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By Mihar Dias (C) Copyright July 2024
In this grand era of convenience, where every culinary delight is but a click away, you'd think the basics of burger composition were understood universally. A burger, as we've come to accept, comprises a patty, some vegetables, and a generous dollop of sauce, all embraced by two buns. Simple, right?
Well, that's what we thought until the online food order industry decided to challenge this basic culinary construct.
Take, for instance, the recent tale of woe shared by Fazlina Md Isa on Facebook, which has since gone viral thanks to the page Si Solihin.
Fazlina, in her innocent pursuit of feeding her children, ordered three 'Bajet Jimat' cheesy burgers from a local fast food joint via a food delivery service. But instead of cheesy chicken burgers, what she received were cucumber sandwiches masquerading as burgers. Yes, you read that right—a big slice of cucumber lounging between two saucy buns, with the patty mysteriously missing.
One can almost hear the incredulous voice of the disgruntled mother: “Which employee prepared this? What kind of joke is this? What kind of game is this?”
She demanded a refund, but let’s be honest—what use is money when your hunger remains unsatiated?
The photographs she posted, along with the receipt showing a whopping RM29.70 for these so-called 'cheesy burgers,' quickly caught the attention of bemused netizens. Comments ranged from shock at the inventive use of cucumbers to lamentations on the cost. One netizen aptly noted, "This is the first time I have seen a sliced cucumber in the shape of a burger patty."
Others chimed in on the price debacle. With the 'Bajet Jimat' label suggesting affordability, it seems absurd that a burger with just bread, cucumber, and mayo should cost over RM9 each. “A Ramly burger that cost RM9 would definitely be a special double with egg and cheese,” one commenter pointed out, making a solid case for why Ramly’s street food reigns supreme over these digital delusions.
But this isn’t just a rant about missing patties. It’s a commentary on the disillusionment many face when engaging with online food delivery services.
Customer service, once a cornerstone of dining experiences, is now outsourced to the algorithmic whims of food apps and the occasionally absent-minded fast food worker. The end result? Disappointment packaged in a burger box.
In an ideal world, the tech that connects us to our favourite meals should enhance the dining experience, not turn it into a farce. Refunds and apologies are well and good, but they don’t feed hungry children. Perhaps it’s time for these food delivery services and their partnered eateries to revisit the drawing board. Or at the very least, rediscover the fundamental components of a burger.
In the meantime, maybe we should all stick to the Ramly burger stalls—where at least you know you’re getting what you pay for, with a generous side of egg, cheese, and a smirk from the vendor who doesn’t need an app to know what makes a good burger.
Mihar Dias is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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