Weşandin: 08.10.2017
I've been working on this post for a while, there was always a lot to write down. I had made a list of restaurants I wanted to check out, but it wasn't always easy to find one of these restaurants when I was hungry! But when I wasn't hungry, I definitely passed by... So I visited some of them more than once, especially Tim Hortons, Blenz, and Starbucks.
I noted where I went to which chain, but they exist in both countries. However, certain chains can only be found on the west coast or only on the east coast... And so some restaurants remained unvisited: Jack in the Box, Fatburger, Carl's Jr, Shake Shack (but I still have time at the airport for Shake Shack 😊) But I will definitely travel to the US or Canada again soon and can check out these places 😊
This list is mainly for myself, so that I remember where it was good or not so good on my next vacation.
But one thing I know for sure and don't need memos to remind me: The coffee is the same everywhere... 😂
To answer two questions right away: No, I haven't gotten tired of this food yet. I didn't eat burgers every day. And I wouldn't order a hamburger now, that would be boring. I always order special burgers and it always takes me a long time to decide 😊 And the second question: Yes, I know the food is unhealthy. But let's not get into that topic 😊 At least my jeans still fit, that's a good sign 😊
Traveling is also about getting to know typical dishes, and for me, these chains are typical American - if you ask us Swiss people what is typical Swiss, we say fondue, rösti, raclette... In Canada, I was told: 'Oh, you went to Tim Hortons! That's so Canadian!' It's somehow something where people are sure about what to expect, because they can go to any state and have almost the same menus. That doesn't exist with Swiss restaurants. The 'Löwen' in XYintikon is not the same as the 'Löwen' in XYwil. And of course, Americans also go to these restaurants, because food is much more expensive in supermarkets! You shouldn't be surprised about their body size, for 2-4 dollars you can get a burger, 2 dollars for a bottle of water in the supermarket or 1-2 apples! Not that I think that's good, of course. But as a tourist or traveler, you also like to benefit from cheap prices.
USA:
- In-N-Out Burger (especially around LA), very good, special secret menus available online. Freshly prepared, you can tell! Especially: Cheese-covered fries or the 'Double Double' burger! I will definitely go there again!
- Starbucks (also a lot in Canada...): Boring because it's well-known, but often the only option! I will definitely go there anyway 😊
- Denny's: I really like it. It's so typical American and should not be missed on any road trip. It was also very delicious. Best diner!! I will go there again!
- Panda Express: Chinese Food, fried heaven 😜 Nowhere else can you find such delicious honey-glazed chicken pieces! I will go there again!
- Yogurtland: Brainfreeze! But sooo delicious and so many fresh ingredients to choose from! I will go there again!
- Bubba Gump Shrimp: Overpriced and not special! I will NOT go there again!
- Johnny Rockets: njooooom 😍 Great burgers! But not special. If it's the only option, I'll go there again.
- Cinnabon: The BEST cinnamon buns! I HAVE to go there again!
- Baja Fresh: Very affordable burritos! If I had to choose between Taco Bell, Baja Fresh, and Chipotle, I would probably choose Chipotle and Taco Bell instead, but it was also very tasty there.
- Dryer's Ice Cream: The best! I actually like it better than B&J! I will definitely eat it again.
- Ben and Jerry's: of course 😊 Fortunately, we also have it in Switzerland 😊
- Cheesecake Factory: No words needed! Best cheesecake! And also very diverse! I will go there again!
- Burger King: I actually only went in because of the chicken Parmesan sandwich! 😊 But if you crave fast food in Switzerland, you almost have to go to BK or McDonalds, so I'll probably go there again, even though I only go to McDonalds at home - you can hardly believe it based on the pictures - about twice a year!
- Taco Bell: Mega delicious! Totally convinced me, also with the prices. I will go there again!
- Checkers: Has a great selection. I will go there again!
- 5 Napkin Burger: It tasted ok, but nothing special. I will NOT go there again.
- Ruby Tuesday: The salad bar was interesting, the steak tasted good. But it was a bit carelessly arranged. I will NOT go there again!
- Dunkin' Donuts: Very practical, there are many of these branches on the highway because they are open 24 hours. All the donuts and muffins are delicious! I will go there anyway 😊
- ihop: I saved that until the last morning. You don't find these restaurants so often in the cities, mostly on the highway... ihop is known for their pancakes. I was surprised, ihop was the restaurant where I had to wait the longest for a table since the Cheesecake Factory in July. There was also no Wi-Fi, which I'm used to by now 😂 And of course, the food wasn't delivered immediately like at fast food restaurants. But that also speaks for the fresh preparation. I ordered pumpkin spice pancakes with ice cream and peach pieces. The wait was worth it! The ice cream scoop slipped off the table, hihi, but it was mega 😊 And the price! 7.29 with coffee! Now I feel like buying gingerbread spice and sprinkling it everywhere 😂
Canada:
- Blenz Coffee: Great for on the go, newly discovered drink: Cold Brew (cold coffee with ice cubes 😊) MEGA delicious cinnamon bun 😍😍 I will go there again!
- Tim Hortons: It's everywhere in Canada, but that's a good thing! Super tasty donuts and muffins (ooh the pumpkin spice muffin 😍!) I also tried chicken wraps and toasted club sandwiches, they were very tasty (fresh!) Oh, and 'Timbits'! I HAVE to go there again!
- David's Tea: There should be something like this here too! Such a great store! I HAVE to go there again.
- McDonald's: The visit was totally unnecessary, because we have it too, but at 2am it was the only place open 😊😊 I devoured a very delicious Angus burger there! I will definitely go there again 😊
- DQ: mmmh a burger with mushrooms 😍 That was something different and also very good! I would go there again sometime.
- Chipotle: tastes very fresh and doesn't even seem that unhealthy! I will go there again!
TacoTime: mmmh! Very original menus! I will go there again!
- A&W: Mega delicious onion rings! Root Beer: acquired taste 😜 I would go there again just for the onion rings.
- Hooters: Ordering a salad and onion rings was not a good idea, way too much! But it was delicious! But I don't necessarily have to go there again!
- Domino's: 'Cinnastix' and 'Parmesan Bread Bites' were very tasty, but too much for one person. Ordering pizza there would be interesting. Maybe I'll do that in Switzerland 😊
- Wendy's: The 'Bacon Deluxe' burger was tasty, but not exceptional. The breakfast burger with chicken that I ate on Fifth Avenue was good, it was also a slightly different kind of bread than the usual English muffin or croissant or roll you get! An advantage was also that the restaurant was practically empty, so you could sit down without any problems!