McArabia

Everyday on the taxi ride to school I pass argueably the nicest McDonald's I have seen, and of course its not in America. It's in Fes, Morocco. When in other countries I usually try not to make it a habit of visiting American establishments but we decided we would go at least once and wouldn't be the Americans showing up everyday for a taste of home. After class let out for the day a friend suggested we go study for a little bit at the McDonalds, which is only a quick five minute walk away. Since getting better my body needed food and had been hungry most of the time, so I figured that I could get a cheap snack that my stomach would be familiar with as well. The McDonald's property is among the only in town with green grass outside, partly because it actually has room to be spacious since it is on the outside of a main road that runs the edge of a sharp river valley connecting the Ville Nouvelle, Fez Jedid, and Old Medina. Looking at the building from the city side there are no other buildings adjacent, or packed next to it like most everywhere else in the city. After walking through the parking lot you first come to the 'Playplace' which is a separate building from the main two story structure. On our way in we pass Ronald McDonald sitting on a bench with a girl talking on her cell phone. I was somewhat disappointed he didn't have on yellow and red traditional Berber clothing, but I figured I couldn't expect it to have everything. Inside the restaurant was new, clean, and downstairs didn't leave many hints of Arab influence. I did like the flat screen televisions around the first floor playing the Euro Cup games that are going on right now. The menu was very much like in the states, you have your McFlurries and Big Macs. There is also the 20 dirham menu and a couple of regional options: the Royale Deluxe (similar to a "Royale wi' Cheese", if you have heard the Sam L and John Travolta dialogue) and of course, the McArabia. Leave to McDonald's to Mac attack an entire world region with a sandwich. The McArabia is essentially kebab shaped beef in a traditional bread pita. I didn't seem to be too popular among even it target audience. I snagged a small combo of the 20 dirham menu and headed upstairs to study with our group. The main room upstairs was rather impressive, it had a high roof with an artistic traditional wood planking covered in detailed painting. I was surprised McDonald's could produce quite a ceiling, even if by cheaper methods. From upstairs you can see the mountains surrounding Fes and a glimpse of the old city in the distance. It is a rather nice place to sit actually considering they have an outdoor patio on both levels. Here in Morocco, conversely to the U.S., the restaurant was a place for the middle and upper class families and young people. McDonald's is considered a nicer place in the city and quite modern. I realized how cheap you can find meals in the city sometimes, even in decently nice cafes because I found myself pushing the limit when I thought of paying five something dollars for a full meal at McDonald's. So far I think the most I have paid was about 40 dirhams which is about five dollars and cheapest 8 which is one dollar. But for a good sit down dinner it can cost closer to eight or ten. The food prices are something that I can't complain about here. That was my Moroccan McDonald's experience, and I would be challenged to find one like it in the U.S. But I do encourage to enjoy the dollar menu, its the only thing that hasn't follwed the establishment to Morocco.

~Andrew