One of the many topics that I've considered writing about over the years is fast food. The explosion of the dollar menu onto our fast food scene has opened up a new alternative to high cost fast food. Now, instead of slowly killing yourself with a Big Mac (registered mark of McDonalds Corporation) or a Whopper (r), for only one dollar you can get a double cheeseburger from McD's or a Whopper Jr.
One item of fast food genre that has never changed (thankfully, in my humble opinion) is the copious use of American cheese. What, exactly, is American cheese? To save time, go read the Wiki on American Cheese here. [Footnote: Seriously, who has time to create a Wiki on American cheese? Regardless, I'm the unintended beneficiary of that individual's inability to date, thusly rendering him or her as the author of a world-wide accessible article on processed foodstuffs.]
Let's cut to the chase: I love American Cheese (hereinafter referred to as "AmCheese"). "How in the world could you love those homogenized, colored slices?" you ask. Let me count the ways:
1. It's ubiquitous. You'll never find a store that is without AmCheese, in one of its many forms. Whether in individually wrapped slices (usually for a dollar or less) or in slabs marked "Cheese" or something nondescript, this product is always available for use and/or consumption.
2. It's wonderfully flavored. It's not sharp like cheddar, it's not bland like mozzarella, and it doesn't offend my palate like Monterey Jack does. Plus, what would a $1 double cheeseburger be with a slice of Monterey Jack on it? The thought is revolting.
3. It melts like a champion. Regularly, I use AmCheese in my scrambled eggs. I'm also quite fond of it as a topping to a breakfast sandwich. Either way, it reduces to a gooey consistency that just makes my mouth stand up and cheer. I challenge you Cheddar fans out there to a melting duel. Cheddar ends up an oily, sloppy mess. Not my AmCheese. My AmCheese can beat up your honor student.
4. It's low maintenance. Again, whether in individual sliced form, or block, it maintains well. You don't have to worry about it growing things like you do with a cheddar block, and it's never hard to cut. Slicing cheddar is a chore. Slicing AmCheese is a vacation. Then you get to eat it, so it's like a being on vacation in Hawaii and getting a massage. Then again, maybe not.
5. It's American. How more patriotic can you get than by eating a cheese named after your country? Sure, those other countries have their cheeses (for example, France has Brie, Netherlands has Gouda, Italy has Mozzarella and Provalone (among others)), but they didn't name them after their country. We did, and we should be proud of it. Eating some AmCheese is the effective equivalent of saluting or covering your heart when you hear the Anthem. It's just something you do as a citizen of this great country.
Next up: some Dollar Menu reviews.
