While most would be unlikely to take to TripAdvisor before a visit to McDonald’s, doing so would reveal Edinburgh’s ‘worst’ one - with just two stars.
To date, the Telford Road stop has 16 ‘terrible’ reviews and only two ‘excellent’. Upon discovering this, I knew it was time to make a visit.
Ahead of taking the journey, I flicked through the Tripadvisor reviews and started to think I’d made a mistake. The first review I came across reads: “Total lack of customer service skills.
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“Nipped in for a quick bite, before a long drive. Received an incorrect order, surly staff would not correct and the food had obviously been left out too long as partially cold. Appalling, and the floors were in need of cleaning.”
Another added: “Horrendous customer service, we were both astounded that a manager could lack such basic customer service.”
I wasn’t feeling hopeful. Regardless, I was already on the way and pushed through.
Before walking in the door, I took a deep breath and prepared for the worst. The automatic doors opened up, in dramatic fashion, and what waited beyond them was astonishing.
Floors that almost glistened, an array of sparkling tables waiting, and generally one of the nicest McDonald’s I’ve visited in recent years. You can’t order with a human in this branch, so I went over to the machines - which were again, perfectly clean.
Being familiar with the menu I quickly selected the usual - a Wrap of the Day meal, with some Cheesy Garlic Bites for good measure, this was for research purposes after all. After checking my phone quickly, the food appeared almost instantly at the window carried by a cheery crew member.
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I selected from a plethora of spotless seats and enjoyed my lunch, which seemed freshly cooked and was still hot. Two of the workers were scuttling around cleaning up after people, and the place seemed to be running like a well-oiled machine.
After reading one review which mentioned the ‘disgusting’ toilets, I was concerned. As it would happen, not only were they pristine - they were actually being cleaned while I was there.
In a nutshell, the low Tripadvisor rating for Telford Road McDonald’s must be analysed. I’ve definitely been in much worse fast food spots, and this particular one was a surprisingly smooth experience.
In fact, we agree with this review made last year. It reads: “Quick, friendly and consistent service.
“The staff members are always kind and helpful. I once sat down while my order was being prepared and an employee asked if I was a number of an order which was finished which I appreciated - food always consistently yummy and quick.”
So there you have it, Edinburgh’s ‘worst’ rated McDonald’s isn’t so bad after all.
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