McDonald’s delivers fast food catered toward the localized community.

Well seasoned fried chicken is a great choice. Currently, if you order an extra size value meal you get a World Cup soccer cup.

Check out their website and you can see that McDonald’s also offers delivery 24 Hours A Day.

Campusfork blogged about the KFC double down a while back.

Read KFC Double Down: Heart burn sandwich, no bread just chicken patty and artery clogging ingredients

Now, you can simply turn turn a KFC Double Down into Chicken Cordon Bleu

(Thanks to Travis Darrowfor source)

LeBron James and Dwight Howard are NBA super stars that also have an entertaining side to them. They both have great charm.

Many years ago, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan was part of the original rendition.

These are creative and entertaining commercials from the creative guys at McDonald’s.

If you watch most fast food commercials, very seldom do they promote the food but instead provide entertainment value in the form of humor.

On a side note, I am currently living in Hong Kong and the Big Mac Meal (soda, fries, BigMac) is only about $2.60 USD.

A few day ago, Campusfork Blog covered the meaty Double Down Sandwich from KFC.

Now here is a funny conversation from NPR KFC Double Down taste testers.

{Note: thanks to Steve Jang for source}

KFC is introducing the artery clogging Double Down sandwich.

( two slabs fried chicken) + (two bacon slices) + (two slabs of cheese) + (Colonel’s “special sauce) = Double Down Sandwich

For more details, read KFC’s Freakish All Meat Sandwick Explained

note: Thanks to Travis Darrow for source

Carl’s Jr. commercials are usually entertaining and often funny.

Simply a gross parody of the fast food restaurant.

I have been to Tokyo, but never tried the popular Japanese burger chain MOS (Mountain, Ocean, Sun). So when I found out they had a restaurant outlet in Hong Kong, I dashed over for a quick taste.

The rice patty burger with thinly sliced beef was tasty, but nothing remarkable. The sauced lacked seasoning. The cheeseburger gives off more of a sweet note from the sweet sauce as oppose to a savory burger.

With a sweet soft bun, the cheeseburger had a tangy sauce.

French fries were crispy but lacked aromatic potato quality. I would give MOS burger a second try, despite have a bad first impression.

{click for address + food photo}

If you’re ever going to consider a restaurant in Hong Kong, I suggest understanding the local taste. Café de Coral, the largest Chinese fast food restaurant, has done a great job. They have been able to implement modern design, value pricing, and consistent food and this has resulted in scaling to numerous restaurants.

After a grinding workout at posh Pure Fitness, I hip hopped my way toward the MTR (subway) and tried Café de Coral located on the ground floor of IFC (International Finance Center).

Firstly, food temperature is a major element targeting the local taste. Despite being in warm weather, the Chinese like their food served hot. For instance, a restaurant serving only salad will not reach critical mass or mainstream.

Americans crave hot comfort foods such as macaroni ‘n cheese, and in the local taste comfort food is a piping hot soup, congee (rice porridge) or bowl of rice, something that “hugs” the stomach. Glancing at its modern signage and simple to order menu, I shouted,

“One order minced beef rice bowl.”

Priced at around $3USD, the piping rice bowl arrived within three minutes. Minced beef mixed with a sweat tomato base sauce served over rice. A few cherry tomatoes and a fried egg added character. The dish can be mildly compared to Sloppy Joe’s over rice.

The first thing to note was the texture of the rice, which lacked the pillowy consistency but instead was a bit mushy. Noticeably, the tangy tomato base sauce whets the appetite.

Often, I am asked … “What is good Chinese food?”

In this case, great Chinese food has “wok-air.” A beef chow mein dish should arrive piping hot and aromas of soy sauce would create nutty notes. Instead, my minced beef dish came out “flat” tasting, similar to air plane food.

For a quick budget meal, the dish overall is on par.

McDonald’s + McCafe
Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

My friend confidently uttered, “McDonald’s in Hong Kong taste better.”
That was enough to stir curiosity.

The one I entered, combined a traditional McDonald’s along with a McCafe.
I ordered a Sprite combined with pineapple chunks (~1.50 USD). The cappuccino (~$2 USD) was charming served with an “M.”

A few items cater to the Chinese taste, including a taro pie. I tried the Big Mac, which taste exactly like the ones in the states. Friends have suggested to try the fried chicken wings. At the moment, I am aiming to try more Hong Kong delights.

In terms of innovation, Hong Kong uses the Octopus card. The Octopus card has money value that you deposit. Used primarily for the MTR (subway), the card can also be used to purchase food items at McDonald’s. Convenient.

If you’re a design lover, there are plenty of great eye catching interiors/flyers to ones that make you say “you’re not kidding?”

Eat Together is one of them. The exterior is plane ugly and the food pictures on the façade actually kills my appetite. However, restaurants that usually belong to a restaurant or investment group spends good money on design.

McDonald’s is a great example. Their flyers and menu design are on par.

Pranks are meant to entertain, but this one went too far. Read How Dominos Responded to a Prank Video from SFGate for details.

Burger King commercial featuring advert chicken long sandwich aired in Europe.

Anyone think this is controversial?

Burger King has done it again, producing controversial commercials featuring Sponge Bob.

A recent Adage article highlights the reason behind American Family Association’s anger against the commercials, claiming that the Burger King commercials contain adult nudity.

The commercials were produced by ad agency Crispin + Porter & Bogusky who have been known to produce entertaining commercials.

Any readers think that the commercials are offensive?

My take.

McDonald’s has been able to increase market share in China by focusing on commercials that emphasize family and restaurant experience. While controversy creates buzz, this will not translate to global growth especially in more conservative climates such as Asia.

The future for fast food companies are unchartered territories such as China. I would advise Burger King to be cautious about maintaining their global brand.

After all, YouTube has become a video distributor. Potential franchisees in China can easily gain access to Burger King articles that have angered the American Family Association. My advice to the king, “lets tone it down, just a little.”

Top Food Related April Fool’s Jokes

Companies tend to implement a creative April Fool’s Joke for three main reasons

1. to project that they are fun
2. to gain word of mouth exposure
3. to increase web traffic and brand awareness

At the end, a well crafted April Fool’s joke relates to trends such as a down turn economy.
For instance, Taco Bell promoting a $.25 taco labeled “Taco Bailout Day” would turn some eyes and start a viral conversation.
They would serve green chili verde “money” sauce.

On April 1, 1996, Taco Bell claimed that it had purchased the Liberty Bell. {read Taco Bell source}

On April 1, 1998, Burger King started advertising a Left-Handed Whopper. The condiments were “designed” to drip out the right side. Rumors circulated that several eager lefties tried ordering the burger. {read Burger King source}

Jack is back. After the Superbowl commercial showing Jack in a car accident, he is back with a new look. A new logo featuring a trendy font.

In a recent campaign, Jack in the Box is using social media to increase traffic and gain exposure. The LA Times article details the pro’s and con’s regarding using social media in the food industry.

For a full of the Jack in the Box commercials, visit Hang in there Jack.

According to a recent article on Yahoo titled “Amercia’s Healthiest Restaurant“, the article rates fast food restaurants on healthiness. My former employerJamba Juice, not surprisingly is on top of the list. McDonald’s received a B+.

Traveling to Paris a few years ago, the French eat fast food but they also walk much more than Americans. More importantly, its all about portion control. Next time, think twice before super sizing it!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Lets celebrate with McDonald’s minty, slime looking shake.