I can totally imagine getting thoroughly overwhelmed with all the new food choices when abroad, and occasionally needing to retreat to the familiar.

The first time we went to Japan, Pete was not yet very adventurous about food. So yes, we did eat at a McDonalds in Tokyo. Once. Out of self-defense, because neither of us spoke a word of Japanese, and we were feeling very overwhelmed.

ND is right about the first Hard Rock Cafe being in London, and I believe that one of the purposes was so that people could have a hamburger in London. If I'm in London, I'd still rather have a meat pie.

A quick shameless plug for my blog, in which I discuss discovering New Orleans food (since we are talking about food tourism.)

Tonight we are going to the Bacchanal, as recommended by smonster!

I ate at a McDonald's in London once on New Year's Eve, but that's because all the other restaurants around Trafalgar Square were closed for New Year's Eve. We were often gobsmacked by the marketing differences in Britain. (Some tourist things cost more during the off season, because, you see, fewer people came....) We stayed across the street from a McDonald's in Sydney, so we grabbed a few quick breakfast there when we had to head out early. They had plain toasted English muffins with single servings of jam or Vegemite.

I'm really curious what they serve in McD's in India, where cows are sacred.

The Maharaja Mac! (Which I thought was mutton-based, but that article claims it's chicken.)

We went to Pizza Hut in India. I was so confused about the "capsicum" on everything.

Having eaten there, NO. McDonald's burgers totally better.

I don't know who designed Wimpy burgers, but they had never tasted anything from anywhere near America. You can't change burgers to make them more British. Or, you shouldn't.

the hotdogs at Leicester Square are hands down better than anything I've ever eaten in the US.

They are good, if I'm thinking of the same ones you are - but the wild boar hotdogs at Borough Market in Southwark are among the best things I've ever eaten. In any category of food.

I wouldn't eat there all the time, but I like McDonald's (especially their breakfasts) and get irritated when Brits are snobby about it. It's a great formula that works. Same with Starbucks, where I spend hours (more for the wifi and comfy seats than the coffee, on account of being a tea drinker). Although my local cafe's little pots of tea usually win out over free wifi eventually.

I always go to the McD's at Schipol Airport when coming home from visiting my bro. It's cheap and up on an elevated platform so you can people watch in comfort. I get dessert from one of the cafes there though--my last chance at real pastry.

I've been known to occasionally have some sort of American chain food while in a foreign country. I lump it into comfort food. I don't typically eat it but sometimes it is nice. Consider that much of my travel is also for business which can get lonely and boring.

Where are you now, ND?