Why Focus on Fast Food in America?

The context: a question many viewers always ask me...

Friends, the latest vlog on my YouTube channel has dropped, and this type of video always prompts the same comments:

“Why do you only show fast food”

“Fast food is terrible. Go to Mom and Pop places”

“There is more to America than fast food”

Listen, I get it. But here’s the thing…

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Fast food is terrible, but it’s also brilliant!

Yes, fast food is bad for you, and yes there are a lot better and more nutritious options - especially in America, a land where there is just so much good food.

But there are several reasons why I still go to fast food restaurants and share them in videos regularly.

First and foremost: I enjoy eating it.

That’s right. I enjoy it. I especially enjoy seeing all the different kinds of fast food in different places that we do not get in the UK.

Then there’s the culture.

I enjoy the culture behind fast food - which transcends generations and is undoubtedly an intrinsic part of our culture and childhood memories in the West.

When I was a kid, a trip to McDonald’s was an adventure.

Fast food is deeply ingrained in our culture in the West, and as a result, fast food videos become a curiosity and people enjoy watching them (fast food videos are popular on my channel).

Lastly, convenience and cost.

On the day I shot this particular vlog, I’d driven the whole day. Maybe 10 hours or more in total, as we left Flagstaff in Arizona, drove to Utah to Monument Valley, and then ending up in Paige, Arizona, some time after 9PM.

I was exhausted. Sorry, I’m not going to the extra hassle of looking out the best food options under these circumstances.

And then there’s the cost. Eating while traveling in America is VERY expensive - more-so than just about anywhere else I’ve been. Fast food provides an affordable option during long road trips.

This does not mean I don’t enjoy all of the amazing homemade food and types of food around America. In fact, I feature all of it on my channel and LOVE it all!

But I’ll also keep my sharing fast food adventures as and when they appear.

So on to this week’s video:

Sonic Drive-In, commonly known as Sonic, is a popular American fast food chain best known for its unique drive-in dining experience. Founded in 1953 in Shawnee, Oklahoma, Sonic combines traditional fast food with nostalgic carhop service, where customers park in covered stalls, place their orders via intercom, and have their food delivered directly to their car - often by servers on roller skates.

This retro-style approach sets Sonic apart from other chains, creating a fun, convenient, and distinctly American experience. The menu features a wide variety of items, including burgers, hot dogs, milkshakes, and the brand’s iconic slushes. Now owned by Inspire Brands, Sonic has over 3,500 locations across the United States.

Hope you enjoy this week’s video!

Shaun