Burger King — Restaurant in England

So this branch reopened today after having been closed for refurbishment. It was hard to tell what the refurbishment was, as to be honest it really didn't feel different other than a wall graphic and the cardboard crowns on the tables, but frankly it wasn't worth it. I had visited the drive-through once while the work was going on, but the gibberish that came from the speaker made me think maybe it was broken, so on that occasion I gave up and just went to McDonalds in Barrack Road. I probably should have taken it as a warning.

I went in after work late this afternoon. The place was mostly empty, maybe a couple of diners at tables and a delivery rider just leaving. Having elected table service, my food arrived suspiciously fast: not 'fast food cooked quick' fast, more like 'this has been sitting around unsold' kind of fast, only without the fries I ordered. I raised the omission at the counter where they had to look up my order and promised me the fries were coming. I went back to my table thinking I'd start on the burger, but my tray was whipped away without asking, only to come back shortly after with the fries now added.

Unwrapped the burger and took a bite: lukewarm. Picked up a fry - also just warm, rather than the kind of freshly-cooked hot you would expect - put it in my mouth, and promptly spat it out again because the whole bag had been so heavily salted that my fingers came away feeling gritty from the crystals. I was not asked if I wanted salt (I did not).

The staff were milling about behind the counter like a lost school trip , seemed to be composed of 30-something-year-old men and gave the impression of being barely trained, if at all. It just all felt so profoundly amateur.

I don't know if this is maybe down to a new franchisee who has taken over the location - and frankly this branch has always puzzled me as to how it stays open. Footfall seems terrible, the place is invisible from the main road, and there are plenty of dead shops in the Bournemouth/Christchurch area where a BK would do much better.

Even the reopening day offer of free burgers for a year for the 100th customer seemed optimistic: I went in around 5pm and my order was something like no.35. If that's for the whole day including lunchtime rush, that's really pretty poor for a big name fast food outlet. They may be hoping for increased business from the extra staff and visitors to the expanded Royal Bournemouth Hospital next door, but the hospital public restaurant serves far better food than you'll get here, and it should be re-opening this year.

Verdict: Avoid. If you're craving a BK go to the one in Somerford, if you want any old burger there's McDonalds on Barrack Road, and if you've got more money than sense there's 5 Guys at...

Only buy burgers from BK and I admit that it’s quite a rare event. I was looking forward to this, quite hungry too. Ordered a wholesome looking burger meal deal at £7.29, quiet when I first went in, ideal. Young guy served me, helpful enough, my drink was a “hot” cappuccino. He filled the machine with milk and then realised that my order was ready on the slide. In the meantime the place took on 2 other customers and two bike rider/delivery guys. He served everyone then remembered about my food which he eventually gave to me, I looked inside and could see the fries but no burger but I looked again before saying anything and to my surprise the “burger” was hiding under the small amount of fries. I asked where the cappuccino was and it reminded him that he had to press the button on the machine again. During serving a couple of the other customers he checked to see if the machine had finished and it had, it had been for a minute or two, that might not seem long time but we mustn’t forget that this is a “fast food” establishment and his team behind him are cooking the food. So I had everything and went back to my car parked directly outside. In the minute white paper bag hiding underneath the very small portion of fries was my not so substantial burger which by now was luke warm at best, the fries which amounted to less than 15 were also not warm and my cappuccino was bordering cold. I should have gone back in to complain and I really regret not doing it now a few hours later. £7.29 for for what ! A lousy tiny flavourless burger padded with I don’t know, something like breadcrumbs!? Fries were ok but I must have had the Extra Small potion and a “warm” drink that was bordering cold. Worst £7 + I’ve ever spent, I will never go there again and possibly BK anywhere else too. Shockingly bad value for money and poor service too. Very very...

I am so glad you've reopened after shutting during the COVID pandemic. As a key worker it's so nice to be able to use a drive-thru again after a long shift. I thank each and every one of you for coming into work when I use you.

The food is great, staff friendly and service super quick. I have one very big issue each time I use your drive-thru. When I ask for Coke with my meal, I mean I want Coke with my meal. I do not want Diet Coke, I do not want Coke Zero. I want Coca-Cola. The drink with plenty of delicious sugar. Almost every time I use this Burger King I am given sugar free coke. This can't be right especially when you're charging extra quoting "sugar tax". When I am paying for the drink as part of the meal that I then have to pour away when I can taste (and yes, the taste is obvious) that you've given me sugar free Coke, it is very frustrating.

Some may think I'm being picky, but I have an allergy to artificial sweeteners which almost all your drinks contain other than full sugar Coke. The allergy is of course not severe or I would not risk it. However, if I was to consume a full cup of Coke Zero it would result in me quite literally pissing out my arse the...