This is consistently one of the crappiest McDs drive thru locations I have had the misfortune of patronizing in all of San Diego. Scratch that. This is the worst drive thru I have ever experienced of any fast food joint anywhere.
Despite my many craptacular visits, I still infrequent this location due to its convenient location in Chula Vista. Hopefully I'll do better to remember what a time-suck this restaurant is and stop coming here and wasting my time.
This location seems busy no matter what time or day of the week I visit. But it's also true that they are grossly inefficient and just plain slow. Some of the horrible drive thru experience can be attributed to poor training. Some of horrible drive thru experience can be a lack of staff. The rest of the horrible drive thru experience can be attributed to apathetic (or maybe overwhelmed & overworked) staff.
This location features TWO drive thru lines that merge into one, which is supposed to mean more customers can be served and the lines can flow rather quickly. That's been the nice experience I have had with other busy McD's drive thrus, but NEVER EVER here.
On the particular visit, I was with my kids and dropped my order via the app to minimize contact. When I arrived, the drive thru lines were long, as usual, so I parked in one of the designated pickup parking spaces and opted to have my food brought out to me in the parking lot.
The app then told me there was an issue with my order and I had to go into the restaurant. That was not an option, Given the COVID-19 situation, and the fact I had my kids in the truck with me.
Using the app, I reselected to pick up via drive thru and was given a code. Then I had to drive around and get into one of the long drive thru lines where I spent the next almost 30mins (start to finish)!!! By this time my credit card company sent me a text confirming the charge.
When I finally reached the speaker after about 15mins, I was more than ready to provide my order number. Instead, when I mentioned I put in my order via the app I was told that the restaurant's Internet was down and they were not accepting mobile orders and I had to pay with cash!
Luckily I had cash on hand but I can only imagine how inconvenient this was for anyone who was stuck in the drive thru line without any cash on hand during this time.
I proceeded to put in my order then waited almost another 15mins before reaching the first window to pay!
The staff, who were all wearing gloves and masks, resembled ants scrambling after someone steps on their organized line--complete disarray.
I got my order, parked nearby to confirm its accuracy and give my starving kids their food, then hit the road.
I can understand not being able to immediately tape a simple "no mobile orders. cash only" paper to the speaker or outdoor menu as I have seen at other restaurants, but I was here almost an hour from when I dropped my order via the app until I finally received my food. I spent about 10mins sorting out my app order issue. About another 30mins in the drive thru. And another 10mins in the adjacent parking lot giving my kids their food in my vehicle. I'm all that time no one posted any signage about this issue, which is telling about their training and customer service.
Additionally, The charge to my credit card for the mobile order that was never fulfilled wasn't reversed until almost 48hours later.
So if you have nothing better to do but waste time stuck in a drive thru then visit this location and bring cash. You can also refer people you don't like here too to torture them. read more