Mommysavers

Frugal Moms Living Well for Less

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Food
    • Recipes
      • 5 Ingredients or Less
      • 30 Minute Meals
      • Freezer Meals
      • Appetizers
      • Breakfast
      • Lunch
      • Dinner
      • Dessert
      • Snacks
    • Cooking Techniques
    • Leftovers and Preservation
  • Home
    • Cleaning
    • Decor and Design
    • DIY Projects
    • Money
      • Couponing
      • Personal Finance
      • Shopping Tips
    • Simple Living
  • Family
    • Fun
    • Parenting
    • Travel
  • A Better You
    • Health and Fitness
    • Lifehacks
    • Fashion
    • Motivation and Productivity
    • Entrepreneurialism
  • Holidays
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • New Year’s Eve
    • Valentine’s Day
    • St. Patrick’s Day
    • Easter
    • Mother’s Day
    • Father’s Day
    • Halloween
  • Special Deals

Frugal Foreigner Eats Fast Food: Maharaja Mac and More

January 26, 2011 by Susie Chadwick 9 Comments

If you’re new to my Frugal Foreigner posts, read all about what we’re doing in India here! You can read all previous posts in the series here.

I know I’m not the only American who has found herself eating at McDonald’s more often in other countries. It may not be healthy; it may not even be delicious, but it’s familiar. Mostly. Here it is: The Maharaja Mac.

You probably thought I made that up, but that is actually what it’s called. Most Indians do not eat meat, and even those who do eat meat don’t usually eat beef. Although beef can be bought at a butcher shop, most “nonveg” restaurants only serve chicken, fish, or mutton. Pork is even more difficult to find here.

I am not a Big Mac fan, and prefer to eat off the Dollar Menu in the US. So, I’m not exactly sure, but I think the Maharaja Mac is like a Big Mac, only with curry-flavored chicken patties instead of hamburger patties, and a different kind of spicy sauce. It also has American cheese, lettuce, tomato slices, and red onion.

The french fries and the chicken McNuggets are exactly the same. We order barbecue sauce and mustard (it’s like yellow mustard) to dip our McNuggets in, but there are 8 other dipping sauces they only have in India. Some of them are mint mayo, chili, tomato mayo, and Szechuan.

Here is a look at the menu (click to enlarge). You can tell how often we visit; Dalton is in training to be assistant manager.  The exchange rate is 45Rs to $1US.  The Maharaja Mac meal is $2.77.  A medium fries is $1 and is about the same size as the Dollar Menu fries in the US.  The chocolate-dipped cones are only 44 cents and are really good.

The McDonald’s above is in the food court of the business park where my husband works. We eat lunch in the food court nearly every day. Here are some of the other options.

The Subway has some of the same sandwiches (“chicken ham” instead of pork) as in the US, and all the same toppings.  It is kind of expensive.  We usually eat there on Mondays when the Sub of the Day is the Chicken Teriyaki.  The Sub of the Day is a pretty good deal – 6″ sub for $1.67.  We don’t buy the $3 Snapple they sell, though.

There are two Indian restaurants, a Chinese restaurant, an organic Indian cuisine place, and a couple other places which sell wraps and smoothies.  There is also a Booster Juice and Baskin Robbins, which are both pretty expensive.  We’ve decided we aren’t going to Baskin Robbins anymore. We also eat at Au Bon Pain – bagels with cream cheese and soup – and Crepe Connection, which sells delicious waffles and crepes, and decent pasta. Those places cost a bit more as well.

Other fast food chains in Bangalore include Taco Bell, KFC, and a lot of pizza places. We haven’t tried Taco Bell. KFC was ok. The chicken strips tasted exactly the same, except I think they dipped the chicken in chili powder before the batter – ack! We’ve had Pizza Hut and Dominos, and there’s also Papa John’s, which we haven’t tried. It’s about $10-12 for a medium pizza if you want pepperoni, even with the coupons and specials. So, a rare treat, but it sure does taste good! Here’s a picture of the Dominos menu.

And here are the delivery motorcycles.

We do eat out a lot, but we are still trying to save money.  I bring a cold bottle of water with me when I head over to the food court to meet John so we don’t have to buy drinks.  When we eat at McDonald’s, the meal is about 3 Rupees (6 cents) more than buying the sandwich and fries separately.  The last time I tried to not get the drink, it was almost more hassle than it was worth.  It wasn’t the 6 cents, we just didn’t need the drink!

We don’t buy ice cream every day. And lots of times we get free dessert because John’s coworkers love to bribe our kids with chocolate so they can hold them. We are used to eating leftovers for lunches, so now we eat them for dinner the next day and spend less on groceries. On days we don’t have a driver, I walk home from lunch with the kids rather than pay for an autorickshaw.

But most importantly, we love eating lunch together as a family, and if it costs 250Rs a day, we’re willing to pay that. We’ve made a conscious decision to enjoy our time here, even if costs a little bit extra.

Share
Tweet
Pin
0 Shares

Filed Under: Travel, Food Tagged With: frugal foreigner, travel, world culture

« Kids Craft: Love Bug Valentine’s Day Cards
Ways to Cut Monthly Expenses »

Comments

  1. Kimberly Danger says

    January 26, 2011 at 1:46 pm

    I had no idea India was so Americanized with their fast-food offerings. Interesting about the Maharaja mac! Thanks for sharing. 🙂

    Reply
  2. Brandy says

    January 26, 2011 at 6:27 pm

    I love love love it Susie! So interesting!

    Reply
  3. Rachel M. says

    January 26, 2011 at 6:28 pm

    I was surprised at all of the signs being in English!

    Reply
  4. dawn says

    January 26, 2011 at 8:48 pm

    I love reading your blogs.. I feel like I am there!

    Reply
  5. Susie Chadwick says

    January 26, 2011 at 9:27 pm

    Rachel, there are thousands of languages and dialects spoken in India – so nearly everyone speaks English to communicate between the languages.

    Reply
  6. BER says

    January 31, 2011 at 5:09 pm

    Love reading your “India” frugal adventures having grown up in India for 20 years and now having been Stateside for over 13. Just curious…where are you located? Bangalore, Delhi, Bombay?

    Reply
  7. BER says

    January 31, 2011 at 7:29 pm

    Ah..I should have seen it…telugu…right? Hyderabad?

    Reply
  8. Susie Chadwick says

    January 31, 2011 at 9:37 pm

    We are in Bangalore.

    Reply
  9. Nandhini says

    July 29, 2011 at 6:43 pm

    The mexican paneer pizza from Pizza hut is actually really good! but you CANNOT leave Bangalore without eating pani puri from a roadside stall- best thing ever 🙂 also I find that the masala version of cheetos is better than the regular cheese kind you get in the US

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




About Mommysavers

Kimberly Danger established Mommysavers.com in March 2000 as a way to channel her creative energy while raising her kids. Initially an online discussion board, the website evolved into a comprehensive platform offering money-saving tips, deals and budget-friendly recipes and tips for frugal moms. Read More…

View My Blog Posts
Kimberly Danger

mommysavers

Helping families live well for less 💰money saving tips 🥘 budget-friendly recipes 💵 frugal living 🛍️ deals

😍✨ Unlock the Secrets of Decorating with Thri 😍✨ Unlock the Secrets of Decorating with Thrifted Bohemian Maximalist Decor 🌿💸 

Dive into our latest article filled with thrifted treasures and hidden gems. You won't believe how easy and affordable it is to transform your home into a boho paradise! 🏡✨ Eight tips that will have you looking at thrift store goodies in an entirely new way!  https://mommysavers.com/bohemian-maximalist-decor-on-a-budget/

Also, check out this page for thrifted Boho Inspo: @Boho Design Dreams

#bohoonabudget #budgetdecor #thriftedfinds
#momlife #momlife
🎉 Calling all Savvy Shoppers💰 🔥 This wee 🎉 Calling all Savvy Shoppers💰

🔥 This week in our Deals Group we shared info on Lululemon discounts, and how to get this Nature's Bounty protein shake mix for under $10 per canister! 📦💯

We also share unbeatable Amazon deals, irresistible clothing discounts, and mind-blowing super savings! 🛍️✨

Join HERE --> https://www.facebook.com/groups/mommysaversdeals
🍞🍍🥥 Copycat Hawaiian Sweet Bread😋 🌴 🍞🍍🥥 Copycat Hawaiian Sweet Bread😋 🌴

Follow our step-by-step instructions to create a delicious, tropical-flavored loaf right in your own kitchen.

Check out the recipe here: https://mommysavers.com/copycat-hawaiian-sweet-bread-a-step-by-step-guide/

#copycatrecipes #breadrecipes
📸🌿 Planning the Perfect Photo Safari for Kid 📸🌿 Planning the Perfect Photo Safari for Kids 🦋 🌺

Spark your child's creativity and curiosity with a neighborhood photo safari! It's a fun-filled activity that combines exploration, nature, and photography, teaching kids to observe their surroundings, focus on details, and capture beautiful moments.🐕🚚

From planning the safari and selecting the right equipment to the joy of reviewing their photos and discussing their experiences, our guide offers a step-by-step walkthrough that's sure to inspire. 👣🌳📝

Check out our free downloadable safari checklist to kickstart your journey! 🗒️✔️

👉 https://mommysavers.com/photo-safari-for-kids-a-fun-neighborhood-adventure/

🌍💼🎉 #PhotoSafari #KidsActivities #photographyforkids #staycation #summerfunforkids
🌱🍌 Banana Peels = Your Gardening Secret! 💚

Don't throw those banana peels away!  Instead, discover the hidden nutrient potential of banana peels and how they can invigorate your plants with essential elements like potassium, phosphorus, and calcium. We've revealed three easy methods for transforming your banana peels into a potent, organic fertilizer that your plants will love!

https://mommysavers.com/banana-peel-fertilizer/

#bananas #plantlove #greenthumb #gardeningtips #gardening101
🎉 Calling all Savvy Amazon Shoppers💰 Get re 🎉 Calling all Savvy Amazon Shoppers💰

Get ready for unbeatable Amazon Prime Day deals, irresistible clothing discounts, and mind-blowing super savings! 🛍️✨

🔥 We'll be posting them all day in our Deals Group!  As a member of our group, you'll be the first to know about the hottest deals on Amazon. From must-have essentials to exciting finds, we bring you the best prices on all the products you love! 📦💯

Join HERE --> https://www.facebook.com/groups/mommysaversdeals
💁‍♀️Calling All Budget-Savvy Moms👗 Wa 💁‍♀️Calling All Budget-Savvy Moms👗

Want to unlock incredible style without breaking the bank? Check out our new blog post: '12 Ways to Level Up Your Style without Draining Your Wallet'. We've compiled some practical yet creative tips for you, from thrifting tricks to building a smart capsule wardrobe. So, how many of these tips are you following? Share your thoughts in the comments. 🛍️👠 

https://mommysavers.com/frugal-fashion-ideas-for-women-money-saving-tips-for-moms/

#frugalfashion #budgetfashion #fashiontips #budgetwardrobe #capsulewardrobe
🌟 Who's on Threads? 🧵 Let's get together f 🌟 Who's on Threads? 🧵 

Let's get together for some frugal fun and conversation! 🎉 We don't quite know what we're doing yet, but we don't want to miss out on the action! ⚡️ Here's our link: https://www.threads.net/@mommysavers 

Drop your link below, and we will be sure to follow you back. Let's bring the frugal fun to threads! 🌱  #frugalliving #threads #frugalmom #mommysavers
👚 Ready to revamp your family's wardrobe in a s 👚 Ready to revamp your family's wardrobe in a sustainable, budget-friendly, and fun way? 👕 

In our latest blog post, we show you how to organize a clothing swap. From gathering your fashion-forward friends, setting the right guidelines to choosing a fair and fun swapping method, we've covered all bases. Plus, we delve into how you can turn your swap into a memorable social event and wrap it up by giving back to the community!

It's more than just a clothing swap—it's about sustainability, community, and of course, great style! Start planning your swap today! #clothingswap #sustainablefashion #frugalfashion 

🔗 https://mommysavers.com/how-to-organize-a-clothing-swap/
Instagram post 18000104272794052 Instagram post 18000104272794052
🎉 Are you ready to turn your passion for fashio 🎉 Are you ready to turn your passion for fashion into cash? Whether you're a Poshmark newbie or a seasoned pro, our Ultimate Guide to Poshmark Success is here to help you step up your selling game! 💸

Learn the secrets to sourcing high-demand items, discover the best brands to sell, get the scoop on staying ahead of seasonal trends, and unlock the power of Posh Parties. From thrift store hunting tips to mastering the art of selling high-end items, we've got it all covered. 🛍️👗👠

Jumpstart your Poshmark journey today with our savvy strategies! 💖🌟

Check out the guide now: https://mommysavers.com/a-comprehensive-guide-to-selling-on-poshmark/

#resale #poshmark #poshmarkcloset #fashionresale
🌿🚫🦟 Want to reclaim your yard from pesky 🌿🚫🦟 Want to reclaim your yard from pesky mosquitoes? 🌿🚫🦟

We've got 8 practical tips to transform your outdoor space into a (nearly) mosquito-free zone. From eliminating breeding grounds to introducing natural predators, we've got it all covered. Say goodbye to itchy bites and hello to peaceful summer evenings. 👋🌛 Read now and make your yard a no-fly zone for mosquitoes! 👉 https://mommysavers.com/8-ways-to-keep-mosquitoes-away-from-your-yard/

#bugrepellent #mosquitoes #mosquitofree
🎆 Prepping for your 4th of July celebration? Ad 🎆 Prepping for your 4th of July celebration? Add a splash of red to your blue and white with our deliciously patriotic Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars! 🇺🇸🍰

🎉 These tasty treats are not just festive, they're velvety, creamy, and an absolute crowd-pleaser. The perfect way to sweeten up your Independence Day celebrations!

https://mommysavers.com/red-velvet-cheesecake-bars/
🍹 Calling all cocktail enthusiasts! After a mar 🍹 Calling all cocktail enthusiasts! After a marathon of mixology and countless taste-tests, we've discovered the secret to the PERFECT Beerita! 😎

⚙️ Several recipes and countless taste tests later, we're proud to present our definitive Beerita Recipe, a symphony of flavors balanced to perfection. And the best part? They're a breeze to whip up!

📝 Here's the golden recipe:
12-oz. limeade
Two 12-oz. beers 🍻
12 oz. tequila 🥃
12 oz. Sprite 🍾
1 C. ice ❄️

🗣️ From the Mixologists: We tried a version with one beer - good, but two beers? Even better. Worried about a 'beery' taste? Don't be! The beer merely offsets the tartness of the limeade, while the Sprite adds a refreshing fizz.

The full scoop is here: https://mommysavers.com/the-perfect-beerita-recipe/
"🍵Unleashing the Secret Powers of Your Tea Bags "🍵Unleashing the Secret Powers of Your Tea Bags: Discover 35+ Amazing Uses 🚀 

Ever wondered how to extend the life of your tea bags beyond the teapot? Did you know that you can polish furniture, tenderize meat, and even prevent rust with used tea bags? Click the link to unveil these unique, cost-saving hacks and the secret powers of the everyday tea bag! https://mommysavers.com/uses-for-tea-bags-leaves/

#frugalliving #householdhacks #frugalhacks #teabags
Garage Sale Shopping at the cabin is a fun way to Garage Sale Shopping at the cabin is a fun way to spend a couple of hours… did anyone else have the Fisher-Price medical kit as a kid? I love seeing #vintage toys. We ended up finding a $10 bike in EUC for our niece #bargainfinds #garagesales
🍪 Got a sweet tooth? Craving a cookie that stay 🍪 Got a sweet tooth? Craving a cookie that stays soft and moist for days? 🤔 We've got just the thing! It's time to level up your cookie game with our secret ingredient - pudding! 😍

🍽️ Our community is raving about these cookies 🥳 Join the 47,000+ baking enthusiasts who've already pinned, baked, and fallen in love with these cookies! https://mommysavers.com/chocolate-chip-pudding-cookies/

#cookierecipes #easytreats #cookies
🕑 The Secret to Time-Saving, Budget-Savvy, Deli 🕑 The Secret to Time-Saving, Budget-Savvy, Delicious Meals! 🍽️

📌 With over 62,000 pins on Pinterest, this life-hack is a game changer for those looking to save time and money in the kitchen!

🕑 Picture this: just a couple of hours in the kitchen, and voila, you have 8 scrumptious meals at your fingertips, ready for the crockpot whenever you need them!

🍖 On our irresistible menu, we have everything from the succulent Ham with Pineapple 🍍 (thanks to Allergy Free Cooking), to the hearty Carolina Style Pulled Pork Sandwiches 🥪, not to mention our flavor-packed Mediterranean Pork Chops 🌿. And, if you're craving BBQ, our Barbecued Hamburgers 🍔 and Tangy BBQ Chicken 🍗 will not disappoint!

👉 Click through to find these enticing recipes and start transforming your meal prep game today! Bon Appétit! 🍽️💕https://mommysavers.com/crock-pot-freezer-meals/

 #MealPrep #CrockPotRecipes #freezermeals #crockpot #budgetrecipes
A thrifters paradise… the #goodwillbins! Come wi A thrifters paradise… the #goodwillbins! Come with us as we shop and discover hidden treasure 💎 💰 #thrifting #goodwilloutlet #goodwillhunting
Load More Follow on Instagram

Tags

21 Day Fix recipes activewear Advent amazon prime christmas treat christmas treat ideas clean eating fix clean eating recipe clean eating recipes crock pot recipes copycat recipes Costco deals crafts crock pot meals date night ideas declutter decor ideas free printables frugal activities frugal recipe furniture gifts for men gratitude gymboree halloween cupcakes halloween party halloween treats healthy healthy menu plan heathy recipes holiday toys homemade christmas Instant Pot kids celebration Michael's deals oatmeal old navy deals oreos organize Shakeology starbucks stocking stuffer ideas teacher gifts turkey cupcakes walmart deals zulily

Copyright © 2025 · Delightful theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2025 · Delightful Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in