When in Morocco, one can visit the El Badi Palace, walk the Kumbia Mosque lands, or enjoy a dates and chebakia meal at … McDonald’s?
For some, the food at McDonald’s has become part of the fun of traveling abroad. With discreet locations-a “Ski-Mesa” restaurant in Sweden, a Douglas DC-3 aircraft in New Zealand-and very different menus, the chain has adapted to a multitude of cultures, drawing locals and tourists.
Throughout Tiktok, YouTube and Reddit, travelers have admired the options: Poutine in Canada, Jamón Ibérico Sandwiches in Spain, Fried Chicken in Malaysia, Macarons in France and McSpaghetti in Philippines, to mention some.
Although some experienced travelers can look down on food at McDonald’s in Paris or Bangkok, brand fans say it is worth seeing how the chain adapts to local cultures. It has become a point of entry into an unknown kitchen or a way to mix the comforts of the house with something new.
This is how Gary, a photographer based in Brooklyn, sees it. Recently released “McATlas: a world guide for golden arches”, a self-published 420-page photo book that substantiates the experience of Global McDonald.
Mr He, whose project was not authorized by McDonald’s, said he showed the huge difference between McDonald’s positions in the United States and abroad. “McDonald’s is known for its consistency, but as you go all over the world, you realize that it doesn’t really happen,” he said in an interview. “He treats everything you believe or know or assume about the brand when sitting in the United States.”
The book has photos taken by Mr. He took McDonald’s restaurants in 50 countries, presenting local menus offers, separate architecture and stunning arrangements.
Pictures speak in an experience that is increasingly interesting for travelers.
35 -year -old Christopher Sze, and Stephanie Round, 36, recently show five different kinds of vegetarian burgers in a McDonald’s in Mumbai, including McSpicy Paneer and McALOO Tikki Burger, for his blog for food and travel, Hungry Two Travel .
“It is very interesting to see how McDonald’s adapts to these cultures,” Ms Round in an interview. “If he didn’t, people just wouldn’t go there,” he added. “You can say they do their research.”
For McDonald’s, which has about 42,000 restaurants in about 100 countries, it is an important part of its business abroad.
In a statement, McDonald’s said he was “passionate about our connection and understanding of our communities”. While it is possible to grab a large Mac or fried potatoes in any location, about one -third of menu elements in each country are customized, incorporating local ingredients, flavors, customs and traditional dishes, the company said.
(The utilization of this sense of innovation, McDonald’s in Chicago began to offer a rotating choice of international menu elements.)
Mr He, 40, said he ate “tons of McDonald’s” as a child who grew up with “immigrant parents who were just going”. He loved cheeseburgers and cheerful meals of the chain and continued to eat there as he traveled as a job photographer.
About six years ago, while on a trip to Marrakech, Morocco, during Ramadan, Mr. He took the McDonald shooting into an Iftar meal, which is eaten to break the quick after sunset.
“I said,” This is so different from what I would ever expect, “” Mr. reminded him, adding that he was wondering: “What else is out there?”
After lifting the pandemic travel restrictions, Mr began to substantiate the worldwide spread of McDonald’s and photographing his most idiosyncratic locations and menus offers.
He visited “McSki” at the Lindvallen Ski Resort in Sälen, Sweden, which provides a “ski” window at the base of a slope. He traveled to a location in a Japanese Community Garden in Singapore with lakes and foot bridges. And in New Zealand Taupo he ate in a Douglas DC-3 Douglas DC-3 plane.
K. said he hopes that his photos “open the eyes of people” and show that, with McDonald’s, “not only globalization, there is a lot of tracking.”
K. is almost alone in his fanaticism.
Jaya Saxena, 38, a correspondent at Eater.com, visited McDonald’s under her apartment when studying in Rome in 2007. It was a budget friendly for a student and said she was surprised by pastries and beer and bids wine. He particularly loved Baci McFlurry, with a popular Italian hazelnut chocolate.
Since then she has visited McDonald’s sites around the world – those in India are among her favorites – and always makes sure to check out what local delicacies appear in McFlurries, such as Cadbury Chocolate in Ireland.
“I get something they wouldn’t have in the US,” Ms Saxena said in an interview. “And that’s exactly what illuminates something in your brain.”
Drew Binsky, 33, a popular YouTuber Travel, has eaten at McDonald’s in more than 80 countries. He ranks into locations in Rome and Porto, Portugal, among his loved ones.
“A lot of time culture leads me to McDonald’s because people are like:” Have you tried McDonald’s? It’s so good. “
Not even decorated chefs are immune. Johnny SPro, 39, chef at Reverie, a Michelin restaurant in Washington, stops at McDonald’s when traveling abroad for work, as he recently did in Brussels and Japan’s Kyoto. Mr. SPERO also proudly shows a copy of “McATlas” in Reverie, where the tasting menu runs about $ 300 per person.
“It’s not something I eat regularly here,” Mr. SPERO said in an interview, “but for some reason, when you are abroad, I just want to see how different it is.”