Micky D's...ya know, I don't hardly ever stop there anymore, but I would have starved to death in college without them.
Part of the McDonald's charm for me IS the unhealthful food choices. I go there when I am tired of eating right. A Big Mac and fries will fulfill my cravings for starch, salt, grease and cholesterol. Two "all beef" patties... plus I get special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun!
What would I like to see? Customer service sux around here. The employees are rude, and slow (mentioned before). When I was in high school and a bunch of my friends worked at McD's they all ran around with that smile planted on their faces like they would immediately be vaporized if it slipped. Now, I am reminded of wanted posters when I walk in. Cleanliness is either not what I remembered or it has gone down hill also. But, like I said, I think most of the problems are regional, I stopped at McD's the last time I went home and it was pretty much as I remembered. So maybe what I want is some sort of continuity from one part of the country to the other. I also wish that my Big Mac was hotter...can we calibrate those heat lamps, please?
I am glad to see that there are some menu items being added that are geared to a healthier eating style, but I just don't see McDonald's as my healthy food center. It is my escape from reality to a slower, less hectic memories place.
As for the discussion on the Atkins Diet. Being part time in the health field through my volunteer rescue squad work, I haven't talked to a nurse, doctor, or PA yet that recommends it for the long haul. Many of them will say, go ahead and use it to jump start your diet efforts if you are extremely overweight. But, once you've lost the first twenty pounds, switch back to a healthy eating and excercise plan. There is no information out there as to long term effects, but remember the first "version" of the Atkins all protein diet? Heart attack city.