By Victoria Cline
Elm Staff Writer
Although there are many varied opinions about fast food, it is nevertheless a staple of the ever on-the-go American culture.
Since today marks National Fast Food Day, here’s the scoop on what is available in or around Chestertown.
Chestertown offers several fast food options including Arby’s, Taco Bell, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut, and Domino’s. Not too far away is Easton with a wider variety of fast food choices where there is also a Wendy’s, Popeyes, Sonic, and the ever-famous among college students: Chick-fil-A. I highly recommend a Sonic cherry limemade slushie or Chick-fil-A waffle fries with Chick-fil-A sauce to fill your cravings.
When I was asked for this article which fast food stop serves up the best fries and milkshake, I always have to go with the traditional yellow arches of McDonald’s. What most people don’t know, though, is that there is a very specific nostalgia behind those arches for me that were a part of childhood when I lived in the U.S. before moving overseas.
It became a tradition while I was growing up for my mom and me to, every once in a while on a particularly special day, treat ourselves to our favorite warm fries and two mini apple pies from McDonald’s. As this past weekend was Veterans Day, and since my mom served in the United States Marine Corps, we were able to spend the day together to celebrate her service and the Marine Corps’ 242nd birthday. My mom visited Washington College for the day to watch a swim meet and then head to McDonald’s for the all-American apple pie dessert, and a caramel frappé, and her usual hazelnut iced coffee. Even though the day barely reached over 30 degrees, we still decided to hold true to our tradition. It may sound cliché, but for my family and me, McDonald’s still represents an American tradition and a childhood memory that still holds meaning for us today.
So next time you make that late night run to a fast food restaurant with a group of friends for some fuel on those late study nights as we begin to prepare for final exams, I hope you take a moment to slow down and make a few lasting memories in our fast-paced culture. Happy National Fast Food Day, everyone.