Taco Bell sells Mountain Dew as a breakfast drink. Yes, I’m serious. And no, this is not a scene from the film Idiocracy. The kitchen-cleaner colored soft drink is mixed with Tropicana Orange juice to form a Mountain Dew mimosa concoction. They call it “Mtn Dew A.M.” – as if adding the time of the day masks the fact that you are still indeed drinking Mountain Dew in the morning.
This is just one of many ideas that the fast-food industry has come up with along with many other crazy food ideas. Some say its unhealthy and ridiculous to have these items on the market. I, however, believe they should keep this trend going, and see where this sugar-induced trip takes us.
The recent craze of fast food and chain restaurants creating unconventional food products is something that should be embraced by every American. It’s a natural reaction to our current state as a society.
Hopefully making inane and unhealthy food will become an American standard. Most importantly, the irony and self-awareness of creating outlandish food products is a great marketing tool, garnering millions of dollars for fast food companies.
One of the first signs of the popularity of outrageous food creations was infamously made by fast-food chain Kentucky Fried Chicken. The Double Down sandwich, which started out as an April Fool’s joke, is bacon, melted cheese, and two chicken filets that serve the purpose of the bun.This created national attention, and people went out of their way to “experience” the Double Down sandwich novelty.
This is an important aspect to understand. I believe that most people that order these products do so for the thrill of it, not because they are hungry. It’s like a carnival ride, but you’re in a drive-thru.
You go out with a group, take some pictures of you eating a Double Down sandwich, post it on your Instagram, and laugh about it later with your friends as your blood sugar spikes, causing you to sit down for a bit as you reevaluate your decision and think, “why did I eat that?” That can be a Friday night for some people.
I find it hard to believe that people unironically order these food products. No one ever goes “You know what sounds good for a snack? A fat scoop of ice cream with two Pop Tarts smashed on their sides!”
By the way, this is an actual product. It’s disturbingly self-indulgent and downright clever.
As a disclaimer, I don’t eat fast food. I can’t do it. I haven’t had Taco Bell in about eight years. To me, there is very little difference between ordering a Double Down at KFC or the obscene yet hilarious bacon-flavored milkshake they serve at Denny’s. All in all, it’s the same stuff.
However, I fully embrace the idea of these crazy products. Who knows what these food maestros can orchestrate for us to eat, tweet or talk about at the water cooler, which is the whole point of this weird food trend.
This unconventional food craze has even permeated the Internet and popular web series’ such as Epic Meal Time, a cooking show that is dedicated to making absurd, extremely unhealthy recipes.
Their YouTube channel has millions of views with videos about how to make such things as a bacon-only lasagna, or even red velvet onion rings. The website has become an Internet phenomenon, with countless imitations and new cooking shows conjuring up creative recipes.
People might say this trend or fad is unhealthy or outrageous, but in actuality, it’s not that far from what people generally eat on a regular basis. People lose their minds over McDonald’s Mcrib sandwiches, and God knows what is in that thing!
The Doritos Locos Taco is a normal Taco Bell taco, just with a little Dorito dust sprinkled on.
Another argument could be, “Where does it end? What obscene, artery-clogging, grease-filled food can they can come up with next?”
I don’t know if the fast-food industry can continue to convince Americans to purchase unconventional food products- but keep it coming. Let’s see where this train takes us. Who knows, it might lead us to something with actual nutritional value.
This new food craze is gimmicky, potentially delicious- and absolutely American.
