A Nice Greasy Burger.... (McDonald's)

Member Name: Diamonds08

Product:	McDonald's
Date:	19/10/09 (104 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap-ish, Readily available

Disadvantages: Nutritional value, leaves you feeling bloated!

McDonalds is a fast growing global American fast food company that particularly in recent years has come under much criticism due to the unhealthy approach to food many claim it promotes.
It is 'convenience' food which is available quickly and cheaply for many millions of people across the world.
I for one am one of the people who over the recent years have become highly critical of the McDonalds company and the food they provide. I am not going to deny that I haven't enjoyed a McDonalds meal in the past, but due to healthier options I have chosen to take it no longer appeals to me in the same way.


~~The Food~~
McDonalds consists of a fairly unhealthy variety of meals and snacks. These options range from; burgers, fries, chicken nuggets, fish burgers, breakfast meals, muffins, ice cream, and the list goes on! All of these are available as meal options with a fizzy drink or as a single item. These are available from a fairly cheap price - which I think it where the appeal for these meals comes from. Burgers cost as little as 99p, whilst a portion of fries can be purchased for 79p!

Happy meals are available for children, which I believe have recently increased in price from £1.99 up to £2.19. These are basically smaller versions of the main meals that are available for adults. It is worth mentioning that in recent years as criticism has risen McDonalds have attempted to rectify the situation and one of the ways in which they have done this is introducing fruit options to children's meals.
Originally children were expected to chose between fries and carrot sticks - honestly which would you chose if you were a five year old child?! However I think they have now changed this to allow children to have both. I still cant imagine though that many children would want to eat carrot sticks when eating in a McDonalds restaurant!

Recent additions that have been made to the menu over the years (following criticism) is the addition of salads and deli menu. I have not tried these myself, and this is mainly down to the fact that when you look at the nutritional information they are actually no healthier than a burger and fries meal. I don't think that's a pleasant thought at all!

With regards to the taste of the food; it is often very greasy, the burgers are tiny little slithers of meat, and I often find that I am left feeling bloated and really quite ill after eating a McDonalds meal. More often than not we eat them for convenience rather than enjoyment or taste. The mail meals bloat me so much so that if we do go there I have to have a kids meal. In all honesty I would rather go to Boots and buy a meal deal than visit a McDonalds meal, but for some reason my partner absolutely loves McDonalds!


~~The Restaurants~~
The restaurants are often very similar, laid out with basic tables and chairs, they are often very busy and it can be a struggle to find a seat.
Despite the vast amount of staff that seem to be around clearing the tables and wiping down surfaces it still often feels very dirty. The tables are often left dirty and if you want a clear table you more often than not will have to clear it yourself. The floors are often sticky where drinks have been spilled.
It is no fault of the staff, in fact I actually feel quite sorry for them. They do try their best, but they are almost fighting a losing battle trying to keep the restaurant clean.

Most major cities have several restaurants and they are often easily accessible, some with drive thru facilities. Whilst some of the buildings are owned by McDonalds themselves, many are franchise businesses owed by local business people. However all restaurants still have to follow basic guidelines.

Opening times vary, but those that are in busy locations are often open until 2 or 3am particularly on the weekends.


~~Drive Thru~~
It's a pretty basic concept here, you simply drive your vehicle round to one window, place you order and then pick your order up from the next window.
The only comment I have to pass here is to make sure your order is correct when you are given it (before you leave!) as I have lost count of the number of times we have been given the wrong order.


~~Overall~~
I think everyone is guilty to using convenience foods every now and then, but this is a restaurant that serves food with little of no nutritional value. It may be cheap but the increase in competitors across the market means cheaper food is available by other fast food restaurants - but with more nutritional value!

I am sure I probably will eat in McDonalds again - but I am also sure I will regret it shortly afterwards!

Summary: Convenience food but with its bad points