Jollibee sure doesn’t make me jolly! 22 April 2006

Being made fun of ain’t fun …

… but sometimes it’s called for. When I read about the American who wrote about the shitty food at Jollibee - open up and say yumburger - I couldn’t help but laugh along.

Now my Pinoy friends, please don’t accuse me of being unpatriotic. Sure, the company is “the Philippines’ No. 1 foodchain.” Good that MacDonald’s has the competition. Truth be told, Jollibee’s marketing appeals to the Filipino sensibilities. But let’s not talk the business-side, let’s talk from the food side.

We’ve boycotted Jollibee (and MacDonald’s). I refuse that Dui’s tastebuds get accustomed to all that MSG, grease and sugar. MacDonald’s at least has the decency now to put nutrition information (ok, ok, forced to, because of Supersize Me). Jollibee … well, I’m not holding my breath. Save for the occasional force de majeure kiddie party, we’re steering clear of the stuff.

The food at Jollibee has not only deteriorated, it’s downright bad. Doesn’t everything taste the same? Their one saving grace, the palabok used to have a semblance of “real” palabok. Now? Ugh. And did you notice that vegetables have disappeared? One slice of overripe tomato in a burger or a scant sprinkling of chopped green onions on palabok do not count? Neither do french fries. Please don’t argue.

I really wonder about the prices too. How the heck can you serve a decent meal at 28 pesos? Makes you wonder what’s in it.

It’s sad that Pinoy kids just lap it all up. And adults alike. We all deserve to eat better.

So are you are Jollibee fan? Tell me off, I really don’t mind.