The American Embassy?

I remember back in my early days of corporate travel going to places all over Asia and a common joke was “passing or eating” at the American Embassy. The reference was for McDonalds. I am continually amazed how McDonald’s has a footprint everywhere around the globe. I have been to six of the seven continents and all of them have the golden arches located somewhere in their cities or rest stops. True the menu changes for local flavors — good luck getting a Filet of Fish in Brazil or in China getting something that does not have chicken in it. India is no different as I found out.

Let me start by saying I do not eat McDonald’s hardly at all, maybe 3-4 times a year max — usually on road trips/airport stops, early morning dental appointments (sorry dentists but this has been my routine since my childhood), and when I lived in Chicago my late late night after party gorge fest. And almost all of those visits per year are for breakfast. I like the Bacon, Egg, and Cheese biscuit (i get two and skip the hashbrowns because I am healthy), a black coffee, and an orange juice. I rarely if ever eat their lunch/dinner menu. I am more of a Burger King guy. Bigger burger, juicier, flame grilled flavoring, but the fries I will give are better at McDonalds.

Pardon the ramble. So here I am in India. Lunch time is always the big gamble with my new office because I am surrounded by eating places that look, well scary. Some look like they have survived at least one World War, others look in need of a serious deep clean, and others have menus that I cannot even read. However, in the basement of my building there ironically is….an American Embassy.

I’ve already waxed eloquently about my search for a cup of joe and so I went to McDonald’s for coffee as I am at my breaking point with instant coffee. After ordering an Americano (which to be fair was great) my coworker happened to show up and recommend I try to see if it “tastes like America”. I have to admit looking at those long, slender, greasy and heavily salted fries….and then seeing something that was probably safe (chicken nuggets), I got weak and ordered. And for the first time in India, I had a meal that did not include 350 different spices. Just precious salt…and ketchup. Yum. The fries tasted almost the same as I have had before and the nuggets actually had more chicken in them (all white meat too) than the ones in the US. So after three weeks of being in India I finally had my first full, non scary, lunch. I don’t see doing it very often but good to know its available.

I have some pictures below of the menu. You will notice there is no beef…anywhere. The Big Mac is chicken instead of beef. In fact they have multiple varieties of Big Macs. The little cheese nuggets are very spicy and my guess is the sauces they put on them have chili flakes. Here are some photos below. I know next time I am in a rush and want some good ol fashion high fat, fried, low nutrient, but no spice too the American Embassy is not far away.

Check out the menu folks, a little different eh? Mondale to Hart — “where’s the beef?”

Ohhh the Big Mac had a family. But do these Big Macs look like their daddy? Uh oh…

Coffee time!! Remember the failed McCafe experience in the US??

These were pretty good and no added spice. Even the BBQ sauce tasted about right. Full to the brim of chunky white chicken too. I even brought some home to Tenley who devoured it.

Lunch at the American Embassy.

He is smiling because he finally won. You profit off of my bland tastes buds you old clown. Always looking for the next customer….