Monday, February 28, 2011

McSwanky

For three tragic months late last year, the McDonalds near our house closed down for renovations. By "renovations" they meant "tear the whole thing down to the ground and start over from scratch." Though I'm not a huge McDonalds eater, I do appreciate a good Big Mac now and then; their grilled chicken sandwiches are especially tasty; and, let's face it, nothing beats fresh, hot McDonalds fries. But the biggest draw for me at McDonalds is the play land. All winter long when my kids are going stir crazy, and even in the summer when it's too hot to be outside at a park, the possibility of letting my kids scream and run and slide and socialize in a climate controlled environment with Coke refills for me is nearly irresistible. So I was a bit sad when our McDonalds closed down. Well, except for the fact that that particular location was A GIANT PIECE OF CRAP. The whole concept of climate control was in theory only. Because in summer there was no a/c in the play land. It was easily 100+ degrees in there. Not that my kids minded. But I had to move my sweaty self out to the main restaurant area in order to keep from melting. In the winter they somehow failed to heat the play land, so it was only slightly warmer than outdoors. And what did they say when I complained, numerous times, about the heating/air conditioning situation? Every time it was, "Well, the climate control box is locked and we don't have a key," or "The owners don't let us adjust the temperature." This was coming from the manager! After a while I simply stopped going to that location.

But I am pleased to announce that as of a couple of months ago, they finished the renovations and the new Micky D's is up and running. And, boy, did they go all out! You almost feel like you are in the lobby of a posh Manhattan hotel. Well, IF you hold your nose so that you can't smell the odor of hot grease. Well, AND if you plug your ears from the constant sounds of children screaming. But anyway, it's pretty nice. Not like any McDonalds I've ever been in, for sure. The walls are covered in neutral colored pebbles against an espresso-stained wood background. Sleek stools with trendy colored cushions sit around cherry wood (laminate, this is McDonalds) high-tables. Smoked glass pendant light fixtures in a modern shape dangle above the booths. Really, it is pretty fancy. For a Mcdonalds.

And the play land, ahhh...heat AND a/c! So luxurious!

Now if only they could manage to get your food out to you in less than 10 minutes. I mean, this is FAST food still, right? But I guess you can't have everything. I have thought about complaining, but I'm afraid they'll just say, "It's the kidney bean shaped tables or a hot Big Mac, lady. You choose." Well, I guess I choose a luke warm Big Mac. Just keep the Coke refills coming, and it's all good.










7 comments:

just call me jo said...

There's one of those swankymcd's in Vegas too. As long as I can get a sausage biscuit, I'd eat on bales of hay. (well--maybe not bales of hay, but--you know). Those drink refills soothe.

Unknown said...

I wish we would just get a second mcDonalds. We have one in our town and it has a traffic jam in the street 24/7 to get through the drive thru

Financial Aid for College said...

Well, I must say Mc D's is looking up! Believe me, I understand about the climate controlled Play-land now that I take Jasper and Ada on play dates. I mean, how many hours can you watch movies at home, or swing in a freezing or broiling outdoor park? And easily 3/4 of the fun of a fast food play place is the bunch of other kiddies there for elementary socializing and mutual screaming. If there are no other kids, it's NO FUN!

Marin said...

wow! thats so nice. where is this one. it must be somewhat close to us too right? let me know what colors you want for those flowers.

Teachinfourth said...

So, they're stepping up the digs, eh? Now, if they could just do something about the food...

Christie said...

I had to laugh about the comment you made about the odor. . .tonite we took the girls into McD's, and bryn was dry heaving from the smell. We had to actually leave.

Bjorge Queen said...

BRING BACK THE CHICKEN BISCUIT!
BRING BACK THE CHICKEN BISCUIT!
HELL NO WE WON'T GO!
BRING BACK THE CHICKEN BISCUIT!

I think I posted about my local McDonalds playground once. My blog is a mess and I don't know how to manage it so I can't find that post. They have also made improvements which is good.