Mad Max

While in Norrland (northern Sweden), I had to try the native burger franchise. I'd been to Max before, but always in southern Sweden, and it had been a while, so even though I never really appreciated the place, I gave it a go.

Where: The outskirts of Örnsköldsvik (if there is such a thing in a community of that size). The restaurant sits a the foot of a skijump slope.
Burger: The "Max burger". A very fresh thing, made to order. Topped with tomato, onion, lettuce, ketchup and "white dressing" (=mayo), the burger looked nice, giving a fresh impression and all, and was of a good size. But the meat just isn't there: it's got absolutely no taste. And when I break off a piece of the patty to taste it, I still don't notice it. Boring! The rest of the ingredients are all good, but there's no punch, no presence. Might as well order a salad!
Drink: Self-served coke. No free refills though
Side 1: Fries. Thin-cut and well prepared. Salt at your own discretion. All good.
Side 2: Onion rings. Crisp, tasty, perfectly fried onion rings. So much onion taste, yet good batter. Clearly the highlight of the meal and the one area where Max beats Burger King hands down.
Cost: 84 Skr. OK considering the size of the meal.
Question: Why not set up a decent ordering system? First I have to order my burger from person 1, who tells the kitchen what to prepare. Then I have to tell person 2 what I just ordered, plus which side order I want. He then tells me I should've ordered my onion rings from person 1, but person 1 only seemed interested in burgers. Person 3, who's making the burgers, then needs four attempts to not put cheese on my burger. Each time person 2 has to remind him not to do it. Each time person 2 is too late. Clearly person 1 didn't pass on the order, which makes her redundant in this process. At least that's what I think happened, but it could be I got confused from having to wait for too long while being very hungry.

Downhill Burger

This is a special entry in the sense that it's not about a typical burger joint; it's about the lunch I had while taking a break from downhill mountain biking the ski-slopes at Lindvallen, Sweden. Downhill mountain biking is my new favourite hobby: it's fast, intense, tricky and exhausting, even without pedaling.
We had a few rides in the morning to get used to the hills and bikes and then a few faster ones because it's so great. Then we needed to catch our breath, because when you get tired and lose concentration you'll end up on your face in one of the fast bends. So we had lunch, and this is just an excuse to talk about downhill mountain biking.
After lunch it started raining. The biking was still great, but the slopes got slippery. Worst of all though was riding the ski-lift uphill: it was freezing cold.

Where: At the top of Lindvallen Bike Park, Sweden
Burger: A typical, what we in Sweden would describe as Sibylla-burger: bun, fried patty (not too much beef-taste), lettuce, tomato, onions and hamburger dressing. The burger is the sauce: a sweet, yet fresh, pink sauce. Probably a mix of ketchup and mayo, but neither can be singled out, with a hint of pickles. Yummie sauce, non-descript burger.
Drink: Coke, for some extra sugar when battling the hills in the afternoon.
Side: Nachos. Probably they didn't feel like firing up the fryer in the summertime. The nacho chips aren't bad, just way out of place.
Cost: Some 80 Skr all in all. Over-priced, of course, but not worse than expected at this location.
Question: One I've been asked regarding this blog: where are the photos?

top 5 franchises - no. 4: the king

Roadtrips to Germany (or the Netherlands) usually mean Burger King. You see, the big flaw of the King is that it didn't open in Belgium. Come to think of it. there wasn't one in my hometown Norrköping either. Maybe I'm doomed to live far away from BK? Maybe that's why I like it so much?

Where: Burger King, Autobahn, Western Germany somewhere
Burger: First of all there is the Whopper, the benchmark of consistency: the veggies are fresh and tasty, the mayo and ketchup are abundant, the bun is toasted and the meat is barbecued and delicious. The final product is a burger pregnant with taste, where all ingredients can be identified and yet blend together perfectly. Just great!
Then there are the extras. This time I went for a special barbecue burger (can't remember the name now and can't find it on the online menu either). See, the key to Burger King's great taste is that their meat is barbecued, not fried. This particular burger consisted of the usual bun, two smaller patties, two deep-fried onion rings and typical American barbecue sauce, which is sweet, smoky and has some spark to. It's a great little burger and the best way to enjoy the BK onion rings. Lots of taste, of course dominated by the meat and the sauce. Just the way I want it.
Drink: Sprudelwasser
Side: Fries. The BK fries have rather specific taste. I like them, but I know a lot of people don't. Thin-cut and long is what they are in any case. Dipped in Heinz tomato ketchup they are the perfect side.
Cost: €7.68, after 50 cent toilet discount. A bargain!
Question: Well, there's only one, I suppose: When are you coming to Belgium?