Yellowknifers talk about fast food
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Dec 06/00) - Funny how the verbal application of the word 'fast' originally meant the act of abstaining from food.
Now the words fast and food fit together as smoothly as a ball socket joint. It wasn't until the 13th century that fast became synonymous with quick.
Quick food, rapid food, convenient food, fast food ... what do Yellowknifers have to say about it?
"How much you like fast food depends on how good of a cook you are," said Darren Adams while enjoying a burger and fries at A&W Sunday night. He is, by his own admission, not a good one.
"I don't eat fast food all the time," he said, shirking away from its association with untrendy unhealthiness, but enlightens us with a sample of Yellowknife's fast food history.
"When I first came here in 1989 there were no other fast-food places except for KFC," he said.
"It was sure popular then. I would like to see Yellowknife get a Wendy's or Burger King, just because we don't have it, but I'm sure they'll come, too, eventually."
Adams likes to go to A&W on his way back from the library because of the root beer, which he loved as a kid, and for its memorabilia.
Subway patrons seem to be the seekers of fast food such as low-fat cold cuts and vegetable toppings. They can turn their low-calorie, high-fibre noses up at the traditional fast food arena of grills and grease.
"We came to Subway because I told my daughter it was healthier," said Tina Nasholm. "I think Yellowknife should have healthier fast food places like a pasta place."
Two youths at McDonald's had some marketing ideas.
"My favourite is fries," said J.R. Abel.
"I like pizza and buffets," interjected his buddy J.D. Hunt.
"I think they should put (video) games in fast-food restaurants... like Tick and Tag, Killer Instinct," said J.R. Abel.
"They should all have TVs," he noted. McDonald's does.
"Rush and a pool table...," added Hunt.
