The problem was that some residents weren't lovin' the idea of a McDonald's on Glebe Point Road and were suspicious that it might be permanently popped up despite the store letterboxing locals to say that wasn't the case.

Consequently the taste testing in the drizzle on Saturday was carried out underneath the golden arches to the accompaniment of two security guards, a PR team and a small group of protesters distributing leaflets opposing the restaurant.

Chiara Perino was happy to sample the free fries but didn't reveal the flavour she chose. "They were okay," she said. "I'm not normally a McDonald's person but I figured I might as well try them as they are here. I don't know if they are trying to invade Glebe."

But Joanna de Jonge, a Glebe resident of 20 years, had a stronger view. "This is an abomination," she said. "It is big business encroaching on a democratic society. This is a village and Glebe people are in uproar. McDonald's food is riddled with salt, fat and cholesterol."

Angie Dawson,a senior lecturer at UTS on public health was distributing leaflets saying 'Help us support local. Not global'. She was refused permission to hand out the leaflets in the store but was told she was welcome to go in to try the loaded fries.