McDonald's — Restaurant in Uttlesford

Don’t get caught out when you head there after 8pm. Car park is always packed of vehicles waiting to collect passengers from the airport and none of them making any purchases. So the drive thru queue when I visited McDonald’s on 2 occasions within 3 weeks of going away for 2 short breaks was over flowing into the road , so I parked my car on both occasions in the carpark straight ahead thinking this was just an over flow car park as a van ( strangely there on both occasions) was parked in there and a few cars . It seems that this carpark is for Starbucks customers only and when Starbucks is closed you are not allowed to park there . I received 2 x £60 fines for parking there while walking in and then eating in the car , total parked time was 20mins . If you search this on the web it has been an on going issue for years and multiple people have been caught out due to deceiving signage as you drive in . On both occasions I visited after midnight after spending half a day travelling and its not fair that two large global companies let a company called Euro Garages enforce the parking restrictions to make money out of legitimate paying customers. So please all be aware as they are making more money on fines than than probably Starbucks does when open up to 8pm as when I was parked multiple cars where in the car or driving in while I was there and that was just 20 minutes while I was parked. Why isn’t a barrier of some sort placed across the carpark when Starbucks closes , the building are 4m apart, absolutely ridiculous. Both Starbucks and McDonald’s know about this and do nothing about it so they are scammers/cheats just like Euro Garages , it’s cost me £145 to get 4 meals from McDonald’s including the 2 x £60 fines and wont happen again as Burger King are soon to open a drive thru and will make it point to going there every time I return from my holidays . I also wrote to both parties and they said contact Euro Garages which is a waste of time . Ps also on both occasions they had not milkshakes plus the burgers where cold !!!

They have a cheek to state the below when searching the Stansted chain , maybe they should change to “next time you’re looking for a few fines head to McDonald’s A120 Stansted Airport” -

About McDonald's A120 Stansted Airport. Since 1974, McDonald's has been dedicated to serving quality food and quick service, at an affordable price for our customers. Visit McDonald's A120 Stansted Airport and choose from a menu of favourites, including McCafé® coffee, tasty breakfasts, delicious burgers like our Quarter Pounder®* with Cheese, McPlant, and more! Before you head out, check out the latest offers and order your food ahead on MyMcDonald’s app. Next time you’re looking for a treat, head to McDonald's A120 Stansted Airport . We look forward to serving you!

Would also like to know what happens if you park in the Starbucks so called carpark and when they are open and walk to McDonald’s, do you get a fine or what if go into both chains whilst parked in the Starbucks carpark or are you allowed to park in the McDonald’s carpark and walk to Starbucks??

Anyway just be careful out...

Have read a number of comments about the toilets being closed at night for cleaning.

Please note, and understand.... Mcdonalds Stansted Airport is open 24/7; as such staff have to undertake a deep clean [that would normally be done by businesses when closed] while the store is still open. Due to how busy the premises is and with the business open 24/7 this cleaning is even more important and needed. However; staff do everything to minimise disruption.... closing the toilets at the quietest times. Eg at night. when closing the mens or womens toilets for cleaning, the disabled toilet will be unlocked and opened to provide an alternative toilet while the others are being g cleaned. the toilets are only closed for as long as necessary to actively clean them. Please note staff use very strong chemicals and so closing the toilets is essential while these are being used. Usually a toilet will not be closed for more than 30 mins, usually. hand sanitiser is also available on the wall next to the blue door leading to the toilets.

I'm sorry that the closure of the toilets has upset you and prompted a negative review. I personally see toilet closures at night for deep cleaning to be a POSITIVE ? NO? it shows their commitment to cleanliness and hygiene and to looking after the customers. Sometimes the toilets are closed due to situations out of everyone's control. Such us local plumbing, water leek, blockage or similar or due to someone being sick.

If the toilets are closed when you visit please enquire with the lobby staff who will be able to explain why and when they will reopen and any alternative arrangements.

• Personally what I do find annoying and unacceptable is the behaviour of a few, certainly the minority of, customers. Unfortunately this very small number of customers cause a very large and time consuming disruptive amount of time and effort. Not wiping their muddy shoes on the door mat and leaving trails throughout the venue. [I'm not talking about a little here, j mean shoes caked in mud and no effort to bang off or wipe off before entering], or urinating on the floor, or throwing rubbish chewing gum and tissue into the urinals blocking them and causing a build up that smells and leeks onto the floor, people who drop excessive amounts of tissue onto the toilet floors making them look unsightly, ladies leaving used sanitary products on the sinks, toilets or floor, it is the behaviour of the the few that needs challenging when you see it I feel..... not criticising staff or the business for cleaning or looking out for your...

Being my local McDonald's I go here often, only for convenience though as the service never really feels welcoming, servers never seem to smile. I am going to assume this is because it's a airport fast food restaurant.

On one occasion I was sad to see the place look like a tip. I'm not sure if it was lack of staff or lack of organisation, but there was rubbish on many tables. The bins were literally overflowing and desperately needed emptying.

When we got our food, the server literally just placed the food on the table, and didn't say a word.

On another occasion when I received my iced latte it was only half full, I went to the desk to ask if this was correct and despite being looked at by many staff, I wasn't even acknowledged. I waited a while before someone finally asked if I was ok and offered help.

I discussed the half filled latte and was told the machine wasn't serving the ice correctly and that the coffee amount I got was correct. The server did however ask if I wanted more ice. I said I would and after having filled the cup with ice from the ice bucket below the machine it then looked as it should have done as per the image on the menu, which looked much better.

Overall it feels this place mainly has staff who just go to do their job of serving/making food with the least amount of effort and that's it. They don't smile, they don't offer help if they can avoid it, don't acknowledge you. Even a simple "someone will be with you soon" would suffice if they make eye contact and see you need assistance, or "enjoy" when they serve food but that seems to be above their pay grade.

This McDonald's is a place you go to eat but don't expect much else. If you can get the attention of someone, they will be helpful but good luck with that.

Yes I am aware it's a fast food restaurant, but being pleasant and smiling really helps the atmosphere and literally costs nothing.

This review is based on many visits to...