McDonald's — Restaurant in San Diego

Let's do it ... let's review a McDonald's.

I'm not even going to review the food itself. It's McDonald's. You know what it tastes like. You've been there. Close your eyes and think of their French fries ... see, you just salivated a little because your mouth remembers.

Now, see how there's two stars here? That extra star is because they (eventually) gave me food that was standard issue McDonald's food. It didn't hurt me (which considering that they actually did hurt people last week is actually saying something).

Now, on to the experience of the late-2024 era McDonald's on Scripps Poway Parkway. Please join me as I navigate the process of a simple to-go order.

I agreed to supply two large orders of fries and 40 McNuggets as a contribution to the collective food experience that came along with watching several episodes of TV with friends. I used the McDonald's app in advance of my arrival to summon said potatoes and chicken bits. I specified that would pick up said food in the lobby, thus sparing anyone the run out to my car. Easy so far.

Several minutes later, I was notified that the food was ready. So I head into the clown food establishment and look for any sign of said food.

No food was available for pickup. This was despite my phone and now the monitor inside assuring me my sack of salty pomme frites et poulet mort was done.

Thankfully there were no less than four people working behind the counter. And they were willing to lend a hand.

Except they totally were not and instead they just looked at me with silent disapproval like I had just Kool-aide-manned into the clown cottage and interrupted their toddler's nap time.

The silent treatment. I've been here before. I'm an older guy who has made questionable relationship choices in the distant past. So I know this game and I can play it.

But reader, these men and women are champions and I am now realizing I'm an amateur. After being completely ignored for five minutes, I asked for help.

This request was met with one person flagging another person who then looked at me like I had just thrown up all over Grimace and was winding up another mouthful to share with Mayor McCheese. Did she say anything in response? No. Back to ignoring me like I had spent all weekend drinking while the baby had the flu.

All the while ... the electronic world insists that my food is cooked and somewhere in this clown hole.

A few more minutes pass with silence and stink eye from the crew. Surely they are plotting ways to turn me into the very breaded nuggets that I so shamefully love.

Finally, at after an interminable period of passive-aggression, Ms. Stink Eye slides open a tray of fried beaks and snouts, throws three of them into a box that already had seven, then tops off a sack of food that was waiting behind the counter with my number on it, enjoying the heat lamp much like I enjoy the sunshine in Kauai.

The missing piece to complete my order, which was already complete but not complete enough I suppose.

I'm then wordlessly shoved the sacks on oil, tubers and animals and send wordlessly on my way.

Lest this look like a gripe season (and it is) here's some helpful feedback for the establishment:

1 - Say hello to people in your business 2 - Ask why a person in your establishment happens to be in your establishment 3 - If the product or service you render is not available, tell said person and offer an estimate as to when said product or service will be available

While I have gone into excruciating detail here, note this is just the most recent exercise when using this particular location. It's pretty much like this each time. So I guess I'm partially to blame for returning after this happened once or twice already. I...

This was one of the worse experiences I've ever had at the McDonald's in Scripps Poway, San Diego CA location. The ordeal took place on 7/30/25 from 5:50pm to 6:20p. First off, the LED screen at the drive thru was extremely dim that you couldn't see the full menu and price. Secondly, the speaker kept breaking in and out and I would only hear half of what the male employee was saying. Thirdly, there was no attendant at the cashier window . There was no signs to advise customers to pull up the next window . I sat there waiting. for 2-3 before advancing to the next window. And finally, my order was made incorrectly and incomplete. I specifically asked for no salt on the fries but that was ignored even though I had reiterated to the male employee at the pickup window as I paid for my order. There was a confusion with my order due to the speaker audio cutting in and out. He didn't even bother to go over my order; because if he did, I would have immediately pointed it out that it was incorrect. He didn't want to deal with me and escalated the situation to his superior. had to explain the matter to the her who completely was short and rude to me. While I was waiting for her to refund my money and that I had to replace my entire order , another patron told me that they had overcharged her and she too was very unhappy. Keep in mind, my order was small and simple.....one happy meal, 6 piece chicken nuggets, plus an additional 6 pieces for $1, and a vanilla ice cream in a cup). Plus, she and her staff were so greedy/stingy. They filled the vanilla ice cream cup halfway and didn't even bother to give me a cone to go with it. I was given 2 BBQ sauces for my 12 piece nuggets. But when asked for an additional BBQ sauce, they said they would have to charge me extra.

I have always been an advocate for the food service business, particularly fast food. I am respectful and often expressed praises and gratitude for their hard work. But today was completely opposite. The manager at the Scripps Poway, San Diego branch was unprofessional, rude, and has no customer experience whatsoever.

My apologies for the lengthy feedback. I just wanted to share my frustrations and make my fellow diners aware of my situation and the poor service I received....

High school employees not allowed? My high school student applied for a job here. There was no interview process. The fact that he showed up at the given time must have been adequate because he got the job with minimal questions about his shoe and pant size asked. They told him to acquire a work permit from school and bring back. Easy! He was texted by the lady that hired him and was told to come in the following Tuesday as 8:45 a.m. for training. Recall the part where I said "my HIGH SCHOOL student applied for a job here?" Well, he advised them that he was unable to attend training at 8:45 a.m. because of school. They said that was fine, they have training every other week and he could come the next time at 8:45 a.m. (Am I missing something here??) Again, he told them that he would need to do training AFTER school because he is a student (btw.....they knew this because they told him to get a work permit from school). This ended in them telling him that because he couldn't come in at 8:45 a.m. on a Tuesday then they couldn't hire him. I'm pretty sure this goes completely against something, but it is McDonald's after all so I guess I shouldn't expect anything more. The 1 star is because management here clearly doesn't...