unorthodoxchef

Many years ago, as I was reminded yesterday when I turned 32 years old, I was a member of the girl scouts. One of our field trips was to a McDonald’s in Ohio where we were given the grand tour of the restaurant and we were given a first hand look at what it takes to make a Big Mac and what makes it so unique.

The McDonald’s Big Mac consists of  two 1.6 oz beef patties, special “Mac” sauce ( Thousand Island dressing⁾, iceberg lettuce, American cheese, pickles, and onions, all served on a three part sesame seed bun. Hmmm, I want one right now.

Over the years, the Mac has gone through many stages  and variations. Of course, when it comes down to it you just can’t beat the real thing.

The Mega Mac

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The Mega Mac  has 4 1.6 oz beef patties and an extra slice of cheese.  It’s available in China, Ireland, Serbia, Japan, Turkey, Malaysia and Thailand, however it was discontinued in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, with limited availability in the United States and Canada.

 Monster Mac

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Here’s a heart attack waiting to happen.  The Monster Mac consists of 8 1.6 ozbeef patties and extra cheese. Discontinued in Germany.

Mckinley Mac

The Mckinley-Mac is made with two quarter pound patties. The Mckinley Mac was named after Mt. McKinley in Alaska, and also as the Bigger Big Mac, which is sold as an LTO product to celebrate the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

 Maharaja Mac

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Due to the large Hindu population in India, the Maharaja Mac was made with lamb instead of beef. However, it had now changed to chicken.

The Big Mac Wrap

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This new concept of a Big Mac wrapped in a soft flour tortilla in place of a hamburger bun is available in all Canadian McDonald’s locations, although Eat Me Daily reports that the wraps are also being tested in Houston, Phoenix, Milwaukee, and Michigan City. 

Mega Tamago

In Japan, there was a version with egg, called the Mega Tamago. This recipes called for the drop of one patty, with the trade up of an egg. It has since been discontinued and I have to say I’m glad.

Let me tell you, nothing could ever be better that getting dunked in a pot sink and then getting covered head to toe on your birthday with flour, ketchup, whipped cream, mustard, and whatever condiments seemed to find their way down your pants. lol

Ok, so maybe I’m the only one that’s ever had this happen to me.

The best part about working in a restaurant, or around food for that matter, is the fact that we just don’t take life so seriously all the time. It’s all about friends, family, and where the entire crew is going tonight to sing Karaoke. Or, it might even be where the nearest food fight/food wrestling is scheduled for the night.

So when your parents told you to never play with your food, it never really included extreme food sports. Did it?

The Matrix Food Fight

For those of you Matrix enthusiasts, this is more wicked than messy. Great moves, classic music, and a ton of creativity.

Banana Pudding Wrestling Mania

Every Thursday for six months in 2003 girls competed at President Sam’s Bar & Grill. Richard Everitt, the owner, chose to have them wrestle in banana pudding because “IT WAS ON THE MENU!”.

The Honey Crew

Bee-Boy dance crew drops dead. It is a fact of nature: When a honey bee returns to the hive after finding a good source of nectar, it will perform a unique dance for its hive mates. helpthehoneybees

The Historical Food Fight

An abridged history of American-centric warfare, from WWII to present day, told through the foods of the countries in conflict. The makers of this video have some amazing and innovative collection, so go check them out.

Sixth Grade Pie Throwing

Nickerson Grade School food drive award. This was too hilarious. What I would have gave to throw a pie at one of my teachers back then. matt3210

The Cocoa Wrestle

Hot girls in bikini’s and hot cocoa never looked so good. Enjoy gentlemen!

Jello Wrestling

Jello wrestling at Arlene’s Grocery NYC Gatlin Guns vs Our Lady of Perpetual PMS

Last night, I had the pleasure of dining with my Father at the Macaroni Grill, and aside from the fact I stepped on a sharp wood chip that went through my shoe and into the sole of my foot, I had a wonderful experience.

I had the Mama’s Trio that included Chicken Cannelloni, Lasagna, and Parmesan and my Father had a delightful Spinach Salad with Scallops with a bit of a pepper kick.It was truly wonderful, however I was still missing my favorite dish that was discontinued. Not because it wasn’t a quality menu item, but because consumers are afraid of trying something new or Unorthodox.

The dish was a Chicken breast pounded flat, dredged in Italian breadcrumbs, and sauteed to perfection. They garnished the chicken with arugula and a balsamic demiglace, along with a side of potato gnocci. Mmm! Oh Macaroni Grill, would please bring this back!

I can’t say enough about The Macaroni grill. They have qualified chefs working in the back, they are always consistent, and the service has always been wonderful. I’m a big fan and I know Italian, so this place is my choice for one of the best casual Italian dining restaurants.

As for Olive Garden, Bill Maher took a slam on his recent HBO special saying does anyone even eat at Olive Garden. They had the audacity to pull advertisement from Letterman because of ridiculous confrontation between Sarah Palins daughter Willow and Letterman. They personally thought it would make them look bad in the eyes of consumers. They already do!

The only reason why Olive Garden is still around is because so many people have no taste, and as long as those people continue dining there, they will shoot towards this particular demographic.

If you only knew what was going on in that kitchen, you might be able to make the same exact entrees with some frozen ravioli from Walmart. Yes, most of the pasta and sauces there are frozen. Yuck! Besides the breadsticks and salad, I’m not a fan and I’m not impressed.

Olive Garden never really took on the roll of an upscale Italian eatery; however, they still try to increase their wine menu and play around with their frozen meals to present a facade to the public. It hasn’t worked. The cheap decor, along with the ancient looking building and crappy service is enough for me to stay far away from this place.

So, if you’re willing to admit it, which one of these Italian Eateries do you frequent and why? Tell me what your favorite dishes were and what you would change.

Check out my New Ehow pages:

How to Select a Roast

How to Prepare Bottom Round Roast: Quick Tips

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Olive Garden

Macaroni Grill

Just today, I was thinking how nice it would be to have a Wendy’s hamburger since I had a free coupon and I hadn’t had one for a while. I also figured that I could get in and out considering every Wendy’s I have ever been at always gives fast and friend service. Well, the experience I had today has made me realize how low our standards have become as consumers.

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• Why is it that I waited in line for 15 straight minutes in a Fast Food Restaurant when there wasn’t one customer in the place except myself and my fiance?
• Why is is that no one even greeted me until I said “excuse me, can I order?”
• Why is is that the manager was working every station in the restaurant and his employees were standing around with thumbs up their butt’s?
• Why is it that Wendy’s claims to cook their french fries in 0g Trans Fat that the French Fries looked like they were cooked in grease from a 1 week old dirty fryer.
• Why do we as consumers keep spending our hard earned dollars on restaurants that give crappy service?
• Is it me, or when every table in the restaurant is filthy and their are 10 people standing in the back doing nothing, shouldn’t someone be getting fired?
• Are we supporting the American Dream of the Corporate Giants that are producing these mediocre products?

Is this a rant? You bet your behind it is! I personally find it utterly ridiculous that Small Business’s are going under become one time you had one bad experience with a previous owner or possibly an old employee and you just refused to go back. However, you found yourself right back at the corporate restaurant that served you raw chicken and horrible service.

Take a long, hard, look at this picture and just remember, that every time you put money into these people’s pockets, you are part of the problem.