For Germany I think the taste is pretty much identical to the US. At least that's my impression. BUT, we always get McRibs, which I love.

In France and Switzerland the beef quality seems to be better.

Otherwise I notice big differences even within the same shop. When you get a Big Mac that's freshly made and hot it is "delicious", if not, well, not so much...

Till

Using a Big Mac w/o cheese as a benchmark, I've had them in Hong Kong, Korea, Thailand, Amsterdam, Japan, Brazil, Iceland, England, and Philippines. I noticed little if any difference except less special sauce in Asia. On the other hand, the Burger King in Leidseplein Amsterdam is far far better than any in the US.

Although I don't eat McDonald's while I'm here in the (mainland) States, I enjoy stopping at Non-US McDonalds to see the menu variation--and occasionally eat the fries. The UK curry burger--or something along those lines, is one of the most interesting I've seen. There are clear differences in recipes and some european stores charge for just entering. I've paid a euro just to get in the store in Athens and Paris. It also seems to me that McDonalds is clearly a "cool" place to hang out for young people in Europe, where in the states we tend to simply race through in order to get something very quick to eat.

The global economy is what is hurting Starbucks.

I'm backing the idea on the global McDonald's. They have actual variety unlike their US counterparts.

I try to minimize my MickyD's visits in the US, rare, breakfast only, waiting for wife in motel to get her self together, reading "USA Today" at a clean table with good lighting, both usually available.

Abroad, I note their presence, but I'm abroad for the experience (at which even a MickyD's "Curry Burger" ain't).

Each to their own, and I guess squillions of people must like McDonalds (how they can call themselves restaurants I'll never know), but in my very limited (and not likely to ever expand) experience, it's revolting!

One and a half Big Macs (I threw half away) many (30!) years ago turned me off Mcds. The only other thing I'd had from them until recently was their chips (fries) which are palatable and ok for emergencies when travelling. But even those I have very rarely.

I was conned by friends into having b/fast at a McDs a couple of years ago...an egg and bacon mcmuffin (worst thing I'd ever eaten) followed by a "hash brown" - it was even worse than the mcmuffin.

Simply disgusting! :)

Just tried the chicken shaka shaka here in Japan. It was pretty darn good - but I really like pepper. Also had a "Mega Mac", a Big Mac with 4 beef patties instead of 2. It was ok, but a little out of balance. The regular one is better. Now, back to Japanese food for awhile.

You obviously haven't been to the McD in Moscow, where there are two doors: front for the tourists, back for the locals. Depending on which door you go in through, two very different kinds of meat are used for the burgers: reasonably good for the tourists, cr*p for the locals.

I only eat at McDonald's about four times a year in the US. Abroad, I have only eaten McDonald's in Mexico and Canada. They only difference I saw was that they offered chiles in Mexico. I try to limit my fast food intake to when I am at an airport and I am very hungry.

Had a great Maccy D's in Eilat years ago. I think they must have over grilled it as it had a "Flame grilled" flavour more in keeping with a certain competitor. I was always curious where they did get the beef from in Israel though?

I don't notice an "extreme" difference in terms of taste quality between the ones in NA vs. ones in Asia. But in general I tend to eat at McDonald's more often when I'm in HK than I do when I'm in Canada.

I'll never forget that people espressly choose to dine at McDonalds while in Hawaii's isles - specifically for the SPAM dishes!

At risk of being slightly spammy... here's my own blog link - Aussie McDs are having a particularly great-value promotion. FTers doing a MR trip (or 6! You confessed :D) may wish to do a $2 taste test.
USD$1.50 for a double cheeseburger or even a mini meal. :)
http://www.bargainconfidential.com/b...altwobucks.jpg

Though when in Oz you'll find that McD's major competitor has a whopper... 'the burgers are better at Hungry Jacks'! :D

So you need not starve for cheap, no-nutrition American fast food fare when you're here.

For goodness sake, just make sure you try a good Aussie espresso coffee. :D

So far I've tried Italian McDonalds that was just horrible and Czech Republic McDonalds that was actually an OK burger. Czech was better than USA McD and near USA Carl's Jr. quality.

When ever my grandchildren force me to have a McDonald burger of any type, my gout acts up. I finally figured it out. No more Macs!:mad:

Indian Mcdonalds is nowhere near as good as the british stuff.. More veg options i suppose but nothing beats a proper bic mac vs the lamb maharaja Mac