OK, sue me. I ate McDonald’s while in Spain.
If it makes it any better, it was during an airport layover, between Mallorca and Barcelona. And I was eager to see what they had on offer in a different country. AND I had avoided the triumvirate of KFC, Burger King and “Dunkin Coffee” on Las Ramblas.
As we stood in line and tried to make sense of the all-Spanish menu, I spotted the specialty “McIberica” burger: a beef patty with jamon iberico, Manchego cheese, olive oil, lettuce and tomato. I was fascinated, and took out my little point-and-shoot Canon to document the sign. Immediately, a teenage employee in a black visor shut me down. “No. No fotos, por favor.”
As an American journalist, my first thought was “Oh, HELL no.” And I was tempted to take the shot anyway. But I knew I wasn’t dealing with the First Amendment here, so I put the camera away, not wanting them to confiscate the memories of my trip. Not without more than a little bitchface, though.
If you don’t speak Spanish (and I barely do), the video notes that the McIberica special was introduced to celebrate McDonald’s 30th year of business in Spain. Hey, we’re the same age.
I didn’t order the McIberica, since we’d just eaten our weight in jamon while traveling through Barcelona. But now I wish I had. You can get a “cuatro de libra” (Quarter Pounder) stateside.




































Leeanne Griffin is a freelance writer and food enthusiast.