McDonald’s

This McDonalds is now closed. They seemed to close pretty quick, in that 2 weeks ago I walked by and they were open for business. Today I passed by and all the seats and signage were removed. The only indication that this was even a McDonalds was a sign directing customers to the locations in the West 70s and 90s, I’m a little sad to see it go, it was never remodeled into the new 2010s style, and was right out of the 1990s, a hold over from when the neighborhood was still a little rough around the edges in some places, and the Barnes & Noble at the corner was still a prime destination on a summer evening. I hadn’t eaten there in 15 years.

the absolute worst of the worst. better to starve to death.

McDonald’s owns the UWS in that their are no other burger-​chain fast food establishments. They have a bathroom that I once saw someone smoking crack in (many years ago when crack was at its peak).
This McDonald’s is pretty much like all the rest of the NYC McD’s. A little dirty, a little scary and a lot loud. Part daycare and part homeless shelter. Older people nursing their coffees and the homeless taking a cat nap. Teens being too loud and the tourists being too slow.
The food is okay. I get food here maybe once or twice a year and have never gotten ill. The fries are actually pretty good sometimes.
The thing that really bothers me is they don’t have a Frappé machine, which is the main reason I ever go to McD. No Mocha Frappé for me so when I need a fix I have to go to StarBucks (should be the way they spell it) and pay three times as much for basically the same thing.
Also this McD is of the free-​for all, one line for each register variety. So, if you see one really long line and one really short line, don’t be a tourist and go for the short line!
Words of warning: if you ever go here, watch your backpack or purse, watch your coat and don’t fall asleep because you just might wake up with no shoes.

The SLOWEST McDonalds in Manhattan, bar none. Don’t come here unless you don’t mind waiting for 15 – 20 minutes, especially at breakfast time.

I’m not quite sure why this place is open for business. From the terrible service to the terrible employees… I have absolutely nothing nice to say about this McDonald’s. One more thing, they are very unorganized!
Let’s begin… I only came here because of a promotion and I had the opportunity to use my coupons. Well I should have saved the coupons for a different location because my experience here was so terrible that I filled a compliant!
When I finally arrived to the counter I gave the cashier my coupon. Not to sound rude but I am going to speak the truth… but I’m guessing that the cashier didn’t speak nor understand English very well because instead of asking me what I wanted from my coupon, she gave me the wrong items and then caught an attitude with me because I asked to speak with the manager. Why I should waste time arguing with you if 1. You either don’t understand what I’m saying or pretending that you don’t or 2. You’re wrong! Needless to say while I’m explaining to the manager what just happened, the cashier was talking about me in Spanish to one of her coworkers.
Never again!

Dude! Water cups are tiny and McFlurries not served for more than a year. No offense to the staff, who totally deserve a pay hike and healthcare, but time this McDonalds got a little bit of a enhancement.
Micky Dee management, time for a wakeup call. This McDonalds is on the Upper West Side, home of guys like me, who read the New Yorker at French Cafes. Mc Café this place out… that advice is free this time.

I was there at 3:45am. The sign said open 24 hours. They were closed. I motioned to the guy inside, but he was indifferent. I really just wanted a burger, fries and chicken nuggets, but alas, despite the sign they were closed.

This is the worst McDonald’s in the country. They have like 45 people working there and yelling at each other. They interrupt you when you order to say whats up to their friends who walk in the door. They say «What!!!» if they don’t understand something yo say or if they just weren’t listening. They NEVER have Diet Coke, Sprite or anything but dumb drinks. They take FOREVER and then yell at you if you don’t run to them right away when they call your order. I thought this was my break today and it was a nightmare! When i walked out and a lady on the street told me to be careful because my bag was ripped. THEY GAVE ME A BAG THAT WAS RIPPED ON THE BOTTOM! Meanwhile I’m drinking an orate Hi C … disgusting. Get it together!!!

This is one of the slower Mcdonalds. I’ve been here several times and noticed that the food is never hot, it’s always sort of lukewarm, which bothers me tremendously. Mcdonalds should be hot, especially since it has to kill all those germs from the prepackaged food.
Some places seem warm and inviting, others don’t. For some reason, whenever I do get food here, it’s to go, and I can’t wait to get out of here. They do seem to honor most of the televised specials though and in NYC, it’s a crap shoot.

This is where i kill time if i find myself arriving early for a gig a block away somewhere in West End Avenue. I’d get myself acquainted more on the latest on menu offerings of McDonalds. i’d get hot coffee and one of those packaged meals (fish fillet most times – not bad tasting but i wish they’d improve the taste LOL) i see on d menu board. staff’s made up of mostly hispanics (i guess it’s due to d nearby neighborhood) — some r lousy, some r attentive, some r extra friendly, some just simply look tired & bored LOL.
i see an interesting mix of clients coming and going here, including homeless people. am glad in a way that they don’t actually shoo them away treating them like dirt.
i also like the fact that this branch’s open ²⁴⁄₇ — which works great for me especially during winter LOL

This is not a review of McDonald’s in general. It is a review of this location. This place is really a pocket of strangeness on the UWS. It’s part insane asylum, part homeless shelter, and part housing project. Get in, and get out. There is a security guard that stands in front of the bathroom guarding the porcelain throne.
The problem here is that they seriously SKIMP on the fries. By that I mean consistently giving 30% of what you would get at other locations. It got ridiculous after about 3 times, and I asked the cashier what was going on. She told me she was directed by the manager to skimp, and that he was cheap. They deliver, so that may be your best bet… even if you order it to the front door. It beats running through a gauntlet of strange minds, with strange aromas to boot.

I remember when I could eat this stuff twice a week. Sometimes I’d rotate with Burger King or Wendy’s b/​c I didn’t want one of the chains to get a big head or anything.
That time has long gone. I could eat just about anything these days except fast food.
It has nothing to do with health (I still haven’t seen Super Size Me or read Fast Food Nation). It has nothing to do with an aversion to red meat (I love a good burger). It has nothing to do with fried foods (although I try to limit this to when I’m in bars and have no choice).
It’s all b/​c McD’s food is soooooooo salty. It’s all I taste when I eat it. I can take very sweet, very spicy, even sour… but very salty turns me off except on rare occasions (French, a good roast chicken, motzahball soup).
So except for an occasional breakfast visit (think 6AM @ JFK airport) or a visit when i’m half-​drunk and lazy, McD’s is out of my life. Kind of like a friend you grew up with but have little in common with anymore…
Oh, and this McD’s is a little sketchier than most. At least I think it is. Let’s just say it’s sketchier than any other take out place in the ‘hood and leave it at that.
Note: If you’re craving ice cream past 11PM, this is your only bet. The McFlurry I had was vanilla ice cream loaded with M&Ms. Could’ve used more ice cream and less M&Ms. Better than nothing though…