McDonald's — Restaurant in Mount Vernon

Just along College Way, at the intersection of N. LaVenture, you find yourself confronted with the titular ‘College.’ A founding ground for the community’s proud few—but when they want something to chew, where do they go? Across the street, one structure: a gas station–McDonald’s combination stands tall, ready to ease the hungers brought forth from so much learning. It’s a compact spot, occupying a busy corner with nimble traffic.

On the day you appear at the quick stand, you find the parking lot bustling. Forced to park at the very corner beside the sign for the establishment, you’re provided a tremendous view of the building and the sign.

McDonald’s and Chevron—a novel combination, one the locals reverently refer to as ‘McChevron.’ It’s a title embracing the fatal juxtaposition. Does one occupy the other? More restaurant or gas station? Is it some sort of comment on the nature of our needs and convenience being so at odds?

The site itself has acquired a renown for being the host to some tragedy—gas pumps transformed to headstones on the lawn of the venture promised to bring convenience.

But as you push your way through the two-door entry, you see a path through. The convenience market is a brief trail to McDonald’s seclusion, a small but long café space nestled away from the parking lot’s painful memories. The familiar trappings are there—mixed seating options willing to accommodate a litany of uses, screen with orders upon it, colorful imagery of items on offer. Your old friend, the Kiosk, sits smugly in the center of it all. It has a kind of “Didn’t think I’d see you here!” air about it, but it should know by now you are a professional. You’ll be taking your Big Mac on points you’ve accumulated from all your McDonald’s visits. The Kiosk almost cries as it accepts your points as currency. It’s a profound exchange, a rare moment to witness for the average diner: customer and restaurant locked in a never-ending dance of gratitude, resulting in a deluxe menu item being prepared and served for nothing but the recognition of 5,000 points of one’s loyalty. You smirk as you accept your receipt—like you’d ever return this!

You place your number at your table and can’t help but feel the palpable sense of tragedy creep upon your back. Sure, the hamburger would be free, but at what cost? Do the crew members remember the fallen while they pull your fries from the oil? Boxed up and shipped away on the plastic tray that heads your way in the hands of one—she’s older, but so kind. You can see it in her face: a manager or owner. She’s seen it all before, but she’s never seen you, with your free Big Mac. And she’s happy for you.

Then you notice the decorations. Fresh-cut flowers in glass vases with clean water. String lights dangle from the ceiling. All of this, you are certain, was her work. Who could know such dedication? Why bring it here? But the answer was obvious—Stevie Wonder’s “Sir Duke” thumps along peacefully in the background, as you begin to feel it all over. Not the oblique fear that you may be the next gunned down, but the marked resilience on display in the way this McDonald’s continues to march along. Never giving up. Those tragedies may come, but inside, we keep the flowers fresh, the faces friendly, and the food free (if you have enough points).

The lessons in life take many shapes and come from diverse places. College may not be for some, but the McChevron is for all. While you’re not a student anymore, you know you still have a lot to learn. Maybe this McDonald’s could teach you a...

If I could give minus 5 stars I would. This McDonald's is the WORST!! I have never encountered such rudeness, stupidity and mistakes at any one restaurant as this place. They can NEVER!! get an order correct. Always miss food items in your bag. They definitely need way more training. Or care about the job a little. Not just the pay check. They has messed up AGAIN!! on our order. So the 2nd time I called talked with the manager. She said she would replace our meals. I put her name, the time, and date on the receipt. Fast forward 2 weeks my husband goes there and they said we don't have a manager by that name. And wanted to be rude to him and agru about it. Gal at the window was rude and practically threw the food at him. I called talked with a man. He knew exactly who I was when I called and asked to talk with the manager I spoke with 2 weeks ago. He said oh, you were just in the drive thru I said no my husband was and was treated with unexceptable rudeness. He said we don't have a manger by that name you wrote on the receipt . Adele is what I had on there. Then tells me her actual name and how to pronounce. I advised its Spanish you couldn't have figured out the manager I was referring to? How many managers are there that their name starts with A? He THEN says I will give the free meals. I declined. Advised him we will not be coming any longer you are all in need of some extensive training. Told him it's not the customers job to check your work to make sure you have our food all in the bag. Put some pride in your job and work on some customer service. Its rare now days to get good...

Well I went to the mcdonald's today at Mount Vernon on college way. And I have to say I have never seen anything so disrespectful in my whole life. An employee was being chewed out by 2 managers and they were tagged teaming this poor fellow not even giving him a chance to speak. And this went on for a full hour. Even so much as telling him that why should they even rehire him? And that he was a valued employee, but if he quit working for them he would have a hard time finding another job. To do this in the dining room in front of customers is the most unprofessional unethical thing that I have ever seen in my life not to mention 2 nights before I stopped in there and I watched this one manager goofing off and being a complete idiot with other co. Workers and being unprofessional at that time as well. I would not recommend this McDonald's restaurant at all to any. One took a 15 minutes just to even acknowledge that I was there. Seem to be more interested in catering to Uber. Eats drivers catering to the drive. Through but to h* with anyone at the front counter even though they made eye contact with me numerous times The way this store is being run is an absolute embarrassment to the entire franchise. And this is not the first time that I've seen this kind of behavior at this franchise. Customer service is totally lacking. The management is very unprofessional. You would be better off going to burger king or going to the burger king in anacortis much more friendly atmosphere much more...