McDonald's — Restaurant in Salem

Update: I am not certain the reason, but lately they have been closing 1 of the 2 drive thru lanes off at night. It doesn't make sense because it causes the line to go out the drive way. Not only that but it's costing them a ton of business. I pre ordered and paid through the app, so it was irritating to still have to wait in this very long drive thru line. I watched 4 customers change their mind and drive away while I was in the back half of the line. This was before 10pm so they were still busy and I just don't see the reason behind closing that 2nd drive thru. Maybe they have new management. Either way it's super annoying. I would have gone somewhere else if I haven't already paid. ----------------------------------------Previous review: Quick and precise. Currently this is the go to McDonalds for me because it's the closest one to where I live, and it's open 24 hours. My 7 year old loves it and what kid doesn't, right?! There isn't anything over the top outstanding that I've experienced at this location. That is the reason for my rating of 4 stars instead of 5. Sometimes the fries are not fresh, and occasionally the food isn't as warm as I'd like it to be. With that out of the way, I will say that this is one of the most consistent locations I have ever been to. They have developed certain service habits that I am pleased to say, I can always count on. The wait is next to nothing even when the line is extra long. I always drive through and this is one where the line forks to use 1 of 2 intercoms to place your order. It then merges back into 1 line before getting to the window. This all happens very quickly because everything is very close and the window is Right around the corner. It's rare, but this can be confusing if there are impatient people who try to drive in front to line jump. It's difficult to tell who has the right of way when order completion happens near the same time. It's fast to pay and fast to pick up, Always! As I said there's nothing over top outstanding about there customer service or quality of food. I wouldn't say that I've found a McDonald's that is any better however. They have a functioning system that is well in place and have remained consistent with their speed in order processing. I have never had a bad experience, or have had anything that would warrant a complaint. Very good job and, yes I would...

Where do I even begin? This place was horrible in so many ways. The place was a disgusting mess from the lobby, the bathrooms, and even the parking lot. The lobby had not been checked in quite some time. Leaving tables and the floors a mess. Both bathrooms had issues. Being disgusting along with being out of paper towels. The moment I stepped out of my car my shoes were sticking to the ground with whatever was dumped out in the lot. We ordered our food. While we were with another group of people also that ordered in front of us. They were told they couldn't have milk for their kids because they were out and had been for "3 hours". However I didn't realize this until after I ordered milk for my kids. We received our food and had to ask for everything including napkins, ketchup, salt ect. because nothing was accessible. As we were sitting there for a decent time to eat we started to realize how many times we kept hearing the workers tell people to use the kiosk instead of the counter to order. Some of which had cash to pay. (The kiosk doesn't accept cash.) Some of which didn't want to use the kiosk. My 12 and 13 year olds went to the kiosk to order a couple drinks and another food item and they couldn't find the food item in the kiosk so they went to the counter anyway. There again told to "use the kiosk. It will be easier and faster." They told the guy that couldn't find them on their so he did come out to show them. My problem is that at this point we have heard them push the kiosk on people so much to a point that it was rude the way they were coming across with it. They certainly aren't worried about customer service here. My kids were told to sit and they would bring their stuff to them. Which did not happen. I had to ask for the stuff. At this point I talked to the manager about being so pushy about it and how they are coming across to others with it. Pretty much the only response was well that's what they want us to do to get people use to using the kiosk. I understand trying to show people and new way of doing things but at some point you still need some sort of respect and customer...

Normally, I have nothing but praise for this restaurant. They are kind, friendly and fast. The food is good and usually they get my order just right, which is saying something because we always special order. Literally, every time!

However, today, they must've been having a day! At the drive-thru order kiosk, I was in the middle of placing my order, and the person cut me off and told me to go to the window. I had to then repeat my order because I wasn't done. So that's twice that I had to say my order. I then got up to the window. She said what she thought my order was. I told her no and repeated my order. She said it back to me and had it wrong. So I repeated it again. She said ok. So if you're counting, that's now four times I've said my order. I drive forward to the next window. I'm completely unsure whether or not I'm going to get the correct food at this point. So, the lady hands me my food, I ask her if it's my order (now, five times I've repeated my order). She says yes, that's your order, repeating the order back to me. Now, at this point, you'd think I would have been smart enough to look in the bag before driving away... NO, NOT SO MUCH!!! But I trusted that last lady. Big mistake! I get home. IT'S THE WRONG FOOD!!! Ok, to be fair, they had only added an egg to my son's sausage McMuffin, so he was able to take it off, and the problem was fixed easily enough. 😉 But O! M! G! How does one repeat themselves FIVE times, and they STILL get it wrong!?!?!

OK, OK, OK. Take this with a grain of salt, though, folks. As a funny story. Because, normally... these guys are on top of their game. And the food is good, hot, and correct. They just must've been having a day today! But aren't we all allowed to have those once in a while?

Having said all that... I do want to give a shout-out to Anthony. He always identifies himself in the drive thru. He's friendly and professional. And it seems as though he actually cares about his job! That's really enjoyable...