Donald Trumpâs appearance in criminal court on Monday has raised many questions, constitutional and otherwise, but on the evidence of the first day I find myself most curious about the former presidentâs McDonaldâs order. During jury selection last week, the Daily Mail reported on a $700 (ÂŁ560) McDonaldâs order put in by Trump staffers that included 27 orders of fries, 27 quarter pounders, a bunch of nuggets and no drinks. A McDonaldâs employee complained anonymously that they didnât leave a tip â in line with everyone who eats at McDonaldâs â but still.
Anyway, this week, the Trump order was down to $500, although the Mail couldnât confirm the itemised details due to management having cracked down on staff leaking. And while these orders were presented as âhugeâ, the fact is â a much commented on reality in New York â McDonaldâs prices have gone through the roof in the last year and $500 doesnât go far. (Youâre lucky to get in and out for under $50 if you go in with two kids.) Which is shame because a quarter pounder with cheese with a cheeky cheeseburger on the side isnât banal, itâs sublime.
My dad had an irrational hatred of McDonaldâs so even when we got fast food, we went to Popeyes or Taco Bell or wherever. In college, I lived off Burger Kingâs dollar menu. But if you donât have a positive childhood memory of the McDonaldâs taste, it just tastes like chemicals. And if you donât already know what they sell, it sucks going there. I went with a friend once and I was like, âDo they have a list of items they sell or is it all just combos I have to deconstruct?â People were annoyed because I was taking too long to order and I was like, âMotherfucker, Iâm reading the menu. I donât know what they call shit here.â
Iâm not above eating fast food. I get a hankering for other places occasionally, especially for breakfast. But to this day, every McDonaldâs item tastes really funky to me.