Here is a review that I wanted to take some time
to think about. Because, when the
subject in question is the fast food chain known as Mcdonald's, well, everyone
has an opinion. After all, a whole lot
of people worldwide have eaten there. It
is the largest fast food hamburger chain in the world. I have eaten there multiple times throughout
my life. Much of why I have eaten there,
in recent years, has been that the food is cheap, fast, consistent and convenient. Although the food lacks luster, nearly 70
million people worldwide eat there each day.
I intend to look at why so many people frequent this fast food chain.
Now,
the original McDonald's was established in San Bernardino, California on U.S.
Highway Route 66 in 1940. This was the
main route between Chicago and Los Angeles before the interstate highways were
established. The idea for a quick
roadside hamburger restaurant was not the original plan, because McDonald’s
started out as a barbecue restaurant.
Success came when the products were made for travelers of the great American
road. The era of the automobile is
really what got McDonald's going and their philosophy really hasn't
changed. McDonald's is cheap easy food
for people on the go.
Really,
when I think of McDonald's, it is mostly a stop along the highway or it’s lunch
time and I wasn't really thinking about it, but there are the golden arches
ahead, so I'll grab something quick.
After all, McDonald's isn't any good, or is it? Their staples haven't changed in years, so they
have carved out their own niche. The
cheeseburgers, Big Macs, and fries have all been the same for as long as I can
remember and that is some 37 plus years since my first cheeseburger and fries
at this establishment. I loved them as a
kid and I'm sure that many others did also.
So, when I bite into a McDonald’s cheeseburger it is part nostalgia of a
place where food was fun with bright colours and fun characters. Yet, even in my earliest memories, the food
was nothing special. The makeup for each
product was, and is, still simple. The cheeseburger is a plain bun with a meat
patty, cheese and some onion, ketchup and pickle. The Big Mac even has a jingle about its
contents. The thing is, there are plenty
of other fast food places out there. So,
I have to ask myself, why do I continue to frequent this establishment when
there are so many others. Well, let’s
look at what else out there.
The
fact is established that McDonald's found its niche for people on the go and
these are the occasions when I stop there as do many others. There is however a long list of other
options. There are Subway, Kentucky
Fried Chicken, Taco Bell, Burger King, and Wendy's. As well as other smaller burger chain such as
In-n-Out Burger, Carl’s Jr./Hardees, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, White Castle,
Jack in the Box, Whataburger, Blake's Lotaburger, Shake Shack, and my local
northwest favorite, Dick's Drive-in. Of
course, I have left out quite a few others, but I feel I have a fairly good grab
sample here. Now Subway, KFC, and Taco
Bell are obviously not burger joints. So
although they compete for the fast food market, they appeal to different
tastes. Additionally, Subway is not
quite as fast and a little more expensive.
KFC is messier and more expensive. Taco Bell is cheaper, but manages to feel even
that much lower in quality that all the rest.
Then you have Burger King which is a direct competitor along with
Wendy's. In my experience, the reason
that I would choose McD's over BK is consistency. From restaurant to restaurant I don't know
what quality of product I will get from a Burger King, but at McDonald's it is
always the same. With Wendy's, there is
the same problem as well as higher prices and fewer locations. This is where the smaller chains miss
out. I would love to try White Castle or
Shake Shack, but they are on the east coast and Whataburger is throughout the
South and into Arizona. I love Five Guys,
but I haven't seen many and they simply cost more than McD's. Given the choice, I'd eat In-n-Out over McD's
anytime, but they are only found in the southwest and mostly in
California. Blake's is only in New
Mexico and if you want to eat at Dick's Drive-In you’re only going to find them
in Seattle. The truth of it is that McDonald's,
of all these restaurants, with the exception of In-n-Out and Taco Bell, is the
only place you can go and be in and out in less time that it took to find the
change on the floor boards of your car to pay for your meal. Let’s face it if you’re choosing Taco Bell
you didn't really save time because you’re camping out in the restroom later. The fact is that McDonald's is usually
convenient to find with fast service at a cheap price for when you need to keep
moving.
Now,
for those who have not been to the United States there are a few things to be
said. One, McDonald's is an authentic
experience of United States cuisine, but it should not be assumed that this is
what 'Americans' eat all the time. Two,
McDonald's hamburgers are not a good example of what a good hamburger should
be. There are many burger joints
throughout the country. Some are much
better and some are much worse. Three,
just enjoy McDonald's for what it is, a work of true Americana born on U.S.
Highway 66. Hate it or love it, it is a
product born out of the age of the automobile.
Well,
speaking for myself, McDonald's will most likely be an establishment that I frequent
in the future. I'm not saying that they
are the best burgers in the world or that they even rank in that category. McDonald's meets a need for our time
restrained modern lifestyle, which it also promotes and perpetuates. McDonald's is not alone for all fast food
establishments are filling that same need.
Regardless of the business, if you have a problem with the food, blame
the culture, and make a difference starting with you. If you like your McDonald's, then live it up,
for you were born to the right age. As
for me, I have to praise McDonald's business model, the service they provide,
and the quality products they make. While, at the same time, saying that I aspire
to a lifestyle, a culture and a time when we will no longer need their current
products and services.
Jason