The Lost McDonald’s Menu Items
Ever wonder what happened to the McDLT? How about the McLean Deluxe? Anyone you remember the McJordan? You know, the quarter pounder with bacon and bbq sauce? Let’s take a look at these and others…
McLean Deluxe - The McLean Deluxe was marketed as a healthy alternative to McDonald’s regular menu. It was released in the United States in 1991. It had a reduced fat content compared to other McDonald’s hamburgers. This was achieved through use of 97% lean beef and the addition of carrageenan to the meat. The McLean Deluxe was originally designed as a replacement of the McDLT. Like the McDLT, and despite performing well in taste-tests, it did not sell well and was dropped from the menu in 1994. (from Wikipedia)
McDLT - The McDLT (McDonald’s Lettuce and Tomato) was sold in a novel form of packaging. The meat and bottom half of the bun was prepared separately from the lettuce, tomato, American cheese, pickles, sauces, and top half of the bun. Both were then packaged into a specially designed two-sided container. The consumer was then expected to finalize preparation of the sandwich by combining the hot and cool sides just prior to eating. The company discontinued the sandwich in 1990 due to the move away from the environmentally unsound styrofoam packaging which was integral to the McDLT “experience”. The McDLT is perhaps best remembered for its marketing, which focused on variations of the theme “Keep the hot side hot, and the cool side cool.” (from Wikipedia)
Grilled Chicken Flatbread Sandwich - These actually weren’t that bad, the first time you tried one. After that, something just seemed off about them. The consisted of grilled chicken strips, lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, pepper jack cheese, and a creamy herb sauce served wrapped in a heated flatbread.
Pizza - Yep, McDonalds had pizza. I remember seeing it a few places, but don’t remember if it was around here or not. Here is an article from the NY Times back in 1989 talking about the bold, yet unsuccessful, idea.
McDonalds Crabcake - As far as I know, this was only in Maryland and maybe southern Delaware down by the beaches. Was anyone brave enough to try one? Was it real crab? Seems like this person said it didn’t taste too bad, but not very good coming back up.
Any others that you can remember? I left the McRib off the list, because it still comes back from time to time, and it’s flat-out awesome.
September 11, 2008 at 7:55 amSuccess In The Rain: DuClaw Real Ale Fest A Great Time During The Storm
As the spin-off from Hanna came through Maryland, many had their outdoor plans ruined. But at DuClaw Brewing Co. in Bel Air, the good times rolled on regardless. Originally scheduled to be outdoors, the Real Ale Fest, put on by DuClaw and 11 other breweries, merely moved inside as not a single person seemed to mind the rain. Surely all the beer helped.
Each of the 11 visiting breweries brought two casks of beer, while DuClaw provided six casks of their own specially conditioned ales. All attendees flowed through the building from table to table enjoying the brews and were provided with an extensive spread of beer-friendly food, provided by DuClaw’s kitchen staff. As with most beer festivals there were some highlights and some lowlights.
At the lower end of the satisfaction spectrum, Pub Dog provided a pale ale I could only describe as disgusting. I immediately dumped it out. Not far behind that was Brewer’s Art’s pale ale, which tasted severely funky, although I could choke it down. But enough about the poorly crafted beers, because there were many outstanding brews on tap. DuClaw led the charge with a double dry hopped Hellrazer (American pale ale) that was to die for, an Alchemy (oatmeal stout) infused with molasses and a satisfyingly fruity Misfit Red (amber ale) with raspberry.
Flying Dog also brought some good flavor with its 2008 Beer World Cup gold medal winning Gonzo Porter. This beer was so rich and smooth that it was easy to see why it got the gold. Franklins raised some eyebrows with its imperial stout that was like a meal in a glass and Clipper City rounded out the impressive handful with its Loose Cannon Hop3 Ale which assaulted you, in a good way, with hops galore. The citrusy kick and floral aromas made an experience of the sample.
Even though the event only lasted four hours and cost $45 for admission, the all you can eat buffet and all you can drink beer made it worth it. Not to mention the fact that a portion of the proceeds went to the Fallston Animal Rescue Movement (FARM), which showed up to the event with some dogs in need of good homes.
September 9, 2008 at 9:41 amKFC’s Secret Recipe - A Matter of National Security?
Kentucky Fried Chicken, oops, I mean KFC, has hired off-duty police officers and private security guards to help transport the original secret recipe for their fried chicken to a new, temporary location.
From the AP article:
Colonel Harland Sanders’ handwritten recipe of 11 herbs and spices was to be removed today from safekeeping at KFC’s corporate offices for the first time in decades. The temporary relocation is allowing KFC to revamp security around a yellowing sheet of paper that contains one of the country’s most famous corporate secrets.
The biggest prize, though, is a single sheet of notebook paper, yellowed by age, that lays out the entire formula — including exact amounts for each ingredient — written in pencil and signed by Sanders.
Are you serious? This has to be nothing more than a marketing stunt, right? KFC doesn’t even have the best fast food fried chicken (FFFC for short) out there. That would belong to Bojangles. Go ahead, try to argue with that!
[photo credit: bizmac]
September 8, 2008 at 9:05 amRed Robin coming to Bel Air
Wondering what was going to replace Cactus Willie’s at Harford Mall? Turns out the space is going to be occupied by a new Red Robin. Could a Sonic be far behind?
Stacey over at Bel Air News and Views uncovered a press release on the Red Robin website from September 4th announcing the opening, as well as a fundraiser to occur on the September 22nd grand opening.
Continue reading Red Robin coming to Bel Air
Real Ale Festival 2008 to be held at DuClaw’s in Bel Air this weekend
On Saturday September 6th, from 12-4 pm, DuClaw Brewing Company in Bel Air will feature ales from 12 local breweries, along with live music, all for a good cause. A portion of the proceeds from The Real Ale Festival 2008 will benefit FARM (Fallston Animal Rescue Movement).
Tickets are $45, and may still be available online at http://www.duclaw.com/marketing/realalefest/tickets.aspx.
Participating breweries will include Barley and Hops, The Brewer’s Art, Clay Pipe, Clipper City, Pub Dog, DuClaw Brewing Company, Flying Dog Brewery, Franklins, Growlers, Oliver Breweries Ltd., The Raven, and Red Brick Station.
Continue reading Real Ale Festival 2008 to be held at DuClaw’s in Bel Air this weekend
Harford’s Food Facility Inspection Violations for July 2008
Each month the Harford County Health Department conducts routine inspections of 1,893 food service facilities. Some pass, some fail. These are their stories…
Below are all the critical health inspection violations for Harford County in July, 2008. We are focusing on the restaurants and eating establishments, so we are conveniently leaving the convenience and grocery stores off of our list.
Continue reading Harford’s Food Facility Inspection Violations for July 2008
Chew On This Poll: Favorite Reality TV Cooking Show
In essence, all cooking shows are “reality tv”. What we are talking about in this poll are cooking shows that are competition-based and end with a single winner.
While it is a true cooking competition, I decided to leave out Iron Chef and Iron Chef America, due to the one-off competitions on each show.
Here are the candidates (with wikipedia or tv.com descriptions):
Continue reading Chew On This Poll: Favorite Reality TV Cooking Show
The Chew Review: Roy’s Restaurant, An Excellent Choice For Baltimore Restaurant Week
Baltimore Restaurant Week is supposed to provide common folk like myself with the rare opportunity to dine like those in a higher tax bracket. Every time it rolls around, my girlfriend and I attempt to taste something expensive and new for a more reasonable price. Last time didn’t work out so well when we tried to go to Ruth’s Chris and there was a carbon monoxide leak. The way the establishment handled the cancellation of our reservations was less than satisfactory and to make a long story short, we will never attempt to dine there again. But this time around, Baltimore Restaurant Week was good to us. Why? Because we went to Roy’s Restaurant, and this establishment delivered with amazing service and delectable food.
Continue reading The Chew Review: Roy’s Restaurant, An Excellent Choice For Baltimore Restaurant Week
National Comedians To Appear at Havre de Grace Restaurant
The Laurrapin Grille, located at 209.N. Washington Street in Havre de Grace, will welcome two popular comedians to their restaurant on Wednesday August 20th. Jim Florentine and Don Jamieson will be in town to perform 2 sets of stand-up comedy, and to promote their new VH-1, “That Metal Show”.
The Laurrapin Grille is located at 209 N. Washington Street, Havre de Grace MD, 21078, and their phone number is 410-939-4956.
Tickets are $15.00. Show time is 8:30 PM & Last for approximately 2 hours.
Anybody interested in going and providing The Chew a review of the show and food?
August 13, 2008 at 8:15 pmSlow to the Finish Line - Aberdeen Greene Turtle Still Delayed
First the sign said “Coming Fall 2007″.
Now the date is just missing.
What could be delaying the opening The Greene Turtle in Aberdeen? The building appears close to finished, but remains empty inside. A source from the franchising and business development office for the restaurant chain tells The Chew “…that location is still waiting on permitting from the city. I know they were really hoping to open the doors by the end of this year, but I have not heard any updates of late”.
Could this be related to the city’s water problems? Maybe someone in the know could chime in and leave a comment. But for now, here’s a preview of what may or may not come to Aberdeen…
