McDonald's — Restaurant in Dana Point

It's sad, really. This McDonald's used to be a favorite spot for PCH drives. I don't know if it's COVID or what but the past few times I've gone this location has been a disappointment. Allow me to explain. Because there's nothing to do, for the past few months my dad and I drive down to this area of PCH every Friday night. The first time we went to get ice cream at the drive-thru at this location at around 10:40 PM they told us that they had just shut down their ice cream machine at 10:30, I assume for their closing duties. Now, as far as I'm aware they close their drive-thru at 1:30 AM on Fridays, so 10:30 PM sounds a wee bit early to start cleaning the ice cream machine but whatever. We went back another time and they gave us the same spiel, so we decided we'd rather get milkshakes at the Jack In The Box in Laguna instead. Their ice cream machine was up and running! But that's not even the worst part. Lately my dad and I have been going out earlier. We went to this McDonald's on two separate occasions, assuming that because it was during the wee hour of 9 PM that their ice cream machine would be running. Oh how wrong we were! So first they told us that they shut it down at 10:30. Now they're shutting it down at 9!? When they close at 1:30!? Preposterous! Look, I used to work at a restaurant that closed at 9 PM. I get it, we all want to get our closing duties over with as early as possible. Sometimes we would dismantle the ice cream machine at 8:30. But doing so hours before closing!? What!? Anyways, enough of my ranting. I really want to believe in this McDonald's, I really do. I have good memories of coming down here with my parents to get a bite to eat. Hence the 3 stars instead of 2. I'm writing this review more out of sadness than anger. Because I believe in this McDonald's. I want it to be the McDonald's that I remember it to be. So please, McDonald's, please get your act together and your ice cream...

Tonight I tried the curbside pickup at this McDonald's and am so irritated by the results. Instead of getting a large orange soda, I was given a coke. My son's yogurt tube was hot so it wasn't safe to eat anymore. My bacon, egg and cheese biscuit was old and stale and my hash brown was cold. Yes, I should have checked my order more thoroughly before driving home, but I had a crying two month old and a tired four year old in the car so I quickly made sure all of my items were there and drove home.

Once I got home, I realized everything that was wrong with my order so I called and after four attempts finally got a hold of Bertine (the manager?) I was mostly upset about getting the wrong drink and the yogurt that had to go in the trash, so I told her about those two issues. She never apologized, just told me to write her name on my receipt and bring it in whenever I can to get the items replaced. I went to grab the receipt while I was on the phone with her only to realize I was never given a receipt (yes, I later re-checked my car, diaper bag, etc. and I definitely was never given a receipt)! I let her know that I didn't get one and she said, "Sorry, without a receipt I can't replace any items". After explaining three more times that the employee never gave me a receipt and Bertine acknowledging that it isn't my fault that the receipt was never given, she offered no solution and told me I can't do anything without a receipt. Give me a break! McDonald's must be hard up to not be able to replace a soda and a yogurt without proof of purchase which I can actually provide since I purchased the meal on their app. But no, I don't have the receipt so I'm out of luck. Horrible customer service. Horrible food....

Soda machine broken and received the wrong food! This morning I went through the drive thru. I wanted a #2 with a Large coke, simple right. They informed me the soda machines were down, so I settled for an orange juice. I was in need of caffeine and don't drink coffee. When I got to the window they were charging me for the orange juice, I questioned shouldn't you just charge me for a coke since that's what I wanted and your machine is down. The manager came to the window I explained the same to her, she then charged me for a soda, but then told the other staff to only give me a medium orange juice (not a large). I thought fine, I wasn't coming to McDonalds for a battle this morning but rather a Coke and breakfast. I got my food and went to my office to find they gave me the wrong order. I had ordered a #2 which is a Sausage McMuffin and I got a Sausage Biscuit. Needless to say I am not happy. Of course I will go back, because I like McDonalds from time to time, but frustrated...