy being 100% sure what it is I am actually eating when the person making my food doesn't speak the same language or hold the same culture as I do.

Perhaps your feelings are a metaphor for how you feel stumbling through life not knowing what you want? =)~

WillCAD May 28, 2013 10:23 am


Originally Posted by Jorgen (Post 20778919)
Y'know what I really hate about Subway? The decision tree. What kind of bread do you want? What size? What kind of sandwich? What kind of cheese? Now, please tell us individually each vegetable you want on your sandwich...

Aaarg! I want a sandwich, not a conversation *about* sandwiches. There is such a thing as decision fatigue, and needing to make fifteen different decisions before I can actually get my sandwich means fifteen more important decisions I can't make after lunch. I might as well just make my own darn sandwich.

Also, the paradox of choice. The more choices you have, the less likely you are to be happy with whatever choice you make.

It's not a "decision tree", and it's not a "conversation about sandwiches". It's four decisions:

1) Which sub?
2) Which bread?
3) Whataya want on it?
4) Wanna make it a combo?

I think what you're stumbling over is #3, because there are lots of available toppings, and you're regarding each one as a separate decision. But it's really not - it's simply, "Whataya want on your sandwich?"

Truthfully, if you know what you want ahead of time, there are no decisions to make and no questions to answer at all:

"6-inch turkey on hearty italian, not toasted. American cheese, lettuce, tomato, a little honey mustard, onions, green pepper, salt and pepper. Make it a combo."

I pretty much get the same thing with every type of sub, except tuna (where I skip the honey mustard) and meatball (which gets cheese, salt and pepper, and nothing else).

It's not that hard.


Originally Posted by CFFrost (Post 20802649)
I totally disagree.

One of my biggest guilty pleasures is a double quarter pounder (DQP for short). Every once in a while I get fixated on it and I NEED one. For me, the problem with the Angus burgers wasn't size - it was quality. The meat was always kind of dry (probably the result of "higher quality" beef that presumably had lower fat content) and the buns were dry, too (probably the result of the fact that less people order them, and the bread isn't as fresh, or maybe a result of the "whole grain"). Add to this the fact that they were always substantially more expensive - and it became an entirely unsatisfying experience. Personally, I think being able to order a DQP with the extra toppings will make these "premium" burgers way more successful.

To be clear, I am not saying McDonald's is "good" food - or even a good burger. Someone for me it became comfort food from the drunk or hungover college days. I can also appreciate that In-n-Out and Five Guys are both WAY better - but sometimes they just don't hit the spot in the same way.

Well, the Angus burgers were too big for me most of the time, though once in a while I like a bigger meal and the Angus (or a double QP) fit the bill. But fortunately, I suspect that we'll be able to order any one of these new QPs in the double configuration when we just need some extra bulk in our lunch.

I think we'll probably both be happy with the new QPs; they'll have the regular patty and bun that you prefer over the Angus, they'll be 1/4 pound, which I usually prefer, and I bet they'll be available as doubles for those times when either of us just want a bigger burger.

Doc Savage Jun 20, 2013 2:09 pm

McDonalds Celebrates the Stanley Cup Finals
 
....by serving hockey pucks in their "new" enhanced quarter pounders.

Yech.

A colleague and I decided to give them a try since they were on sale at 2 for 1. Dry, hard, nasty.

Save your money.

YVR Cockroach Jun 20, 2013 4:10 pm


Originally Posted by Doc Savage (Post 20959914)
....by serving hockey pucks in their "new" enhanced quarter pounders.

Yech.

A colleague and I decided to give them a try since they were on sale at 2 for 1. Dry, hard, nasty.
.

Is "hockey pucks" your term or McD's?

Doc Savage Jun 20, 2013 4:49 pm


Originally Posted by YVR Cockroach (Post 20960598)
Is "hockey pucks" your term or McD's?

It is based on empiric observations of texture and flavor.

braslvr Jun 20, 2013 5:28 pm


Originally Posted by Doc Savage (Post 20960814)
It is based on empiric observations of texture and flavor.

Sounds like the McLean. Remember those?

blackdawn2 Jun 20, 2013 11:09 pm

I go to McD's primarily for the internet, secondarily for the food :td:

YVR Cockroach Jun 21, 2013 3:01 pm


Originally Posted by Doc Savage (Post 20960814)
It is based on empiric observations of texture and flavor.

I surmised that was your term but I was hoping McD would have truth in advertising.

kipper Jul 11, 2013 11:49 am

I had 3 coupons for a free quarter pounder (one of the new options only), and Mr. Kipper and I used 2 of those for dinner last night. As he said, "I'm glad they were free, because I wouldn't buy them." They were generally lousy. Our local McDonald's sells them for $4.29/each, and I definitely won't spend that on them.

katie10 Jul 12, 2013 5:10 am

With Subway I get the sandwich exactly the way I want, with exactly the right toppings and condiments I want, in exactly the right proportions if I am proactive enough with the person putting the veggies on. The system works great here in China as well where I can just point to the veggies and topping I want - it makes me happy being 100% sure what it is I am actually eating when the person making my food doesn't speak the same language or hold the same culture as I do.

I'm with you. I like being able to specify.

But I never go to McDonald's. Or KFC. Or anywhere like it. Luckily, in Australia we have a lot of independent places that have decent food.

howtofreetravel Aug 10, 2013 2:00 pm

Why does american McDonalds suck
 
The american version sucks ... (as well as american kfc) and why is that? When you go to Israel for instance you get real chicken nuggets or chicken wings (less processed if any).

Doc Savage Aug 10, 2013 2:10 pm

What, pray tell, is a "real" chicken nugget?

flyboy60 Aug 10, 2013 2:49 pm

I don't actually think it does - at least not for breakfast, anyways.

Gamecock Aug 10, 2013 2:51 pm


Originally Posted by Doc Savage (Post 21249304)
What, pray tell, is a "real" chicken nugget?

Comes from roosters.

LordByran Aug 10, 2013 2:51 pm

I imagine it might have to do with the different perceptions between Americans and non-Americans towards American fast food. Americans just see KFC/McDonald's as a low class food when on the go, however in some place like China it's viewed as something for the upper-middle-class and treated as more of a luxury, so there's an incentive to provide a better dining experience.

Alinlondon Aug 10, 2013 2:56 pm

They all suck. UK = always cold, never look like the photos, chewy and tasteless. I did, a few years ago have a big Mac in Japan that looked like the promo photo and was hot.

jacobitetraveller Aug 10, 2013 2:59 pm


Originally Posted by LordByran (Post 21249452)
I imagine it might have to do with the different perceptions between Americans and non-Americans towards American fast food. Americans just see KFC/McDonald's as a low class food when on the go, however in some place like China it's viewed as something for the upper-middle-class and treated as more of a luxury, so there's an incentive to provide a better dining experience.

OMG Mcdonald's a luxury!!!!!!!!!!

sorry but this may upset some people but to me mcdonalds and kfc and the likes is a NO NO for me regardless of what country I may find myself in

CDTraveler Aug 10, 2013 3:20 pm


Originally Posted by jacobitetraveller (Post 21249484)
OMG Mcdonald's a luxury!!!!!!!!!!

sorry but this may upset some people but to me mcdonalds and kfc and the likes is a NO NO for me regardless of what country I may find myself in

Hey, in Europe McD's consistently has the cleanest, nicest public restrooms. I buy a soda and we get to use the facilities.



*I know Europe is not a single country. I stake my claim on visits to McD's restrooms in 4, maybe 5 - can't remember for certain, countries. Most public restrooms in Belgium seem to be particularly filthy, the McD one was the only clean one we found.

jacobitetraveller Aug 10, 2013 3:27 pm


Originally Posted by CDTraveler (Post 21249562)
Hey, in Europe McD's consistently has the cleanest, nicest public restrooms. I buy a soda and we get to use the facilities.



*I know Europe is not a single country. I stake my claim on visits to McD's restrooms in 4, maybe 5 - can't remember for certain, countries. Most public restrooms in Belgium seem to be particularly filthy, the McD one was the only clean one we found.

at least you buy something

I know many people use their facilities without spending [ I was going to say a PENNY ] any money at the till

so the facilities are clean but you haven't commented on the food

SeriouslyLost Aug 10, 2013 3:37 pm


Originally Posted by LordByran (Post 21249452)
I imagine it might have to do with the different perceptions between Americans and non-Americans towards American fast food. Americans just see KFC/McDonald's as a low class food when on the go, however in some place like China it's viewed as something for the upper-middle-class and treated as more of a luxury, so there's an incentive to provide a better dining experience.


................. er, what?

UnitedFlyGuy Aug 10, 2013 3:53 pm


Originally Posted by SeriouslyLost (Post 21249630)
Quote:





Originally Posted by LordByran


I imagine it might have to do with the different perceptions between Americans and non-Americans towards American fast food. Americans just see KFC/McDonald's as a low class food when on the go, however in some place like China it's viewed as something for the upper-middle-class and treated as more of a luxury, so there's an incentive to provide a better dining experience.





................. er, what?

It's true. I was in Shanghai and went to a McDonalds and it was a white tablecloth sit down restaurant. Pretty cool experience.

Gamecock Aug 10, 2013 4:09 pm


Originally Posted by UnitedFlyGuy (Post 21249711)

It's true. I was in Shanghai and went to a McDonalds and it was a white tablecloth sit down restaurant. Pretty cool experience.

What? Was it served out of normal McDonald's wraps/boxes or on real plates?

SeriouslyLost Aug 10, 2013 4:17 pm


Originally Posted by UnitedFlyGuy (Post 21249711)
It's true. I was in Shanghai and went to a McDonalds and it was a white tablecloth sit down restaurant. Pretty cool experience.

None of the KFC or McD's were like that when I was in Shanghai both times this year. Nor any other part of China I was in. Granted, I didn't actually go in, but I did think about it and look a couple of times.

They must have been hiding the tables with linen out of sight from me! The rat.......s! :)

M Singh Aug 10, 2013 5:15 pm

Why does american McDonalds suck
 
Awesome quality of KFC in Vietnam and pretty good in Thailand and Singapore. Even KFC in Europe is better than US. Mcd pretty good almost anywhere in asia

highpeaklad Aug 10, 2013 7:41 pm

Why does american McDonalds suck
 
You don't get free refills in Europe!

Why does anyone buy a large drink un the USA when they have free refills?

Doc Savage Aug 10, 2013 7:43 pm


Originally Posted by highpeaklad (Post 21250455)
You don't get free refills in Europe!

Why does anyone buy a large drink un the USA when they have free refills?

Because all drink sizes cost the same $1.

flyboy60 Aug 10, 2013 8:30 pm


Originally Posted by highpeaklad (Post 21250455)
You don't get free refills in Europe!

Why does anyone buy a large drink un the USA when they have free refills?

Because nowadays, all size drinks are $1. As for why anyone would otherwise, I have no idea, I always bought the cheapest sized drink - which, perversely, often was the large (which was discounted under a promo).

wandertheglobe Aug 10, 2013 9:02 pm

I don't agree, McD's is what it is and when everything goes right their food is a good value. Now, what I don't like is the variability in the meal quality - I like my fry's to be hot! :)

howtofreetravel Aug 10, 2013 9:49 pm

For instance my first im the states as a child i was surprised at how nasty KFC was as it is so tasty in Israel. It felt like i was not eating real chicken... How can you people eat that? Btw Popeyes is pretty good though

quick_dry Aug 11, 2013 7:03 am

KFC in Hong Kong is most definitely not 'fancy' or quality, the chicken pieces are terrible whenever I've tried it.

Pizza Hut was still a sit down restaurant though

u2fan Aug 11, 2013 7:47 am

Maybe it is all relative. McDonalds may have very consistent standards: they seem low in the US, but high in other parts of the world.

neuron Aug 11, 2013 8:15 am


Originally Posted by Doc Savage (Post 21250463)
Because all drink sizes cost the same $1.


Originally Posted by flyboy60 (Post 21250604)
Because nowadays, all size drinks are $1. As for why anyone would otherwise, I have no idea, I always bought the cheapest sized drink - which, perversely, often was the large (which was discounted under a promo).

Not true! I was in a McD's yesterday and they had several sizes for sale, even if they have their new drink dispensing machines that make it virtually free refills.

sonofzeus Aug 11, 2013 9:11 am


Originally Posted by wandertheglobe (Post 21250692)
McD's is what it is

Their stores and menus @ the Louvre, across from the Sheraton Oahu, and 4 blocks from the Oakbrook HQ are very different.

Why?

The answer is hidden in the secret sauce. :D

Daner Aug 11, 2013 11:43 am

I checked out the small McDonalds on the Nanjing pedestrian street (downstairs, same side of the street as the Apple Store) in Shanghai in June. No tablecloths there. No BigMacs either. Not as high a standard as we see in Sweden. No better than I have seen in the US either.


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