McDonald's — Restaurant in Columbus

I ordered through app about 10 minutes before closing on Thursday, August 1, 2024. A car before me was told the location was closed. I pulled up to the speaker, the order screen was unlit. I told them that I had a mobile order. I was told they didn't have any mobile orders. I gave my mobile order number and again was told that there were no mobile orders. I gave my order number again. After a quiet hesitation, I was told to drive around. A few seconds later after waiting at the window, I was asked if I'd rather have chicken sandwiches instead of burgers. I told her, "No. I'd rather have my burgers." She walked away & yelled back that I wanted my burgers. She came back and told me to pull up to the next window. No one else was behind me, but I did as told. After SEVENTEEN minutes went by, I drove around to cancel the order to leave. By the time I'd made it around the building, she was standing outside with my bag. I ordered two $5 meals with 2 Sprites no ice. I live about 30 minutes away. I tried a nugget while driving. It was cold & hard. I got home & my son noticed salt packets thrown in the bag which meant no salt on the cold, old fries. Both Sprite were carbon water. The burgers were hockey pucks!! I drove the 30 minutes back to the location the next day. I asked to speak to a manager. I explained it all to the female assistant manager. She asked if I had a receipt. I told her it was done online. I showed her the proof. She said something about having to call the night manager. A male that was manager stopped what he was doing & must have asked why I was there. The female assistant manager gave a VERY brief description of what I told her(it took less than 10 seconds). She came back to me and said that the male manager said that since I didn't bring the food back that HE would only replace one meal. I told her that I paid for 2 meals and should get 2 meals especially since I'd driven all that way back. She said that there was nothing she could do about it since he was her supervisor. She rung up the meal then walked away. I asked the person that handed me the food if the location was corporate or franchise. She said that she didn't know. The female assistant manager asked if she could help. I asked her the same question. She turned and asked the male manager. He told her that it was a franchise. I then asked the female assistant for the number to the store. She gave me the number. THIS time, the male manager walked over to me and asked if there was anything he could help me with. I finished inputting the number in my fone, looked at him, and said, "No, you told her what you wanted me to know, right?" and walked...

Normally this location is one of the best in town. Because today was dreadfully disappointing, I absolutely feel compelled to leave a comment.

First, I stood at the counter for at least 45 seconds waiting for someone to make eye contact. They were slow. No one but me was in the lobby. The crew seemed to have their attention focused on an lively conversation between two employees out of my view toward the rear.

I stepped to my left literally behind where the orders are fulfilled. On three consecutive orders coming up, the crew member left-faced and walked over to the drive through window, then right faced back to collect another order. (Mind you, there were 3-4 other employees not at all busy.)

I then started tapping my debit card on the counter hoping to draw someone's attention. Finally, I resorted to waiving my arms in the air!!

I got a young lady's attention. (One of the ones who wasn't busy....) She took my order rather nonchalantly. I specifically stated "No Cheese" on my Quarter Pounder.

I had waited around 3 minutes just to order!! The crew was still enjoying the conversation that had most of them mesmerized...

Then I get my burger... I look at the ticket. YES!! I reads "NO AMERICAN CHEESE."

I get to my car, open the box only to discover cheese on the...

For a long while, the fries weren't good. This was so disappointing after years of enjoyment. I learned recently that the local stores were sold back to the main company, which, perhaps, may be the reason for this. I always ask for no salt on my fries to help my health some & this comes with the added benefit of receiving fresh fries. However, fresh, they may be, they were still bad. The color always gives it away, dark orangish-brown. So, I already know that they're going to taste bad. Maybe they don't change the oil out enough, or maybe the ordered fries came from a bad company? IDK. It wasn't just this store either. Between that, greasy burgers (I used to love the double quarter pounder), small burgers being dry & unappealing-looking, & not having any grilled chicken options turned me off(except for their bfast sammiches, wish go back to all day). I took a chance about a week or so ago at this specific restaurant. I glimpsed the fries from about 10 ft away & they looked good! I kept thinking about them & decided to go try to take a chance. Oh, yes! They're back! At least, at this one. McDonald's, bring back some non-fried...