Opinions on Mac Donalds needed for Radio 5 interview tomorrow

[Carriemumsnet]

Hi all

Justine's going to be on the Victoria Derbyshire phone in tomorrow morning 10-11am

The topic is:

It's now 50 years since McDonald's opened its first store in the US. Obviously since then its become a global power?but with the film super-size me and the anti-obesity campaigning, we are asking - "Has McDonald's had its day?"

Obviously because of how McDonald's markets itself towards kids and families, parents opinion is vital in this. Does the parent of today still take the kids to McDonald's for a birthday treat?once a month treat?or do we really now feel too worried about what's in the food? Do we think giving our kids a bit of what's bad for them as a treat is actually a good thing?or is it that we're actually impressed with the moves McDonald's have made to introduce healthier options..and after all - they know how to keep the children entertained!

Your views please!

Thanks as always

dd1 noticed the golden arches much more in france than over here...

Oh, just read the thread and hardly anyone seems to consider it a treat!

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we have chips from the chippy once every couple of weeks. with lots of ketchup.

I take dd1 (9) there about once every 6 weeks or so. She is a very fussy eater and its about the eating place I can take her to where I know she will eat the food without any bother, where I don't have to spend 10 minutes telling a waiter how and what to prepare for her, and where I can have a milkshake which I absolutely adore. I love their fries too. Our local mcd's is usually very fast, pretty clean, and the food hasn't been standing for ages. Its pleasant enough to sit there, and she loves getting a toy, and comes out happy and with a full tummy. She also had the best party of her life at mcdonalds - couldn't fault it, excellent value for money, great games and prizes, very nice and jolly staff and all the kids had a fab time.
I wouldn't want to eat there all the time, but its very handy.

I wish there was an organic fast food place, somewhere properly child friendly - i.e. they're welcomed and there are staff who understand about them - with FAST (and this is important when children are baying with hunger), decent food. It wouldn't have to be cheap, I don't expect cheap necessarily, I think often you get what you pay for but I would just love to be able to buy healthy (really healthy, not McD's version of healthy) fast food, I really would. But since this wonderful place doesn't exist (although proper restaurants do, I know) if we're out I carry raisins, apples, bananas, mini sandwiches with me atm.

dp's family make a living making and selling v tasty cheap authentic (probably not healthy) street snacks in a town on an island. His uncle respectably supports an extended family of 10 from his one mobile stall. McD's moved into the island, and offered lots of 'planning gain' to the local council - BUT stipulated that if they were granted permission, the council would have to revoke the licenses of the street vendors.

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cafe rouge ggggrrr have been there 3 times in 3 different places and had to wait over 45 minutes for food. Personally, I don't think that's acceptable when you have small children.

I end up going to McD because it's convenient at the time (always near large shopping centres or retail parks). Having said that, we've only been twice this year so it's not like we're going all the time.

The best restaurants (for the children and us) have always been those that are run by people who aren't born and bred English. Our previous local Chinese restaurant adored the children and did a fantastic special kids meal (with proper food like rice and vegetables etc.) and the Indian restaurant has special children's portions (smaller and milder versions of the adult meals).

I agree.

Because apart from the fact that vinyl and plastic just doesn't cut it any more, you can't escape it, and people are beginning to get sick of that.

Even if you don't go the ads are atill everywhere and your child will know what the place is. I think people are wising up to the junk marketing bit, and moving away from all that.

If i'm looking to feed my children away from home, I look for an ikea (pasta always works) or I get a picnic if it's dry.

Blu, that's disgusting. But doesn't surprise me.

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mn hardly typical, imo

Cod, i honestly don't know anyone who takes their kids!
But it is obviously atypical in general, just from looking through Mcd's window!

I recommend Olley's Fish and Chip restaurant in Herne Hill, S London - excellent fish and chips, very good children's menu of smaller portions, kind Italian staff.

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Mn isn't typical, I agree. Carrie even spelled it Mac Donalds in the thread title! Do you not go there either Carrie?

I do take DS (4) to McDs & I'm one of the ones that 'before kids' always vowed never to set foot in the place! Its quick & easy and a sure fire hit. I think they are trying to make things more healthy & give better info so at least they are trying to improve. I'm not too bothered if one of his meals once in a while is 'trashy' as the rest of the time he eats a balanced diet. Although I tend to think that most of the time he's more concerned about the toy than the chicken nuggets! I think he's be just as happy if we bought him a plastic toy without the food!

there's a lovely "posh" chippy in muswell hill, won all sorts of awards and the portions are MASSIVE

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i find that funny, that they call mcd's a "restaurant"!

but isn't a chippy pretty unhealthy if it comes to it?

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cod, speeding thread please