2 out of 3 ain't bad, nowadays…read more
I've come to expect either bad service, incorrect order, long wait, angry employees, rude employees, employees that for me are hard to understand and / or all of those scenarios when I go to a fast food establishment with the exception of Chick-fil-A. No longer do I get angry or frustrated because, unfortunately, there aren't many services left in America that have employees or management that puts customers' experience and services as their top priority.
Upon entering this McDonald's, I was greeted by the sound of unhappy and frustrated customers. One customer had returned her incorrect breakfast sandwich, and she was promptly served the identical incorrect breakfast sandwich the 2nd time. Luckily for her the 3rd time she got the correct sandwich but it was cold. Another customer was showing frustration because she had placed her order, and she said she had been waiting 10 minutes so far.
The me from 20 years ago would have turned around and walked away upon seeing and hearing the customers already there, but the 2023 me, oh no. Why leave? Will service be better in another location? Maybe, but probably not.
So, I placed my order using the kiosk, the only option available. Paid for my order, and a receipt did not print out. Cool, now I get to guess what my order number is as I wait amongst 4 other customers.
One of my fellow customers let an employee know that neither kiosk is printing receipts. Her reply, "They never do." Inside, I'm laughing my ass off because instead of replacing the paper or diagnosing the problem, the employees are content to chalk it up too. It never prints receipts.
I politely ask the young lady employee, "What is the order number for the order that includes a bottle of water?" She let's me know, so now I feel privileged compared to the growing number of customers that are not privy to such top secret information.
I get my oder, which took way longer than it would have taken from the years 1975 through 2000 (1975 is the earliest I can recollect going to a McDonald's) but fast for 2023 (8 minute wait)
I didn't look to see if my order was correct because that would ruin all the fun of unpacking the bag upon reaching my destination. It's so exciting nowadays when an order is 100% correct. I have learned to enjoy the build-up to the game I call, "Is the fast-food order correct?"
Also, if it's not correct, why would I want to let the employees of most fast restaurants know about the mistake? In my experience, they often react as if I am letting them down or they seem angry with me because I now want them to fix their error.
To be fair, in some states, fast-food employees only earn a minimum of $15.00 per hour. At that hourly rate, is it fair to expect the employees to provide service with a smile, a polite demeanor, and use proper diction? (Sarcasm)
Now for the grand finally of my trip to this McDonald's for takeout breakfast.
Drumroll, please!
I ordered 3 hash browns, and I got 3 hash browns!
I ordered a bacon, egg, and cheese on a biscuit, and I got a bacon, egg, and cheese on a biscuit!
The 3rd item! Oh, this is so exciting. Will this be an elusive 100% correct order!?
I ordered a sausage and cheese McMuffin (NO EGG). This is a tough one for modern fast-food workers because it's kinda a special instruction order.
I reach into the bag and, wait for it, Boom! It's sausage on a biscuit! No cheese or egg. Aww! So close!
Oh well, 2 outa 3 ain't bad. Nowadays.
P.S. I gave them 3 stars because they may have given me the incorrect order, and the service was slow, but they weren't mean or angry about it.