Still Can’t Get a Quarter Pounder in Billings Heights

When I saw the news yesterday morning that McDonald's is returning the Quarter Pounder to the menu, I thought "I should have one for lunch. Take one for the team. Let the good people of Billings know that the burger favorite is safe to eat."

The fast-food chain had yanked the sandwich off the boards after a serious outbreak of E. coli poisoning that has so far killed one, gave two a kidney disease complication, hospitalized 22 and sickened over 75 total across 13 states in the Midwest and Rocky Mountains.  At first the beef patties were the prime suspect, but according to the Associated Press, after extensive testing by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, the beef was found clean of the contamination.  The slivered onion from a single supplier in Colorado is the source.

So with the culprit known, I figured McDonald's would get the onion from another provider and promptly restore the Quarter Pounder for sale.

Doesn't quite work that fast, even for fast food.

Back Soon

That was the message stamped over the pictures of the three Quarter Pounder varieties in the two McDonald's in Billings Heights.  I visited with the nice lady at the 525 Wicks Lane location, mentioning the news story, and the conclusion we reached is that the corporation has not completely given the green light to serve them again.  Maybe waiting for the clean onion slivers to be distributed.  Are the onions really that necessary?

More likely reason is the franchise has to protect itself from further lawsuit.  Fox News has reported two already, and they will face up to 75 thus far in a class action, so they really want to minimize the damage.  I'm reminded of the 1992-94 hot coffee case that cost the corporation $480,000, down from a $2.7 million judgement.  After legal and medical bills, the plaintiff received very little.

So in the meantime, enjoy the other menu items in McDonald's.  I recommend the restaurant on Wicks with the really nice lady at the register.  Had a medium order of French fries for a little over $3.

Y'know, that's another matter we should discuss...

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