サカキシンイチロウ
The McGriddle calls out to me. It's been a long time since I tried it, and I realized how much I like the taste... ever since then, I've been curious about it. It's a sweet, salty, greasy, and delicious American-style breakfast. I went to the shop located just outside the south exit of Shinjuku station to eat it. It's a casual place. It's not exactly a bustling area, as most people passing by are heading to the off-track betting site, with a somewhat bleak atmosphere. It's under the guard of the Chuo Kaido road that spans the JR railway tracks... that kind of place. It's not a place where families with young children would want to visit on weekends. The days when McDonald's was located in prime areas are long gone. It has disappeared from the main streets of Ginza, and in Shinjuku, you have to search to find a few locations. They prefer locations where they can generate profits rather than attract customers. If they are confident that they can attract customers with low prices and promotions regardless of the location, then that's even better. As for this shop, it doesn't have a large display showing the order status that you often see in recent McDonald's. Instead, it's a place where you receive a number tag and wait, which creates a peaceful and pleasant atmosphere. When I go to recent McDonald's, it feels like waiting in a hospital waiting room. It may be good for convenience and cost reduction, but losing human touch is quite sad. At least in the case of restaurants, I don't like it very much. I received my milk and hash browns and sat at the table, and shortly after, my order arrived. Despite the mix-up of the order being placed in reverse, it's a reminder that these impersonal things can happen even though they were done by a person... I just decide to think that it's okay since the system here involves stacking items in reverse order. The sausage patty is smooth and firm, the egg is fluffy and mixed with cheese. If there was a grilled bacon slice, it would be almost perfect American-style breakfast. The hash browns were also delicious, and they didn't shrink too much. I finished eating and drinking, and out of habit, I pushed the straw into the milk carton. When milk became Tetra Pak, I learned that I had to push the straw inside and fold it to prevent the milk from splashing out and causing inconvenience... my body remembers it, and I absentmindedly did it again today. I separated the plastic and paper, tore open the paper pack to rescue the straw, folded it, and put it away. Nevertheless, some people might wonder if the egg, which is stated to be domestically produced and cooked in a round shape at the shop, might have been pre-cooked somewhere and frozen before being served... I laugh at the thought that it must be tough for chain stores that are good at science. It's funny.