Thousands line up for last Big Mac in Iceland

Reuters ^ | October 30, 2009 | Omar Valdimarsson

[UAConservative]

REYKJAVIK (Reuters) - Thousands of Icelanders lined up at McDonald's restaurants to order their last Big Macs before the U.S. fast-food chain abandons the crisis-hit island at midnight Saturday due to soaring costs.

The world's largest fast-food company said earlier this week that all three of its restaurants in Iceland, operated by franchisee Jon Ogmundsson, would shut down October 31.

The outlets have been packed since the announcement, with lines at one restaurant on the east side of the city backing up out the door and onto the street.

At lunchtime Friday the outlet's parking lot was full and staff inside were working furiously to keep up with the soaring demand.

[Harold Shea]

" I could live without the blubber. "
Believe I`ll pass on the rams testicles as well

[mylife]

[mylife]

LoL! But the headcheese is fine by you eh?

[EggsAckley]

A little off topic, but........oh well.

[goseminoles]

I wish I remembered the “king” for the phobia thread. I have a phobia of the Burger King. Skeery!

[VU4G10]

Icelanders only eat this once a year during the Thorrablot festival.

Thorrablot - Iceland’s Midwinter Feast “Thorrablot”

The midwinter feast Thorrablot in Iceland is held at any time during the month of Þorri, which begins on the first Friday after January 19th (the 13th week of winter.) Thorrablot (Icelandic: “Þorrablót”) takes place in the coldest dark days of the year, and many of the foods served are the smoked/pickled produce of the previous year. It is a Scandinavian tradition with lots of viking history.

The Thorrablot celebration starts with dinner. For the midwinter feast, Icelanders serve what was normal day-to-day food for Vikings, and turn back to nature-made food

that was smoked, laid in mysa (a sour milk-product), salted, dried or kaestur (rotting and setting meat).

Sample plate in photo:

1.Hákarl (putrefied shark)
2.Blóðmör (filled sausage/black pudding)
3.Hrútspungur (ram’s scrotum with testicles)
4.Lundabaggi (sheep’s fat)
5.Svinasulta (jellied ham)
6.Svið (jellied sheep’s head)
7.Harðfiskur (bread spread made of fish)
8.Hangikjot (smoked lamb)

After the Thorrablot dinner, don’t be surprised at people’s bad breath (blame the menu)! Get ready for group games and old songs and stories, accompanied by Brennivin (Iceland’s strong schnapps). Later in the evening, dances start and often continue until the early morning when Thorrablot celebrations draw to an end.

[mylife]

He is Kreepy L0L

[mylife]

Oh My!

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

“(Iceland’s strong schnapps”

I believe I would want that first. :0)

[VU4G10]

[mylife]

Got a link to the phobia thread?

[Welsh Rabbit]

I'm surprised. I would have thought that McDonald's strived to taste the same everywhere.

From what I understand, McD's goes out of it's way to adapt to local tastes. In most countries the beef is local, and are different menu items for different countries. Even in the US, there are some regional differences; Maine sometimes has lobster rolls and the Southern chicken sandwich is not available in many states.

[Batrachian]

"McDonalds never made anything that came close to being food!"

I can't let this pass. The McRib sandwich is one of the finest culinary creations in the history of food, and I don't know how any rational person can say differently. And, let's not forget the Shamrock Shake. Tantalizing!

[ErnBatavia]

Perth and Fremantle. Lovely places. As are the women there.

The further west in Oz, the more beautiful the wimmins. I was in the lobster importing biz and the plants were all in Freo; used to love to eat at Kailis' Restaurant.

[Batrachian]

You must be a BK fan.

[dalereed]

I don’t eat fast food crap!