please empty your brain below
5. Not dropping litter is such a simple part of being a good citizen that it's depressing how many people don't manage it. In Japan there is very little litter on the streets despite a lack of rubbish bins because people take their litter with them. In most other countries many people make little effort to avoid dropping litter.

Alan | 16.12.22 - 7:46 a.m. | #

6 I guess I'm a rarity in that I really like McDonald's fries.

Joho | Homepage | 16.12.22 - 9:10 a.m. | #

Good to see those distinctive MacDonalds post-top lighting fixtures still in place. I wonder if they are running mercury vapour like the ones at the Gainsborough branch. And such a poignant detail about the special mince dinner.

cau1khead | 16.12.22 - 9:16 a.m. | #

Vegetarian options should now be 'plant based options'. I enjoyed reading the Maccas post.

Andrew | Homepage | 16.12.22 - 9:18 a.m. | #

It occurs to me that it must now be about 25 years since McDonalds first opened a drive thru near me. It all seemed so glamorous at the time. I even once drove to the drive thru just so I could experience it all, even though I'm not a massive fan of McDonalds.

Now I see the the massive queues of cars waiting at the drive-thru windows and think it's all rather sad that people sit there with their engines idling, because they can't be bothered getting out of their car. Quite often there will be a massive snaking queue of cars, whilst there's next to no one inside.

Andrew Bowden | Homepage | 16.12.22 - 9:34 a.m. | #

Unexpectedly enjoyable post, in my view points 10 and 17 should be linked, now you can go up a waist size with even less exercise.

Still Anon | 16.12.22 - 9:37 a.m. | #

My partner lives in the very nearest flats to that McDonald's and drivers regularly park in the mini-driveway giving access to the flats to eat their burgers, and then frequently chuck the boxes out of the window and drive off.

(FYI the festive mincemeat and custard pies are delicious though)

lockedintheattic | 16.12.22 - 10:10 a.m. | #

Popped in the tuesday afternoon.... for a tea and a loo stop whilst walking from the city to Stratters.... thats it... quite handy

Bruce Wayne | 16.12.22 - 10:20 a.m. | #

Sadly despite various large litter bins being available to use and placed conveniently around the car park at the McDonalds adjacent to the Bow roundabout there are still numerous people who after eating their takeaway whilst sitting in their vehicle within the car park area will just throw any refuse they have out of the window when they have finished.

fishislandskin | 16.12.22 - 10:29 a.m. | #

I’ve only been in McDonalds twice in about 30 years. Both times the food was visually unattractive and unappetising. Never again - definitely not a fan of the yellow arches!

Bob S | 16.12.22 - 10:40 a.m. | #

I live out in the country and one of the lanes I cycle along fairly frequently must be optimum point at which a McDonalds coffee from the nearest town has cooled sufficiently to finish drinking and chuck the cup out of the car window - McDonalds has a lot to answer re litter, really paying lip-service to the issue with their "litter patrols" around the places (I don't use the word "restaurant" in this context)

Rob Gullen | 16.12.22 - 10:49 a.m. | #

When I occasionally ran home from central London, I usually had to stop at Forest Gate McDonald's for a much needed wee. The Bow outlet would have been more convenient.

Running_Correspondent | 16.12.22 - 11:08 a.m. | #

McDonalds appear to see walk-in customers as something they want to discourage. The McD near me prioritises drivethrough and couriers over everyone else.
I rarely go, even though I liked the daily wrap. The last time I went was when I was going past with somebody and they wanted to get a takeaway. Despite there only being one customer in front of us, we waited 15 mins to get our order.

They rarely have mikshakes availabble, the excuse being "machine not working". However, I was told by an ex employee that they just turned them off when they were busy.

I aslo dislike the enforced self-serve. It takes longer to find and pay for what you want and not very user friendly.

Rogmi | 16.12.22 - 11:19 a.m. | #

I can't say I've ever used a drive thru anything. In the rare occasion I'm driving and need to buy something, I'm happy to get out and stretch my legs.

Mikey C | 16.12.22 - 11:22 a.m. | #

The McDonald’s next to Billingsgate market did get demolished to build flats above which never seemed to materialise. Meant from the Isle of Dogs we had to go to Wapping, Bow or Canning Town instead.

Jon | 16.12.22 - 11:24 a.m. | #

" so please go ahead and build it but you must also contribute to help fund the ..."

This seems to be a common thing these days whenever planning permission is sort by companies. "Yes, you can build that block of flats, but you must also build a heath centre / library / etc. for free"

This is effectively asking the company for a bribe to allow the planning permission to go ahead.

Rogmi | 16.12.22 - 11:28 a.m. | #

To be fair, the council asked McDonald’s to contribute to improved pedestrian crossings immediately outside their restaurant. Shame it didn’t happen.

diamond geezer | Homepage | 16.12.22 - 11:38 a.m. | #

I have a soft spot for a McDonald's breakfast and their saver menu is great if you just need something quick, cheap and warm to keep you going. But even when I had a car I'd still want to go inside to eat.

Getting to my nearest one now though involves an obstacle course of delivery drivers parking illegally outside, trying to avoid being mowed down by their cyclists as they weave in and out of people on the pavement, and then waiting twice as long to get your food than it used to because you are behind all the deliveries.

Anders | 16.12.22 - 11:48 a.m. | #

Another vote - not that it's a democracy - in favour of the festive pies, with thanks as I wasn't aware they were available once again.

Chris | 16.12.22 - 11:58 a.m. | #

If it was a Wimpy would you enter?

Bruce Wayne | 16.12.22 - 12:11 p.m. | #

Methinks I recall the very first McD's drive-through opening in Cricklewood c. 1987.

Eddie Willers | 16.12.22 - 1:51 p.m. | #

Sounds like fast food has become slow food for walk-in customers.

Anonanon... | 16.12.22 - 2:00 p.m. | #

16. I take great pleasure in being able to say that I have not been in a McDonalds, or purchased from them, in over 35 years!

Dave | 16.12.22 - 2:44 p.m. | #

Sounds like some serious virtue signaling in "I've never been there" comments.

Jordan D | 16.12.22 - 2:48 p.m. | #

This reminded me of the proposal, in the 1990’s, to build a drive in McDonald’s on a vehicle depot site off the bottom of Cambridge Heath Rd E1.
The regulars at the local Murphy’s White Hart, 1 Mile End Rd, were amongst the objectors. Their innovative objection being the smell from the site would affect the taste of their beer.
McDonald’s had already had a commercial failure on Whitechapel Road. They wisely withdrew their planning application.
The site is now occupied by The Chronos Building.

Martin | 16.12.22 - 3:36 p.m. | #

Are there McDonald’s Outlet stores? Asking for a friend.

Jimmy | 16.12.22 - 3:54 p.m. | #

Despite very much enjoying McD fare myself, and despite having had two desperately pro-McD kids agitating every time we passed it, I could never face eating in that one. Is it the grimmest McD? I've never since lived so close to a McD, or been less likely to go in one. Perhaps it's secretly delightful once you get inside.

jpmac | 16.12.22 - 3:56 p.m. | #

I'm sure McDonalds will be really offended that you refuse to call them a restaurant.

Dan | 16.12.22 - 4:00 p.m. | #

I used to work in a McDonald's and I suspect the real reason the milkshake machines get turned off so often is because they are the hardest and fiddliest things to clean in the restaurant

lockedintheattic | 16.12.22 - 4:02 p.m. | #

It is also the site of some of the only electric car fast chargers in Tower Hamlets.

The others are the Tesla-only station in Canary Wharf, the Shell on the A11 in Whitechapel, and a finally in the car park of the former Town Hall which is not publicly available.

John | 16.12.22 - 4:14 p.m. | #

Really, is the "minimum wage muppet" comment really necessary? Despite being previously disparaging about folk in dead end jobs, I thought you were better than that!

Your "longer-distance friends with cars" could obviously easily park near an outlying station and travel in by public transport. Maybe consider another reason why they don't visit.

Frank F | 16.12.22 - 4:34 p.m. | #

The LLDC looping its clutches around the Lee navigation as it passes under the Bow roundabout should serve to remind people that McDonalds is not actually a restaurant chain, it is a property development business.
(according to this video)

Giles Williams | Homepage | 16.12.22 - 6:03 p.m. | #

Having scaulded my mouth with one of their apple pies and my hand with one of their coffees, I approach McDonald's with extreme caution. To be fair though, the breakfasts are better than the burgers.

BTW Eddie Villiers, Ive lived in Cricklewood since 1982, can't recall the Drive Thru Mcdonald's you're referring to. Where was it?

Richard | 16.12.22 - 6:45 p.m. | #

18: "my special mince-based dinner" pictures, please.

MK | 16.12.22 - 7:32 p.m. | #

I quite like a Mac but I get too irate at the touch screens and then all the standing around waiting so I don't go anymore, and don't care if I never do again. I use a nice friendly chicken shop where you go in, order from a human being and watch them assemble the meal in a fraction of the time, and the chip portion is about three times the size to boot.

NickW | 16.12.22 - 7:41 p.m. | #

A new (well technically, replacement) McDonald's will also be opening near Canary Wharf as part of the 2 Trafalgar Way development.

Construction finally began after numerous delays in November, with the new McDonald's scheduled to open in 2026.

CanaryWharfResident | 28.12.22 - 11:56 p.m. | #











TridentScan v2.10.0 | Privacy Policy