McDonald’s may be popular world over. Out there, people are used to eating two pieces of bread with whatever stuffed inside it. It is good for people who are not used to hot food without any spice and who relish the peculiar ambience it provides.
But, in a city like Mumbai, I think a few McDonald’s will survive thanks to the diversity of the crowd and the small number of outlets in relation to the population. Also, with more and more youngsters spending their parent’s money, it has become fashionable to eat at McDonald’s no matter whether you like the food or not.
If you take the food, all of it fits in to the broad category of ’’JUNK FOOD’’. whether it is the burgers, or the french fries. And the prices are horrendous for something as cheap as a couple of buns with a patty in it.
Give me a vada pav any day. I cannot imagine a family of four going in to a McDonald’s and spending close to Rs.500 for a Junk Meal. Go to an Udipi and at 40% less, you can have hot food that is tasty.
A country like India has so much of diverse cuisine that McDonald’s just cannot match the Udipi of Mumbai. If you go with your family to an average Udipi in Mumbai, you can have multiple cuisines ( maybe all with the typical Udipi tang) right from Chaat to Bhaaji Pav to Dosa to Rice to Sandwich to what have you. And the service levels of the Udipi are fantastic. No need to waste time standing in queues to pay ur money first, someone running to block the seat and then picking up food, spoons, napkins, water from the counters and coming back to a crowded place. When I pay money is it not better to sit and be served food of choice that caters to multiple choices and is eminently shareable?
Maybe, the McDonald’s provide a good eating place for the yuppies who can sit there eating icecreams and munching on french fries. Yes, as a hang-out, maybe the McDonald’s is an upscale version of the old Irani joint, but at several times the price.
Give me an honest Udipi anyday, if reasonable food at reasonable price is the criteria.
Yes, if I am alone in Europe or US, I may go in to a McDonald’s or Pizza Hut, for the one big reason: I know what to expect in terms of taste and availability. But, within India, a big NO to McDonald’s. Yes, I am old fashioned, but I do spend money and in India, McDonald’s is not going to get any of it.
Cheers