Dutch Fast Food
STAY AWAY FROM DUTCH FAST FOOD. Just don't go there. Look for a McDonalds or a Burger King if you are that starved for a burger.
We've known for awhile that the mystery dishes served at "greasy spoons" weren't worth trying to figure out. But the sun was shining, the air was warm, and the flowers were blooming. Spring (and maybe some second-hand fumes) got into us. "Let's go for a walk," I suggest. "And we can get some lunch." Sounds great!
The walk was wonderful...no rain, no bitter cold wind.
The lunch was not. My hamburger was not real meat. I don't know how it could have been.
But Dan's sandwich was even worse. A "Filet Americain". Sounds a little scary...after all, do they really know what "American" food is, or is it in the title just to get people to buy it? (Cool Ranch Dorritos here are called "Cool American".) But this sandwich! There was no filet! There was no American! There wasn't any resemblence to anything we've had in the states. Our theory is that is was a chopped up croquette (we still don't know what a croquette is) in a tomato-like, mayonnaise, cheese paste. Slathered on a bun about a quarter-inch thick.
I still get the heebie-geebies when I think of it. Where are the Pop Tarts when I need them?
We've known for awhile that the mystery dishes served at "greasy spoons" weren't worth trying to figure out. But the sun was shining, the air was warm, and the flowers were blooming. Spring (and maybe some second-hand fumes) got into us. "Let's go for a walk," I suggest. "And we can get some lunch." Sounds great!
The walk was wonderful...no rain, no bitter cold wind.
The lunch was not. My hamburger was not real meat. I don't know how it could have been.
But Dan's sandwich was even worse. A "Filet Americain". Sounds a little scary...after all, do they really know what "American" food is, or is it in the title just to get people to buy it? (Cool Ranch Dorritos here are called "Cool American".) But this sandwich! There was no filet! There was no American! There wasn't any resemblence to anything we've had in the states. Our theory is that is was a chopped up croquette (we still don't know what a croquette is) in a tomato-like, mayonnaise, cheese paste. Slathered on a bun about a quarter-inch thick.
I still get the heebie-geebies when I think of it. Where are the Pop Tarts when I need them?
posted by Beth at 1:05 PM
3 Comments:
"Filet Americain"? I'll bet it's what happens to students who misuse their visas...
You are the sort of people that give American's a bad name by going abroad and being shocked and appalled by everything they see that isn't identical to what you would find at home. Filet Americain is pretty popular in Holland and Belgium as a course with frieds or as a spread. Like a Steak Tartar (you've heard of that right?), it's basically raw minced beef if you're interested.
OK, Anonymous, at least reveal yourself. I take issue with your comments. Combined, my husband and I have spent nearly a third of our lives overseas. I am just as appalled at many American treats, and quite frankly, it is part of the fun of living overseas - to find new things that we like and that we don't like. From the feedback we receive from actually interacting with local people (and getting invited back), we certainly aren't giving Americans a bad name. We eat what is served, but we don't have to like it.
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