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There is a Taco Bell in Cancun. Couldn't believe it.. .why would anyone go to fake Mexican food when the real stuff is soooo good.
Same reason why Americans go to McDonald's when there are much better places to have a burger. It's fast, it's cheap, and often times you don't even have to get out of your car.
Every time that I travel overseas, I make it a point to try the McDonalds there
Hah! I thought I was the only one who did this.
Usually when I tell other travelers that I try to visit McDonalds each time I'm in another country, they say something like "Why on Earth do you do that? It defeats the whole point of going to another country!"
But I disagree. All McDonalds are not the same, and the ones in other countries often have a different local flavor and you can learn about the local culture a bit by visiting one. There, I said it.
I'd also like to say that I very rarely visit McDonalds in the US.
Here are some of my most interesting experiences visiting McDonalds ion other countries:
* In Mendoza Argentina, the McDonalds had a special sort of "happy meal" that included local fruits and cheeses, and even included a glass of local Malbec wine.
* In Turkey, the McDonalds had a burger, hilariously named "McBeefy Alaturka" that was a lamb burger with yogurt sauce. They also served the local Turkish Drink that is similar to Kefir.
* In Krakow, Poland the local McDonalds was apparently one of the places to see and be seen. They even had a nice lounge area set up that looked nothing like a McDonalds.
* Japanese McDonalds have many specialty items, including the Filet o'Shrimp and the seasonal Tsukimi Burger for moon-viewing season. Their employees are also highly trained, having to learn many McDonalds only linguistic expressions to bring the ultimate in politeness to their customers.
Once in Queenstown, New Zealand, my client dragged me to a Korean restaurant. While I'll try just about any cuisine with an open mind, I think Korean food is absolutely disgusting. It reminds me of what you'd find in a tackle box.
So after we parted ways, I went to the McDonald's down the street out of sheer desperation. I ordered a Big Mac, took one bite, and felt a decided crunch.
Beets. They put beets in their Big Macs in New Zealand.
As they should do! As they should do here.
We go to Maccas, as we call McDonalds, when driving in the country and needing aircon, a quick snack and clean restrooms. Never eat it at home but it is fairly popular here as it is cheap.
Chains are not as prominent here as it other places. Starbucks have all but failed and are only open in heavily touristed areas. I have to say though that the week between Christmas and New Year sees a lot of small local coffee shops and bakeries close. I counted that eight of my usual coffee shops are closed until next Monday. I ended up at a Gloria Jeans and left most of what they call coffee.
When overseas, this would be the last thing I would do.
There are a few reasons why we go to US fast food joints in other countries. Taking India as an example
1. There is only so much local food that you can take before it becomes boring and too much.
2. The McDonald's of India are nothing like ones here and the veggie options are delicious.
3. They are clean and hygienic and you don't have to worry as much about the hygiene of the cooks and other food handlers ( relative to local owned joints). They also have AC and Wi-Fi.
4. It is intermediate in price between the cheap hole in wall joints and the expensive five star hotel meals which are too rich and creamy.
6. Even though McDonald's and Pizza Hut might be expensive in Indian currency they are about the same in US$ and hence it does not bother me that I spend so much at a meal as long as I think in USA and not rupees.
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