Canada | Ubiquitous Food Cravings

For those in Canada, you may have seen the new ad’s for McDonald’s latest McMini sandwich, the Zesty Mango McMini. This is the 3rd sandwich in the line, the other two being pesto and Thai. You get either grilled or breaded chicken. Upon first glance, it’s a rather strange flavour combination for a fast food chain like Mcdonald”s. Their efforts to briefly step away from mainstream burgers and fries to adapt to the diverse palette most people have these days is admirable. I want to first state that I have not eaten this sandwich or any of the other McMini sandwiches simply because McDonald’s is not a common item in my diet. In fact, other than a quick breakfast while moving into town, I can easily count on one hand my visits to McDonald’s in the last few years. It’s not just McDonald’s that I’ve stepped away from, but most fast food chains out there. But back to what I was saying.

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I haven’t eaten this but my mother has and she’s strongly encouraged me never to eat it. A simple question turned into a very heated review of her disappointing experience with the sandwich. I suppose she was hoping for something more flavourful. Instead she remarked that the bread was soggy, the chicken rubbery and the sauce of little taste. All in all a bad sandwich and one that should be avoided. She doesn’t have a total hate for McDonald’s so please don’t consider this her latest disapproval of the entire menu; she just really disliked this one. And since she and I have fairly similar tastes, I suppose I shall take her up on her advice and keep my $2.00 or so for something more appetizing (every cent counts as a broke student lol). However don’t take her word for it or mine. Go out and try it for yourself and if you do, please report back. I’d be interested in hearing other people’s reviews!

The Rainforest Cafe experience is highly kitschy, unique and appealing to the senses. I remember when the restaurant used to have multiple locations in Toronto and my family often went when I was younger. I even attended a birthday party there which is an experience I’ll never forget. Unfortunately, the only two places left to experience it in Canada is either in the Niagara Falls area or at Yorkdale mall. On another shopping trip, my family decided to head over to Yorkdale mall which instinctively created a craving for both my sister and I to eat their famous dessert. With most franchised restaurants, the menu doesn’t have highly unusual food but it remains fairly consistent and hits the spot when you’re hungry.

Their menu changes from time to time to keep things new and innovative but one classic remains; the volcano. Their iconic volcano dessert never slips my mind and there are many days where I’m left craving the luscious dessert. I would have gladly just eaten the dessert but the family decided to make a meal out of the entire thing and see what was on the menu. A favourite of my parents had sadly disappeared on the menu so we decided on two other dishes. We shared the food so that we could save room for the highly filling dessert. (more…)