When I was truck driving (UK) my best ever burgers came from a woman who ran a snack van on the outskirts of Kendal. The beef patties were made by her local butchers from beef from her friend's herd. Bacon wasn't tissue paper thin and cheese was cut off a block of real Cheddar. Salad - to order, sauces, on the counter add your own. Just straight ingredients, no factory crap.
I used to drive from Cornwall to wiltshire a few times a year and then moved to Wiltshire so I went to Cornwall a few times a year. The best burgers were from a Burger Stand in a lay by in Monkton in Devon I did that for over twenty years.
i used to work @ mc cains foods factory outside of Peterborough and they used to make the Mac Fries for Mc Donalds, as well as the KFC equivilant, with the Mc Donalds fries they used too fry the the fries twice yes TWICE before blast freezing them, tip here Amanda tear open a Mac Fry and you will see Mac nothing inside :), hence why when my son was young i definately did not take him to Mc Donalds or KFC, when you know whats involved in making them you will not eat them :) :), thats the only problem in working in a food factory
So.........in the US they put a shed load of ingredients in the fries and then have to add a something to make them look like fries lol - insane. You know it can't be good for you when there are ingredients you can't even pronounce!
In the immortal words of the film, Highlander, Amanda - "There Can Be Only One!" - and I thought that you would already know which one will be the worst - lol???? . . . Still waiting to see Victoria Woods, "2 Soups" and "Acorn Antiques" from you by the way . . . (Edit) - Almost forgot this - Had my 1st McDonalds about 5-6 years ago at a drive-through on the way back from hospital - well, I was getting a bit hungry by then. So I ordered a Double QP (Cheeseburger). Only lived about 2 mins from home from it, so I waited until I got back to have a cuppa with it. Upon opening it, it looked like 2 regular burgers that had been squashed to make them look even smaller, not soft and juicy, but slightly burnt looking and a bit hard. Even had to look for the cheese on it as well! Needless to say, that was my one and only visit to McD's and I've never been back - (I even wondered if mine was just something handy from the rubbish bin that someone inside had refused.to have earlier?) . . . So now I just go and get my usual Chinese to enjoy instead . . .
As an Aussie I just had to try "biscuits and gravy" for breakfast in a Vegas hotel. It was surprisingly delicious. We also refer to "biscuits" as scones in Australia.
the oldest biscuit bakery in the world is in Carlisle England UK.formerly known as Carr’s but now goes by the brand name of McVitie’s.they export Carr’s Tablewater crackers to your country!
The real issue is the wage paid to those who work for McDonalds in the USA, they pay a pittance in the USA compared to their “restaurants” in other countries where minimum wage policies are in place. Workers in the USA do not have those protections and McD takes full advantage by not paying a living wage, they claim they “cannot afford it”, reprehensible.
The last time I had a burger from McDonald's was with my daughter. I picked her up from her mother's and once we were in the car I asked her what she wanted to do. "McDonalds" she said excitedly. OK McDs it is, No McDs in Cornwall at that time so we drove to Exeter in Devon, 100 miles away. She really enjoyed it but she was about 4 years old, she is 44 years old now!
I don't eat in McDonalds and haven't for years. My Dad put me off when he ordered filet-O-fish and couldn't believe that they served him breaded fish on a bread roll; his face was a picture of incredulity. Mind you, he also wouldn't eat fish finger sandwiches, which I love tbh. They also mainly use Pollock in Mcdonalds I believe - a truly tasteless fish in my opinion.
@@jonathanfraser321 yes - I know why it's been done - but I simply can't take to Pollock. This is unfortunate because it's actually supposed to be quite nutritious.
Have you ever stood behind the person who can't decide what to have. Give them more options and the breakfast you came in for just became lunch. So glad I live in the UK
We do get some great limited edition burger, like large BigMac, (one inch larger diameter), double BigMac with four burger patties and quite often Big Tasties and Big Tasties with bacon. At the moment there is Italian Stack burger, Crispy Chicken Italiano, then there's the frappes, etc... In some European countries you can get a beer with your order.
UK McDonalds milkshakes must have been injected with artificial sweeteners in recent times because I had one and it was like drinking something you put in washing machines.
Being a Celiac, I first came across Gluten Free Burgers in Mcdonald's Switzerland. Before then I only ever had fries but generally, I don't eat Mcdonald's in the UK. Only abroad.
You should watch all the Food Wars videos if you have the free time Amanda, they are a good watch. After they done UK vs US, they done a series of US Vs Japan and now they will be starting a series of US vs India! I've really enjoyed them all, but be warned they make you hungry lol!
I have always found UK McDonalds pretty horrendous due to everything being far too greasy, but on the one (and only) occasion that I ate from an American one I found it actually inedible to the point I gave it away to a flat mate after one bite. It was just as greasy but everything tasted like they’d turned the flavour up to 14, and not by any natural means. Having said that I did think that the general standard of fast food in the US was pretty decent; Arby’s, Wendy’s and Five Guys were all very nice when I was living there (mid 90’s).
@@recliningbuddha for most it's the convenience and it's cheap their not home much so they go to these places also to be real some people do this to their bodies cause they just can and don't care because of some mental reason such as having a shit moment in life
When I lived in the US (Alabama) many mornings I would stop on the way to work for a McGriddle; fabulous! Also the chocolate shakes in the US do taste of chocolate, in the UK they don't always.
I think I can say two things hand on heart. 1. I think I was born in the wrong Country and 2. I never would have made it to my 51 years of age that I am now 🤣
My experiences with Macdonald's are limited but in both countries. In about 1980 they had just opened a store in London (just take away) and I saw root beer on the menu which was new to me. I tried it - toothpaste, never again. In the US in the late 1980's they had these combination meals. I went once to lunch to get a burger and fries. They poured a soda for me. I said I don't drink soda. They said it is cheaper if you add it. Made no sense to me, but I took it and found someone at work who wanted it.
I've had that with a KFC outlet. The dude insisting that it was cheaper to add fries to a couple of pieces of chicken that I wanted. I refused and insisted on paying more for the 2 pieces without fries. Just to spite him. So for the price of 29p I think it was, I saved the nearest bin from having an untouched bag of fries thrown in it.
Yeah, I remember the first one that opened in my town in UK - Luton, back in the late 70's when I was at college, they gave me root beer instead of the 'McDonald's Cola' (which they had to tell you it was, every time you asked for a coke!) - I nearly spat it in the server's face, yuk!
McDonald's UK and Canada used to have toasted deli sandwiches, which were delicious. They suffered the same fate as the McPizza and for the same reason: they couldn't prepare them quickly enough, and thus eventually dropped from the menu. They were reasonably priced and oh-so-yummy - I really miss them. Here's a commercial for them (UK version) ruclips.net/video/z4w4uAeyKGI/видео.html
I worked in Australia and the MacDonald’s across the road, on a 44c day I would get a coffee frappe to cool down, it really worked. After a regular doctors appointment and diabetes test I was told I was borderline diabetic, I gave up the frappes as I found out that up 18 teaspoons of sugar are used in each one, yikes!
The thing that makes me wonder Amanda, is the US is a very profit driven corporate society, if you watch these guys videos and compare just how many ingredients the US use over the same UK products you'd think it would be more profitable to just cut them out. I can understand the colour of the fries aspect, because when you grow up with that it's an aesthetic difference but beyond that a lot of these extra ingredients just are not needed. It was funny to see the homesickness creep into your face when you saw some of these items though. As always a great vid, love from Sweden.
I have not had a McDonald's for about 6 maybe 7 years. I use to eat loads of them. It's good to know they cater for vegans & vegetarians now & can offer people an healthy option if they want one. This way groups of friends that have different diet requirements can go out & eat together. I know some vegans & vegetarians won't eat with meat eaters. But diets & lifestyles are like politics & should not come between friends & family. Good video
I had a couple of Mcd’s when I went to Florida on holiday as a kid but I couldn’t finish it. Even as a 12 year old I thought it was wrong how much there was. Now I’m older I realise It’s sad there’s kids eating those size portions in the US.
It's weird that they showed the Breakfast Items for the US, but not the UK. I agree the Hash Browns from McDonald's are so yummy, I didn't eat hash browns before I ate them at McDonald's and whilst I try not to buy them normally, I occasionally get a bag of them from Iceland Foods, especially the Cheese Topped Ones! Elite!!
I've just returned to the UK after spending 3 months in Virginia, and honestly, I was surprised at the post-covid McDonald's. The burgers and fries were smaller than back in 2019 when I was last in the US. And I'm sure the drinks were too. Also, a lot of things were no longer on the menu, I loved the Shamrock Shake but couldn't find one anywhere. Something else that was a shock is how early many of them were closing. My last weekend there it was just after midnight and we had to try 4 before we found one that was still serving. Burger King and Wendy's were the same. Pringles are now around 40 grams smaller than in the UK, and family size Utz, and Cheez-It's are definitely not anymore. But I noticed size reductions right across the board. Prices were the same but things are getting smaller. Thankfully, the Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Mcgriddles were still available and Little Ceases are doing a great stuffed crust Pizza.
It's post Brexit unfortunately more than Covid, but of course that hasn't helped either. Things like ingredients etc are much more expensive to get hold of now (Brexit), if you can even get them at all (Covid). The price of fertiliser has quadrupled since Brexit.
@@StockportJambo The price of fertiliser has increased because of the troubles in Ukraine. It is an international phenomenon - not that it should affect fast food prices very much, since the food costs are a tiny portion of the business expenses. The UK has always had smaller portions than US in McDonald's. They haven't decreased. Medium drink 250ml large 400ml.
@@StockportJambo I blame the British public for Brexit. Recovery from the pandemic issues will take at least a decade, recovery from the war in Ukraine can't even start until it is resolved. To isolate Brexit costs from that mess is almost impossible and seeing any real advantages of being deregulated from the EU may never be obvious. Our civil service is not coping with passports, immigration and licenses already, and our social infrastructure (teachers, nurses, police etc) is already underfunded in a runaway inflation environment. We have jobs available, but there are too many people unwilling or unqualified to do them.
I knew the sizes would be a big difference but all those additives? Think Amanda summed it up perfectly - why? Last Big Mac I had was somewhere round about 1980 in central London. These days I much prefer a nice piece of Lorne Sausage (square) and a slice of plain bread liberally buttered of course. For those that don't know plain bread is a sliced loaf that is exactly twice the size of a Lorne Sausage and tastes lovely. Us scots think about our convenience foods! As for Amanda not eating healthy - she must be doing a lot extra to make up for it 'cos she is looking lovely as always.
''Gonna have a nice, healthy tea tonight! ... oohh, hang on a sec: Amanda's got a new video up!!'' ** Watches Video **........ ''Yeahhh - now I need a Maccy Ds!'' 🤪🍟🍔🥤
I'm still in mourning since they discontinued the Sausage Egg Mc Muffin here in Germany, but who cares when they brew the world's best beer. Which McDonalds then promptly ruins by pouring it into a paper beaker.
I dunno about portion sizes, or differing menus or anything, but when I was a student in the mid 90s, I loved McDonalds. Literally ate it every day for lunch, because it would keep me going for the rest of the day and night, and didn't cost much. When I went to the US (New York) for the first time back then, all I wanted was a McDs. Quarter pounder with cheese. It was utterly inedible. 🤣 Which is so weird, because if there's one thing above everything else that Americans seem to do really well - it's burgers!
The biggest surprises were the ingredients and the calories, I thought. We've kind of got used to the idea of different portion sizes over the years. I like the idea of greater variety, but in all honesty some of the US flavour combinations would probably make me feel ill. No disrespect to your countrymen, Amanda, but I don't think I could face at least half of the US menu. Having said all that, it was an interesting and informative video. And it's always a treat to see our favourite American English woman and Scottish nobility on RUclips. Thank you, Your Grace xxx
Should look up differences in other regions, such as the bulgogi 'burger' in South Korea, or the macarons (among a lot of other things) here in Australia's mccafe. Also, dunno why that snort at the end reminds me that I keep reading your name as "a manta ray" but it did. >
Really dont get why macdonalds doe's so well,its all tasts crap except for the fries.go to literally any roadside burger van and they would destroy a mac donalds both on size,quality and taste.
McFilet of McFish I really like your videos as I have the opposite experience of yours. I’m an English expat in the US of many years, soon to be returning home. Please keep making these and good luck 👍👍
It doesn't surprise me with the ingredients being different. The UK is far stricter in what it allows to be used in food. I enjoyed your reaction to the video and we got a snort laugh which made my day.🤣🤣
I remember having a family outing back in the '80's because WIMPY had just opened a restaurant. The burgers were very tasty and had a fancy relish on them but were so small we stopped for Fish & Chips on the way home because we were all still hungry. Whimpy burger would be a more accurate description!
You should have got a knickerbocker glory there (they don't seem to do them any more). Didn't they do ice cream floats too? There are still some Wimpy's about, I can think of 3 of them fairly close to me. Just looked at their website, it looks decent and they deliver through the big 3 food delivery services.
Bloody expensive too Wimpy, that said their shakes were nice as were the Spicy Beanburgers, I live in Margate and there was a Wimpy on the sea-front right up until about 6 years ago, sad that it closed but the demand was just not there and due to the location (right on the sea-front) everything was so dear as it's not cheap to operate in that location.
@@steveross8364 I'm 100% certain they did knickerbocker glories then as that's the last time I'd have been in one ;o) The one I used to go to also appears to still exist (or it did when the google maps car went past it in May 2021). I walk past one once a week so I *might* be tempted to go in next time. Obviously no one makes a website for a restaurant where the food looks bad but it does look quite good on the wimpy website.
hope you continue the food wars videos, they added japan last year and india will be the newest addition to the food wars team the hosts are great and likable too
Having been to both McDonalds in the UK and USA I really didn't notice much difference in the actual taste. Size yes taste no. The biggest shock for me was not the UK or USA. No it was going to France and going to an actual bakery called McCafe and some served alcohol. I don't drink but that was a bit of a shock. Food wasn't cheap... I'm assuming the McCafe bakery food was fresh. Certainly tasted fresh.
I have never been a fan of MacDonald's the only time I enjoyed one when I was starving I had not eaten all day and it was late. The additives (as I would call them) strike me as an possible dangerous inclusion in US food. From the vid it is no wonder that there are so many obese people in the US, and as usual we the Brits are following suit. A very entertaining vid, thanks. Best Wishes.
Sorry Amanda. But it has to be said. The healthiest thing you have done for your body is to move here. The average American doesn’t stand a chance health wise. Glad you’re here Lass.
Have to say having tried McDonald's on my trip to new York(had to try it) it tasted odd to me, more artificial and the cola felt like it stuck to my teeth. I have to ask though why so many ingredients esp on fries???? A few of them are banned in the UK I believe. Also ironically enough a McDonald's salad is probably worse for you than a big Mac due to what goes into the salad dressing. It's so unhealthy.
American biscuits and British scones just aren’t the same thing. I love both, and both are suited for what they are used for. Buttermilk biscuits with sausage gravy, eggs, and bacon are an inspired breakfast that I still miss.
The egg in the US versions is glow in the dark yellow, can't be good for you No surprises. When I have a Maccy D now, its just a bit disappointing, although the breakfast is not bad and the coffee is good
My first trip to a McD , on a trip to the States in 1970, was a revelation. I thought it was great. We didn't have them in the UK back then. But by far the worst one I've ever been in was in Lake George, upper NY state, round about 2010. The food was awful and it seemed to have been staffed by inbreds...real "This is my brother Darryl; and my other brother Darryl" types. Street view shows that it didn't last too long.
When I was in the British Army desert training in Arizona, I lost count how many Maccies i had over there (I did plentry of exercise so i burned it all back off). I can tell you that the American Maccies is sooooooo much nicer than here. Also bigger sizes in USA too although a lot unhealthier
If it was not for the unnecessary chemicals/ingredients the larger sizes and selection is a good thing... It's food... if you want healthy, you choose healthy. If you want tasty, you choose tasty... Size just equals more value for money in most cases... and 99% of Human beings are FAR from rich. It bothers me when people moan about getting lots more for the same price. So no... when it comes food... for the majority... i choose USA over UK. I mean here gets extra tax thrown on things with salt and sugars... and they say it's to generate extra funding to combat unhealthy medical costs and to encourage healthier eating... yet the money does not go into the NHS, it goes into the generic tax coffer... even though it generates far more than the costs of medical AND it has not stopped or discouraged unhealthy eating. UK is still taxing things out of greed and under false pretence and it p1sses me off. Rant over. If USA removes the unnecessary chemicals... it has UK beat in every single food department and should be proud as far as i am concerned.
I love the Asian McD's specials, especially the black pepper beef burger. One thing they should have included in the comparison was the price difference on the standard items - I'm guessing the British are getting McShafted by a big fat breakfast sausage, right between their buns (i.e. paying more for less.) as usual. Am I right? Funny video :)
I've seen Americans say they visited Europe, eat and drank loads and went back lighter because portion sizes are smaller and there is less sugar in pretty much everything over here.
Lol your face said it all when he brought out the large chocolate milkshake. I had a quick look in my fridge and that's about 82% of the calories in an entire jar of jam. I could literally get a spoon and eat 4/5 of a jar of jam straight and have fewer calories than in that milkshake.
The difference in ingredients really surprised me I knew the portion sizes would be different but not the ingredients 😂I love a good burger I wish they looked like the pictures next time I'm having my big Mac I will remember this very interesting Amanda thank you for your great video ♥️♥️🍔🍔
Great video Amanda, i remember going to a McDonalds in Fort Myers a few years ago whilst on holiday & they offered a bucket of Fries for $2 not sure if they still do anything like nowadays.
I really try not to eat too much fast food it's hard but when I do have a blowout I like to go to Burger King and I wonder how they compare to their American counterparts.
I think all the chemicals put into the US versions are either preservatives or help with flavour, I mean UK McDonalds is tasteless and the quality not only varies from restaurant to restaurant it can be up and down at the same one dependant on time of day.
There is only two main reasons to visit McD's 1, Toilet break 2, Meeting point in the car park (Its a point of reference) 3, This is extra if you are REALLY desperate for a coffee and I mean REALLY desperate Not had a McD's since 2007 same goes for Burgerking and KFC
Also in the UK never order a large burger meal just stick with medium. The fries size are pretty much the same and all you get is a slightly larger drink. Save your pennies!
When I was truck driving (UK) my best ever burgers came from a woman who ran a snack van on the outskirts of Kendal. The beef patties were made by her local butchers from beef from her friend's herd. Bacon wasn't tissue paper thin and cheese was cut off a block of real Cheddar. Salad - to order, sauces, on the counter add your own.
Just straight ingredients, no factory crap.
little chef burgers were ok
I used to drive from Cornwall to wiltshire a few times a year and then moved to Wiltshire so I went to Cornwall a few times a year. The best burgers were from a Burger Stand in a lay by in Monkton in Devon I did that for over twenty years.
i'm salivating
In other words, in America, if guns don't kill you, the food might.
I don't eat McDonald's in the UK and after watching this video I certainly won't be eating in McDonald's USA. Thank you for the warning.😝
Nice choice of vid to review. I love 💕 UK vs US Food Wars
i used to work @ mc cains foods factory outside of Peterborough and they used to make the Mac Fries for Mc Donalds, as well as the KFC equivilant, with the Mc Donalds fries they used too fry the the fries twice yes TWICE before blast freezing them, tip here Amanda tear open a Mac Fry and you will see Mac nothing inside :), hence why when my son was young i definately did not take him to Mc Donalds or KFC, when you know whats involved in making them you will not eat them :) :), thats the only problem in working in a food factory
Here in Blighty, we may not have doughnut sticks, we just have Greggs Yum Yums... We win!
Glad you found these guys Amanda, they have a really good channel. They also sometimes do comparisons between Japan too.
So.........in the US they put a shed load of ingredients in the fries and then have to add a something to make them look like fries lol - insane. You know it can't be good for you when there are ingredients you can't even pronounce!
Only time I go into McDonalds is when I’ve been drinking. You’ll eat any old muck when you’re drunk.
Vindaloo or Kebab,any other time!😂
In the immortal words of the film, Highlander, Amanda - "There Can Be Only One!" - and I thought that you would already know which one will be the worst - lol???? . . . Still waiting to see Victoria Woods, "2 Soups" and "Acorn Antiques" from you by the way . . .
(Edit) - Almost forgot this - Had my 1st McDonalds about 5-6 years ago at a drive-through on the way back from hospital - well, I was getting a bit hungry by then. So I ordered a Double QP (Cheeseburger). Only lived about 2 mins from home from it, so I waited until I got back to have a cuppa with it. Upon opening it, it looked like 2 regular burgers that had been squashed to make them look even smaller, not soft and juicy, but slightly burnt looking and a bit hard. Even had to look for the cheese on it as well! Needless to say, that was my one and only visit to McD's and I've never been back - (I even wondered if mine was just something handy from the rubbish bin that someone inside had refused.to have earlier?) . . . So now I just go and get my usual Chinese to enjoy instead . . .
Did anyone else notice, especially the U.S. burger sauce, several ingredients were stated twice.
As an Aussie I just had to try "biscuits and gravy" for breakfast in a Vegas hotel. It was surprisingly delicious. We also refer to "biscuits" as scones in Australia.
the oldest biscuit bakery in the world is in Carlisle England UK.formerly known as Carr’s but now goes by the brand name of McVitie’s.they export Carr’s Tablewater crackers to your country!
@@gordonthompson1684 That brand doesn't seem to be commonly sold down here unless it goes by a different name.
I love your take on England and English people AMANDA RAE!
The real issue is the wage paid to those who work for McDonalds in the USA, they pay a pittance in the USA compared to their “restaurants” in other countries where minimum wage policies are in place. Workers in the USA do not have those protections and McD takes full advantage by not paying a living wage, they claim they “cannot afford it”, reprehensible.
They rely on 'tips' in the US...
Got to agree a Mcmuffin sausage and egg with a hash brown and a Cappuccino is awesome.
The last time I had a burger from McDonald's was with my daughter. I picked her up from her mother's and once we were in the car I asked her what she wanted to do. "McDonalds" she said excitedly. OK McDs it is, No McDs in Cornwall at that time so we drove to Exeter in Devon, 100 miles away. She really enjoyed it but she was about 4 years old, she is 44 years old now!
Love that little snort you have when you laugh. Love, light and peace.
I don't eat in McDonalds and haven't for years. My Dad put me off when he ordered filet-O-fish and couldn't believe that they served him breaded fish on a bread roll; his face was a picture of incredulity. Mind you, he also wouldn't eat fish finger sandwiches, which I love tbh. They also mainly use Pollock in Mcdonalds I believe - a truly tasteless fish in my opinion.
Pollock is used because its cheap. and the usual white fish we eat, cod, haddock plaice etc have hadstocks severely deleted by overfishing
@@jonathanfraser321 yes - I know why it's been done - but I simply can't take to Pollock. This is unfortunate because it's actually supposed to be quite nutritious.
Have you ever stood behind the person who can't decide what to have. Give them more options and the breakfast you came in for just became lunch. So glad I live in the UK
Those McGriddles look disgusting.
we are happy you're British to Amanda. Found it funny you was licking your lips on a few occasions lol.
We do get some great limited edition burger, like large BigMac, (one inch larger diameter), double BigMac with four burger patties and quite often Big Tasties and Big Tasties with bacon.
At the moment there is Italian Stack burger, Crispy Chicken Italiano, then there's the frappes, etc...
In some European countries you can get a beer with your order.
there is no way on this planet that I would eat anything that comes out of the u s after watching this no wonder they are so big
UK McDonalds milkshakes must have been injected with artificial sweeteners in recent times because I had one and it was like drinking something you put in washing machines.
They also used to be a lot thicker, to the point where you could actually do yourself some damage trying to suck some up the straw.
Great video Amanda, I agree love the sausage Mcmuffin and hash browns 😋
Being a Celiac, I first came across Gluten Free Burgers in Mcdonald's Switzerland. Before then I only ever had fries but generally, I don't eat Mcdonald's in the UK. Only abroad.
Thanks ! As always , enjoyed the video !
You just reminded me of one of my wife's sayings. Nobody goes to a hog roast for the coleslaw.
You should watch all the Food Wars videos if you have the free time Amanda, they are a good watch. After they done UK vs US, they done a series of US Vs Japan and now they will be starting a series of US vs India! I've really enjoyed them all, but be warned they make you hungry lol!
Hahah I bet, that one made me hungry 🤣
There would be one way to have everything in country but rest of countries would have to sink for it to happen & imagine the queues everywhere
With all the extra Chemicals and stuff in the American versions, is it any wonder Obesity is so high in the USA.
Shamrock shakes ( in March) are in Canada too. Ditto on salads and McGriddles. Though I'm not a fan of any. More for others.
Whenever I have had a McDonalds in USA a Big Mac Meal I thought it tasted better in USA tbh!
Fair enough 😊👍🏻
Hash browns, breakfast wrap, love mcdonalds breakfasts, way too much on the American menu and so many calories !!!
Amanda you Couldn't pay me enough to eat McDonald's, tried it, i's disgusting, would rather buy burgers and make my own.
I have always found UK McDonalds pretty horrendous due to everything being far too greasy, but on the one (and only) occasion that I ate from an American one I found it actually inedible to the point I gave it away to a flat mate after one bite. It was just as greasy but everything tasted like they’d turned the flavour up to 14, and not by any natural means. Having said that I did think that the general standard of fast food in the US was pretty decent; Arby’s, Wendy’s and Five Guys were all very nice when I was living there (mid 90’s).
I tried a McDonald's for the first time in London in 1979, took a couple of bites - never again.
@@recliningbuddha for most it's the convenience and it's cheap their not home much so they go to these places also to be real some people do this to their bodies cause they just can and don't care because of some mental reason such as having a shit moment in life
Other countries also have unique Mc Donland's item's that you can't find in the UK or UISA.
When I lived in the US (Alabama) many mornings I would stop on the way to work for a McGriddle; fabulous! Also the chocolate shakes in the US do taste of chocolate, in the UK they don't always.
I think I can say two things hand on heart.
1. I think I was born in the wrong Country and
2. I never would have made it to my 51 years of age that I am now 🤣
I had McDonalds In New York with my grandaughters - every NY meal was cold.
My experiences with Macdonald's are limited but in both countries. In about 1980 they had just opened a store in London (just take away) and I saw root beer on the menu which was new to me. I tried it - toothpaste, never again. In the US in the late 1980's they had these combination meals. I went once to lunch to get a burger and fries. They poured a soda for me. I said I don't drink soda. They said it is cheaper if you add it. Made no sense to me, but I took it and found someone at work who wanted it.
I've had that with a KFC outlet. The dude insisting that it was cheaper to add fries to a couple of pieces of chicken that I wanted. I refused and insisted on paying more for the 2 pieces without fries. Just to spite him. So for the price of 29p I think it was, I saved the nearest bin from having an untouched bag of fries thrown in it.
Yeah, I remember the first one that opened in my town in UK - Luton, back in the late 70's when I was at college, they gave me root beer instead of the 'McDonald's Cola' (which they had to tell you it was, every time you asked for a coke!) - I nearly spat it in the server's face, yuk!
McDonald's UK and Canada used to have toasted deli sandwiches, which were delicious. They suffered the same fate as the McPizza and for the same reason: they couldn't prepare them quickly enough, and thus eventually dropped from the menu. They were reasonably priced and oh-so-yummy - I really miss them.
Here's a commercial for them (UK version)
ruclips.net/video/z4w4uAeyKGI/видео.html
I worked in Australia and the MacDonald’s across the road, on a 44c day I would get a coffee frappe to cool down, it really worked. After a regular doctors appointment and diabetes test I was told I was borderline diabetic, I gave up the frappes as I found out that up 18 teaspoons of sugar are used in each one, yikes!
The thing that makes me wonder Amanda, is the US is a very profit driven corporate society, if you watch these guys videos and compare just how many ingredients the US use over the same UK products you'd think it would be more profitable to just cut them out. I can understand the colour of the fries aspect, because when you grow up with that it's an aesthetic difference but beyond that a lot of these extra ingredients just are not needed.
It was funny to see the homesickness creep into your face when you saw some of these items though. As always a great vid, love from Sweden.
I have not had a McDonald's for about 6 maybe 7 years. I use to eat loads of them. It's good to know they cater for vegans & vegetarians now & can offer people an healthy option if they want one. This way groups of friends that have different diet requirements can go out & eat together. I know some vegans & vegetarians won't eat with meat eaters. But diets & lifestyles are like politics & should not come between friends & family. Good video
I agree!
Thanks 😊
The salads were dropped in the uk. Turns out because of the sauces they were more unhealthy that the burgers
I think theyrere back. The government bulied them inyo offering a salad option
I had a couple of Mcd’s when I went to Florida on holiday as a kid but I couldn’t finish it. Even as a 12 year old I thought it was wrong how much there was. Now I’m older I realise It’s sad there’s kids eating those size portions in the US.
The variety at McDonalds astounds me. The original concept was just a few options to make for faster service.
Loving the extra coffee stuff in US.
Also like sound of the quarter pounder deluxe (quarter pounder UK my fave) we do have sweet sour sauce in UK.
It's weird that they showed the Breakfast Items for the US, but not the UK. I agree the Hash Browns from McDonald's are so yummy, I didn't eat hash browns before I ate them at McDonald's and whilst I try not to buy them normally, I occasionally get a bag of them from Iceland Foods, especially the Cheese Topped Ones! Elite!!
That sounds good!
I've just returned to the UK after spending 3 months in Virginia, and honestly, I was surprised at the post-covid McDonald's. The burgers and fries were smaller than back in 2019 when I was last in the US. And I'm sure the drinks were too. Also, a lot of things were no longer on the menu, I loved the Shamrock Shake but couldn't find one anywhere. Something else that was a shock is how early many of them were closing. My last weekend there it was just after midnight and we had to try 4 before we found one that was still serving. Burger King and Wendy's were the same. Pringles are now around 40 grams smaller than in the UK, and family size Utz, and Cheez-It's are definitely not anymore. But I noticed size reductions right across the board. Prices were the same but things are getting smaller. Thankfully, the Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Mcgriddles were still available and Little Ceases are doing a great stuffed crust Pizza.
It's post Brexit unfortunately more than Covid, but of course that hasn't helped either. Things like ingredients etc are much more expensive to get hold of now (Brexit), if you can even get them at all (Covid). The price of fertiliser has quadrupled since Brexit.
@@StockportJambo The price of fertiliser has increased because of the troubles in Ukraine. It is an international phenomenon - not that it should affect fast food prices very much, since the food costs are a tiny portion of the business expenses.
The UK has always had smaller portions than US in McDonald's. They haven't decreased. Medium drink 250ml large 400ml.
@@angrytedtalks I wonder what / who Brexiters will blame when the Ukraine war is over and Covid is a distant memory.
@@StockportJambo I blame the British public for Brexit. Recovery from the pandemic issues will take at least a decade, recovery from the war in Ukraine can't even start until it is resolved.
To isolate Brexit costs from that mess is almost impossible and seeing any real advantages of being deregulated from the EU may never be obvious. Our civil service is not coping with passports, immigration and licenses already, and our social infrastructure (teachers, nurses, police etc) is already underfunded in a runaway inflation environment. We have jobs available, but there are too many people unwilling or unqualified to do them.
@@StockportJambo What has Brexit got to do with pricing and availability of products in the US?
I knew the sizes would be a big difference but all those additives? Think Amanda summed it up perfectly - why? Last Big Mac I had was somewhere round about 1980 in central London.
These days I much prefer a nice piece of Lorne Sausage (square) and a slice of plain bread liberally buttered of course. For those that don't know plain bread is a sliced loaf that is exactly twice the size of a Lorne Sausage and tastes lovely. Us scots think about our convenience foods!
As for Amanda not eating healthy - she must be doing a lot extra to make up for it 'cos she is looking lovely as always.
''Gonna have a nice, healthy tea tonight! ... oohh, hang on a sec: Amanda's got a new video up!!''
** Watches Video **........
''Yeahhh - now I need a Maccy Ds!'' 🤪🍟🍔🥤
I'm still in mourning since they discontinued the Sausage Egg Mc Muffin here in Germany, but who cares when they brew the world's best beer. Which McDonalds then promptly ruins by pouring it into a paper beaker.
I dunno about portion sizes, or differing menus or anything, but when I was a student in the mid 90s, I loved McDonalds. Literally ate it every day for lunch, because it would keep me going for the rest of the day and night, and didn't cost much. When I went to the US (New York) for the first time back then, all I wanted was a McDs. Quarter pounder with cheese.
It was utterly inedible. 🤣 Which is so weird, because if there's one thing above everything else that Americans seem to do really well - it's burgers!
I think the US McDonalds have changed their recipes to 100% natural ingredients the same as the UK's since that video was released.
The biggest surprises were the ingredients and the calories, I thought. We've kind of got used to the idea of different portion sizes over the years. I like the idea of greater variety, but in all honesty some of the US flavour combinations would probably make me feel ill. No disrespect to your countrymen, Amanda, but I don't think I could face at least half of the US menu. Having said all that, it was an interesting and informative video. And it's always a treat to see our favourite American English woman and Scottish nobility on RUclips. Thank you, Your Grace xxx
5:51 - To eat healthily at Muck-Donalds (T.M.) you need to take your own food and drink.
Should look up differences in other regions, such as the bulgogi 'burger' in South Korea, or the macarons (among a lot of other things) here in Australia's mccafe.
Also, dunno why that snort at the end reminds me that I keep reading your name as "a manta ray" but it did. >
I'm in Canada and don't eat from McDonald's period.
Really dont get why macdonalds doe's so well,its all tasts crap except for the fries.go to literally any roadside burger van and they would destroy a mac donalds both on size,quality and taste.
McFilet of McFish
I really like your videos as I have the opposite experience of yours.
I’m an English expat in the US of many years, soon to be returning home.
Please keep making these and good luck 👍👍
Hay Amanda! I'm only halfway through, but it would be interesting if you could compare the US v UK prices as well. x
It doesn't surprise me with the ingredients being different. The UK is far stricter in what it allows to be used in food. I enjoyed your reaction to the video and we got a snort laugh which made my day.🤣🤣
Haha I’m glad 🤣😊
Did you see one of Amanda's previous videos about some of the awful toxic crap that's allowed in US food production? It's jaw dropping!😲😅
@@LADYRAEUK Your snort laugh is contagious 🤣
@@shaunw9270 I agree it is jaw dropping, what the FDA allows into American food, chemicals that are banned around the world.
I remember having a family outing back in the '80's because WIMPY had just opened a restaurant. The burgers were very tasty and had a fancy relish on them but were so small we stopped for Fish & Chips on the way home because we were all still hungry. Whimpy burger would be a more accurate description!
You should have got a knickerbocker glory there (they don't seem to do them any more). Didn't they do ice cream floats too?
There are still some Wimpy's about, I can think of 3 of them fairly close to me. Just looked at their website, it looks decent and they deliver through the big 3 food delivery services.
Bloody expensive too Wimpy, that said their shakes were nice as were the Spicy Beanburgers, I live in Margate and there was a Wimpy on the sea-front right up until about 6 years ago, sad that it closed but the demand was just not there and due to the location (right on the sea-front) everything was so dear as it's not cheap to operate in that location.
@@andymerrett Yeah, I fell into the common misspelling there. In my defence, I'm Scottish, so english isn't my best language...
@@corleth2868 Can't remember if they did these back in the '80s. Haven't been back since either.
@@steveross8364 I'm 100% certain they did knickerbocker glories then as that's the last time I'd have been in one ;o)
The one I used to go to also appears to still exist (or it did when the google maps car went past it in May 2021).
I walk past one once a week so I *might* be tempted to go in next time. Obviously no one makes a website for a restaurant where the food looks bad but it does look quite good on the wimpy website.
I haven't been to McDonalds since I sued the, and won!
hope you continue the food wars videos, they added japan last year and india will be the newest addition to the food wars team
the hosts are great and likable too
I plan to! 😊
@@LADYRAEUK have you ever thought about doing something like movie reactions ?
As expected. American food is 90% chemicals and High Fructose Corn Syrup.
Having been to both McDonalds in the UK and USA I really didn't notice much difference in the actual taste. Size yes taste no. The biggest shock for me was not the UK or USA. No it was going to France and going to an actual bakery called McCafe and some served alcohol. I don't drink but that was a bit of a shock. Food wasn't cheap... I'm assuming the McCafe bakery food was fresh. Certainly tasted fresh.
Never knew their small drink is almost as big as our large. Crazy to think about.
I have never been a fan of MacDonald's the only time I enjoyed one when I was starving I had not eaten all day and it was late. The additives (as I would call them) strike me as an possible dangerous inclusion in US food. From the vid it is no wonder that there are so many obese people in the US, and as usual we the Brits are following suit. A very entertaining vid, thanks. Best Wishes.
Sorry Amanda.
But it has to be said. The healthiest thing you have done for your body is to move here.
The average American doesn’t stand a chance health wise.
Glad you’re here Lass.
I loved when I went to San Francisco and got a BK and asked for the XLarge Pepsi. I couldn't finish it, and I can drink fuzzy juice.
Lol it’s huge isn’t it
I thought McDonald's was the same stuff world wide. Very interesting
I might never eat at maccy d's again
Have to say having tried McDonald's on my trip to new York(had to try it) it tasted odd to me, more artificial and the cola felt like it stuck to my teeth.
I have to ask though why so many ingredients esp on fries???? A few of them are banned in the UK I believe.
Also ironically enough a McDonald's salad is probably worse for you than a big Mac due to what goes into the salad dressing. It's so unhealthy.
There's probably more lab ingredients in the chips than in a chemistry set.
Most of them are vitamin B2 - B12…
American biscuits and British scones just aren’t the same thing. I love both, and both are suited for what they are used for. Buttermilk biscuits with sausage gravy, eggs, and bacon are an inspired breakfast that I still miss.
All day breakfast wraps with brown sauce mmm they do without sauce or red whatever you like
I really want a sausage and egg mcmuffin now 😁 another great video hope you've had a wonderful weekend
The egg in the US versions is glow in the dark yellow, can't be good for you
No surprises.
When I have a Maccy D now, its just a bit disappointing, although the breakfast is not bad and the coffee is good
My first trip to a McD , on a trip to the States in 1970, was a revelation. I thought it was great. We didn't have them in the UK back then. But by far the worst one I've ever been in was in Lake George, upper NY state, round about 2010. The food was awful and it seemed to have been staffed by inbreds...real "This is my brother Darryl; and my other brother Darryl" types. Street view shows that it didn't last too long.
When I was in the British Army desert training in Arizona, I lost count how many Maccies i had over there (I did plentry of exercise so i burned it all back off). I can tell you that the American Maccies is sooooooo much nicer than here. Also bigger sizes in USA too although a lot unhealthier
If it was not for the unnecessary chemicals/ingredients the larger sizes and selection is a good thing...
It's food... if you want healthy, you choose healthy. If you want tasty, you choose tasty... Size just equals more value for money in most cases... and 99% of Human beings are FAR from rich.
It bothers me when people moan about getting lots more for the same price.
So no... when it comes food... for the majority... i choose USA over UK. I mean here gets extra tax thrown on things with salt and sugars... and they say it's to generate extra funding to combat unhealthy medical costs and to encourage healthier eating... yet the money does not go into the NHS, it goes into the generic tax coffer... even though it generates far more than the costs of medical AND it has not stopped or discouraged unhealthy eating. UK is still taxing things out of greed and under false pretence and it p1sses me off.
Rant over. If USA removes the unnecessary chemicals... it has UK beat in every single food department and should be proud as far as i am concerned.
I won't knock MackieDee because it does offer a fair meal at a reasonable price when I'm on the road. It's not the best in town but it fills the hole.
👍🏻👍🏻
I love the Asian McD's specials, especially the black pepper beef burger. One thing they should have included in the comparison was the price difference on the standard items - I'm guessing the British are getting McShafted by a big fat breakfast sausage, right between their buns (i.e. paying more for less.) as usual. Am I right? Funny video :)
To be fair I wish the British McDonalds had some of the different breakfast items as the look so nice.
I've seen Americans say they visited Europe, eat and drank loads and went back lighter because portion sizes are smaller and there is less sugar in pretty much everything over here.
Best Mcds I’ve had was in France of all places 😂
Lol your face said it all when he brought out the large chocolate milkshake. I had a quick look in my fridge and that's about 82% of the calories in an entire jar of jam. I could literally get a spoon and eat 4/5 of a jar of jam straight and have fewer calories than in that milkshake.
Keep up your work am enjoying this on my 30th b-day
Happy birthday!!! 😊
@@LADYRAEUK thank you big 3-0 feels like early 20s
The difference in ingredients really surprised me I knew the portion sizes would be different but not the ingredients 😂I love a good burger I wish they looked like the pictures next time I'm having my big Mac I will remember this very interesting Amanda thank you for your great video ♥️♥️🍔🍔
Hahah they never live up to the pictures 🤣
Glad I don’t use McDonald’s
Once a year is enough for me big Mc meal banana milkshake
Great video Amanda, i remember going to a McDonalds in Fort Myers a few years ago whilst on holiday & they offered a bucket of Fries for $2 not sure if they still do anything like nowadays.
the egg and bacon muffin in the UK is great. I cannot get it in Thailand, but you can get some rice dishes.
I really try not to eat too much fast food it's hard but when I do have a blowout I like to go to Burger King and I wonder how they compare to their American counterparts.
Likewise and also would choose BK over McDonald's (crap) any day.
I think all the chemicals put into the US versions are either preservatives or help with flavour, I mean UK McDonalds is tasteless and the quality not only varies from restaurant to restaurant it can be up and down at the same one dependant on time of day.
There is only two main reasons to visit McD's
1, Toilet break
2, Meeting point in the car park (Its a point of reference)
3, This is extra if you are REALLY desperate for a coffee and I mean REALLY desperate
Not had a McD's since 2007 same goes for Burgerking and KFC
McDonald's is by far the worst of the three.
I'm 66 and never had a Mcdonalds
You should try it it's basically comfort food and isn't that exspensive
Also in the UK never order a large burger meal just stick with medium. The fries size are pretty much the same and all you get is a slightly larger drink. Save your pennies!
Burger King everyday and twice on a Sunday 👍👍
👍🏻
Much better than a mcvomit
Biscits are a bit harder than cookies and scones are totally differnent so we have both. we do up North anyway