The State - News from June 5, 1988

Gilroy may have a new claim to back its boast of being “The Garlic Capital of the World”--the first McDonald’s restaurants to offer garlic spread. Samples of the pungent herb as a new condiment were flown to San Jose so that McDonald’s corporate officials, who like the idea, could inspect their packaging and content before giving them their final approval. David Kaplan, 27, a Gilroy McDonald’s franchise owner, originated the idea to put tubes of “Gilroy Garlic” spread alongside his restaurant’s packets of ketchup and mustard. “We’re in the garlic capital of the world and we want to continue that fame in a fast-food restaurant,” Kaplan said of the Santa Clara County city.