Order McDonald's Filet-O-Fish French-Style For A Flavor Change
When you think of French food, you probably imagine ordering baguettes like a Parisian local or grabbing a morning croissant. You probably don't picture a beret-wearing Frenchman strolling along the Champs-Élysées carrying a McDonald's Filet-O-Fish sandwich. But maybe you should, because, really, the French know how to do everything better. They cook better, kiss better; they're known worldwide for their cuisine. So, if they've come up with a très bien new spin on the ordinary McDonald's fish sandwich, it might be worth taking note. Say oui to "Le McFish Mayo," a French variation on the golden Filet-O-Fish.
McDonald's is known for modifying its menu for global markets to reflect local tastes and preferences, and France is no different. With plenty of McDonald's locations in the country (1,633, to be exact) the French sure do love their "McDo," as they say. Our favorite potato side dish isn't named french fries for nothing! Le McFish is a dumbed-down version of the Filet-O-Fish. Unlike the American sandwich, which comes with tartar sauce and sliced cheese, the French variety has nothing more than mayo.
The fact that France would forego cheese is surprising, as the French are among the largest per-capita cheese consumers in the world (60 pounds per person every year). Still, the uncomplicated flavor of mayo and fried fish on a soft bun (we know the French know how to do bread right) just works. It's enough to make you say oh la-la! Le McFish Mayo is only officially available in France, but you can order your Filet-O-Fish that same way when you want to switch it up.
What else does McDonald's do that's uniquely French?
Many of the items on the McDonald's menu in France don't involve a simple modification or substitution, as is the case with the McFish, so you won't be able to order them at an American Mickey D's. You might just have to wait until the next time you're in Paris for a McDonald's goat cheese wrap or a "Le Beef Mozza Cheddar." It's still fun to see what the French are eating, because it's usually something good (luckily, making crème brûlée at home is easier).
La raclette is a semi-strong French cheese and also the name for a dish which uses this cheese. Traditionally, the French put a slice or two of raclette on a little metal tray and stick it into a special warmer designed for the occasion which is placed right on the table. Once the cheese melts, they put it over potatoes or charcuterie and enjoy. This meal is a cousin of fondue and is very popular in France. McDonald's knows this and came up with "Le 280 Raclette," with raclette cheese and "creamy cheese sauce" on ciabatta (see, they really do like their cheese).
McDonald's also offers its own take on a croque monsieur, a typical French ham-and-cheese sandwich with béchamel sauce that you'll see being devoured at most any bistro or café all over France. And only on the French McDonald's menu can you find croissants and pains au chocolat for breakfast, and macarons for dessert.