Oh no - the European treats have real butter in them!!!
And less sugar. Most of what you find in the US is too sweet.
Oh no - the European treats have real butter in them!!!
We have been in many McDonalds.
The most beautiful one so far for us one in Porto, Portugal. Historic building, fabulous stained glass.
Never eat the food. Strictly for the restroom, coffee, OJ, water, or beer depending on where we are.
Only slightly? Get a rope...She commented how much she missed Whataburger (a Texas thang, I guess). I'll begrudgingly admit that Whataburger is slightly better than McDonalds, but only slightly.
Whataburger is definitely a Texas thang, LOL!
I don't eat there either. Mom loved their jalapeño cheeseburger.
Actually hamburgers have proliferated throughout Europe now, with pubs and cafes offering them because they're popular to tourists from all over.
But they're often $10 or $15 and they're not that good.
Yeah, DH ordered steak tartare in Paris and they didn't even cook it! ;-)
Good to know. Do they typically have waitstaff or is it more commonly counter service?
Waitstaff.
One of the really cool things about Europe is you never need to worry about finding someplace to eat or drink. Restaurants, cafes, and bars are everywhere, including inside museums. They are for a relaxed stop - no rush. People sit back and chat or people watch or read their paper or personal electronics. To go is really easy too - bakeries, on just about every block, inside train stations no, etc., have a selection of freshly made sandwiches you can grab for the train or for a picnic.
Just an Italy specific tip.
In Italy the neighborhood "bar" is where you go for coffee, pastries, sandwiches. If you sit at a table, they may charge a surcharge. No surcharge if you stand at the counter or take it to go. Off the beaten path - less touristy places, they rarely charge.
In many restaurants (osteria, trattoria, ristorante) there is a table charge. This can range from 1 euro to a few euro. That is basically paying for your seat as long as you want. So if you pick a nice outdoor cafe - and settle in for people watching - you can stay as long as you want. But you'll pay this table charge whether you are there for 10 minutes or 3 hours. As others have mentioned, they won't rush you out, and you'll have to ask for a check. Keep in mind that tipping is much lower (usually a euro or two... )
In some, more touristic places, they might be ruder and bring you your check in hopes you'll vacate your seat and they can get someone new in. That is the exception, however.
I have used McD's as you've described - a place to grab an inexpensive refreshment, get off my feet, use the bathroom, and enjoy the AC. (Apple stores don't have much seating. Although there's a really nice one right in the heart of Aix en Provence.) We haven't really gone there for meals - just a quick hydration/potty break.
Met, and spoke with a wonderful older lady who, much to her children's distress, was travelling the world by herself for several months at a time. Her husband had died.
I didn't think this was allowed. Too dangerous and all of that..... Well, you know.... She might be tempted by some young, smooth talking, foreign gigolo....
Fuego - as far as the kids and napping - that's one of the reasons we prefer apartments vs hotels. Our experience was that if we went back to a hotel for naps - either the room wasn't made up yet - or the maid was in there making it up.... Didn't matter what time of the day, how late in the afternoon. With apartments you're in charge of making your own bed - so no maids interrupting kids' (or adults') naps. Much nicer when travelling with kids (or husbands who nap.)
We're past the point of kids needing naps - but we still enjoy taking a break from the heat in the afternoon before going out again in the evening.