McDonald’s. It’s a staple of cuisine the world over.
Be that a treat for a Friday night family tea, or a much needed refuel after a night out, the golden arches are always there offering a warm glow.
There are 63 McDonald’s across Greater Manchester with 16 in the city region.
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After that, there are 10 in Bolton, four in Bury, nine in Oldham, two in Rochdale, five in Stockport, two in Tameside, five in Trafford, five in Wigan and five in Salford.
However, not every McDonald’s in our region receives five star reviews, in fact, none of them do.
The highest scoring McDonald’s on TripAdvisor only received a mediocre three and a half stars. The lowest few, A measly one and a half stars each.
So let’s delve into the best and worst McDonald’s in our region and find out what the people of TripAdvisor have to say.
The worst
Chadderton Broadway, Jardine Way Broadway
Overall rating: 1.5
Food: 2
Service: 2
Value: 2.5
As of March 16, this McDonald’s had 54 reviews, 38 of which scored the fast-food institution with one star for ‘terrible.
Becca T, who reviewed this location three weeks ago, headed her review with ‘avoid at all costs’. She said: “This is the worst [McDonald’s] I’ve ever been to… Service was terrible, chips weren’t cooked properly and the toilets were absolutely disgusting, looked like they hadn’t been cleaned in ages…Will definitely never go here again!!!”
Meanwhile, George, who visited this month, explained how when ordering through UberEats, he did not receive any sauces and an incorrect order.
He said: “Absolutely fuming. The first time we ordered and got no sauces, fine, take it as a mistake. The second time, we just have to accept a dry McDonald's and a wrong order because we order through UberEats.
“The driver even replied to our message after we text to make sure we was getting sauces this time.
“Yes this sounds minor. But when you are already having a bad day the last thing you want is dry maccies for the second time. Will not be ordering from here again.
“Absolute joke. No sauces, wrong order and no straws for the drinks.”
Only two out of 54 reviews for this McDonald's were 'Excellent', and they dated back to 2017.
Among them was one from poster davidsQ5538YV, who said: "Just a short time to eat before having to travel. Easy ordering system. Food served very quickly. Just as we would expect."
Walkden, Ellesmere Shopping Centre Manchester Road
Overall rating: 1.5
There aren’t enough broken down reviews on TripAdvisor at this branch to offer advice on food, service, value or atmosphere.
This McDonald’s in the Ellesmere shopping centre, has been reviewed three times this year, with 50 total reviews. Each review has awarded the restaurant one star for various reasons: missing items, incorrect orders and a long wait time all feature as to why this McDonald’s has an overall score of 1.5.
Paul B visited this restaurant in February 2022 and described it as the ‘Worst McDs Branch’, he said: “Always takes a lifetime to get your food in this branch. I ordered two double cheeseburgers today and took almost 15 minutes.
“It’s the same every time. Staff just stood about chatting. Wait forever and food is lukewarm at best!”
However, back in 2020, Joanne W described the Walkden venue as ‘excellent’ describing how the food was always correct: “Hot, cold food always to perfection. Staff faultless. Training must be paramount as each individual staff treats you the same.”
Rochdale, Wallhead Road Kingsway Retail Park
Overall rating: 1.5
This branch of McDonald’s is currently rated at 24 out of 25 fast food options in Rochdale and 146 out of 146 for restaurants in the area.
Kathleen D visited the site in September 2021 and describes it as ‘borderline incapable’.
She said: “As a past employee from a different store (6 years experience) this store is borderline incapable, every order I place on Uber eats is always missing food, freezing and messy, never answer the phone to resolve an issue so don’t count on them answering any time soon, disgraceful service, got my food today and are missing my kids happy meals and refusing to answer phone AS USUAL, sort it out, in my years of working in the company I’ve never seen a more incapable store.”
However, 900stef has nothing but a positive review of the restaurant, heading their response with ‘great food’. This reviewer went on to explain that McDonald’s employees are ‘only human’ and that people make mistakes.
They said: “Great fast service but sometimes it is very busy. I personally found out if you check when it's busy and [go] after or before dinner.
“Like someone said 'they’re only human people, sometimes make mistakes but they always correct it.'"
Baguley, 674 Altrincham Road
Overall rating: 1.5
Service: 3
Value: 1.5
This location is currently ranked 36 out of 36 for restaurants in Wythenshawe and out of the 36 available reviews, 25 of them are ranked as 'terrible'.
CarlaW786 describes the fast-food restaurant as a ‘joke run by clowns’.
This branch of the restaurant has not been described as ‘excellent’ since 2017, but was described as ‘very good’ in 2019 when freddie_carter6 headed his review with ‘there is nothing wrong’.
He elaborated: “Perfectly normal restaurant that isn't any thing better/worse than any McDonalds. With helpful staff and OK food.”
The best
Middlebrook Retail Park, Horwich, Bolton
Overall rating: 3.5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Value: 3.5
This branch of McDonald’s is, based solely on Tripadvisor reviews, the best in Greater Manchester. It is listed as 5 of 13 for quick bites in Horwich and has 57 reviews, 37 of which rank it as being ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’.
The most recent review, from October 2021, described the Middlebrook retail park’s McDonald’s as being ‘good’. vegan fan99 elaborates: “Nice service with a smile, pleasant staff, drive through efficient, restaurant good also, typical of Mcdonalds, always good.”
Meanwhile, a review from February 2020 went as far as to offer the restaurant five stars and to describe it as ‘great’.
Mitchian said:”Great fast service. The place has internet and the food is cooked and served fresh. Reasonably priced.”
The Arndale, Manchester city centre
Overall rating: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3.5
Value: 4
This branch of the chain, despite being slap bang in the middle of Manchester’s shopping district, has only had 21 reviews, none excellent, but six 'very good'.
The most recent review, from February 2020, was nothing but positive. 2010mustang said: “Went for lunch and it was really busy. Got served quickly though and very polite and friendly server. Food was hot and exactly as ordered.”
Another recent review awards this McDonald’s with four stars and describes it as a ‘lunchtime stop’.
Marie F says: “Got in just before the lunchtime crush and there were plenty of empty, clean tables. Didn't have to wait long to get served and prefer the queue barriers, nightmare trying to get served in order at KFC at the Lowry! My sister enjoys the veggie options and nephew has his usual Happy Meal, chicken nuggets.
“I got my Big Mac for 1.99 as I had a voucher, bargain!!! We needed more napkins due to spilling our drinks and none near counters but a staff member on duty helping people had some in her apron. Will come back again, plenty of other options in the Food Court if family members don't all want a McDonalds.”
317 Bury New Road, Salford
Overall rating: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Value: 4
This Salford branch has had 39 reviews in total, 10 ‘excellent’, 10 ‘average’ and 7 ‘terrible’, however this still qualifies it as a top branch in Greater Manchester.
In December 2020, 631fazeelah personally thanked ‘Faye and the team’ for being ‘the best in town!’ and awarded the branch five stars.
They explained: “Really friendly and sort out any issues. People need to remember if something is not cooked/cold or not how u expected it’s not the personal fault of the team.
“Stay patient and treat them all as you would want to be treated.... Keep up the good work team Bury New Road!”
However, a more recent comment from October 2021 labelled the restaurant as ‘garbage’.
E5463Kadrianr said: “Worst McDonald's I have ever visited and visited loads in this country with travelling with work. Ordered the big tasty meal, there was nothing big nor tasty with it.
“The burger bun was dry the patty was tiny compared to other sites, the chips tasted stale and was unsalted.
“My partner had 2 cheeseburgers, again, there were tiny and very thin compared to others, the two kids had chicken nugget happy meals again they wouldn't touch the chips and to top it off when we had our food given it was cold.
"Will never again call at this site especially when there's one just up the road."
Pilsworth, Gateway House, 66 Pilsworth Road Park, Bury
Overall rating: 3
There are not enough reviews of food, service, value or atmosphere for a breakdown.
Despite receiving a true mix of reviews, Pilsworth’s McDonald's is still ranked as one of the best in Greater Manchester. In fact reviews for this restaurant are so middle of the road that the most recent review for this venue is titled ‘McStandard’.
Andyfitch82 reviewed the Pilsowrth branch in March 2020 and despite deciding that his visit was decidedly average, his review truly encompasses what many expect when visiting the golden-arched chain.
He said: “Always busy at this location no matter what time of day. Plenty of staff and inside is always well kept - food is cooked to order these days which seems fresher but they still can't get it piping hot. Just a standard visit as expected really, won't stop me coming but didn't blow me away.”
McDonald's have been contacted for comment.
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