Do You Eat at Fast Food Restaurants when Traveling?
Jun 27, 2019, 10:34 am
#46
formerly known as Tad's Broiled Steaks
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,412
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.
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.
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.
Jun 27, 2019, 11:03 am
#47
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Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,014
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.
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.
Jun 27, 2019, 1:38 pm
#48
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,916
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.
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.
Jun 27, 2019, 2:56 pm
#49
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Location: Ontario, Canada
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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.
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.
Hotels are a bit different because getting a crap hotel is a bigger issue than a meal and the large international chains have attractive loyalty programs.
Jun 28, 2019, 8:45 am
#51
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The average FT pińata 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.
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.
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.
Jun 28, 2019, 9:26 am
#52
formerly known as Tad's Broiled Steaks
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,412
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.
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.
Jun 28, 2019, 9:48 am
#54
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The negative connotations are probably from people only aware of one type of fast food, that which is provided by the big chains.
Jun 28, 2019, 10:47 am
#55
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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.
Jun 28, 2019, 10:53 am
#56
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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.
Jun 28, 2019, 2:02 pm
#57
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I eat fast food wherever on the planet I am, for the same reasons: it's convenient, and I like it. I actually eat fast food more when I'm traveling because I don't have the option of a quick, convenient & tasty meal from my well stocked kitchen at home.
Jun 29, 2019, 4:03 am
#58
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
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My own opinion - I would not drink at Starbucks outside of US due to the facts that a) usually better and much more unique quality coffee options are available locally and b) for the same drinks it is more expensive, enen in USD. Now, here in Singapore cup of brewed coffee in *$ costs $4 and local version - kopi - is $1. Why do want to pay for my drink 4x more when better tasting option is 4x cheaper?
However, I personally consider presence of Starbucks as an indicator of infrastructure/tourism market development for Western (or better to be said - American) tourists.
However, I personally consider presence of Starbucks as an indicator of infrastructure/tourism market development for Western (or better to be said - American) tourists.
Jun 29, 2019, 4:14 am
#59
Join Date: Dec 2007
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And if family earns a little bit better than low/average, taking kids to MC is considered a big treat.
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.
Jun 29, 2019, 7:35 am
#60
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LOL. About once a year, my wife gets an itch to eat at IKEA. Meatballs and lingonberry sauce. She only gets this particular jones once a year, always around Christmas, and IKEA is the only place that can satisfy it. I've offered to take her to the one *nice* Swedish restaurant in town but nope, it has to be those IKEA meatballs...