Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Hey, how about that MacDonalds?

5 out of 5
There’s a number of helpful sites in Japanese reviewing and recommending restaurants. They are usually quite helpful since they allow the user to search by budget, cuisine, review score etc. in addition to location. Based on the number of reviews available it seems like a lot of Japanese are quite active on these and quite the quantity of reviews available for even the smallest restaurants.

...but some of these seems almost a little too eager... By chance, I happened to come by the review of the local MacDonalds joint located in our office building and noticed that it had gotten a total rating of 2.5 out of 5 and quite a number of written reviews going into depth on the ambience, staff and food quality. Ok, I’m all for people sharing experiences and reviews on actual restaurants, but why take the time and effort to do this for a stupid MacDonalds restaurant?! Who does actually spend the time to write a detailed review on a MacDonalds and who in his/hers right mind would check out reviews before deciding whether to go there for a BigMac set? Puzzling indeed...

(Ok, as you all know, I hate it when this blog becomes educational, but if you are able to read some Japanese and don't know these sites that well you can try your hand at Tabelog and GurumeNavi, they cover most of Japan)


12 comments:

Kathryn said...

So how is the ambience of your local McDonalds?

Evacomics said...

hey, at least they didn't review the toilets! :P

aimlesswanderer said...

In theory, like the standardised company that they are, the food, ambiance and staff should all be the same, at least in the same country. Any deviations should be investigated and promptly standardised.

Anyone who goes to a fast food joint and goes on about how wonderful the food is either only eats junk food, is crazy, or is paid to ramble about how wonderful the chain is.

Chris said...

First time I think I have ever been a grammar Nazi.

I grew up near a McDonalds.

Mc....Donalds

(mik-dawn-ulds)

Having just typed that...it occurs to me that for a few moments...I was no better than pathetic losers who do fast food reviews.

Excuse me while I go wipe the big "L" off my forhead....it's too big and my head is too small cuz I got no brain to have written "Loser" completely...

Rydangel said...

I don't mind website reviews because you can choose to go to the website or not. But why did comcast cable company make the tv guide channel a premium channel that requires a box which costs extra? Yet they keep a whole channel with health inspectors ratings of restaurants as part of the standard package. Seriously!!!
How relevant is that,especially when restaurants are legally required to post the results in a publically visible spot. Come on now, I need my tv guide. ><

F. said...

my MaccieD sucks. I am now off to write a review!

loco said...

Mickey D's is the shiznit! lol. I rememeber in lower manhattan down near Ground Zero (b4 it was ground zero) Mickey D's had conducted an experiment. (Not the first and certainly not the last...anyone ever heard of the McDonald's cafe) They were trying to see if people would pay a little more to have a little more service. Namely table service with waitstaff bringing yout the food. The decor was upgraded a bit, trading in that goofy plastic Jetson's connect the dots decor and atmosphere for wood panelling silverware and mood lighting.It was actually pretty homey for what it was worth,until they plop that big mack in front of you and you realize you've been had. LOL

Theresa said...

I watched the documentary Supersize Me last weekend, again. The guy's a dorky nerd but it's pretty good. McDonalds "food" guarantees an instant stomachache for the sensitive, even after ingesting only a couple of French fries. I envy the iron-stomached.

Anonymous said...

...who in his/hers right mind would check out reviews before deciding whether to go there for a BigMac set?

^^^ I think your question is answered...

Me said...

Hey, I grew up in SoCal Mickey D's and the food is made of the finest plastic anywhere. In fact, when I lived in Moscow the grand opening of the first McDonalds was the only line I would ever stand in. (the fries were the best since they were made from tasty Russian taters. So, when looking around for a fine lunch menu, I recommend Ronnies place.

The Culture Machine said...

I once found a dead spider in my McDoanlds burger...didn't eat it, but it would've made an interesting review```

Mr. Salaryman said...

Kathryn - Hmmm, based on a McD scale, I'll give it two out of three stars

Eva- C'mon, this is Japan, the toilets are always clean ;)

Aimless - Yep, I agree and that's where reviewing an individual restaurant gets kinda strange...

Chris - Haha, actually I think that's it a valid correction to make! Now that you mention it it feels pretty obvious, if I find the energy I probably should correct it ;)

Rydangel - Wow, you really needed to get that off your chest, huh? :) I wish I could share in your frustration but I must admit that I have difficultiy relating, but I'm sure that you're right!

BiJ - So you're really gonna slam the quality of the lettuce in that teriyaki burger, huh? Tell it like it is!

Loco - Wow, that sounds like a really bad idea from a McD marketer! Upgrading the service without upgrading the food feels like starting in the wrong end... I can understand how the bluff gets called the moment the food comes out...

Theresa - yeah, I think that's a pretty good documentary, but I've never myself had any stomach problems after McD and at least the whole outrageously large portion thing never reached Japan

Me - Actually, sampling McD in foreign countries can be a quite interesting experience as any changes in menu or style in such a standardized chain says quite a lot about the local culture... Russian McD does sound interesting indeed

Magenta - A dead spider? I couldn't imagine that in Japan and if it had happened in the US you maybe could have sued for millions due to emotional distress ;)

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