The eastern states have a startling dearth of fast food restaurants. There is no question that McDonald's is ubiquitous everywhere. Burger King has a toehold. With effort, one could locate the occasional Hardee's, but I have no interest in ersatz Carl's Jrs. Taco Bells are as rare as wheat pennies, and Jack in the Box is a wholly western creature. There may be some other regional players, like the near-legendary White Castle. I did not get into the upper midwest, where they are said to roam, but in a 29-state trek across the United States I saw only one, next to a highway offramp, like a penned buffalo at a roadside "trading post."
Why do easterners put up with this deprivation?
And if I recall correctly from our road trip many years ago, the drink sizes in gas stations also shrinks the further east you go. I gather we live in the land of plenty and wealth out here in the west.
Posted by: Matt Shanker | 10 July 2009 at 10:57
Most of the country is barbaric when it comes to fountain drinks. Even here in N. California, if you can even find a gas station with a soda fountain you'll be lucky if they have six flavors.
On the other hand, TeAh ordered a large orange juice from a McD's in Portland, Maine, and they delivered 32oz of pure orange goodness. She ordered a large OJ at a Sonic in Kansas, and she got a 12oz cup, loaded with Sonic ice and a wee dram of something orangish. There needs to be an ISO standard for drink sizes.
Posted by: Dan | 10 July 2009 at 11:31
Talk to the EU about standardizations before you damn the USoA, Master Jackalope! You might, rather, next time ask what the cup size is and "no ice."
Posted by: Dad | 10 July 2009 at 23:18
Besides, some liberal weenie would shurely protest my 104oz Jug O' Cola as being to boog wa zie (sorry, I speak Korean not French), and too environmentally destructive to be allowed. Government intervention in our fountain beverage choices? I say Nay NAY! We are westerners, we are rich in fountain drink flavors and will not tolerate the intrusion of pathetic easterners and their dainty little girl cups and paucity of choice.
Posted by: Chris | 13 July 2009 at 11:48
How do people live without Taco Bell? My poor unborn baby would starve without the plentiful availability of Chalupas and Baja Blast Mtn Dew (though I notice that WoW Alliance MD is similar)...
Posted by: Jen | 13 July 2009 at 12:36
I served my mission in the Panhandle of Florida. I don't know about the rest of the south but as for the part of Florida there were the best food places. There here the Hardies, and all the normal places, there were Taco Bells, but there was also Firehouse Subs. I miss that place and McAlistairs, CiCi's pizza... there are less "drive thoughs" but they have a lot of quick service places you have to go into to get service. I really miss the food down there.
Posted by: Tasanee Campbell | 20 July 2009 at 09:48
Tasanee, I believe that Daniel feels Hardies is an evil corruption of Carls - he insisted that we avoid them. Funny... I don't know what he thinks of Carls itself. (yeah, I think they're pretty much identical these days, but bias is bias) :'D
The biggest problem we find back East is there is so much darn vegetation that you can't see what the heck's out there.
Posted by: Dad | 24 July 2009 at 12:38