McDonald's — Restaurant in Crawley

There are meals, and then there are moments—those rare, transcendent culinary experiences that etch themselves onto the tongue’s memory like a sonnet. I found one such moment not in a Michelin-starred dining room, but beneath the warm, fluorescent halo of a McDonald’s. Yes, McDonald’s—a name so globally known, so culturally entrenched, that to dismiss it is to misunderstand the very essence of 21st-century cuisine.

Let us begin, as all great journeys must, with the Big Mac. This is no mere sandwich—it is an institution. The triple-layered bun, soft yet resilient, cradles two modest beef patties whose smoky aroma hints not at pasture-fed provenance, but at something more primal: comfort. The “special sauce”—a pink-hued masterpiece of creamy tang—binds the lettuce, onion, pickles and meat into an unapologetically indulgent harmony. Each bite is a nostalgic overture, evoking road trips, teenage rebellion, and the universal craving for something familiar and deeply satisfying.

Then, the fries. Oh, the fries! Golden rods of alchemical brilliance, crisped to a near-mathematical precision. There is a reason they are revered across borders and languages. They are the baseline against which all other fast food fries are judged—salty, slender, and impossibly addictive. Dipped into a pot of barbecue sauce, they become something almost dangerous in their simplicity.

I ordered a side of McNuggets—because how could I not?—and they arrived like golden reliquaries, perfectly uniform, each crunch revealing that signature fusion of seasoned breading and tender interior. They don’t pretend to be anything they’re not. That’s the beauty of them. There is a deep, almost philosophical satisfaction in their lack of pretense. They are what they are—and they are glorious.

To finish, the McFlurry. On this occasion: Oreo. The soft-serve base, colder than a politician’s handshake and twice as smooth, was generously marbled with cookie shards, each spoonful a delightful study in texture contrast. As I sat with it, staring contemplatively into the middle distance, I felt time slow. This wasn’t just dessert. It was a declaration that joy, no matter how mass-produced, is still joy.

McDonald’s may not serve foie gras or ferment their own kombucha in artisanal clay jars—but they do something arguably more powerful: they feed millions, with speed, with consistency, and with a strange, enduring kind of magic. Dining here doesn’t require a reservation—just a hunger, a tenner, and a willingness to admit that even the most seasoned of critics sometimes crave the comfort of the classics.

And I, dear reader, am not too proud to say—I...

Numerous times i have given this mcdonald’s another chance, yet here i am frustrated once again. On this particular occasion my family of 4 visited this establishment via the drive thru, with the hope of receiving a succulently, unhealthy Friday night dinner (after a particularly stressful week may i add) however much to my dismay the meal in question failed to deliver and we left feeling unsatisfied. First of all my big mac was at least 60% lettuce with a measly dribble of big mac sauce. I felt as though they were trying to convert me to veganism with this sorry excuse for a burger. They should rename it the big LETTUCE bap!! Secondly, as we pulled up to eat said meal i was absolutely flabbergasted at the sight of my soggy, bland so called fries. They were like mushy sticks of disappointment. I literally could have cried but instead i got petty and decided to waste my time writing this review. Last but definitely not least, the main reasoning to my utter repugnance, was. my. DRINK!!! We actually ordered two full fat cola’s and one zero. Not only were we given one less straw than required, my APPARENT full fat coca cola was nothing more than a cup of pond water with less than a dash of cola syrup, completely un-carbonated. All the while my 8 year old autistic child ended up with a full fat cola and literally has not stopped bouncing off the walls since. So i say this to you McDonald’s Crawley up. your. game. and stop leaving your customers as pathetic as me in having to write a long review to express their disappointment.

Kind regards and yours sincerely, disgruntled customer 30, Crawley, no...

The menu displayed for breakfast at the drive-thru seemed faded and thus illegible. As a result, I had to order by basically asking the order taker if they had something with steak and egg in it. I am from the US and we do have steak and egg McMuffin at McD. Anyway, the fellow said "oh that would be sausage and egg", but then I am well aware that there is a difference between sausage and steak. However, I didn't want to make a big deal of it as it was Sunday morning. When I got to the payment window, the same order taker made a sarcastic statement as follows: " I have a good idea for dinner...steak and egg", and he seemed to be chuckling about it. I ignored him and just went on to pay, as he was evidently ignorant and insensitive. The fact that steak and egg combo sounded strange to him didn't mean it didn't exist. I would have respected him asking if I had had the steak and egg McMuffin before rather than mocking me about my order. I'd recommend sensitivity training for the staff members at this branch as current attitude is unacceptable. If you work in Langley Green, you must expect to come across different nationalities as it is near Gatwick Airport (15 minutes drive). Anyway, the food was average but I doubt if I'd be going back to...