Thanks Natasha!! Paris hamburger excerpt..interesting!

On the other hand, in Paris, hamburgers are now the "in thing." Chef after chef commented on how the taste is forbidden and subversive — so everyone wants it. Chefs are busy analyzing the gastronomic characteristics of the American burger — including soft sesame buns, pickles, onions, tomatoes and cheese. It appears that some chefs have even come to the United States to experience the "burger culture." The French are having it "their way" though:

-with pickles, fleur de sel (sea salt) and fresh thyme

-wagyu (Kobe) beef with black ketchup (made with blackberries and black currants)
topped with foie gras

-with a sesame bun, toasted on the sesame side, brushed with butter on the soft side

-with smoked bacon, lettuce, pickles, mustard, mayonnaise and a side of fries (for $56 US)

In 2002, the United Nations' World Health and Food and Agriculture Organizations met jointly to address the global obesity epidemic (now termed "globesity"). Worldwide there are more than 1 billion overweight adults, with at least 300 million deemed obese. It is thought that the obesity epidemic is driven by societal changes and behavioral patterns of communities — along with worldwide nutrition transitions, globalization of the food market, and reduced physical activity. Some scientists predict globesity will outstrip infectious disease deaths by the end of the decade.

Note: Both times I was in France I was homesick so I went to McDonald's. They really are different though because they have mostly salads, the burgers were tiny and tasted extremely salty and gross, and they also sell beer & wine. There was no super-sizing (back when it still existed here) and the only size of fries available was "Small." What does this say about America?

If you've seen Reservoir Dogs, they really do have the "royale w/cheese" :)