When you think of fast food, what comes to mind?  Until a few years ago, it's a sure bet that no one considered Angus beef, espresso drinks, or chipotle peppers possible menu items.  When you pulled up to the drive-through, you weren't after gourmet.  You were after speed--hoping to beat that 90-second clock that timed your order from the second the cashier totaled it up to the time you started digging into the super-size fries.

But now you can get Asiago cheese on your chicken sandwich at Wendy's, and Dunkin' Donuts is advertising the applewood-smoked bacon in its new breakfast sandwich.  Fast food is going upscale.

But it'll probably be a while before I can work up the nerve to try that new Angus burger.  You see, our local McDonald's has a signboard at ground level, and someone keeps removing the G from the message:  TRY OUR ANGUS THIRD POUNDER.

Somehow that makes the "gourmet fast food" a whole lot less appetizing.

COUPON TIME

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Valid through: April 30, 2011
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