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Original poster

Alternatives to McDonalds?

45 replies

harlot · 15/09/2006 17:32

I completely agree with the tirade against junk food (jamie oliver et al) but am finding it really difficult to find high street alternatives to the demon McDonald's. I think Social Services have started staking those places out looking for bad parents, so won't risk it

Has anyone found good quality / reasonably healthy 'fast' food (i.e. not a sit down restaurant where you have to wait 20 mins to get your meal) in kid sized portions at any of the chains I'd find in central London? I end up buying adult-sized sandwiches and snacks for my daughter at places like Pret, Costa, etc. Are the dept store cafes the only (slightly depressing) options for kid stuff?

Thanks!

OP posts:

MaloryTowersTheOriginal · 15/09/2006 20:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Surfermum · 15/09/2006 20:34

We go for small cafes that serve homemade soup. DD's favourite is a big bowl of what we call "dragon" soup (pea and ham) and crusty bread.

FillyjonktheBananaEater · 15/09/2006 20:34

giraffe?

threebob · 15/09/2006 20:38

In NZ McD's ds has

Burger meat and bun (no relish)
Packet of apple pieces
Bottle of water

I'm not sure how I would I would get much healthier than that for a takeaway.

Heathcliffscathy · 15/09/2006 20:40

i second:

nandos
wagamama
giraffe

all three pretty good imo

wagamama healthiest of the three

chestnutty · 15/09/2006 21:30

Went on Nandos website. Nearest they say is 15 miles away but the town in question is more like 20 miles away, hardly local.
Thumbs up for subway BTW.

Twinkie1 · 15/09/2006 21:32

NANDOS NANDOS NANDOS NANDOS NANDOS NANDOS NANDOS

Ok not strictly fast food but as near as damn it and very scrummy - DS even eats it - well puts it in chews it and spits it out - and DH can eat 2 whole chickens s he truely a happy man!!!

hoxtonchick · 15/09/2006 21:35

wagamama is excellent. both ds (4.5) & dd (14 months) are very happy to eat there. and so am i!

Original poster

harlot · 15/09/2006 21:36

thanks for those suggestions. sounds like it's mainly sit down restaurants then, or hunting out little independent places. Will check out Subway and the Pret half sandwiches, though.

I don't understand why more of the cafe/ sandwich chains aren't doing kid-specific meals. When i'm out shopping by myself with kids in tow, i don't really want to sit down (on my own like a 'no mates'!) and wait to get my order taken, wait to get food, wait to get the bill. Mind you, you're made to feel like an obstacle when you turn up anywhere 'adult' with a buggy, so maybe they don't want us cluttering their shops!

OP posts:

ghosty · 15/09/2006 21:40

In Shopping mall food halls we would have chinese noodles or sushi ...
Or we will have sandwich/panini type thing from a cafe.
I don't think McDs is that bad if it isn't every time you go out .... but if you are out and about a lot then obviously finding an alternative is what you need to do.
Agree with threebob with the burger, apple and water option ... do they have that choice thing in McDs in the UK - where you can change your chips for a bag of apple slices and change your drink for a bottle of water? My children never have coke or milkshake at macdonald's but always have a bottle of water?
Subway is very popular alternative in NZ ... they are everywhere.
And of course, Nandos ...

Kelly1978 · 15/09/2006 21:41

I like nandos (love their peri peri chicken burger thingys), but chiquitos is a good alternative too, very welcoming to children.

threebob · 16/09/2006 02:39

I did a lot of eating at subway with a previous job - and I actually don't think it's very healthy at all - processed protein - iceberg lettuce, unripe tomatos and bread that easily has as little nutrition as a McDonalds bun.

NotQuiteCockney · 16/09/2006 08:06

You can get brown bread at Subway, which has to be better than the white. And there can be a reasonable amount of salad in a sub.

I don't actually eat at Subway often (haven't for years) but still think it's better than McD's.

auntymandy · 16/09/2006 08:08

pizza?
We sometimes get the pizza hut family deal when out shoppin!
Alternativly dont eat!!!

redbull · 16/09/2006 08:09

try burger king

Kif · 16/09/2006 20:36

I think a Pret - so long as it has sitting down room - can be a good choice. My local one presents fresh fruit attractively so Dd always asks for some, they do good croissants, 'thin' (i.e. half) sandwiches and lots of salad type things that are very approachable. Everything always tastes fresh. Only thing is that I always rack up quite a bill in there!

Personally I'd rather McD than pizza hut. McD chicken nuggets aren't so bad these days; swap the chips for fruit or carrots and choose juice or orange juice. By contrast, pizza hut is v. salty and fatty - and they have unlimited coke refils which is asking for trouble.

colditz · 16/09/2006 20:44

Iu lurve Pizza Hut. I love the buffet, all that yummy pasta and pizza!

Stodge, glorious sodge!

colditz · 16/09/2006 20:46

ooooh, and chinese buffet.

Toothyboy · 16/09/2006 21:01

Another vote for Nandos! Especially the spicy nuts (we always buy a takeaway box as well !)

littleducks · 16/09/2006 21:19

I love subway, and i only eat the veg option so there's not much variety for me! Its franchise though so standards do vary between branches, my favourite is edgeware road. The bread is fresh baked (might be previously frozen i admit) lettuce, tom, cucumber, green peppers, olives, gherkins, jalopenos and sweet onion sauce.
I got so addicted i started making them at home!

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