McDonald's — Restaurant in Houston

I actually had written a review about this location not too long ago, and it was a good review because I had a good experience, but the experience I had tonight with this specific location & the staff that was present warrants me to delete my previous review, and update it to share the experience I had, because if I can prevent the staff from tonight making someone else feel the way they made me feel then I will post this on every review board, network, blog board, etc. there is. What happened tonight was purely unacceptable. Tonight I had walked almost 3 miles to where I live in the Montrose area to MC Donald's which is about 5 min from my home. I arrived in the MC Donald's parking lot at about 9:46pm and after walking that long, and it being a warmer night I was very thirsty. I thought to myself I have about 12 minutes ill stop in here to get a large ice water since I had enough time. Also, it being really the only food place that still had a dining room open within that vicinity. So as I walked to the front entrance one of the younger employees by the name of Louis (that's the name that was given to me) just bluntly said "Stop man, your not going in there." I asked him why and told him that they still had 10 min till 10:00pm, and that I was only getting a large ice water and that I would be right back out in a minute. He said "He didn't care, that I wasn't going in there. "Now keep in mind this employee is standing out front smoking a joint because I can smell it coming off him. So I reached and grabbed to open the door, and he forcefully got in between the door and me and said "What part of me saying your not coming in here do you not understand." So the manager on duty was standing at the cash register counter because I can see her through the front glass window, so I knock on the window to get her attention. She then looks straight up at me and shrugs her shoulders, walks over to the door lets her employee in and then quickly shuts it and locks it not even giving me a minute to explain anything. After that moment I was completely stunned by the way I was treated. It baffles me that a person with that position would act as immature as some kids from high school that works some of these jobs. You are an assistant manager. It is your job and duty to carry out and enforce the rules and policies that govern the MC Donald's franchise line in a professional manner. Whatever kind of day you had is irrelevant, people expect you to conduct yourself in a certain manor because while your on duty you are the face of the MC Donald's stores and what it represents and basically tonight you just flat out made it known that you don't care one bit about the customers. You let your staff do wherever they want and talk to the customers anyway they want and you back them up. I tried to think of reasons why they would treat me is such a disrespectful manor. I did have my back pack with me. I know a lot of homeless people hang out in this area but that's irrelevant. Just because I had a backpack doesn't give any employee a right to pass judgment. I was very thirsty after walking numerous miles. I was there to purchase a large water at a time that was before the store closed. Your store dining room closes at 10:00pm. Not 9:50pm. If it closed at that time then that would be listed on the door, not 10:00pm. I did send out a formal complaint to the corporate office because when I said I was making a complaint the young employee named Louis said he didn't care and to go ahead and do whatever I wanted to do. I guess what makes me more upset is that they treated me like I was anything less than a human being. Like I was dirt. That I didn't even deserve to buy a large cup of water. That's another thing that makes me upset is when you are thirsty like that and you know you could have gotten something but because of the staff and the way they treated you for no reason your stuck being thirsty. My options were very...

This is based off of my experience as a delivery driver only: I have gone into this McDonald's quite a few times to pick up orders for my customers. I can honestly say that I've never had a bad encounter with ANY of the staff.

I have seen customers come up to the counter to order items & they honestly are the worst human beings. They will treat the staff like they are basically idiots, put on this earth to only take their orders and service them. Never once has an employee lost their temper. I on the other hand did one time & had to tell a woman "You need to chill. She's not your freaking servant that you can come up to the counter and treat like garbage." (I'm trying to use f-bombs only in Houston traffic 😁). I remember the young lady behind the counter just smiling. I've worked in the service industry. I know what it's like when you get a rush (a bunch of orders at once for a period of time). When dealing with the WORST customers, you have to put on a fake smile & tell them that you apologize, the kitchen is backed up, and that their order will be ready soon. I'm not sure what it would take to kick someone out of the store for a customer's gross verbal abuse to employees, but it needs to be better. The employees deserve better.

This restaurant is in an area with an increased homeless population & I've seen many homeless folks walk into the store. I have never seen the staff yell at the person to get out. They have actually, in my presence, treated the homeless folks with kindness & dignity. It seems that they know a couple, so that when they come in, they know what the person wants to order. The person tends to just leave afterwards.

I'm not sure the turnover rate at this particular store, but based on what I've seen, I'm guessing that it's kinda high. It's in an area very close to downtown, so you get all types in there. I'm not sure if having the McDonald's closing by W. Grey has increased the business here, but I have overall noticed an increase in the homeless population in the area (I live a mile from this McDonald's). It's now the only McDonald's closer for a lot of folks since that Downtown location was closed, so I'd be surprised if the traffic didn't increase.

As I mentioned above, the employees have always been nice & professional - even when it is so busy it's hard to remember your own name. I've picked up about 8 orders over the years & can say that 5 of those have been during rush periods. They have always kept their composure & have had more restraint than I would have when those AWFUL people come to the counter.

Turnover rates cost more money than actually paying your experienced employees. Everytime you have to train a new employee, that takes away from the qualified employee from doing their job to their fullest extent. There's also the money that goes into training. Pay these people well. I'm talking "I can now pay my rent in Houston without a second job" well....

I popped in for a coffee, when I typically drive thru. Because the line was so long I knew going in would be faster. There is very limited parking at this location. When the drive thru gets busy you are forced into a precarious situation, due to the lot being so miniscule, you are in the middle of the road whilst waiting in the line. Poorly planned, all around. As this is a high traffic area. My coffee was so obviously old, and although I ordered and paid for a coffee with cream and sugar, I got to my car took a sip and discovered it was black. However, I was so put off by the happenings inside, I left and basically flushed my two bucks down the drain. Then promptly went to another location en route to work, where they kindly gave me a nice fresh coffee made to my criteria and then refused to take my money. I left the gentleman nice feedback with the corporate office,so I hope he's praised.

There are so many homeless people and drug addicts in this area. They're on every corner.It was raining,and they of course were looking for shelter.The Manager promptly told them to buy something or leave. I get it...I've managed businesses in areas where homeless become problematic. That part I totally understand, although it sucks.What really pissed me off...there were two girls and a boy probably 14-15 yrs old sitting in a booth with a couple trays of wrappers and cups in front of them. Clearly they had purchased items. The Manager said at them from across the store "you guys are out of time, it's time to go"! These kids were so embarrassed. I was horrified. I understand you don't want three teenagers just taking up a booth in a busy location. But her delivery was horrid. To say something of that nature where all patrons could be privy with no tact, class or decency is abhorrent.She is utterly indecent and unprofessional. I've seen her on several other occasions,she is the morning Manager. Who yes....does undoubtedly contend with people who are homeless, drug addicted and likely many mentally ill as well. However, her manner in which she decided who stayed and who went and for how long seemed completely arbitrary. I imagine the store owner and/or the McDonald's corporate office would have been shocked by her unprofessionalism.

How we treat others deems much about our worth as humans. I hope she affords her employees more dignity and respect. She needs reigning in,and a fair criteria for deciding who stays and goes. As well as a standard and fair time limit...