You either hate it or love it.
Written: Oct 15 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: culture giant, fast food, tolerable taste, toys for children
Cons: uncleanliness
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| melanierose's Full Review: McDonald's |
Did you know that the 'Golden Arches' is more recognized around the globe than the Christian Cross? And that Ronald McDonald is the most recognizable figure around the world? I was rather surprised to hear these statements. It's obvious that McDonald's has a monopoly among fast-food restaurants world-wide. Although many other fast-food chains are becoming more and more popular, I don't believe that anyone will be able to take the wind from McDonald's sails. Why is this?
Well, marketing is a huge factor. McDonald's has a clown for it's 'mascot' if you will. So it succeeds in appealing to children. And perhaps the children in adults. Ronald McDonald is a huge cultural icon: almost like a pop-cultural god. Advertisements for McDonald's are everywhere: newspapers, magazines, the radio, and television. This fast-food chain has been so well-known for such a long time that it's simply become a part of our culture. Other factors contributing to its success are the relatively cheap prices, the speed of the service, and their conveniant locations (no matter where you go you can find a McDonald's).
McDonald's is not exactly my favorite fast-food place. I would rather eat at Wendy's any day. But McDonald's is more conveniantly located to me than Wendy's. So, once again, McDonald's has found its way to tempt me to eat its slapped together burgers and greasy fries.
The food
The food itself is nothing spectacular, but its not bad either. Everything is just decent. You can't really expect to go to any fast-food joint and not expect slapped together food. McDonald's has a very distinct taste for me, and so is the case with lots of other people too, I suspect. If someone gave you a McDonald's french fry and asked you to guess where they got it from, you will probably know without a doubt. Lots of people don't like this distinctive taste, while lots of people do. It's really a matter of personal likes and dislikes. McDonald's is the first fast-food I can ever remember eating as a child. Many parents take their kids to eat here due to the price, the toy that comes with the Happy Meal, and the speed of the service. I can remember back when they didn't have the Happy Meal and I would always get 'the treat of the week' when I ate their with my family. And it always was quite a treat. The food is salty, fatty, greasy... just like all fast food. It has a fairly impressive variety of food to choose from, to caiter to anyone's tastes (to a point, of course).
Apparently, cleanliness isn't next to godliness
From my experiences, McDonalds isn't a particularly clean fast-food place. The bathrooms are usually disgusting. This is a major downfall of this restaurant. I've seen flies buzzing around the front counter. It's a very unappealing site. There is often crumbs on the tables, ketchup on the counters, and lost fries on the floor. But this problem can be easily solved by eating out. Besides the cleanliness issue, the restaurant itself isn't all that impressive. It's just a place to eat.
The price
McDonalds isn't an expensive place at all. If you want a cheap meal, go to your friendly neighborhood McDonalds. For two people to have a meal here, it will cost you about $15.00. Of course, this is in Canada, which translates into approximately 67 cents and the cap off of your deodorant for you Americans out there. And hey! The smiles are ALWAYS free! (yet another ploy to convey this 'friendly' message).
Speed and Service
Occasionally, you'll have to wait in line or in your car because 'the fries aren't ready yet'... and you're wondering if they have to plant the potatoes, let them grow, harvest them... but this doesn't happen often. Usually, McDonalds is a relatively fast place to get food. The service is just that: service. They claim that their smiles are 'free', but unless you actually order one of these, you don't get one very often. They are hardly ever rude, but usually not particularly friendly either.
This review has probably been a waste of my time... who HASN'T eaten at McDonalds at some point or another of their life? I'm going to give it 4 stars for the simple reason that they have done a fantastic job of monopolizing the fast food industry. Other factors for me include the tolerance of the food, the prices, and speed of the service.
I mean... how many McDonald's jingles can you remember being blasted over the radio or on tv over the years?
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
melanierose
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Member: melanie
Reviews written: 74
Trusted by: 31 members
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