McDonald’s

The sun hung low in the sky as a familiar hunger settled over my body like a fog. It was a haze often laden with a particular yearning and a tinge of disappointment, like the strained connection between distant lovers. But today would be different, today the clouds would fade and my spirit would soar high reaching sun-​kissed peaks of satisfaction.
«That’ll be $ 7.06,» a placid voice said through the screen. «Pull up to the next window.» I thanked the box and took my place in the cue among the other patrons. Cars cordoned the restaurant; eager faces in crimson brake-​light peered out from darkened windshields, their expressions occasionally interrupted by rolling eyes and silent curses. We waited. We waited like soldiers sieging a castle, a growing sense of camaraderie seeping out from cracked windows and knowing glances. But then we’d move, take ground. Our former comrade –the Point Man of our discontent– would take his/​her bag and move on, now a traitor in the eyes of this Line Republic.
My turn arrived and the drive-​thru windows slid open, the familiar sent of greasy plastic wafting over me. My childhood came back in spurts: Grimace (what is he even?), ball pits, shamrock shakes. It was all very heady. Finally, a young woman thrusted a paper bag at me through the little window with minimal pomp or ceremony. I took it, feeling its satisfying heft in my hand, and thanked her. She said nothing, but her austere attitude was understandable.
I navigated to a nearby parking space and unpacked the contents of the bag beside me. I grabbed the packet of picante sauce and unrolled the glory of a sausage and egg burrito before me, infusing its anatomy with the tasty red sauce.
I bit in. The warm, gooey cheese exploded in my mouth as hints of sage danced over my pallet. It was all happening. My heart took flight when I looked at my dashboard clock to confirm that the dream was real. It was 6:30 PM and there was breakfast in my hands.

This has been consistently good. For fast food well prepared. I have been here many times and am always pleased. I have enjoyed a wide variety of selections with no complaints even though I am not easily satisfied with many restaurants.

This place is new, and quick. The drive thru moved so quickly through the other 4 people in front of me in line. The staff were very friendly and they made sure I got everything I ordered, and they gave me an extra order of fries!

Even if you just want a drink… don’t bother they will screw that up and the manager will yell at the customer!

The new McDonald’s of Hooksett has been open for a month now (opened in late October 2011). This location is open 24 hours, both drive-​thru (2 lanes) and dining room. I stop in here frequently several times a week since its along my commute to & from work.
Grand opening specials and promotions were offered through most of November. This McDonald’s is very modern & bright with a red and grey color scheme, flatscreeen TVs, soft booths, tables, and communal high top tables with soft stools, less seating than the previous building. The color scheme here is the same at another new McDonald’s (Route 30) in Framingham MA. There are ample power outlets along the walls to the plug in your laptop and access the free wifi, which is very good and better than most McDonald’s I’ve been to. The Coke fountain drinks are self serve (it took about a week after the grand opening for the drink machine in the dining room to become operational).
However, the service here is not the fastest and could be better. The staff is still learning and gradually getting better since the grand re-​opening a month ago. During busy times, the orders can get backed up with several customers gathered in front of the counter waiting for their food.
At this location, a counter person will take orders & handle transactions and that’s all they do. On one late night visit, I ordered a Large Hot Coffee and 2 Pies (I was the only customer inside the store) and the counter person just stood by and did nothing. I had to wait almost 4 minutes for someone else (the drive thru was busy) to pour my coffee and get my pies. The counter person should’ve poured my coffee and got my pies, which takes about 30 – 45 seconds. This is a similar scenario at the South Willow Street McDonald’s. It seems like night and day at the Concord McDonald’s (Loudon Rd location) which seems to be better managed (different ownership) and has much better service and the staff behind the counter work well together. When not extremely busy, the counter person there also pours coffee and gathers food items for each order before taking the order of the next customer.
I will continue to stop at the Hooksett McDonald’s since it’s conveniently located along my commute, the Dollar Menu rocks, and the free wifi here is very good. My hope is that the service here will improve, (crossing fingers on this one).

Why on Earth anyone would bother to review a McDonalds is beyond me… don’t you read their signs? Over 90 Billion served, that’s the entire world’s population served 15 times over!!!