Trying McDonald's in America
My review of the classic American burger chain
I already know my latest video will attract negative comments. Some people seem to get extremely upset when I go to places that may be deemed ‘lesser’, or that could reinforce stereotypes, but there are often really good reasons for going the places I go.
Take the last time I posted a food review video, which was about trying the Cheesecake Factory in San Francisco. Some people were outraged that I’d even consider going to something like - shock horror - a Cheesecake Factory, when, as they put it, there are hundreds of top quality restaurants in the city.
The outraged - and there were many of them - took it as a personal insult that I made a video about the Cheesecake Factory instead of sampling their city’s other establishments.
So I expect the criticism to rain in about my visit to McDonald’s in Los Angeles.
But, as with my trip to the Cheesecake Factory, my trip to Maccy D’s had sound motives, which were as follows: we had just arrived in LA after a very long and tiring road trip; it was late at night (10pm); we didn’t know the place at all; a woman at the LAX airport taxi rank warned us very sternly about the perils of wandering off into the city at night; we were hungry, and; McDonald’s was a warm and inviting sight right next to the accommodation we were staying at in Santa Monica.
And you know what? I’ll admit it - I do actually eat and enjoy McDonald’s from time to time at home, so for me trying McDonald’s in another country is a curiosity.
I explained all of my similar reasons to the Cheesecake Factory complainers too, but they were having none of it. It’s as if I had turned up to their mother’s Sunday lunch and spat in the soup.
Anyways, here’s my latest YouTube video:
This video was shot smack-bang in the middle of my spring 2022 tour. As I explained in the video, my review was basically that my burger was greasier than we might expect in Scotland, Teka’s burger was served medium rare, they did table service, Hi-C orange is different, and the chips were pre-salted. All of these things are either strange or different for us. I love exploring these kinds of differing quirks and curiosities.
Coming up will be the remaining videos from my time in California, my new video series from Texas (out in September), and then my videos from Chicago (coming in November).
As I write this post, I am just finishing my US Southern tour (I’m currently sat in Boston’s Logan airport typing away), which began in Nashville in July (pictured above, Teka and I outside Jack White’s Nashville studio), went through Atlanta, Charleston, Savannah and ended up all the way in Key West and Miami over the past couple of days. I saw a gig in the famous Tabernacle, was attacked by a Pelican, and even saved a family from sharks on a beach. It’s been a fantastic and eye-opening journey and I can’t wait to share all of my YouTube videos with you in time.
By the way, I’ve just launched a Q+A over on my Instagram - but it will only be live for 24 hours. Go and check it out and, well, ask me anything over there. You can find it by going on Instagram, searching for my username (which is @shaunvlog) and following me, checking my Stories and responding to my Q+A post.
Speak soon,
Shaun
I’m an American in the U.K. and love to eat where the locals eat. I also eat at American chain restaurants in the U.K. to see the similarities and differences. Subway smells exactly the same in England as it does in America! There’s a chippy that has terrible reviews but I went as the guest of a local. It was amazing food and wonderful staff. I go there regularly now and find it’s a true travesty that haters complain unjustly about good things. I love your work and feel you do a just review stating facts and exploring every avenue you can when visiting a place or opening a box or whatever. Watching your videos made me feel more comfortable going to a new continent alone. It can be scary traveling alone as a woman and I appreciate your efforts to document your experiences at home and abroad. Haters gonna hate as the song goes lol that’s means they are watching maybe even subscribing. If they feel that strongly about it let them send you a gift card to their fancy restaurant lol 😂 Anyways, love the content and enthusiastically await new content. Phoenix Allen, the Scot born in America now living in England. 💙🏴
Hi! Honestly, I know that the YouTube algorithms matter and stuff, but don't pay too much attention to the "negative Nancy's". I enjoyed trying the variations of the major food chains in other countries and seeing the differences are important for cultural context. If you are hungry, eat where you want. Understand that people will always have opinions and you can't please everyone. Much love to you and Teka, be safe!