My first trip to McDonald’s was sometime in 1983. I don’t remember the exact date but it was at the first McDonald’s in Pampanga, along MacArthur Hiway in Dau, Mabalacat. I would always order their cheeseburger and chocolate milk shake. I was just 9 years old then. In high school, I preferred their quarter pounder with cheese. They took it out from their menu a few years later. Then I don’t remember frequenting McD’s as much after that.
When my niece Isabel was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, she had to go to New York for her radiation therapy. (How I wish she’d been misdiagnosed. It would be preferable to hire a Bronx medical malpractice lawyer than to see her go through extreme medical procedures to fight her cancer.) She would always stay at the Ronald McDonald House each time. That made me a McD’s customer once again, even though my husband isn’t a fan of fast food – including burgers. I’m grateful to the fast food giant for accommodating my niece during those times. She is okay now!
My son became a McD’s fan when we went to Los Angeles for a vacation. Well, he really liked hamburgers after finishing one at “In-N-Out”. He would even refuse to call it “hamburger” but “kogi pang” (or meat bread). Since we don’t have an “In-N-Out” here, I just run to the nearest McDo for my son’s Happy Meal.
Anyway, I was at McDonald’s in Jongro today after shopping at Skinfood. That particular branch (Jongro3-ga) is convenient for me since the store is only a few meters away from the post office. I usually send my purchases (with all the samples) after completing them. Our small apartment already looks like a warehouse as it is 
For lunch, I tried the “Big Bulgogi Set” (#3). I forgot how much it is exactly but it’s less than 5,000 won. It was my first time to try that specially-made-for-Korea sandwich. Bulgogi is a famous Korean dish made of marinated beef. The burger has two patties, separated by a layer of buns, lettuce, bulgogi sauce and mayo. It doesn’t have tomatoes, onion and pickles. It tasted okay but it’s not something I’ll have again. It’s about 60 calories more than the Big Mac, not that I’m really counting. The truth is I didn’t really notice how it tasted since I was so hungry and I was listening to Mike Meyers narrate the story of a “jarin gobi” at his tbs radio program “Soul of Asia”.
I wish the McDonald’s here has “quarter pounders” or even “fillet-o-fish”. Instead of the latter, they have “se-woo burger” or shrimp burgers that I haven’t really tried. Maybe I’ll try it next time (like a month or so later) or I’d just order safely and get the ol’ cheeseburger.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I tried bulgogi burger of Loterria and I never liked the taste. I didn’t taste like the “usual” burger. Husband tried McDo’s shrimp burger but both of us decided not to have it again. Husband loves their bacon tomato cheese burger (i think). I love their egg mcmuffin. My tummy’s grumbling… hehe
giselle´s last blog ..Chuseok 2009
Hi Giselle! You should try Lotteria’s bulgalbi, it tastes better. I like their European Frisco and the Paprika bacon burger.
edi customize your burger…para makagawa ka ng your own quarter pounder…diba patty, pickles, tomatoes, onions lang naman ang veggies nya…and whatever sauce it comes with…o di ba
I haven’t gone back to Lotteria after the first visit. haha na-trauma. I’ll try what you recommended when we dine in again.
giselle´s last blog ..Chuseok 2009
Honestly Betchay, I really hate Mc Donalds here. Aside from it looks untidy when you come into their store, the burger itself really tastes far from the burgers that I had been used to eat.
Everyone, try grilled chicken burger in Lotteria. That, really tastes good!;-)