(Editor's note: This post was inspired by a real column I read in the Port Aransas South Jetty written by Lisa Shelton. Enjoy it yourself by going to www.portasouthjetty.com/news/2012-06-28/Opinion/DINING_OUT.html )
Going to McDonald's Restaurant is an easy drive west from Manor... 6.5 miles straight down Highway 290 through the light on Springdale Road and on the right. You can't miss its attractive, neon-lit "Golden Arches" sign that evokes the image of two delectible french fries being playfully pushed together by the hands of a delightfully chubby toddler enjoying his umpteenth Happy Meal!
And under its tastfully-designed red double-mansard roof, one can see a fantastic childrens' playspace that looks to be so much fun that, were it not for the fact that I am about 200 pounds over the posted weight limit, I, too, would be happy to frolic along with the hordes of joyful children who regularly enjoy playing in it.
Upon entering the eatery, one notices with pleasure the minimalist hard-plastic tables and chairs that are bolted in place on the floor. Though no-nothing cynics might suggest they are meant to discourage loiterers from dilly-dallying, thereby allowing room for the next hurried customer, it would be far more logical to believe that the food offerings of this fine establishment are so incredible that to linger long would be grossly unfair to the rest of the hungry citizens of the city who clamor for its fit-for-a-king fare.
I was offered my choice of what seemed like a million deliciously thirst-quenching beverages offered for the benefit of their summer-parched customers. I chose a tall to-go cup of unsweetened tea (as you know, I am watching my weight), filled with lots and lots of pleasingly cold and crunchy ice, and it was breathtakingly wonderful in the extraordinary level of its unsweetenedness! Other amazingly gratifying drink offerings include Coke, Diet Coke, Dr. Pepper, Sprite, Hi-C, POWERade, Minute Maid Lemonade, and, well, the list goes on and on! So refreshing!
I was served a veritable smorgasbord of appetizingly fried foods. At first glance, I was worried that, since they were all cooked in the same hot grease or on the same grill, they would all end up tasting the same. But boy, was I wrong! I first tried a fancy European-sounding dish they called the "Filet-O-Fish" sandwich, which turned out to be a mouthwatering whitefish fillet with a whole half-slice of cheese on a steamed bun. It was served with a yummy tartar sauce that had just the right mix of creaminess and pickleness. The well-seasoned fish tasted incredibly fresh, almost as if it had just been yanked out of the drainage pond out back and skillfully prepared by the loving hands of a gourmet chef!
I moved on to what many might consider the star of the McDonalds's menu-- a ginormous, double-hamburger-pattied heavenly gift to Earth they humbly call the "Big Mac". The list of its flavorful ingredients, if it were to be read aloud, would no doubt sound like poetry to the ears of the famished populace, and it would also make great lyrics for a catchy song (hey, song-writers of the world, I give that idea to you free of charge)!
The "Chicken McNuggets" were next on my taste bud adventure! Another win! These rich and savory little beauties were perfectly seasoned and expertly cooked to a fine and agreeable crunchiness, and were made even more scrumptious when dipped in any of a large selection of piquant sauces. Best of all, I was pleased to discover that I help make the world a better place by eating these tasty bites, since they are made from mechanically-separated chicken meat that might otherwise go to waste (picture below).
A new taste adventure for me was what they referred to as a "Premium Salad". I don't usually waste my hard-earned eating-out-at-a-restaurant dollars by ordering so-called "healthy" items from a menu (I have a personal policy of not eating anything that originates in the dirt), but this salad turned out to be an ambrosial concoction of crunchy iceberg lettuce and other green things covered with a more-than-generous amount of cherry tomatoes. I was stunned when I heard one could make it even better by topping it off with a large dollop of Chicken McNuggets for just a nominal extra charge! Well, when you factor in the customer's ability to order extra dressing, that makes it a must-have in my book!
I would have to say the McLobster (usually available only in New England) was the highlight of my visit to this utterly charming restaurant. Imagine eating a huge sandwich stuffed with succulent yellow lobster meat that is perfectly seasoned and cooked just right! The meat was moist and dripping with flavor and prepared perfectly. I thought I had died and gone to heaven!
To my delight was the dessert selection! From a divine soft-serve ice cream that I would swear was hand-churned, to the most fantabulously tasty home-made-like cookies I have ever had, I found it extremely difficult to decide which one of the numerous sweet offerings was my favorite. I finally decided that the Baked Apple Pie topped them all! The perfectly baked, cinnamon-and-sugar-sprinkled joy was simply luscious, and I had eaten at least three of them before I finally had to stop. I tell you, that taste brought tears to my eyes!
As I struggled to make my way to the door, I actually didn't feel very well. I think it was my body's way of telling me that it was sad that we had to leave this magnificent place of fine dining. I am now thoroughly convinced that one visit to McDonald's, and you'll be a customer for life!
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