Wetherspoon and McDonalds

In the United Kingdom there are two main places to score some cheap eats. As with every other country there is, of course, McDonalds, the king of the fast food industry. Its competition, though, isn't a fast food eatery. Have you ever hood of J.D. Wetherspoon's? Probably not if you aren't from the U.K. Regardless, the two are in direct competition across the pond.

An average meal at M.D.'s is right around the £5.00 for a Big Mac combo. That includes the burger, chips (fries), and a drink.

A chips'n'burger meal from J.D.W. is just over a fiver.

Which one tastes better? The pub food! There is just something to McDonalds food that taste a bit too frozen. However, everything at Wetherspoon's tastes a lot fresher. You see that is the benefit to eating restaurants over fast food. There is more time to cook food.

In McDonalds there is barely a minute to serve up the food as it's ordered. At Wetherspoon's they take the time to properly cook everything. After all, they have the room, time, and margin to allow customers some time. Moreover, they can make a lot of money from selling alcohol. Besides when can you ever order a beer at McDonalds (outside of Germany)?

Unfortunately the time it takes to cook the food can be exactly what there isn't time for. If you only have ten minutes to fill your stomach then obviously going to a proper restaurant isn't the best solution. Here is where McDonalds wins out.

Kids can be a toss-up. Some will prefer the fried taste of food while others will enjoy the juicy freshness. McDonalds also has toys and we all know how kids can go crazy for them. But what do kids enjoy more than toys? Desserts! And Wetherspoon's has a plethora to choose from.
The decor in most Wetherspoons will be greatly superior to its fast food relative. Families can enjoy a nice, relaxing atmosphere in a round table separate from the rest of the crowd. There are usually big, bouncy cushions for kids to have some fun on too. If it's a group of friends you wish to go out for, then you are definitely better off in the Wetherspoon's party atmosphere.

So basically it all comes down to a few things. Do you prefer taste? Is decoration and space what pleases you more? How about a few extra-or not enough-minutes to spare? Whichever you choose it's a battle between two giants of cheap food. You really can't go wrong for £5.00 either.