Mahmoods

Mah-moods…well they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and Mah-​moods must really be flattering the heck outta McDonalds, from their red and yellow colour scheme to their burger and chicken nuggets stylee meal deals, it’s kinda blatant rip-​offery of the McDonald’s franchise we’ve all come to know and love/​loathe.
What makes it better than McDonald’s, well for starters it’s cheaper, you can get your fat burger, fries and a drink and possibly and ice-​cream style dessert all for a fiver with change. That’s what makes it better. What makes McDonald’s better, it’s often cleaner by and large, and whilst McDonald’s is high enough in the grease content Mah-​moods is much higher, pool in the bottom of your Styrofoam higher, and if you’re sensitive in the belly department you could have the potential to be delicate the next day.
Best served through beer goggles I do believe.

I love Mahmood’s, so much so that when I’m in the mood for Mahmood’s I can’t help but say ‘I’m in Mah-​mood’. Get it? In Mah-​mood. Don’t quit the day job right?
Alex is correct, Mahmood’s are the not so glorified version of McDonalds. Burgers, chips, you name it, but that’s why I love this place, its McDonalds only cheaper and across the road from uni, perfecto. I really wouldn’t go out of my way for Mahmood’s but if you’re passing by and don’t feel like eating in one of the world largest conglomerates, why not try a Mahmood’s? The small business offers great alternatives, at a fraction of the cost. Admittedly the burger is probably 89% pork fat or something, they do taste very good and fill the hole in my stomach every time. I recommend their chicken box, two pieces of the best southern fried chicken I’ve had believe it or not, chips and a drink, all for £4.
Yes the décor is drab and the outside seating area is ill positioned, but its cheap and cheerful, which is all you should expect from anywhere posing as a McDonalds.
Mahmood’s is perfect for students or someone crawling back to halls in the early hours of the morning. If only they delivered…

Probably the most shameless rip-​off you’re ever likely to see, this fast-​food place opposite the university pays a hell of a lot of homage to McDonald’s, and produces the same sort of food.
Red and yellow lettering, an M that could pass as a ‘golden arch’ and a bright, roomy interior all nod towards the American giant’s restaurants.
It’s not just a rip-​off of McDonald’s for the sake of ripping off, however — it offers an American fast-​food style menu, but all made with halal meat, something which Ronald surprisingly doesn’t offer yet.
Though the food is inspired by McDonald’s, it’s a lot greasier and more akin to that of the late night takeaway rather than the reputable (?) high street brand. It is cheaper in some areas however — you can get a full on burger meal deal for under £3, and similar bargains in the fried chicken range.
There’s an outdoor seating area but it’s hardly picturesque, and the interior isn’t as efficiently clean as it might be in the place Mahmood’s is trying to emulate. Probably best to have one of these when you’re hammered.

Home of the Big Dripper, which is about as greasy and artery-​clogging as it sounds.
Also home to a fancy new outside seating area surrounded by spiky railings, plasma screen TVs, and incompetent staff who don’t know anything about the loyalty card offer they shoved through my door.
The food is far tastier after a session in the neighbouring Eldon.