I did, they did. You can tell on current production, too. Some have a bit of black from an eye, or a slight green hue from the skin. They're not chopped and formed, otherwise they'd all be uniform. They're not. They're all different sizes and shapes (within the fry cut shape, that is). They have imperfections.
It's not the fries, it's the oil they use anymore. McDonald's changed from using beef tallow to something else several years ago to please Indian consumers and Muslims.
That could be true, I guess. But there is a distinctive difference between how they used to and do now. They only are palatable if you eat them there right away.
Regardless, the preparation and storage is completely difference now. NONE of their fries are blanched in advance now. Right out of a plastic bag or box into the approved fryer.
Yep, McD uses real potatoes, they just process them at the factory instead of at the restaurant.
Burger King uses some kind of chopped/formed concoction.