My husband & I are disabled, & our son is our caregiver. He shops for us, using a rolling cart capable of holding ~75 lb. We believe firmly that using public transport, walking, biking, etc, are good for the planet, & he often sees others who live close walking, often with large or small carts.
He often stops by this McDonald's to get something to take home for us as a treat.
On Aug. 31, he went into this McDonald's with the cart, at a low traffic time. He put in his order & while waiting, was approached by an employee or manager & commanded to leave because "we don't allow.carts in here." There was no sign to this effect on the door or anywhere in the restaurant. He'd already paid for the food & was waiting to receive it when he was commanded to leave. He informed them of the lack of signage forbidding carts, plus the fact no one had said anything to him when he had placed & paid for his food, & stated he wasn't leaving without his food. The employee said that was too bad, they didn't allow carts & he would have to leave. The employee was very rude to him & quite upset with his refusal to leave without what he'd paid for. Where I come from, that's called a mugging or a robbery. Our son got what he came for, then was chivvied out of this civil cesspit of a McDonald's & watched to ensure he left.
He did. AND WE WILL NOT BE BACK, BECAUSE THAT IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF THIS.
But first...in an era when anyone skeptical of the climate change data is openly threatened by our government, & when government-paid scientists & our legislators suggest jailing & even suggest or demand capital punishment for "climate change deniers," a restaurant that gives priority to those running their motors outside in the drive-through while telling someone they have no right walk to a supermarket (vs. driving that short distance) & then to bring in a cart & order food & either eat it there or take it home is the height of hubris. It's a shame that, if they're experiencing increased crime, they haven't looked in the proper direction - out their back door to that casino they were so eager to embrace. The one with at least half a dozen restaurants open 24/7...the one that brought all the "tipped" jobs, where they don't even pay 25% of minimum wage & it's legal because the tips are expected to make up the shortfalls & then some...which rarely happens. And statistics have repeatedly shown there is an increase in crime associated with any gambling establishment of any size. Plus, the taxes generated end up used, not for schools & to help the elderly, but for increased policing due to increased crime, & when money is promised to our kids & seniors from gambling "takes," the budget is cut by a comparable amount by the legislators...since those promised that money don't get what they were promised, they end up with a budget shortfall. THAT is the source of their woes, if hey are experiencing increased "undesirables" in their restaurant, not someone who's gone grocery shopping & stops for a salad or a burger, either to eat in or take out..
DON'T GO HERE IF YOU'RE DISABLED, EITHER. They've progressively make the main entrance increasingly difficult to enter to the point it is now impossible to get in that way with a power chair...& they keep the handicapped door in the rear (by the messy area that's rarely cleaned, near the restrooms) LOCKED most of the time. If an employee lets you in, they warn you to be quiet, lock the door again when you're barely through it, & they're looking over their shoulders the entire time. They used to help you get your tray to the table & if necessary, put a chair aside...now, they're apparently not permitted to help. The last time I was there, I had to attempt to juggle some awkward packages (shoe boxes), a tray, & a drink, & was scolded by the manager for moving a chair away, out of the way, so as to put my power chair under the table to have my salad. The handicapped tables are the mostly-dirty ones in the back. Running the gauntlet of chairs in the middle of the floor to get to the counter is a challenge for the able bodied, let alone someone with mobility limitations. Apparently, disabled people are also "undesirable clientele."
So, GOODBYE, MCDONALD'S. I AM WELCOME - & SO IS MY SON WITH HIS CART - IN EVERY OTHER FAST FOOD PLACE BUT YOURS. The best ones are Chik-Fil-A, Wendy's, & if you're ever walking towards Ft
Meade on the road shoulder of Ridge Road, Hardee's at the intersection. of E
Ridge Rd. & Annapolis Rd., beside the Shell gas station, is very friendly to both (best one). Taco Belle is usually but not always OK with wheelchairs, but they've never objected to my son's cart. Plus, Lima Chicken, Urban BBQ, Ledo's, Mai Dragon, & the Pho restaurant welcome both.
There are other McDonald's in the general area that are nicer. Try one of them. AVOID THIS ONE UNLESS YOU'RE AT LEAST AFFLUENT...but watch your belongings & lock your car & set the alarm as you're still very close to the casino. read more