Written by When it came to food as a kid, my hands down favorite “meal” was a burger and fries. I use the term meal lightly as other than a tiny occasional sprig of lettuce, this delicious American junk food staple is seriously devoid of any useful nutrients for a proper diet. I never really have this combo anymore, as I’m not a fan of constipation, but back in the day it was by far my most requested food. Truth be told, though I enjoyed the burger, my real goal was to get the fries as that’s the only time my mother ever served them. Another way to get fries was the occasional visit to McDonald’s when I would get a Happy Meal, usually opting for a fish sandwich instead. The fries were the real star and second only to the toy that came with the meal, if it was a good one and not something stupid. Those fries don’t exist anymore as they were fried in beef tallow back then. Today, they’re cooked in vegetable oil and McDonald’s adds “natural beef flavor” to get back to that signature taste, but it’s just not quite the same.
Sometimes when I look back to all the food I ate as a kid I wonder how I was able to survive to adulthood. It was mostly fried things and contained more animal fat and oil than one body should be able to handle. But that’s to another childhood memory, the beautiful thing I used to have called high metabolism, I managed to keep chowing down on the stuff without gaining weight. On very rare occasions, Philippe will make hamburgers and when I asked for fries he looked at me like I was crazy. “A burger AND fries?” he asked incredulously. “Where’s the fiber?” I proudly pointed to the slices of tomato, but that didn’t seem to successfully make my point. So this basket of goodness is now just a distant memory of the past and my current reality has shifted to “a burger OR fries.” This is definitely healthier, but it makes me feel too much like an adult which tends to suck the fun out of everything.
But given the choice, I mostly just choose the fries, even though he bakes them with oil drizzled on top rather than deep-frying them. They’re incredibly delicious so I don’t feel like I’m missing anything, but with each bite it’s clear I’m no longer a kid. I used to race home from playing with friends and actually arrive a bit early for dinner when my mom told me it was going to be burger night. The anticipation was overwhelming. Looking back, I think it was really the rarity of the dish that made it so special. For example, milk was delicious, but having it each day made it something of a commodity. No, the best meals were the ones that happened less often. I can still remember enjoying foods like these. Foods I cherished and wanted to savor because I knew it would be a long time before I would enjoy them again. Even something as simple as a burger and fries.
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About the DoodlewashSennelier L’Aquarelle: Sennelier Red, Red Orange, Quinacridone Gold, Phthalo. Green Light, Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine Deep, and Payne’s Grey. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon with black ink in a little red cloth hardbound l’aquarelle journal I found in a Paris shop. |
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Yam!
Thanks! Glad ya liked this! 😃
It’s still the staple for so many Americans and your Doodlewash looks exactly as so many people still order this favorite dish. I had my first hamburger when I was about 11, in Hawaii, shortly after we moved there. It was a plain patty on a bun and I ate it with mustard (I’m from New Jersey) and not a single other thing. Later I learned to like cheese with my burger and fresh tomatoes. Never took to fries, still hardly ever eat them. My favorite sandwich as a kid was grilled cheese with tomatoes – probably not very healthy either, but quite tasty.
Now I’m waiting for your pizza -it’s gotta be on your list, right?
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 What? Not a french fry fan? hehe… though I am totally with you on grilled cheese and tomato… I think that’s one of my favorite sandwiches of all too! As for pizza… nope… it’s not on the list this month. I sketched a pizza back in May and then there was my school lunch version in October. hehe (at least that’s what a search of pizza on my site turns up… I honestly can’t remember what I’ve sketched sometimes! 😊Lol)
Oh yeah, I remember the pizza Doodlewashes.
And you are welcome to my french fries.
Excellent! I’ll take them! Yum!
I spent a lot of time hanging out at McDonalds as a teenager but usually we could only afford to buy a small soda to share between us just to keep us from getting kicked out! Now a days I admit to treating myself to a cheeseburger and fries on days when I feel I really need it. Comfort food!
Total comfort food!! 😃💕 I was hungry the entire time I was sketching this. hehe… But I totally remember buying something small as a teenager to have an excuse to hang out!
All-time favourite! Makes me salivate..
Awesome! So happy you liked this one! 😃💕
Looks delicious! Yes, I would take the fries first too. (K)
Excellent! Wonderful choice! hehe… thanks so much, Kerfe! 😃💕
Ohh man this is way too awesome! First of all it’s so yummy and second I’m amazed with the detail work! Love the transparency of that butter paper 😍
Awww thanks so much, Snehal! 😃💕 So glad you liked it! I was a little scared of that transparency bit, but decided to go for it! hehe
That turned out super realistic 😀
Yummy… 😋😋😋. Awesome
Thanks! Glad ya liked this! 😃💕
I feel like as I’m growing up I tend to like fast foods, which should not be the case. I recently explored 10 places that sell the best fries in Cape Town, burgers were almost included with fries as a combo. But yeah one should be careful…https://sothogirldiaries.com
Well, when it comes to fries… they’re my one guilty pleasure! hehe… But yeah this combo with a burger is sort of crazy. That didn’t stop me from having it for decades though! 😊Lol
Nicee…
Thanks! 😃