India’s Lovin’ It

Nowadays symbols of American consumption like Starbucks and McDonalds can be found the world over. In fact, when I’m traveling I’m often more surprised when I don’t see those institutions anywhere. That was the case when I visited Northern India a few years ago. For ten days, nary a set of golden arches did I see. Though McDonald’s has had a discreet presence in the country for years, this week they made an announcement that might help significantly boost their Indian popularity: they are opening a vegetarian-only branch. My first reaction, I will admit, was ew. I pictured Big Macs and Quarter Pounders as patty-less wonders of condiment and nothing more, or, just as unappealing, a vortex of meat substitutions: tempeh nuggets, anyone? But at the McDonald’s outpost opening near Amristar’s Golden Temple, a Sikh shrine at which meat consumption is not permitted, the vegetarian menu will include Indian-style creations like the already-popular, spicy potato-based McAloo Tikki burger. Which, I have to admit, sounds sort of delicious. FIORELLA