Reviewing the McDonald’s Southwest Salad (or, why it is unlikely anyone will ever give us anything free again)
Sometimes, when you are part of the team behind the 17th most successful blog in the greater Edmonton metropolitan area, you are given certain perks. Sometimes, people say, “Hey, would you guys like to try our new product and/or service in exchange for some publicity?”
This is often very nice, and very flattering.
Most recently, we were approached by fast food giants McDonald’s to review their new Southwest Salad. We were a little divided on whether or not this constituted an Edmonton story but, eventually, based on my well-documented love of salad and my unshakeable logic that there are McDonald’s restaurants in Edmonton, Jeff relented, I pulled up the tape divider I had created in the center of the room, and well, here we are.
It's salad time, buddy!
I would like to begin by saying that while I don’t UNDERSTAND why McDonald’s has tried to position themselves as a more upscale, health-conscious restaurant of late, I certainly RESPECT their right to do so. I think it’s nice that little kids can get apple slices instead of fries, and I can get milk with my Filet O Fish, and that my Last Airbender toys aren’t covered in lead paint, or whatever. Because it’s all about moderation.
Anyway, the very generous PR folks at McDonald’s gave us a $25 gift card to try their new Southwest salad. This made me a little uncomfortable, because I was once in the dating pool, and I know that when someone buys you dinner, whether they say it or not, certain things are expected. Would I like the salad? Would I be barred from McDonald’s if I did not?
In the end, we obviously made the decision to use the entire $25 gift card in one outing. Because, as my mother has been telling me on a regular basis since I was about 11, “Why must I always insist on being a complete jackass?” Also, because how could we fairly judge the salad without comparing to $16 worth of other menu items?
Here is what we purchased:
1 Southwest Salad: $7
1 Hot Chocolate: $2
1 6 piece McNugget combo: $6.50
5 Double Cheeseburgers: $10
total: $24.49
I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t nervous at this point.
Opinion: Don’t give money to the homeless
The givers not knowing where their money’s going
Is as sinful as throwing away
- Cold War Kids, “Passing the hat”
By: Janine Edwards
We’ve established already that I’m an uncaring human being. If you are unaware of this, perhaps you should pay closer attention to my Letters to the Editors. If you’ve previously been offended by my point of view… you really aren’t going to like this.
Homeless people are ruining our city.
‘But Janine! They can’t help it. They’re addicts, they’ve had a bum deal, they are victims of an uncaring society.’ Bah.
There are places out there to help them. Lots of places. Okay, now we’re all recessionary… But there were tons of homeless even when we had staff shortages.
Now, in the style of our soon to be ruler of Colberta, I’m putting the Homeless on notice. (more…)
