By Baja Mexifan
The Wall Street Journal has a great article covering the life of the Sonic fast-food burger chain. Founder Troy Smith died this past Monday, October 26.
October 2009 Archives
By Baja Mexifan
Someone claiming to be a top McDonald’s executive and going by the name ‘mcdexec’ posted on reddit.com, taking questions from the reddit community. He (or she?) wants to remain anonymous, so there’s no way to verify if it’s legitimate, however his answers sound pretty reasonable and at least make for an interesting read.
Some questions he addresses:
- the effect of the film ‘Super Size Me’ on his employer
- what foods he/she will and won’t eat from McDonald’s
- the composition of chicken nuggets
- the origin of the fish from the fish sandwiches
- the economics of selling a dollar cheeseburger
- how likely you are to win at McDonald’s monopoly
And much, much more. Whether it’s legitimate or not, makes great food for thought, so to speak.
Iceland.
McDonald’s is shutting down in Iceland as a result of the island’s currency, the krona, collapsing.
Taco Bell is giving away the Black Jack Taco for free this Halloween. Get yours between 6 p.m. and Midnight.
On Oct. 26th KFC’s will be giving away free Kentucky Grilled chicken for “UNFry Day.” KFC is calling for the UN to stop and eat some KGC, and to recognize us as a Grilled Nation. We will see how that goes. But, for now, limit one free piece per person.
Right now I’m reading The Professor and The Madman and Warm & Snug: The History of the Bed. Yes, the Back Yard Blogger thinks about sleeping (ironic; with a Back Yard Baby in the Back Yard household) and “looking up” words.
So, I started to wonder what kind of books there may be available on the history of fast food. Then, I couldn’t find any, so I wrote one and you can download a digital version here. Just kidding with you!
But, seriously, there is not much in the way of fast food history when it comes to literature. Below is what I found. And I refuse to list here a certain book that ends with the word nation.
Fast Food: Roadside Restaurants in the Automobile Age by Professor John A. Jakle and Professor Keith Sculle. These guys win, as far as I am concerned. Their book is the closest to a complete fast food history. I can see myself reading this soon.
In-N-Out Burger: A Behind-the-Counter Look at the Fast-Food Chain that Breaks all the Rules by Stacy Perman. This does not answer to the quest for a complete history of fast food. However, kudos to this place for having a book (and also an HBO Series) named after them. The only other to do it has been McDonald’s. I can see myself eating there soon!
McDonald’s: Behind the Arches by John F. Love. Kudos to this guy for putting the “Golden Arches” in historical print. It must have been an undertaking. And kudos to him for creating another clever fast food “behind-the-so-and-so” pun. I can see myself coming up with one also, soon.
Last Chance to Eat: The Fate of Taste in a Fast Food World by Gina Mallet. This isn’t a complete history, but it is intriguing. According to Gina Mallet, fast foodies are missing out. But, wouldn’t taste be in the mouth of the eater? I see myself as one of these foodies she’s writing about!
You won’t be doubling down, you’ll be doubling over after eating a new Black Jack Taco from Taco Bell.
Okay, it’s not that gross, but it’s not that tasty either.
Black taco shell: I like that idea, and it seemed crunchier than a typical shell.
Zesty pepper jack Sauce: Not much zest. This is the same sauce as is on the Baja Gordita or Baja Chalupa. Although I am a fan of this sauce, it is not pepper jacky to me, nor does it offer enough to call this taco a Black Jack taco.
What else?: There isn’t anything else to the Black Jack, just same old taco filling.
What I expected: Spicy pepper jack cheese. Sauce that really did have a kick.
I would get the Volcano Taco instead of the Black Jack, if I had to choose. Right now I am loving the spicy HOT volcano sauce.
I must be like that girl I saw in a cheesy movie who said, “We could end world hunger by telling all homeless people to brush their teeth, because every time I brush my teeth, somebody gives me some food to eat and then I have to brush my teeth again,” except, insert fast before food here. It just comes to me.
Like today, some family members brought me McDonald’s for lunch, including an apple pie. The best part? Everyone left their Monopoly pieces for me when they left. (I wasn’t going to play this time around, but…)
However, I am not ready to post my “product review” disclaimer, which would state that I do get free stuff and that I do tend to write good stuff about said free stuff.
I think that could really be in the future for Back Yard Blogger, though.
This weekend I went to a new kind of fast food establishment: homecooked style. Abbays, which is situated just off the interstate near Wolfchase, serves up hot, accurate and pleasing country meals to go.
It has been there for quite some time, but this was my first visit. The first thing that caught my eye about Abbays (is it pronouced ab-bays or abbey’s?) was the drive-thru menu. Reminiscent of Red Deluxe’s marketing style (perhaps, it is), it offered a fresh example of each item by way of individual logos. No pictures- just each item having its own little personality. You might have to check out their online menu to see what I’m talking about. This is an appropriate answer to those moments at “meat and three” places where the waitress is anticipating your side item choices, and your eyes are going blurry amongst a long list (no bullet points, even!) while your hunger is doing its best to rest on each and every one, thereby working against your better decision skills. No problem at Abbay’s; each one stands out for itself and streamlines your answer-time, no matter how hungry you may be.
The food was neatly packaged, complete with a plastic carryout plate and tubs of food within, so everything doesn’t run together. You can create that yourself once you get home, if you so choose. And inside those tubs, hot (still hot, after driving all the way home, getting baby and shopping bags in) homecooked food that offered comfort (as is needed, after a a few hours of tackling the Wolfchase area shoppers) as if my grandmother had made it. Seriously; the sweet potato casserole had a brown sugar & pecan crunchy dust on top that showed just how adamant they are about their food having soul. The blackeyed peas I ordered were just right for my taste, and that is something I seldom find at restaurants; truly, southern-style.
Don’t expect to pay top-dollar for the time and concern that must go into Abbay’s food. For 2 meals and one medium-yet-looked-like-a-large, very sweet, tea, the price was under $14. That included tax.
From now on, when I choose a far away lunch destination to ensure Backyard Baby takes one of those much-needed, long overdue naps, thereby enabling me to enjoy a quiet lunch, I’ll probably put Abbay’s above Steak-N-Shake. The homestyle drive-thru has definitely been long overdue in our fast food world.
I was unhappy with Back Yard Burgers today when I picked up 2 salads for dinner and discovered they were both full of yellow and wilted lettuce!
(Yes; I am a huge fan of getting fast food salads to compliment my homemade meals.)
However, I was even more unhappy to learn that they have taken the Garden Burger from their menu.
In some redeeming news, the new BYB Baja Blackened Chicken looks awesome.
(I am a huge fan of blackened seasoning; but, from now on, I will have to get that taste from BYB, or anywhere besides my house. To expound, I will say that yesterday I attempted to blacken some chicken in my own kitchen which resulted in smoking up the whole house with a pepper-spray-like substance.)
(It did taste good, though!)
There was a time in my life that I would not step foot nor pedal near a Burger King. I recall being burnt out on Whoppers; something to do with my grandmother discovering that she loved them and always wanting to go on a Whopper-run when we kids came over.
But, I got over it, or she did, and I would occasionally visit the BK. It’s always been pretty low on my list, though.
Lately, I have gone to Burger King more than I typically would. The main reason for this is, it is the closest fast food restaurant to Shelby Farms from my side of Memphis. One last stop to get something to snack on or feast on, if I’m starving before taking Backyard Baby to the park.
Although I’ve wavered in my taste for Burger King years in and out, one thing remains constant for the King. They have it their way. Despite pressure to push healthier fast food or smaller portions, despite media controversy over their commercial ads, they continue to do it their way. The Whopper has gotten Angry, the King torments teens in their sleep, flirts with housewives.
So, here are some observations I’ve come away with during these recent comebacks to Burger King:
The Cheesy Tots are worth it. They are a well-rounded snack for the on-the-run and hungry. The outside is like a chewy yet crackly crust you’d find on top of a ramekin of hot mac & cheese. Perfect for sealing in the runny, savory and substantial hash brown casserole packed inside.The first time I got them I waited too late to eat them, so by the time I did, they were cold and not justified. I could tell, though, so I vowed to try them again. Yes; these are best eaten right after you sit the bag in your car, while you are driving down the road. Ketchup is great on them, but not required.
I like the BK Burger Shots. Ever since “burger shots” have become the new chicken tender in restaurants I have been skeptical. I hate chicken tenders. Just order a whole chicken breast or hamburger, since you are eating the equivalent anyway. I was also apprehensive for the sake of Krystal and White Castle; they have earned their fame and my respect for doing these little burgers right. Why should someone else take that and water it down? One day, I was in the mood for a burger, but did not want to eat a heavy meal. So, I ordered the Burger Shots from BK (partly, because I could justify it as doing a BYB.com taste-test) and, to my surprise, I liked them. The patties were thin, like I hoped, but they emitted a great smokey flavor throughout the small sandwich. Each bite gave off an aroma of being at a cookout, possibly more effective than a Back Yard Burger could be at that.
I leave you with this; another of my Burger King observations as of late. This is the commercial I have loved to watch with utter disapproval. My condemnation keeps me coming back. That is just how BK would have it.
In honor of World Vegetarian Day, I would like to note some of my favorite vegetarian fast food dishes. Yes, it is totally possible and nutritious to be a fast food vegetarian. I have been one myself.
McDonald’s - For breakfast, try a cheese and egg biscuit, and put some mustard on it. Or, get the fruit and walnut salad. It is not as big as it used to be, but it is just as nutritious. For lunch, ask for a Santa Fe Salad without the chicken, or give your chicken to a meat-eater. McD’s has good salad. If you are feeling humorous, order the BigMac without the burger. It is actually quite satisfying.
Wendy’s - A favorite fast food veggie staple is the baked potato with sour cream and chives. I would pair this with the side salad day after day and never get tired of it.
Back Yard Burger - Get the Garden Burger and request slaw on it. This is a very hearty sandwich. One of my frequent cravings. Add some seasoned fries and who needs meat?
Krystal - Yes- the meat in Krystal burgers is real meat. Don’t listen to the urban legends or your own conscience. Kystal has good salad, too, if you can believe it. Get a salad at Krystal! Want some fat? Order fries with cheese on top. Want some desert? Have a slice of lemon meringue pie. **Note: The bacon cheddar krystal is dangerous and has the ability to lure people away from vegetarianism. Those billboards were right. I’m living proof!
Sonic - Lots of dishes as Sonic are ‘sin carne.’ Grilled cheese on texas toast - get them to add a tomato. Cheddar Peppers. Tater Tots. Santa Fe Chicken Salad without the chicken! Apple Bites with caramel. Sundaes.
Burger King - The veggie burger is back and it is good. Burger King has green salads, akin to McDonald’s.
Arby’s - The Chopped Salad at Arby’s is chunky and filling. Get one without chicken. Jalepeno Bites are also savory with the Bronco Berry Sauce. Cheesesticks. Loaded Potato Bites.
Taco Bell - My fave. The bean burrito -my favorite item ever. Make sure they put onions on it! Also, get them to put beans in lieu of meat on other Taco Bell dishes, such as the Baja Gordita. Rice is a good staple, but they no longer top it with cheese. You can get a Mexican Pizza without beef - crunchy and yummy!
You know how during an earthquake stuff moves around, and debris gets everywhere? Well, I was unhappily reminded of that, tonight, when I ordered a Milkquake from Krystal.
I was pointing out to Baja that the lid on their Milkquake has a huge opening, instead of the mostly-closed lid you get with milkshakes at other establishments; you know, the kind that have a hole just a little bigger than the straw? As I was acknowledging this huge difference, noting that there was prime opportunity for “stuff to fall in,” he pointed out that something had, in act, fallen in. There, just beyond the invisible bubble of protection, and non-existent inner barrier, was a long black hair in my Milk Quake. I shuddered and didn’t dare take a sip.
