McDonald’s.
That perfect engine of convenience, addiction, child-marketing, and … regional specialty foods?
We’re in Switzerland, but McDonald’s is universal. They are everywhere.
As we walked by a local joint, I noticed a strange advert outside, featuring three “Swiss-style” burgers on sale for a limited time only.
The McFondue, the McRaclette and the McRösti. These are only available in Switzerland, and only for one week at a time (per burger).
We figured that it is our duty to try these local delicacies and report our findings to our family and friends back home in Canada, so here it goes…
First up is the McFondue.
Most of you are probably familiar with fondue – that gooey pot of melting cheese and white wine – into which you dip vegetables and eat until your heart explodes.
Now imagine that… on a McDonald’s hamburger! Awesome, right?
Here’s the facts:
Nutrition
| Big Mac* | McFondue | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories (kcal) | 495 | 760 |
| Energy (kj) | 2071 | 3180 |
| Protein (g) | 27 | 39 |
| Carbs (g) | 40 | 54 |
| Fat (g) | 25 | 43 |
| Price (CHF) | 6.50 | 7.90 |
*for comparison purposes only
Well, just from a nutritional point of view, the McFondue is clearly the chief burger.
So on to the ratings…
Presentation
Tim: This is a classic, greasy burger on a ciabatta bun. Greasy. I like a little oozey cheese coming out the sides, but showing too much makes you look easy.
Tasha: At first impression, this bun had seen better days. If I wanted to save fifty cents on a day-old bun, I’d be at the bakery, not McDonald’s.
Aroma
Tim: I enjoy the pungent tang of Emmental (aka “Swiss”) cheese, but this was a bit too much for my senses.
Tasha: The “pungent tang” that Tim so lovingly spoke of is better described as sheer stank. The only worse “aroma” would be this thing coming back up.
Flavour
Tim: I like ciabatta. I like beef. I like lotsa cheese. So why didn’t I love this burger? Mysteries of the Universe!
Tasha: Sorry, flavour? There was a flavour??
Texture
Tim: Oozing cheese is one thing, but when it is squished out the sides of a ciabatta bun that is so greasy that you can hear the grease oozing from the bun… that’s too much. Still, there is the fun factor…
Tasha: One bite was all I could muster down and even that was a challenge. I think this burger nearly pushed me over the brink into complete vegetarianism. Nearly.
Overall, this burger comes out as … just gross.
Tim:
Tasha: This is one of those times you wish you had more thumbs…
Up next… McRösti!
timmyd
Natasha (Domestica)
there doesn’t seem to be any blog posts about how we meaningfully missed a train so we could search out a McRosti in a small swiss town, find it and realise it was closed….wait around for 45mins for it to open…….then bail AT THE QUEUE as we would miss the next train!
this is absolutely hilarious. “gross” is too kind a word. But there is hope. If you ever go to Reykjavík there won’t be any McReindeers there anymore! There are good things about the global recession. What really bothers me is the hordes of Icelanders who battled there way to the last 3 McD’s to get their last 1/4 pounder or whatever. Of course, they’re not the problem. It’s McDoh China that’s really frightening .. unless you have any McDoh stock in your portfolio?!?!
so.incredibly.nasty.
looking forward to hearing about the next one! hahahaha.. you guys rock!
That burger looks totally disgusting and I am sure it took a lot for Tasha to take even a bite of it. Your description Tim, makes me feel almost ill. Well done !
This burger gives me a stomach ache just looking at it! That being said, can’t wait for the review on the next one:)
Fantastic post. My resolve to avoid McD’s has been reinforced… don’t remember when I was there last and after reading this I won’t be visiting anytime soon. -MM
This is my advice take or leave it, smear ketchup to hide and if you do not the word in German ask for Heinz. Ha Ha
Tim, the only time to objectively assess this burger’s worth is after a few hours at the Kneipe! Kind of like everything from McDonalds! Just out of curiosity: did this one have the “heart smart” logo by it? Ha!
[...] I rode my bicycle everywhere. We put burning candles on our Christmas Tree. I sunk my teeth in the mouthwatering McFondue burger – a local treat. When the World Cup was being played in South Africa, we joined the raucous [...]