My list includes Fast Foods and foods that can be eaten in a hurry. It’s based on what I’ve eaten over the last five years (2003-07).
Quality, flavor and price were the main criteria in my selection process. Sodas and coffee drinks on the list are only for specific food chains and countries. Bakery items on this list are only those individually wrapped and ready for quick consumption.
There will be 50 total on my list of favorites; 25 this time and 25 next time. Yes, I do love sweet snacks and desserts!
"Yummy 25" Foods and Beverages
1. Taro Pies, McDonald's, Thailand
Ube Pies, McDonald's, Philippines (yes, it's a tie.)
2. Belochka ice creams, sold in many locations, Ukraine
3. Halo-Halo, Chowking, Philippines
4. Coke at McDonald's, Thailand (This Coca-Cola mix is much better than in the U.S.)
5. Bangus, Chowking, Philippines
6. Iced Coffee, McDonald's, Thailand
7. Blueberry French Toast Sticks, Jack in the Box, U.S.
8. Jolly Spaghetti, Jollibee, Philippines
9. Sausage McMuffin with Egg, McDonald's, U.S.
10. EZ Go meal, Thai green curry chicken and rice, 7-Eleven, Thailand
11. Golden Fish (fried fish), Chester's Grill, Thailand
12. Spaghetti, Chester's Grill, Thailand
13. Piece of chicken, rice and vegetables, KFC, Thailand
14. Iced Coffee, McDonald’s, U.S.
15. Number 2 chicken meal, KFC, Thailand
16. Iceberg ice creams, (many locations), Ukraine
17. Almond Brownie, S&P Bakery, Thailand
18. Coffee ice cream (my favorite “mix-in” is white chocolate chips), Cold Stone Creamery, US
19. Chocolate Coconut Donut, Dunkin' Donuts, Thailand
20. Strawberry Glazed Donut, Dunkin’ Donuts, Thailand
21. Iced Americano (with half and half), Starbucks, U.S.
22. Glazed Lemon Filled Doughnut, Krispy Kreme, U.S
23. Filet-O-Fish, McDonald’s, Thailand
24. Bud’s Ice Cream of San Francisco, Green Tea ice cream, Thailand
25. Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake, Carl’s Jr., U.S.
Note: This list is part 1 of my list of favorite foods and beverages sold at fast-food chains and quick-service restaurants, coffee shops, donut shops, bakery outlets and stores. It includes not only fast foods and beverages but ones that were bought and/or eaten on the go.
My main reason for expanding the definition of “fast food” is that these companies and brands are in competition for some of the same customers and often are close together on street blocks and in shopping malls.
Some of the foods on my list may not be the exact names. I am mainly interested in identifying the foods, the restaurants, or stores where I bought them and the country where I bought and ate the foods. I cannot eat every food on the each menu and don’t plan to.
I visited the Philippines and Thailand in 2005 and Ukraine in 2003 . I have not been to those countries since that time. Availability of these foods may have changed along with prices and other factors.
This is about what I love to eat and where I ate it. I did not have a blog or any intention of writing about fast food in 2005, and prior to that time, when I was overseas. In fact, I did not even know what a blog was back then. Sounds kinda funny, but it’s true.
Fast foods in Thailand and the Philippines were so yummy and the restaurants spotlessly clean, for the most part, I thought they deserved special recognition from me as a writer. I used to work as a writer, but now I’m just doing it because I enjoy it. I’m not currently making money as a writer.
For the most part, I did not include in my list foods bought in grocery stores or supermarkets. There are exceptions. I’ve decided to have a separate list for fast-food experiences, which would include hanging out in coffee shops, bakeries and other places where there nice atmosphere and it's affordable for many people to go there for some some fun on occasion. The coffee and espresso drinks included on today’s list are there because McDonald’s is listed with its iced coffee, and so should its competitors.
This is NOT a list for the year 2007, but rather it covers five years--2003 through 2007-- so I will elaborate on it as time permits into January 2008 or perhaps longer.
I did not put any hamburgers on my list because they are not among my favorite foods. Chicken sandwiches, fried chicken, chicken strips, fried fish, breakfast sandwiches, (sometimes) spaghetti, ice cream, other snacks, desserts and soda pop are what I love to eat.
However, I know most people who eat fast food love hamburgers and French fries. That’s great! Enjoy! Hope your meals and snacks are always wonderful.
Note: Trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. I have no connection to any of the companies or brands. I do NOT own or operate a business that sells food. I am a writer, a customer of fast-food restaurants, and I like fast food. These are my opinions or reviews. They were written by me, unless otherwise noted, and my articles, reviews, opinions, entries and posts are NOT influenced by any company or individual working in a fast-food company. Thank you.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Hello
It's taking me longer than I thought it would to finish my list of favorite fast foods. I hope to get it completed soon.
Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays!
Friday, December 21, 2007
Happy Holidays!!!
A small correction was made to the previous post. Thanks for reading. Happy Holidays!!!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Tasted Seven Hamburgers -- Today!!!
Small burgers are still a good deal on most fast-food menus. But which of the fast-food chains makes the best small burger? My answer: Carl's Jr.
Just like talking to you, Scott writes...
Today I ordered a hamburger from a fast-food restaurant for the first time in more than two years. Make that seven hamburgers. Actually I only ate several bites of the seven burgers. What‘s left is in the fridge. The dog is smiling, I think. Wait! Do dogs smile? Sure they do, when there’s burgers in the refrigerator. haha
This morning before lunch-time rush hour, I ordered six hamburgers at six different fast-food locations, opting for the smallest and cheapest burger on each menu.
These days some fast-food chains are boasting that “bigger is better,” but I’m not falling for their line. Besides, the space in my stomach is reserved for the best, not the biggest foods on the menu. There’s no need to waste money or go off my diet.
Anyway, these fast-food restaurants were close together (most of them were across the street from each other), there wasn’t much traffic before noon, so it was easy to get through six drive-thrus in something like 20 minutes. I drove right home, snapped a few pictures and had a burger party. All by myself.
Oh yeah, Dolly, the cute “piggy” oops I mean black lab, was begging for burgers. It’s a good thing dogs can’t read. (After I finished, she did get a burger treat. No buns though.)
Somehow in all the commotion, one of the burgers got left out of the photos. Perhaps burger experts could guess which one was not pictured. But you would need to “know buns“ in order to get it right. lol
Here’s today’s burger report:
Every day a hamburger is crowned a champion by some fast food dude. The winner of my contest is the hamburger that tasted better than the others.
The best hamburger of seven local fast-food restaurants was from Carl’s Jr.
The cashier at the drive-thru window told me it’s a quarter-pound burger. It’s a yummy, juicy burger for just $1.49. The other burgers cost around 50 cents less, but they were not as good.
Other contenders were: McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, A&W, Dairy Queen, and Jack in the Box. Those hamburgers cost 95 cents, $1.00, 90 cents, 2 for $2.00 (see explanation below), $1.25, and $1.00 respectively.
The best of the so-called big three (first three mentioned) was Wendy’s, followed by Burger King and McDonald’s. (Note: I wanted to buy a burger from Jack in the Box, but it was on the other end of town and I needed to hurry. So I went and tasted that burger in the afternoon.)
In my opinion, of these seven burger chains, the A&W burger was second because it was almost equal in quality to the one from Carl’s Jr.
What a burger costs is also a factor when two burgers are similar in quality.
The A&W hamburger costs more than the others when it’s not on sale. Regularly it is $2.09 for one burger, according to the drive-thru menu and A&W crew member taking my order. But today it was the reduced price of 2 hamburgers for $2.
It tastes great but is simple next to the impressive burger from Carl‘s Jr.
In my opinion, Wendy’s is third overall, with Burger King placing fourth, and Jack in the Box fifth. Dairy Queen and McDonald’s tied at the bottom of the list, but my guess is they put more emphasis on their bigger burgers.
McDonald’s has some of the best menu items, including breakfast sandwiches and iced coffee, which enables it to compete with global coffee giant Starbucks. Dairy Queen is known for its delicious frozen desserts. I really like those two fast-food chains a lot.
Note: I do NOT have a hamburger bias, and have NO stake whatsoever in which burger is best. This is my review and my opinion about fast-food hamburgers.
This blog and its writer have no connection to any of the fast-food chains. Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Just like talking to you, Scott writes...
Today I ordered a hamburger from a fast-food restaurant for the first time in more than two years. Make that seven hamburgers. Actually I only ate several bites of the seven burgers. What‘s left is in the fridge. The dog is smiling, I think. Wait! Do dogs smile? Sure they do, when there’s burgers in the refrigerator. haha
This morning before lunch-time rush hour, I ordered six hamburgers at six different fast-food locations, opting for the smallest and cheapest burger on each menu.
These days some fast-food chains are boasting that “bigger is better,” but I’m not falling for their line. Besides, the space in my stomach is reserved for the best, not the biggest foods on the menu. There’s no need to waste money or go off my diet.
Anyway, these fast-food restaurants were close together (most of them were across the street from each other), there wasn’t much traffic before noon, so it was easy to get through six drive-thrus in something like 20 minutes. I drove right home, snapped a few pictures and had a burger party. All by myself.
Oh yeah, Dolly, the cute “piggy” oops I mean black lab, was begging for burgers. It’s a good thing dogs can’t read. (After I finished, she did get a burger treat. No buns though.)
Somehow in all the commotion, one of the burgers got left out of the photos. Perhaps burger experts could guess which one was not pictured. But you would need to “know buns“ in order to get it right. lol
Here’s today’s burger report:
Every day a hamburger is crowned a champion by some fast food dude. The winner of my contest is the hamburger that tasted better than the others.
The best hamburger of seven local fast-food restaurants was from Carl’s Jr.
The cashier at the drive-thru window told me it’s a quarter-pound burger. It’s a yummy, juicy burger for just $1.49. The other burgers cost around 50 cents less, but they were not as good.
Other contenders were: McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, A&W, Dairy Queen, and Jack in the Box. Those hamburgers cost 95 cents, $1.00, 90 cents, 2 for $2.00 (see explanation below), $1.25, and $1.00 respectively.
The best of the so-called big three (first three mentioned) was Wendy’s, followed by Burger King and McDonald’s. (Note: I wanted to buy a burger from Jack in the Box, but it was on the other end of town and I needed to hurry. So I went and tasted that burger in the afternoon.)
In my opinion, of these seven burger chains, the A&W burger was second because it was almost equal in quality to the one from Carl’s Jr.
What a burger costs is also a factor when two burgers are similar in quality.
The A&W hamburger costs more than the others when it’s not on sale. Regularly it is $2.09 for one burger, according to the drive-thru menu and A&W crew member taking my order. But today it was the reduced price of 2 hamburgers for $2.
It tastes great but is simple next to the impressive burger from Carl‘s Jr.
In my opinion, Wendy’s is third overall, with Burger King placing fourth, and Jack in the Box fifth. Dairy Queen and McDonald’s tied at the bottom of the list, but my guess is they put more emphasis on their bigger burgers.
McDonald’s has some of the best menu items, including breakfast sandwiches and iced coffee, which enables it to compete with global coffee giant Starbucks. Dairy Queen is known for its delicious frozen desserts. I really like those two fast-food chains a lot.
Note: I do NOT have a hamburger bias, and have NO stake whatsoever in which burger is best. This is my review and my opinion about fast-food hamburgers.
This blog and its writer have no connection to any of the fast-food chains. Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Beautiful Cake by S&P Bakery in Thailand
Fancy cake from S&P Bakery
in Thailand
Some people have more than one birthday party every year. This beautiful cake makes me think they are right!
Holidays are also good times to snack on sweets, so I'm glad they are almost here.
Making me hungry!!!
My friend, N., told me by telephone that S&P Bakery is one of the favorites of Thai people because the bakery uses the best ingredients in their cakes. In Thailand, other bakeries sell cakes that cost less than this one (in the photo), but the cakes made by S&P bakery are of very good quality. My birthday cake was rich and had the flavor of much butter, said N., paraphrased here.
It sure looks delicious, N!
Note: Photos by N.
Written by Scott.
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Happy Birthday to my friend!!!
Today is my friend N.'s birthday! Spaghetti is a great food on birthdays! So I decided to send the spicy seafood spaghetti and a few other foods on the website menu for S&P Delivery in Thailand, which makes it simple to order and send a meal or cake. It's very convenient for me, as I live in America.
I also like the desserts and snacks made by S&P Bakery. When I was in Thailand, there was an S&P Bakery outlet very close to where I was staying. It offered a variety of delicious sweets to snack on, such as individually wrapped brownies with almonds and slices of fruitcake at very low prices.
These delicious snacks/desserts (we ate them for breakfast) qualify for my list of favorite foods because my criteria are the food doesn't cost too much or at least not more than it should, it is consistently yummy and can be bought in a "fast" or "quick-service" restaurant, store, bakery, coffee or donut shop. And because it's my list, I'll put whatever I want on it. Back to the birthday party!
In a birthday phone conversation, my friend told me the spaghetti was very good! I've ordered food online before, I like this way of ordering and plan to do it again. Just wish I could have been there so I could have some spaghetti, and cake. My friend, whose favorite color is pink, celebrated with the family. Sounds like a lot of fun! Happy Birthday!!! I hope this will be a great year in your life!!!
I also like the desserts and snacks made by S&P Bakery. When I was in Thailand, there was an S&P Bakery outlet very close to where I was staying. It offered a variety of delicious sweets to snack on, such as individually wrapped brownies with almonds and slices of fruitcake at very low prices.
These delicious snacks/desserts (we ate them for breakfast) qualify for my list of favorite foods because my criteria are the food doesn't cost too much or at least not more than it should, it is consistently yummy and can be bought in a "fast" or "quick-service" restaurant, store, bakery, coffee or donut shop. And because it's my list, I'll put whatever I want on it. Back to the birthday party!
In a birthday phone conversation, my friend told me the spaghetti was very good! I've ordered food online before, I like this way of ordering and plan to do it again. Just wish I could have been there so I could have some spaghetti, and cake. My friend, whose favorite color is pink, celebrated with the family. Sounds like a lot of fun! Happy Birthday!!! I hope this will be a great year in your life!!!
I just thought of something...
Spaghetti
Yeah, I'm always thinking of food, but this word has special meaning today, besides the fact that it will be on my list of favorite fast foods. Next time I'll explain why the word is pink.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
A nice meal at Dairy Queen
Chicken Strip Basket at Dairy Queen
One of my favorite meals is the Chicken Strip Basket at Dairy Queen. I used to live across the street from a Dairy Queen and often went there for something to eat, or just to drink my favorite sodas mixed together. In the '90s, I loved to mix Dr. Pepper and Diet Coke because I could get the sweetness, flavor and carbonation almost perfect.
Peanut Buster Parfait by Dairy Queen is yummy!
I don't let the cold outside stand in my way when I want ice cream. I have been known to eat ice cream in the winter, so don't be surprised if I write more about frozen desserts this month.
Photos: Scott McLean
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Parade in America
The street was blocked off before the parade
began Saturday in Ontario, Oregon, USA.
Parade reaches downtown
Winter Wonderland Parade Queen and
Princesses ride in style.
Here comes the Grand Marshal!!!
Grand Marshal of the Winter Wonderland Parade
waves and tells parade-goers "Merry Christmas!"
All this work-- me taking photos, the man of the hour and his wife waving--made us hungry, so we went out for lunch. I ordered the Chicken Strip Basket and Peanut Buster Parfait at Dairy Queen. I forget what Dad and Mom had to eat. But I gave Mom half (well ok, less than half) of my ice cream treat, which was even more delicious than I remember it being the previous time I ate it.
Photos: Scott McLean
Small Parade and My Big Appetite
Saturday began with thoughts of fast food. Well, what's new?! I like eating on the weekend. It's wise to eat during the week too, even if sometimes I forget to do it. But what I'm really saying is it's fun to eat fast food with friends or family when we can take our time and don't have to hurry so much.
Before going out for a bite to eat yesterday, I went to the local parade because my Dad and Mom were IN THE PARADE. Dad was the parade's Grand Marshal. (No, Dolly, the cute dog with a big appetite, was not in the parade. haha)
It's called the Winter Wonderland Parade. When I was a kid, we used to help decorate the floats, or just acted silly and kept asking when the parade was going to start, then we would find a good spot to watch the parade and grab candy when they threw it to us kids. As I recall, those were great times.
We didn't have to worry about gaining weight and when we went out for pizza after the parade, I remember eating almost a whole pizza once, or at least four or five pieces. I also caught a fish longer than I was tall one summer, or at least it was a keeper. LOL
Anyway, yesterday I was getting hungry walking around in the cold with two cameras, waiting for the parade to begin. I almost forgot to say it's cold here, so it could snow before long.
Since I hadn't eaten much before going to the parade, I just stuck around for a while, snapped some photos, and then met my folks over at Dairy Queen for a late lunch.
I will post some parade photos next time.
Before going out for a bite to eat yesterday, I went to the local parade because my Dad and Mom were IN THE PARADE. Dad was the parade's Grand Marshal. (No, Dolly, the cute dog with a big appetite, was not in the parade. haha)
It's called the Winter Wonderland Parade. When I was a kid, we used to help decorate the floats, or just acted silly and kept asking when the parade was going to start, then we would find a good spot to watch the parade and grab candy when they threw it to us kids. As I recall, those were great times.
We didn't have to worry about gaining weight and when we went out for pizza after the parade, I remember eating almost a whole pizza once, or at least four or five pieces. I also caught a fish longer than I was tall one summer, or at least it was a keeper. LOL
Anyway, yesterday I was getting hungry walking around in the cold with two cameras, waiting for the parade to begin. I almost forgot to say it's cold here, so it could snow before long.
Since I hadn't eaten much before going to the parade, I just stuck around for a while, snapped some photos, and then met my folks over at Dairy Queen for a late lunch.
I will post some parade photos next time.
Friday, November 30, 2007
A&W has "best fries", Mom & Dad said
A&W restaurant has the best French fries. Mom and Dad said so! I think they could be right, again! (However, I will add my comments on fries at another time.)
On Thursday evening, I shared some fries with them. At first they didn't know where I bought the fries.
They loved these fries, even before knowing they came from A&W restaurant.
Dad and Mom celebrated their "big" wedding anniversary earlier this month (they are not big, only the number of years married) so I will give them this opportunity to tell why they liked the fries.
Mom: "They are soft on the inside and they don't taste as oily as other fries do. I don't remember when I've had such good fries."
Dad: "That's right. They taste great and taste more natural. They are the best fries I've had in a long time."
Thanks, Mom and Dad! I will write about fries in December, along with my other favorite fast foods.
Note: This blog, its writer, his mom and dad have no connection to fast-food chains or restaurants. Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
On Thursday evening, I shared some fries with them. At first they didn't know where I bought the fries.
They loved these fries, even before knowing they came from A&W restaurant.
Dad and Mom celebrated their "big" wedding anniversary earlier this month (they are not big, only the number of years married) so I will give them this opportunity to tell why they liked the fries.
Mom: "They are soft on the inside and they don't taste as oily as other fries do. I don't remember when I've had such good fries."
Dad: "That's right. They taste great and taste more natural. They are the best fries I've had in a long time."
Thanks, Mom and Dad! I will write about fries in December, along with my other favorite fast foods.
Note: This blog, its writer, his mom and dad have no connection to fast-food chains or restaurants. Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Coffee Fight Brewing (reposted)
However, it's a gentleperson's sport, so I ought to show some manners, errr... "Crumpets, tea and caffeinated commentary!!!" Well no, I don't have crumpets and if I did, do you think I would share them! Yes, actually I would and will, when I can get my hands on some. But not this time. Anyway, you can make your own tea, or coffee, and read on if you enjoy coffee rivalries or just don't know what to do with the next 10 minutes of your life. Oh that's right, you're drinking coffee. Five minutes.
By Scott McLean
I was waiting in a McDonald's drive-thru Saturday night because I needed... well actually I wanted a large iced coffee from McDonald's.
A prog-metal song came on the radio as I was thinking about creamy iced coffee. I could have listened to love songs and thought about dreamy hot... coffee, but rock music is much more effective at keeping me awake, just not as much as caffeine.
Then a car exited the drive-thru...I'm moving, yippee!!!
As the vehicle slowly approached the window, somehow I held back my desire to finish off the Starbucks Venti iced Americano (you know, the big one) which I kept for comparison. Unfortunately the ice had melted.
Sadness overcame me? Nope. But it took too long to reach the window coz a family was ahead of me, or maybe it was just one guy with the appetite of an entire family. I'm not sure and don't care.
All I know is I got to the window and bought the iced coffee, parked, drank the coffee and was happy as a lamb, a ham, or (no, that's not it) oh yeah, a clam. The End.
I just wrote that because I always wanted to keep writing after "The End" just to confuse readers. haha
The Americano, which was almost gone, came close to perfection, with a little bit of cream and sugar. After a small sip of the McDonald's iced coffee, I finished the Starbucks Americano. I don't like to go back and forth much between two drinks these days. My taste buds might get confused.
This might be the best iced Americano I've had in my life, I thought to myself. It's difficult to say, but this one had excellent flavor.
The McDonald's iced coffee also seemed exactly the way it was supposed to be. Now I'm starting to sound like I should write fairy tales for coffee drinkers. But I'm telling it like it is, and was.
The weekend is an excellent time for spectator sports: football, baseball, and the newest sport I've been following -- the coffee competition between Starbucks and McDonald's.
Alright, it's not a real sport, for one reason because the fans of one coffee are way too nice to the fans of the other coffee.
I'm for good sportsmanship. However, fans need to get rowdy on occasion, paint their faces and bodies and basically always predict their team is gonna go all the way. And once in a while they are right. Still, nicey-nice just ain't gonna cut it.
We are customers who buy and drink the coffee and espresso drinks, so in that sense we are involved in the competition. So maybe we should put on our game faces. haha
There's a coffee fight brewing, which seems friendly right now, but don't get too happy-go-latte (I mean lucky) coz servin' up caffeine jolts is about more than how the game is played. It's business! But it doesn't hurt to mix in a little pleasure.
Along those lines, I'm out and about sampling the finest coffee and espresso drinks I can find. I'm sure some of you are as well.
Last week, I returned from Portland and Seattle, where the competition between Starbucks and McDonald's is more visible. In a couple of cases, the competitors are right across the street from one other.
One drive-thru cashier at a McDonald's in Washington turned up the volume on the rivalry, so to speak, by telling me about the coffee competition. I just listened, but he really got excited. Maybe I'll bring this up again.
I'm wondering if this competition is the reason the coffee drinks are better than ever, or perhaps it's only a coincidence.
In my opinion, it's not just McDonald's Vs. Starbucks. Other contenders may get into this 'friendly' fight for coffee supremacy. I'm not personally as interested in which chain is the biggest or how much coffee they serve to customers, but care about which coffee tastes best. That's what matters most to me.
It's of interest to this blog because good coffee no longer is only available in coffee shops. Some fast food outlets are now serving excellent coffee and hopefully it will keep getting better.
Note: In October, I went to Portland and Seattle. After returning from my trip, I wrote this article about the coffee competition. I reposted my article because I realized some of my friends didn't get a chance to read it, and because I wanted to write more on this topic.
By Scott McLean
I was waiting in a McDonald's drive-thru Saturday night because I needed... well actually I wanted a large iced coffee from McDonald's.
A prog-metal song came on the radio as I was thinking about creamy iced coffee. I could have listened to love songs and thought about dreamy hot... coffee, but rock music is much more effective at keeping me awake, just not as much as caffeine.
Then a car exited the drive-thru...I'm moving, yippee!!!
As the vehicle slowly approached the window, somehow I held back my desire to finish off the Starbucks Venti iced Americano (you know, the big one) which I kept for comparison. Unfortunately the ice had melted.
Sadness overcame me? Nope. But it took too long to reach the window coz a family was ahead of me, or maybe it was just one guy with the appetite of an entire family. I'm not sure and don't care.
All I know is I got to the window and bought the iced coffee, parked, drank the coffee and was happy as a lamb, a ham, or (no, that's not it) oh yeah, a clam. The End.
I just wrote that because I always wanted to keep writing after "The End" just to confuse readers. haha
The Americano, which was almost gone, came close to perfection, with a little bit of cream and sugar. After a small sip of the McDonald's iced coffee, I finished the Starbucks Americano. I don't like to go back and forth much between two drinks these days. My taste buds might get confused.
This might be the best iced Americano I've had in my life, I thought to myself. It's difficult to say, but this one had excellent flavor.
The McDonald's iced coffee also seemed exactly the way it was supposed to be. Now I'm starting to sound like I should write fairy tales for coffee drinkers. But I'm telling it like it is, and was.
The weekend is an excellent time for spectator sports: football, baseball, and the newest sport I've been following -- the coffee competition between Starbucks and McDonald's.
Alright, it's not a real sport, for one reason because the fans of one coffee are way too nice to the fans of the other coffee.
I'm for good sportsmanship. However, fans need to get rowdy on occasion, paint their faces and bodies and basically always predict their team is gonna go all the way. And once in a while they are right. Still, nicey-nice just ain't gonna cut it.
We are customers who buy and drink the coffee and espresso drinks, so in that sense we are involved in the competition. So maybe we should put on our game faces. haha
There's a coffee fight brewing, which seems friendly right now, but don't get too happy-go-latte (I mean lucky) coz servin' up caffeine jolts is about more than how the game is played. It's business! But it doesn't hurt to mix in a little pleasure.
Along those lines, I'm out and about sampling the finest coffee and espresso drinks I can find. I'm sure some of you are as well.
Last week, I returned from Portland and Seattle, where the competition between Starbucks and McDonald's is more visible. In a couple of cases, the competitors are right across the street from one other.
One drive-thru cashier at a McDonald's in Washington turned up the volume on the rivalry, so to speak, by telling me about the coffee competition. I just listened, but he really got excited. Maybe I'll bring this up again.
I'm wondering if this competition is the reason the coffee drinks are better than ever, or perhaps it's only a coincidence.
In my opinion, it's not just McDonald's Vs. Starbucks. Other contenders may get into this 'friendly' fight for coffee supremacy. I'm not personally as interested in which chain is the biggest or how much coffee they serve to customers, but care about which coffee tastes best. That's what matters most to me.
It's of interest to this blog because good coffee no longer is only available in coffee shops. Some fast food outlets are now serving excellent coffee and hopefully it will keep getting better.
Note: In October, I went to Portland and Seattle. After returning from my trip, I wrote this article about the coffee competition. I reposted my article because I realized some of my friends didn't get a chance to read it, and because I wanted to write more on this topic.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Lasting Love is so Sweet!!!
This month my parents celebrated a special wedding anniversary with a nice party. I took the digital photos and ate a little food.
Lemonade
Meatballs
Cake
Fruit
Too sweet?!
Now I need an iced Americano with cream or half and half, but no sugar, please!
Photos: Scott McLean
Lemonade
Meatballs
Cake
Fruit
Too sweet?!
Now I need an iced Americano with cream or half and half, but no sugar, please!
Photos: Scott McLean
Sunday, November 25, 2007
All Smiles at one of Thailand's best McDonald's
Photo: courtesy of N., Thailand
"Sawasdee", Thai greeting from
Ronald McDonald to customers at the
entrance of a McDonald's in Thailand.
entrance of a McDonald's in Thailand.
By Scott McLean
My friend, N., in Thailand sent me the photo (above) for publication. Two years ago, we ate several times in this nice McDonald's in Pathumthani, Thailand, across from Zeer Rangsit Shopping Center.
We enjoyed eating there because the food was always delicious, the workers were polite and helpful, it was rather quiet when we sat near the window, and the restaurant is conveniently located near Asia Airport Hotel and a wide variety of stores and other restaurants.
Filet-O-Fish, a taro pie and Coca-Cola was my favorite meal at this McDonald's; sometimes I would add french fries. And that's another reason to have a friend, coz you can share the fries when they give you too many.
A meal in Thailand also goes easy on the wallet when compared to prices at restaurants in the United States.
Coca-Cola is better in Thailand than in America. Much better!!! Heck, that's just my opinion. But you know I'm right... Smile!
It's sweeter and not quite as carbonated, just the way I like it. (I hope to do a comparison at a later date.) Iced coffee was great!
A cute, yet sad-looking dog acted as though it might like a taste of fish, but it said no thanks in a doggie way. As we later discovered, the dog wanted chicken, and that's when we came to the conclusion that the KFC inside the mall was in the wrong location for street doggies.
But this McDonald's is in a great location and the whole fast-food experience was wonderful when I was there, so it will be on my list of favorites.
Note: I decided to repost some of my articles, including this article which was on Fast Food Yummy in September. This McDonald's restaurant will be on my list of favorites. I ate there in 2005.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Thanksgiving Brrrrssert!
I'm not sure if it was breakfast or dessert,
but what we ate this morning was
cold, sweet, and delicious!
Are you starting any new traditions this year? I know we did today.
Since Grandmother was going to stay at her place, Mom and I decided to bring her a treat. This morning, after I woke up, I thought it would be interesting to see what restaurants and stores were open. I drove to the end of town where Grandma lives, and checked at McDonald's but it was closed for Thanksgiving.
Jack in the Box is across the street, so I bought two order of the yummy French Toast Sticks, one order was blueberry flavor.
Next, I went to a local service station with a convenience store, Food Mart, which also has a small Baskin-Robbins and Panache espresso drinks, all in one location. I like these brands and am glad they are in one building.
When I sat down to type this entry, I was still sipping on the iced Americano, and it tasted very good. (This store has a small dining area where customers can sit at tables and have a meal, snack or something to drink.)
Baskin-Robbins is now selling seasonal ice creams and flavors of the month that people like during the holidays, along with all the other flavors. I chose one scoop of Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream and two scoops of Egg Nog Ice Cream, as shown in the digital photo snapped this morning at Grandma's place. The total price of the ice cream was barely over $5 and that's a great deal.
Grandmother loved the Egg Nog ice cream! Mom and I enjoyed both ice creams while nibbling on french toast sticks, which were NOT hot or warm by the time we ate them, including maple syrup that came with the order.
It was my breakfast. For Mom and Grandma, it was a snack or breakfast dessert. Is there such a thing?! LOL If there wasn't before, there is now. I know this much, we had a lot of fun, the perfect start of this Thanksgiving Day.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I hope your meal today is delicious! For those who celebrate other holidays, I wish you wonderful times eating delicious foods on the holidays you celebrate!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
NOT LIVE, just Goofing Off
If you are in Bangkok and it is 8 a.m. or perhaps you are from Manila and it's 9 a.m., I'm NOT LIVE! I'm probably not even here and there's a good chance I'm not having any fun either.
But right now this blog is LIVE... well, only according to the new, expanded Fast Food Yummy definition, which is: "sitting in front of the computer for a long time goofing off while publishing a post." That's as LIVE! as I get.
What is a "post"? Heck if I know. I think it's something they hitch a horse to when they go into a saloon. Or a restaurant. haha
But never go through a drive-thru on horseback, unless carrots are on the menu. I'm joking. Rabbits and our dog, Dolly, like carrots, too. Dolly is a cute black lab that loves food more than she should.
In a recent post (there's that word again), she was getting busy hounding me for my donut. I think her diet is over, although I'm not sure what's up with her. I mean, she would eat fried chicken 24/7 if we let her. Most "people" love fried chicken, but I think that's a bit much, don't you?
What time is it there, reader, and where are you? If it's 8 p.m. and you are in New York, I'm not here. I'm NOT LIVE, or goofing off. I just left. Gosh, I'm probably bored stiff or worse yet, getting something accomplished. Yeah, it's not much fun! Let me see, where was I?
If you are on the Moon or Mars, I have no idea what time it will be there when I am no longer goofing off! But I do know it's 5:55 p.m. (7:55 p.m. in New York; 7:55 a.m. in Bangkok; 8:55 a.m. in Manila) when I published this "post".
I'm Not LIVE, because you can't hear me or see me, thank goodness, and you can't call me and tell me what you think about fast food, slow food, what food you would take with you if you were visiting Earth, or any other planet with intelligent life forms. Yeah, Martians, maybe you are right, a few unintelligent life forms, too.
Seriously, I hope nobody with antennae is reading my blog. But if you are, don't get too excited, coz I think you will be getting some fast food on Mars eventually. And don't try to call me or anything, coz I'm NOT LIVE. I'm just goofing off!
But right now this blog is LIVE... well, only according to the new, expanded Fast Food Yummy definition, which is: "sitting in front of the computer for a long time goofing off while publishing a post." That's as LIVE! as I get.
What is a "post"? Heck if I know. I think it's something they hitch a horse to when they go into a saloon. Or a restaurant. haha
But never go through a drive-thru on horseback, unless carrots are on the menu. I'm joking. Rabbits and our dog, Dolly, like carrots, too. Dolly is a cute black lab that loves food more than she should.
In a recent post (there's that word again), she was getting busy hounding me for my donut. I think her diet is over, although I'm not sure what's up with her. I mean, she would eat fried chicken 24/7 if we let her. Most "people" love fried chicken, but I think that's a bit much, don't you?
What time is it there, reader, and where are you? If it's 8 p.m. and you are in New York, I'm not here. I'm NOT LIVE, or goofing off. I just left. Gosh, I'm probably bored stiff or worse yet, getting something accomplished. Yeah, it's not much fun! Let me see, where was I?
If you are on the Moon or Mars, I have no idea what time it will be there when I am no longer goofing off! But I do know it's 5:55 p.m. (7:55 p.m. in New York; 7:55 a.m. in Bangkok; 8:55 a.m. in Manila) when I published this "post".
I'm Not LIVE, because you can't hear me or see me, thank goodness, and you can't call me and tell me what you think about fast food, slow food, what food you would take with you if you were visiting Earth, or any other planet with intelligent life forms. Yeah, Martians, maybe you are right, a few unintelligent life forms, too.
Seriously, I hope nobody with antennae is reading my blog. But if you are, don't get too excited, coz I think you will be getting some fast food on Mars eventually. And don't try to call me or anything, coz I'm NOT LIVE. I'm just goofing off!
Dolly's Diet Diary: Day 60?? When this diet is over, it's donuts for everyone!!!
Dolly worships a donut
If you were a black lab on a diet, don't you think a doughnut from Krispy Kreme would be a nice reward for "being good" for two months!
I'm told that Dolly, with the help of a new medicine, has lost at least 10 pounds. Way to go, Girl!!! Just for that, I gave her a little taste of the donut, but it was only a few crumbs. I cut it into pieces, eating three or four and giving the rest to my parents. After all, I've also lost some weight and want to keep it off.
Note: First posted Wednesday, September 5 of this year on Fast Food Yummy. I'll have more on Dolly and what she's doing--eating--in the weeks ahead.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Thailand KFC Ranks High Among Fast Food Experiences
By Scott McLean
Just as many Americans now love Thai food, so do Thai people enjoy American fast foods.
It's obvious that fried chicken is a favorite in Thailand and from my personal observations, KFC is a fixture of Bangkok. After all why should a fondness for fried chicken be an exclusive trait of American life.
While the restaurant chain in the United States and Bangkok, Thailand features tasty fried chicken, meal options and individual items differ greatly.
KFC and other fast food restaurants in Bangkok are found in shopping malls and rarely have their own buildings like in America. Mother Nature doesn't announce downpours ahead of time, so being located in malls has advantages for customers. As I learned during my trip to Thailand, it's best to be somewhere you can hang out for a while.
Bangkok KFC workers bring water to customers. That's wonderful. Also, tables usually are spotless, which is rarely the case in American fast food restaurants. Thailand restaurants were just so much cleaner, from my experience. Cleanliness is a positive trait of most Bangkok quick service restaurants.
Travelers will find Bangkok's fast food workers to be friendly, and from my experience they are very helpful and kind. While it wasn't always easy to communicate in English with them, ordering is easy due to meal numbers.
Fried chicken is why people fill these restaurants all over the world, and Thailand was no exception. But in other ways the menu is strikingly different from the chain's restaurants in the USA.
Instead of biscuits, Bangkok KFC serves rice or french fries with meals. Mashed potatoes and gravy is available although a salad with tuna and pineapple was every bit as popular.
Meals on the menu are numbered. The number 2 meal, for instance, was enough for leftovers unless two very hungry people share it. At less than $5 for three large pieces of chicken, chicken strips, chicken nuggets and french fries, it's quite filling. Try finding a lunch or dinner deal like that in America. It's not going to happen.
My favorite meal included one good-sized piece of chicken and rice with a small container of vegetables in a mild spicy sauce. And it was only 60 baht or about US $1.50. That's a great price!
Another cool thing about the Bangkok KFC experience is the ice cream section of the store, usually positioned near the doors. I suppose that is for the obvious reason that people take dessert with them.
Who could refuse an ice cream cone for just 9 baht, or less than 25 cents? KFC also serves sundaes. An orange sundae, featured one month, was delicious. It made me want to eat at KFC again, which I did a week later.
Note: republished article, orginally published on my blog Faster Food Yummy! on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2006. KFC Thailand will be on my list of favorite fast foods. That is why I have posted this article again.
"Milky Way" Discovered at Dutch Bros. Coffee Stand in Portland, Oregon
The nice Baristas at a Dutch Bros.
coffee stand in Portland, Oregon
posed for this digital photo.
Article and photo by Scott McLean
After finishing off an order of CrissCut Fries at Carl's Jr, and still sipping on a soda, on an October evening in Portland, Oregon, I realized a latte would taste great just then. But I wasn't familiar with this part of Portland.
Stores were closing for the night, and I was thinking I might have to wait until the next day to get my latte. Almost no time had passed when I noticed a light on at a small building. It was a Dutch Bros. Coffee stand. And it was open! I was happy.
The baristas were friendly and told me about the coffee chain, based in Oregon, and described some of the espresso drinks. They recommended a "Milky Way" hot coffee drink, which they said they give to all new customers. I said two shots of espresso would be enough as it was getting late and I had to drive to Seattle the next day.
It was delicious! It tastes a lot like a candy bar, if it were in the liquid form, hot, though not too hot, delicious and with a nice jolt of caffeine. Unfortunately, I don't live near the Milky Way, the one made by Dutch Bros. baristas.
So, knowing that I wouldn’t be able to have it for a while, I went there again the next morning before heading to Seattle… And I drank it and had the "Almond Joy" two different times after returning to Portland. I also stopped at a Dutch Bros. stand during the long road trip home.
I heard that Dutch Bros. is in Idaho too, so I’ll check it out when I have time.
The return of Fast Food Yummy!!!
I'm starting this blog back up again because I'm not going to let a few people or my concerns about not being perfect bother me anymore. I'm going to restore some of the old posts or refer to past articles when I post my favorite fast foods. I'm not taking comments at this time. If you don't like me or my blog, I really don't care. I love myself and my writing.
This blog isn't intended to provide extensive nutritional information, up-to-date prices, new menu items or details on franchising. That requires quite a bit of reading and research, and I don't have time for that now. I am more interested in writing about wonderful fast-food times in my life. That's what I've been doing off and on for nearly two years.
I joke around sometimes, but I'm always serious about the food, restaurants and fast-food chains. The trademarks, logos, copyrights, and names are used in reviews and updates for educational purposes and to provide information to readers. People's rights to share and exchange information are essential to protecting freedom.
I believe that fast food competition and the competition of many other industries and businesses help protect, promote and further freedom of choices and democracy. In countries without freedom, I believe freedom of market choices will help pave the way for other freedoms, because people will want, expect and eventually demand more from their leaders.
For the most part, Fast Food Yummy is a very positive and upbeat food blog. I will let other writers present the down side of fast food. I love fast food, but I don't eat it every day. Also, I don't eat large portions or big meals when I do go out to eat. Too much of a good thing can be a bad thing, right? However, the foods people eat at home can be just as bad for them.
I've lost seven pounds since I did my series on the local Carl's Jr. grand opening in September, which I know some of you enjoyed reading about. In all, I've lost more than 15 pounds and possibly 20 pounds, but I didn't weigh myself at the beginning. I'm not into numbers. What's important for me is how I feel and look in the mirror.
During the months of my weight loss, I continued to eat fast food on occasion but usually only small portions; a sandwich one time, fries another time, a milkshake another day. Once in a while I would eat larger meals, but I don't "pig out" much these days.
I do drink iced coffee or an iced Americano more often. I don't eat much rice, potatoes, bread or pastas. Those foods really cause me to gain weight or prevent me from taking it off.
Some people try to make fast food seem worse than it is by using exaggeration to make their point: showing what it's like if someone only eats fast food and eats a lot of it every day or every meal is just plain irresponsible. Most people don't, or at least they shouldn't. It should be noted that people eating massive amounts of foods at home can also be very unhealthy, too.
Finally, if you critical of fast food or this blog and you are a smoker or you consume large amounts of alcoholic beverages, I'm not going to listen to you.
Other than that, this blog is a cool online hangout. Enjoy life! Lighten up! Peace! Love your neighbor! May all your meals be delicious! Take it easy! Take care!
This blog isn't intended to provide extensive nutritional information, up-to-date prices, new menu items or details on franchising. That requires quite a bit of reading and research, and I don't have time for that now. I am more interested in writing about wonderful fast-food times in my life. That's what I've been doing off and on for nearly two years.
I joke around sometimes, but I'm always serious about the food, restaurants and fast-food chains. The trademarks, logos, copyrights, and names are used in reviews and updates for educational purposes and to provide information to readers. People's rights to share and exchange information are essential to protecting freedom.
I believe that fast food competition and the competition of many other industries and businesses help protect, promote and further freedom of choices and democracy. In countries without freedom, I believe freedom of market choices will help pave the way for other freedoms, because people will want, expect and eventually demand more from their leaders.
For the most part, Fast Food Yummy is a very positive and upbeat food blog. I will let other writers present the down side of fast food. I love fast food, but I don't eat it every day. Also, I don't eat large portions or big meals when I do go out to eat. Too much of a good thing can be a bad thing, right? However, the foods people eat at home can be just as bad for them.
I've lost seven pounds since I did my series on the local Carl's Jr. grand opening in September, which I know some of you enjoyed reading about. In all, I've lost more than 15 pounds and possibly 20 pounds, but I didn't weigh myself at the beginning. I'm not into numbers. What's important for me is how I feel and look in the mirror.
During the months of my weight loss, I continued to eat fast food on occasion but usually only small portions; a sandwich one time, fries another time, a milkshake another day. Once in a while I would eat larger meals, but I don't "pig out" much these days.
I do drink iced coffee or an iced Americano more often. I don't eat much rice, potatoes, bread or pastas. Those foods really cause me to gain weight or prevent me from taking it off.
Some people try to make fast food seem worse than it is by using exaggeration to make their point: showing what it's like if someone only eats fast food and eats a lot of it every day or every meal is just plain irresponsible. Most people don't, or at least they shouldn't. It should be noted that people eating massive amounts of foods at home can also be very unhealthy, too.
Finally, if you critical of fast food or this blog and you are a smoker or you consume large amounts of alcoholic beverages, I'm not going to listen to you.
Other than that, this blog is a cool online hangout. Enjoy life! Lighten up! Peace! Love your neighbor! May all your meals be delicious! Take it easy! Take care!
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