Joe McNamee: I enjoy some fast food but here's why I avoid McDonald's like the plague

I know too well the allure of ‘dishes’ crafted in labs, combining high-sugar, high-fat and excess salt to hit that sweet spot driving dopamine-dense addiction.

McDonald’s news that didn’t fill me with joy

Sat, 14 Mar, 2026 - 01:00

Joe McNamee

A former chef, Joe McNamee is Senior Food Writer at the Irish Examiner. Holding a BA in Culinary Arts, he writes about food and reviews restaurants for Weekend.

News of the planned opening of 25 new McDonald’s in Ireland over the next five years, doesn’t fill me with quite the same joy with which others, including national politicians, have received the news.

People always presume I’m too ‘snobby’ or ‘elitist’ to ever eat fast food, but I’m ever partial to a good fish supper or a decent kebab. However, I avoid like the plague, McDonalds, Burger King and all those other American fast food models. Probably because I know too well the allure of ‘dishes’ crafted in labs, combining high-sugar, high-fat and excess salt to hit that sweet spot driving dopamine-dense addiction.