Friday Follies VIII
Table of contents for Friday Food Follies
As the Holiday season approaches I thought I’d share some festive colors and a bit of news that’ll make you smile. First, though, I have to report on the Grinch, English style…
The New International Face of Ronald McDonald
The English reputation as a land of cheesed-off, narky misanthropes has been validated once again. Seems with Christmas approaching, McDonald’s in England has begun to impose fines on some of its diners. The British newspaper The Guardian, through Fox News, is reporting that drive-through customers will be fined up to 125 British pounds Sterling (about $250 U.S.) if they take too long to eat and leave. Seems these folks don’t like to eat indoors, but would rather park and eat in their car. And they bloody well take their time, too! If they stay longer than 45 minutes, however, then Ronald the Parking Cop goes out and assesses a fine.
More details:
Motorists who care to linger over their McMeals for any longer at some drive-throughs are receiving demands from a private company that manages car parks for the burger chain. If they do not pay, the fee rises steadily and customers are threatened with court action and approached by bailiffs.
Of course, they’re really not that mean at Mickey D’s Steak House. A spokeswoman for McDonald’s said only about 40 restaurants are affected, and that you can have a nice leaflet explaining the policy if you’d like. A little something to read as you snarf down your Brit-favourite Big Mac and Chips. (Shoot, the Big Mac is so popular over there that they even serve them in schools.)
Hawaiian SPAM Mystery Solved
It’s no secret, Hawaii has always been the largest per-capita consumer of that indestructible comestible, SPAM. ever since its introduction in 1927 (It got it’s name in 1937, so this is officially SPAM’s 70th birthday, in the Year of the Pig), Hawaii has been in love with the product. They’re not the only ones who love this delectable, dare I say enchanting, grub? In the unofficial SPAM story we read:
Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia (where the fried balogna sandwich is the state dish) eats a sandwich of SPAM and mayonnaise on white bread three times a week. Nowhere on earth is SPAM more exalted than in Korea, where it is sold in stylish presentation gift boxes (nine cans to the box), and where there is a booming black market in SPAM.
There is even a song about SPAM, and plenty of poetry about it. The question is, what makes this stuff so popular, so mind-riveting? And especially for Hawaiians…
Well, the last question is now answered. Matthew Gray, former chef to the stars, has puzzled out the roots of Hawaii’s mysterious fascination with SPAM. It’s so revolutionary, so overwhelming, that I can’t even tell you about it here! (It’s the Code of the West, you know; and Hawaii’s about as West as you can go.) Indeed, you’ll have to set your Tivo to capture his show (”10 Things You Don’t Know About Hawaii,” subtitled, “Strange customs, weird places and local color of Hawaii;” December 19th, 8 PM ET/PT, on the Travel Channel) so you can see for yourself why the Islands are the place to be for SPAM cuisine. Part of the answer must lie in the succulent dish that is SPAM Musubi. Once you’ve eaten musubi, you’ll never go back to Poi with Vienna Sausages again…
Enjoy the Heat! (With Pineapple)
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