McDonald's — Restaurant in Castle Point

Popped in for lunch today but there was nothing fast about this fast food outlet. It was extremely busy so we waited over 10 minutes for our food. Staff were friendly and trying their best but at times looked stretched or new to the job, which didn't help. When we got our food it was as it should be but if you're in a real hurry it would be quicker to make a packed lunch!! 🙄 I feel I can only score 3 stars due to the time it took for our order to arrive. I felt sorry for the staff who looked like they were running round like headless chickens at times.

Update;

Just returned to McDonald's at Rayleigh Weir, still the same. Tried the drive through this time and was asked if I could park up as the food wasn't ready. We only waited about 5 or 6 minutes but when the food was brought out to us part of the order was missing. I couldn't be bothered to go in and complain because the queue looked huge. Friendly staff but it just looks manic.

2nd Update; I really should learn 🙄

Just had an early evening trip to the drive through, I waited patiently by the order station but there was no one there to take my order. I said hello several times and eventually a voice replied and apologised for the delay. I placed my order & drove round to pay. The whole queue was then stationery for 10 plus minutes. I thought possibly someone would walk round to explain the delay but no one did. I was amazed they hadn't asked the car that was head of the queue to park in the waiting bays but again, they didn't. When I finally got to the collection window the lad apologised and explained they'd had a power outage. Fortunately, my food was cooked and actually really nice but they definitely should have had someone wander along the queue and explain the delay. Its supposed to be a fast food outlet, it definitely wasn't that!! 😕

Update 3;

That's it, 3 strikes and out. Queued again at the drive through at around 9.30 pm last night. Only 1 of the 2 ordering stations were working so people were arriving at the faulty 1 unable to place an order or reverse back 🙄. The order was slow, food warm and portion was tiny like someone had eaten half the fries before they arrived. We won't be using this McDonald's anymore, the general all round service is atrocious!! Advice...

There is something seriously wrong with the delivery aspect here and management seriously need to take note and oversee staff training. No matter which platform you deliver on whether it is Just eat, the McDonald’s app or Uber eats it’s the staff in the restaurant that pack the bags. It seems to be fairly consistent that you get delivery with items missing from the order and we all know how frustrating that can be, especially when there’s kids who end up with no dinner. It’s more inconsistent to get what you actually order and this store doesn’t seem to think there’s anything wrong in that.

Note for manager: If you have staffed the packing area with team members YOU need to ensure those staff members are capable of reading an order, packing it and checking it’s all in there before it’s sealed. It’s not on, yes it’s fast food, yes you probably are busy but that’s no excuse. McDonald’s is not as cheap as it used to be. People often order for convenience or a treat. When you order delivery you obviously aren’t able to drive to the store.

Today wasn’t the first time (I’ve lost count now it’s been so many times) that I’ve phoned the store to be told there’s nothing they can do because the orders are delivered by couriers. So in amongst it with missing dinners, cold food that came getting colder you have to faff about trying to get your money back whilst trying to feed those who haven’t got their food. If you’ve ever tried doing this on the McDonald’s virtual chat app then you should know how much the added frustration is there as you go through it all to then end up going through a long winded Uber chat.

We had a full missing meal today, one of two drinks that came the lid wasn’t on so it was half spilt, soaking wet through bag and no straws. Courier mumbled a quick apology and left.

Store tells me I should request refund and order again. But why should I do that? I’m already feeling like I don’t want to ever give you my custom again and I don’t know why we all continue to do so and have to accept this shoddy service. Because if I do that I have to go through the whole wait again, wonder if it will actually arrive as ordered AND pay for another delivery fee.

Management,...

Just had my lunch here with the family on Easter Saturday. It’s our local McDonalds. Over the years it has been hit or miss with the food being cold and the chips being half full and soggy. Lately I have thought twice about going here as it is more often a poor experience rather than a good one. I have recently complained on a previous visit about the music in the dinning area being at MAX volume like a nightclub. Loud with dance song after dance song. Staff seem to be enjoying it. I did get a response and this was corrected. Today I ordered at the table via the app with family. Atmosphere ok but again dance music. The problem today was the chips being cold and again not even half full. The Big Mac I had was probably the worst I have ever had! One of the burgers was burnt, a smidge of Big Mac sauce, minimal onion and lettuce. Cold. When I went to the counter to show them that I had no Big Mac sauce the young lady asked if I wanted some extra sauce or get someone to cook a new one?? I shrugged my shoulders and said I suppose I just want the sauce then. I showed her the inside of the burger! I was expecting staff to just recook it. She then passed it to one of the managers (white shirt with red scarf) who just got another member of staff to sort out. The young lady then come back with the Big Mac box on a tray for me to take off her at the till. When I sat down with family they asked if they changed it and I said we will see. Opened the box and it’s the same sad looking burger with a little extra sauce. Shockingly poor service. I know it’s cheap but I think I’ve given up with this restaurant and McDonalds as a whole. Since Uber deliveries it seems to me that the service and quality of food is very poor. I’d rather take my family to somewhere like Wimpy’s where I know the food would be fresh and cooked with care for just a few...