American restaurants in Spain

Davidwigl · 30th December 2006, 05:12 AM

This is kind of following up on the question about Starbucks. Which American (or international) restaurant chains are in Spain? I would love a list to show to my friends and say "Yes Spain has McDonalds too!" Has anyone seen a Taco Bell? I've seen KFC and Pizza Hut, but not Taco Bell. I think I read somewhere that Taco Bell hasn't started in Spain, but I could be wrong. What about Wendy's? It's been awhile since I've been in Spain, so I'm sure I'm missing some. Anyways, here's my list. Feel free to copy this list and add on:

1. McDonald's
2. Starbucks
3. Burger King
4. KFC
5. Pizza Hut
6. Subway

richardksa · 30th December 2006, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davidwigl

1. McDonald's
2. Starbucks
3. Burger King
4. KFC
5. Pizza Hut
6. Subway

Isn't that enough?? Does anyone know if the French Chain "Flunch" are in Spain yet.

omeyas · 30th December 2006, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richardksa

Isn't that enough??.

About six brands too many!

ValenciaSon · 30th December 2006, 02:19 PM

Lets not get too anti-american here. No one complains that FNAC is found in many locations or any other eurochain.

richardksa · 30th December 2006, 02:37 PM

It's not really anti-American, more pro European. In the UK we have Walmart disguised as ASDA, but I have always prefered E. Leclerc or Carafour of France (and Spain) because of their layout, diversification and prices. Tesco in the UK seem to be copying the continetal model so it seems we can learn something from the French. Ditto for FNAC, although I am sure there are excellent US equivilents. But as I like my coffee to last and not disappear in two mouthfuls, I like Starbucks too. My first ever meal eaten in Spain was at Burger King, because it was familiar to me and there is not a good Spanish equivilent.

Those six in the original list show that the US is well-represented. I mean, there are hundreds of the various outlets and they must be finding favour or they wouldn't last, but Europe is Europe and, with the exception of the UK, keen to keep it's own identity.

Edith · 30th December 2006, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omeyas

About six brands too many!

If you are in a hurry and need to grab a warm bite before boarding another train, a slice of Pizza Hut pizza may come in handy! I don't think Pizza Hut is so bad compared to the pizza (pizza?!!!) they served at the centro comercial near my hotel in Tenerife...

Davidwigl · 30th December 2006, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edith

If you are in a hurry and need to grab a warm bite before boarding another train, a slice of Pizza Hut pizza may come in handy! I don't think Pizza Hut is so bad compared to the pizza (pizza?!!!) they served at the centro comercial near my hotel in Tenerife...

I never actually ate at Pizza Hut, Telepizza was my thing!! It was so good!

ValenciaSon · 30th December 2006, 03:04 PM

Those fast food businesses do not fairly represent the US. It is merely an image that can be packaged efficiently and sold to who ever. I didn't read any "pro-european" statements but rather groans for more of those businesses. What is pro-european anyway? Doesn't each country have its own distinctive uniqueness in Europe? If not then why are there so many Europeans (UK included) migrating to Spain? It seems to me that a business will thrive only if the local population will sustain it.

Edith · 30th December 2006, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davidwigl

I never actually ate at Pizza Hut, Telepizza was my thing!! It was so good!

Oops, Telepizza... I'm not sure we are talking about the same thing but I think the restaurant in el centro comercial belonged to that chain... their pizzas were dripping with grease, and they used Spam in their toppings!

ValenciaSon · 30th December 2006, 03:17 PM

Now if you really want to eat great, kick-ass pizza from the US, you have go to New York and eat at Ray's Pizza, not the Pizza Hut crap dished out in your neck of the woods. You won't see Ray's Pizza in Europe but you will certainly find it in Manhattan, New York, NY, USA. There are others which you similarly won't find anywhere else but in the US. My point is; don't characterize my neck of the woods by what you see peddled in yours or in movies.

omeyas · 30th December 2006, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ValenciaSon

Lets not get too anti-american here. No one complains that FNAC is found in many locations or any other eurochain.

I for one don't complain about FNAC, but that's only because I don't know what it is. As for "anti american", it doesn't worry me where it comes from, it's still comida basura, and I personally wouldn't cross the road to eat it.
http://www.elmundo.es/elmundosalud/2...139314976.html

ValenciaSon · 30th December 2006, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omeyas

I for one don't complain about FNAC, but that's only because I don't know what it is. As for "anti american", it doesn't worry me where it comes from, it's still comida basura, and I personally wouldn't cross the road to eat it.
http://www.elmundo.es/elmundosalud/2...139314976.html
http://www.ourcivilisation.com/diet/fastfood.htm

Because what they sell you is "comida basura" it doesn't fairly represent what we have to offer. But remaining closed-minded will prevent one of ever realizing what else is out there other than what one chooses to be confined to.

Dave_K · 30th December 2006, 03:57 PM

Famous Ray's is awesome. It's unfortunate that we don't have pizza like that in Washington. I always try to work in a trip to a pizzeria for "real pizza" when visiting my parents in northern NJ.

Back to Spain, near my suegros' apt in Madrid there is a pizza delivery place that has copied Dominos Pizza's color scheme and almost everything else down to the last detail, except it's called "Dominick's" instead of "Dominos".

Edith · 30th December 2006, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ValenciaSon

My point is; don't characterize my neck of the woods by what you see peddled in yours or in movies.

Hey ValenciaSon, you are preaching to the choir here...

Besides, I don't see the difference between European junk food and American junk food except that European junk food isn't always produced by food chains. In Holland, the very same people who thumb their noses at McDonald's will eat greasy fries covered in mayonnaise, ketchup, satay sauce or even in a combination of these sauces... or equally greasy meat balls accompanied by the same stuff. Or frikadel (Dutch meat loaf).

<--- "patatje oorlog" = fries with mayonnaise and satay sauce

EDIT

There is even a snack called open been (stasis ulcer in English - yep, right, we are talking about a leg wound here) which consists of a frikandel sausage sliced open, and with several sauces and diced onions on top. The name itself tells us a lot about the sophisticated food preferences of the people who eat this kind of snack. ;-)

ValenciaSon · 30th December 2006, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edith

Hey ValenciaSon, you are preaching to the choir here...

Besides, I don't see the difference between European junk food and American junk food except that European junk food isn't always produced by food chains. In Holland, the very same people who thumb their noses at McDonald's will eat greasy fries covered in mayonnaise, ketchup, satay sauce or even in a combination of these sauces... or equally greasy meat balls accompanied by the same stuff. Or frikadel (Dutch meat loaf).

<--- "patatje oorlog" = fries with mayonnaise and satay sauce

EDIT

There is even a snack called open been (stasis ulcer in English - yep, right, we are talking about a leg wound here) which consists of a frikandel sausage sliced open, and with several sauces and diced onions on top. The name itself tells us a lot about the sophisticated food preferences of the people who eat this kind of snack. ;-)

Quote:

Originally Posted by omeyas

About six brands too many!

I can see how american fast food can be viewed as undesirable

Edith · 30th December 2006, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ValenciaSon

I can see how american fast food can be viewed as undesirable

And here for some true health food, the frikandel speciaal... ¡buen aproveche!

Doesn't it look scrumptious?

ValenciaSon · 30th December 2006, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edith

And here for some true health food, the frikandel speciaal... ¡buen aproveche!

Doesn't it look scrumptious?

Wow, now I really want to go to europe!

Edith · 30th December 2006, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ValenciaSon

Wow, now I really want to go to europe!

To tell you the truth, this picture has ruined my appetite to the point that I don't even feel like making supper tonight!

ValenciaSon · 30th December 2006, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davidwigl

This is kind of following up on the question about Starbucks. Which American (or international) restaurant chains are in Spain? I would love a list to show to my friends and say "Yes Spain has McDonalds too!" Has anyone seen a Taco Bell? I've seen KFC and Pizza Hut, but not Taco Bell. I think I read somewhere that Taco Bell hasn't started in Spain, but I could be wrong. What about Wendy's? It's been awhile since I've been in Spain, so I'm sure I'm missing some. Anyways, here's my list. Feel free to copy this list and add on:

1. McDonald's
2. Starbucks
3. Burger King
4. KFC
5. Pizza Hut
6. Subway

7. Hard Rock Cafe
8. Planet Hollywood
9. Tony Roma's
10. Hooters'

Brian · 30th December 2006, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ValenciaSon

9. Tony Roma's

The cuñado is a big Tony Roma's fan.

30th December 2006, 05:12 AM	#1
Davidwigl Forero Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: North Carolina, USA Posts: 9	American restaurants in Spain This is kind of following up on the question about Starbucks. Which American (or international) restaurant chains are in Spain? I would love a list to show to my friends and say "Yes Spain has McDonalds too!" Has anyone seen a Taco Bell? I've seen KFC and Pizza Hut, but not Taco Bell. I think I read somewhere that Taco Bell hasn't started in Spain, but I could be wrong. What about Wendy's? It's been awhile since I've been in Spain, so I'm sure I'm missing some. Anyways, here's my list. Feel free to copy this list and add on: 1. McDonald's 2. Starbucks 3. Burger King 4. KFC 5. Pizza Hut 6. Subway

30th December 2006, 03:17 PM	#10
ValenciaSon Hero Forero Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Silver Spring, Maryland, USA Posts: 4,923	Now if you really want to eat great, kick-ass pizza from the US, you have go to New York and eat at Ray's Pizza, not the Pizza Hut crap dished out in your neck of the woods. You won't see Ray's Pizza in Europe but you will certainly find it in Manhattan, New York, NY, USA. There are others which you similarly won't find anywhere else but in the US. My point is; don't characterize my neck of the woods by what you see peddled in yours or in movies. Last edited by ValenciaSon; 30th December 2006 at 03:29 PM.

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30th December 2006, 02:19 PM	#4
ValenciaSon Hero Forero Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Silver Spring, Maryland, USA Posts: 4,923	Lets not get too anti-american here. No one complains that FNAC is found in many locations or any other eurochain.

30th December 2006, 02:37 PM	#5
richardksa Jedi Forero Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Madrid Posts: 1,852	It's not really anti-American, more pro European. In the UK we have Walmart disguised as ASDA, but I have always prefered E. Leclerc or Carafour of France (and Spain) because of their layout, diversification and prices. Tesco in the UK seem to be copying the continetal model so it seems we can learn something from the French. Ditto for FNAC, although I am sure there are excellent US equivilents. But as I like my coffee to last and not disappear in two mouthfuls, I like Starbucks too. My first ever meal eaten in Spain was at Burger King, because it was familiar to me and there is not a good Spanish equivilent. Those six in the original list show that the US is well-represented. I mean, there are hundreds of the various outlets and they must be finding favour or they wouldn't last, but Europe is Europe and, with the exception of the UK, keen to keep it's own identity.

30th December 2006, 03:04 PM	#8
ValenciaSon Hero Forero Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Silver Spring, Maryland, USA Posts: 4,923	Those fast food businesses do not fairly represent the US. It is merely an image that can be packaged efficiently and sold to who ever. I didn't read any "pro-european" statements but rather groans for more of those businesses. What is pro-european anyway? Doesn't each country have its own distinctive uniqueness in Europe? If not then why are there so many Europeans (UK included) migrating to Spain? It seems to me that a business will thrive only if the local population will sustain it.

30th December 2006, 03:57 PM	#13
Dave_K Super Forero Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 201	Famous Ray's is awesome. It's unfortunate that we don't have pizza like that in Washington. I always try to work in a trip to a pizzeria for "real pizza" when visiting my parents in northern NJ. Back to Spain, near my suegros' apt in Madrid there is a pizza delivery place that has copied Dominos Pizza's color scheme and almost everything else down to the last detail, except it's called "Dominick's" instead of "Dominos".