This Mcdonald's is located on the corner of 23RD St and (drumroll) Macdonald, in the heart of "Greater Richmond." You'd think that a Mcdonald's located on a Macdonald Ave. would have to be something special. Well, you're right. I've been stopping by this Macdonalds (I mean Mcdonald's goddamnit) occasionally, over the years, on my way to other places. The place in question is by no means a destination point, at least not for discriminating diners. Rather, it's a magnet for what discriminating diners seek to avoid. You see, not only is Macdonald Ave. adjacent to this McD, but a long established establishment, called "Nelson's Liquor and Deli" is right next door to the Mcdonald's parking lot. I'm not going to review Nelson's, because I've only been in there a few times, many years ago. Let me just say, the only thing I remember about it was seeing the worst, decaying produce I've ever seen, in any store, in my life. Obviously, Nelson's longevity is owing to sales other than produce and deli. It doesn't take a degree in sociology to know that the confluence of Nelson's and Mcdonald's in the heart of "Greater Richmond" is going to attract the unsavory element that this city harbors. Groups of sketchy people are present at all times in front of the liquor store and in the parking lot. Needless to say, panhandling is endemic. But that's not unusual. It seems like panhandlers are approaching me everywhere I go in the whole Bay Area. Usually, you're safe once you get inside of wherever you're going. Don't expect that here. Most of the time, the regular clientele will be eating and conversing in a quiet, friendly way. But crazy things happen. One morning I walked through the door and saw a homeless person laying down on a bench, covered in blankets, with his bags laying around. I passed by him and then passed by a big, red puddle. At first, I thought somebody spilled something. Later, I spotted a man sitting and holding a cloth to his head. Then the ambulance and police came. They bandaged his head injury and rolled him out on a gurney. After that, the police told the homeless man, "you have to go. You can't come in here and make a bed." After protesting, he left, leaving behind some clothes and a mess. A worker mopped up the blood. Another time, a woman came up to the counter and tried to panhandle a customer there. When the manager intervened, she yelled Bitch! and pushed the cash register off the counter. Bang! It was a big, heavy machine. Wny did she do that? The cash register didn't do anything. The manager had to heave it up and mend it. I'm giving stars to the staff, because they do a good job and it's a hard job, being on the front line in the war against poverty. read more