McDonalds around the world...?

[adamak]

How many McDonalds have you been to, and what are the surprises on their menu?

Japan - seaweed flakes on french fries (very good actually)

Hong Kong - Sausage Egg McMuffin all day, not just breakfast. And they served fried chicken at one point. Also their fish sandwich is much bigger, more expensive and much more delicious than here.

New Orlean - Crawfish! Yum!

 

[DocRafiki]

When did they start serving crawfish at McDonald's in New Orleans?

We saw wine and karaoke at a McD's in France. And when I was doing research for my trip, I came across this guy's website where he collected photos from McD's around the world. Interesting, but we still didn't eat there.

or Versailles McD's

 

[chell]

Sounds like they have some pretty interesting stuff. I've not been to any outside of the states, but I'm curious to see what else gets posted.

 

[worm761]

i have never been to a mcd's outside of the U.S. (the farthest i have ever gone is the canadian side of niagra falls!!!) but i work for mcdonalds and the menu varies to the region. i have seen pizza (pretty good actually), brats, soup, hotdogs, chicken wings, and fried chicken. oh and grits and biscuits and gravy. the one i currently work at is a 24 hour restaurant.

 

[oogieboogie]

Indonesia - would you like some rice with your fried chicken? would you like fries or rice with your happy meal?

 

[Planogirl]

When we ate at a McD's in Amsterdam many years ago, I seem to remember being able to get different toppings like chili cheese and peanut sauce on the fries. They also had limited soft drinks (no Dr Pepper!!!) but a lot more variety in juices.

 

[disneyangel7488]

They just started selling cheesesteaks at McDonalds around here. Not sure if it is a chainwide thing or not, considering we're in the Philly area, where cheesestaeks are very common.

the one i currently work at is a 24 hour restaurant.

There is one near here that is also open 24 hours.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

We ate in many in Germany and I beleive we ate in one in London (though that may have been a Burger King??). I don't really remember the different menu-but I know you had to pay for a pack of ketchup, it was about twice the size of the ones here. And you ate your fries(pommes frites) with a tiny little fork like thingy. Of course the drinks did not have ice as NO drinks in Germany had ice. I will ask DH if he remembers anything really different with the menu.

 

[MinnieYC]

We've seen lobster rolls at McD's in Boston, but haven't tried them.
It was a seasonal thing, but here in NY, we've seen Egg Nog-flavored shakes at Christmas time. Very tasty, I've gotta say.

In London, they had a chicken-and-ketchup basic sandwich during the time of the Food and Mouth disease scare.

I've never been there, but I've her that in India, beef isn't served (due to Hindu religious restrictions), so a mutton burger is served instead.

In Quebec and Montreal, they serve poutine, which is fries topped with chesse and gravy- a traditional thing McD's picked up on.

 

[Evil Princess]

The one in Port Jefferson on Long Island serves Lobster. My friend bet me that they served lobster at McDonalds while walking around the shops, I was a sucker and took the bait.

I lost five bucks...who would've thought, lobster at McDonalds, and so close to home?

 

[GailT]

We had McDonals when we were in Austrailia. the funny thing is I hate McDonalds but I figure if I was all he way in Australia I was going to eat a burger from there. LOL

 

[Sonya]

In Europe thay had beer and in France, wine.

 

[Serena]

There was a McDonalds in Weisbaden, Germany. And I did ask for ice in my drink.

 

[HeyMickey]

We ended up eating at a McDonald's in Germany and they were having some "Old West" promotion involving breaded fried broccoli and a burger on a bagel. I was pretty jet lagged and cranky at the time, so I just had a nice, safe chocolate milkshake.

I was at one in Italy too but I don't remember them having anything weird. They do serve wine and/or beer at McDonald's all over Europe... and I know in some countries they have mayo for your fries.

 

[mamajoan]

In Hawaii, the Mc Donalds used to serve Saimin.. I wonder if they still do?

Saimin is similar to CupaNoodles!

 

[Judy from Boise]

In Australia they served a big slice of pickeled beet on the burger, they didn't have courtesy water, and i had to pay for extra "Tomatoe sauce" packets !

I have also eaten in Englan, Canada, Japan outlets....but I don't remember the differences

 

[Jenn Lynn]

In Wisconsin they serve Brats. That's real exciting!

 

[Nutsy]

Well I don't know about surprises, but we've been to McDonalds in HK, USA & Australia.

Sausage & Egg Mc Muffin is in Australia too

One thing that did surprise us in America was the size of your servings...............HUMUNGOUS!!!

 

[tiggerlover]

Yep, they sell beer in the McDonald's in Italy and some have some really nice salad and pasta bars (but that is only in the larger ones). And you can't get a quarter pounder in Italy. Not that I eat them often, but I wish they had them.

I have also been to McD's in Switzerland and they had a different kind of fry in additional to the standard fries and some different sandwich choices, but I can't remember. I have also been to McDonald's in London and Germany, but do not recall any differences.

 

[pogo791]

I've been to McDs all over Europe, from Madrid to Moscow, London to Athens, and there is a lot of variety in what is on offer - and that's not counting the short-term promotions. (BTW, it's not true you can get beer in any European McD; for example, you're limited to sodas in Sweden and Finland.)
But my biggest surprise is that the topping on the standard Big Mac is always tailored to the local market. To my taste, the German version (for example) is a mite tarter than what I am used to up here to the north.
Another surprise is that in the countries that otherwise do French fries best - such as Switzerland - I haven't seen that much difference in what is on offer at McD. Could it be that all the potatos are delivered by the same international supplier?
Another subject you can get into is the effect of McDonaldization on the local fast-food market. In Moscow, for example, some cagy entrepreneur started up his own chain, specialising in potato-based fast food - and as far as I can see, he's making money hand over fist.