McDonald’s

It’s not like I expect McDonald’s to be mind blowing but there are the simple basics that one must get right, even if it is a fast food joint.
We were quite excited that the McDonald’s here had introduced the new concept of self service, ordering from a large stand up touch screen device and just collecting it from the counter. A bit like Argos you can say.
What really drove us in was the fact they had the new signature burgers that is only available in a few of the branches in London. These burgers were supposed to be created with the help of Michelin starred chefs so without giving the rest of the menu a second look, I went for the Signature blue cheese and bacon burger.
We also ordered a small portion of chicken nuggets with comes a complimentary sauce and we chose the Chinese sauce (whatever that is). We found it very strange that they charge for extra sauces here as in London you can ask for as many as you like and they will give it to you for free. We also ordered a few drinks that cannot be found in London which includes a Daim cappuccino and a Cacao banania, the latter being quite a popular drink in France made with cocoa, banana flour, cereals and honey.
After a short wait a member of staff was holding our tray calling out the number on our receipt. We collected it and headed upstairs.
The atmosphere was very dead and quiet up there. No one was speaking. Maybe because it was pass 10pm. But at least it was bright and clean and a member of staff was doing their job quite well cleaning and keeping the place immaculate.
Sadly food let us down. I don’t think McDonalds has ever disappointed me that badly. Labelled as a signature burger the cheese wasn’t even melted so didn’t add much flavour. The burger itself was cold, patty dry and bland. The only good thing was that there was a generous amount of fresh green lettuce leaves. Usually it would be a good thing but it actually made the burger more bland.
I have never had so lifeless chicken nuggets either. The batter was soggy and the chicken itself was tasteless. The so called Chinese sauce was more like a mix of curry and sweet chilli sauce. Not bad but just unusual. At least they helped flavour the nuggets.
At first I thought they gave us the wrong drinks as I couldn’t taste any banana in the hot chocolate or Daim in the cappuccino. It was only when we reached our last few mouthfuls when we realised that it was all clumped at the bottom of the cup because it hadn’t been stirred. I really don’t understand how one can fail so badly in making hot drinks.
What a disappointing experience. We left very unsatisfied and wish we saved our appetite for somewhere better.