Highlights
- Great coffee
oChef » McDonald’s – San Francisco
McDonald's - San Francisco
Photo from McDonald’s
McDonald's at a glance
San Francisco Union Square
- 🍔 Fast-Food-Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 86 of the guests
#2355 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#27 Fast-Food-Restaurant out of 35 in San Francisco
Average
4.4 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
313
Reviews
37.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Tasty fast food
- Convenient location
Frequently criticized
- Unsafe environment
- Poor value
The fast food restaurant McDonald’s in San Francisco’s vibrant Union Square neighborhood is a go-to spot when you need a quick and reliable meal. You’ll find it at 441 Sutter St, offering a casual atmosphere perfect for a speedy stop.
What truly stands out here is the great coffee, making it an ideal choice whether you’re starting your day or need an afternoon pick-me-up. This location ensures you can grab a bite with ease.
Overview: Introducting McDonald's
McDonald’s offers a familiar fast-food experience, often praised for its cleanliness and convenience as a quick stop. Many appreciate the fast and accurate service for a speedy meal, making it a practical choice for those on the go.
However, some visitors have noted concerns regarding the general atmosphere, with mentions of homeless people impacting the dining experience. While some find it among the affordable places, others perceive the prices as expensive for fast food.
Average
4.4
out of 10
313
Reviews
37.1%
Satisfaction
170
negative
27
neutral
116
positive
McDonald’s holds an overall Restaurant Score of 4.4, placing it in the average category, yet its Customer Satisfaction stands at 37.1%, which is considered poor. This suggests a notable gap between general performance and customer happiness, with 170 negative opinions outweighing 116 positive ones out of 313 total.
Looking closer, the Food (5.4) is rated as average, while Ambience (4.9) also falls into the average range. However, Service (3.8) and Value (3.4) both lean towards the poor side, indicating areas where the experience often falls short for patrons.
What people like
- Tasty burgers and fries
- Clean and convenient
- Good breakfast options
What people don't like
- Unpleasant atmosphere
- Slow service
- High prices
If you’re seeking a quick, familiar meal with reliable food quality, McDonald’s can deliver, especially if you prioritize convenience and cleanliness. The Recommendation Score of 4.7 suggests it’s a passable option for specific needs, particularly for breakfast or a quick burger.
However, be prepared for a potentially mixed experience regarding the atmosphere and service speed. While some find it affordable, others feel the prices are high for fast food, so manage your expectations accordingly.
Similar Restaurants in San Francisco
- Fast-Food-Restaurant
8.8
out of 10
out of 10
178
94.4%
- $$
- West Portal
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Fast-Food-Restaurant
8.1
out of 10
out of 10
158
83.5%
- $$
- Excelsior
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Fast-Food-Restaurant
8.1
out of 10
out of 10
271
84.5%
- $$
- Potrero Hill
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Fast-Food-Restaurant
7.7
out of 10
out of 10
104
77.9%
- $$
- South of Market
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Fast-Food-Restaurant
7.5
out of 10
out of 10
158
74.1%
- $$
- Mission District
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Fast-Food-Restaurant
7.1
out of 10
out of 10
245
71.4%
- $$
- Richmond District
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
Verdict: Our expert take on McDonald's
Food (5.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 59% of the guests
It seems the food here offers a bit of a mixed bag, with a 5.4 score placing it in the average range, and customer satisfaction at 47.5%, which is also quite mixed. Out of 80 total opinions, 38 were positive, highlighting some real bright spots. Folks often praise the breakfast selection, chicken wraps, and even the iced coffee for being quick and tasty.
Many find the Big Macs and Mini S'mores McFlurry enjoyable, and some even appreciate the vegan burgers and Fries. However, there are also 29 negative comments that point to areas needing improvement. Some customers have had issues with extra caramel iced coffee orders being wrong, or finding chicken patties and pie to be overly dark.
Others felt the mcdouble, double cheeseburger, and French fries were tasteless, or that Chicken McNuggets had an unappetizing texture, suggesting inconsistent quality and preparation issues.
Food
80
Reviews
47%
Satisfaction
29
negative
13
neutral
38
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reliable breakfast
- Quick service
- Tasty burgers/fries
What people don't like
- Order inaccuracies
- Inconsistent quality
- Cold food
Often praised
- foodthe food is tasty in a similar way to that in Italy
- FoodFood:5
- Big MacsI love Big Macs
- BurgersBurgers looked like the pictures felt and tasted as fresh as you could get
- CheeseburgerMcChicken and Cheeseburger with special requests and they were delivered exactly as I requested
- Friesfries were hot crisp and tasty
- McChickenMcChicken and Cheeseburger with special requests and they were delivered exactly as I requested
- McDonald's breakfastbest McDonald’s breakfast I have had in a very long time
- Mini S'mores McFlurryThe Mini S'mores McFlurry is good
- Spicy Chicken SandwichSpicy chicken sandwich looked like the pictures felt and tasted as fresh as you could get
Frequently criticized
- foodfood is extremely processed with almost zero flavor
- Big Macchance to eat big Mac because they shipped it
- Chicken McNuggetsChicken McNuggets do include skin and collagen
- Egg Mcspeckle with MoldIt's Called Egg Mcspeckle with Mold
- Frappesno Frappes and still got charged for it
- French friesdouble cheeseburger and French fries are so tasteless
- Skibidi toiletriesThe toilet was not functioning properly, and it cost a hefty $300 for the chance to eat a Big Mac, which they apparently shipped all the way from California to China. The recommended dish, 'Egg Mcspeckle with Mold', and the 'Skibidi toiletries' for vegetarian options did not inspire confidence. The atmosphere received a score of 5, but the service was rated a dismal 1, and the food also received a score of 1.
- animal productsodd everyone gobbling up animal products
- bagelsthere wasn’t more bagels
- caramel drizzleToday, I ordered an extra caramel iced coffee, but instead of caramel syrup, they added caramel drizzle. I pointed out the mistake and asked for the correct version, but the elderly blonde woman insisted there was no error and that I needed to pay extra for caramel, saying all this with an attitude.
If youre looking for a quick, predictable meal, especially for breakfast or a classic burger, you might find something to enjoy. However, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in order accuracy or food quality, which could lead to disappointment. Its a place where expectations should be managed.
Service (3.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 84% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot seems to have a bit of a split personality! Some customers have had genuinely positive experiences, praising the speedy service and the helpfulness of individual staff members. Many appreciate the convenience of self-order kiosks and the McDonald's app for quick and accurate orders, with some noting attentive and friendly employees who handle special requests well.
However, the service often falls short, reflected in a low score of 3.8 and a disappointing 29.9% customer satisfaction. Many reports, totaling 89 negative experiences out of 137, highlight issues like extremely slow service, rude employees, and unacceptable wait times. Customers also struggle with incorrect orders and a perceived lack of management and assistance.
Service
137
Reviews
29%
Satisfaction
89
negative
7
neutral
41
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Speedy service
- Helpful staff
- Easy app ordering
What people don't like
- Extremely slow service
- Rude employees
- Incorrect orders
Often praised
- serviceextremely fast and accurate service
- staffA staff was moping and cleaning inside and out
- ServiceService:4
- staff memberevery staff member is helpful
- Guy at counterGuy at counter was nice about it
- McDonald's apprecommend using the McDonald's app to order
- cashiersMy experience at this restaurant involved a clean lobby. The cashiers were a little lazy and took a long time, but they were friendly. There is no drive-thru; it's dine-in, pickup, or delivery only.
- deliverythey are amazingly fast
- digital menuOrdered using the digital menu
- employeesemployees are friendly
Frequently criticized
- serviceIt's one of the more affordable places to eat in San Francisco, which is otherwise an extortionate place to eat and live. The service was a bit slow, but the establishment was clean. The food was the same old McDonald's.
- staffThe food was served fast and satisfied my hunger, though it could have tasted better. The service at this spot could be improved; the staff seemed overwhelmed even when it wasn't very busy, and it took a while to get their attention for extra ketchup. This might be due to understaffing, which isn't the staff's fault but the store's.
- waiting timewaited too long for a medium fries and a drink
- orderThe servers were extremely disrespectful. To make matters worse, someone tried to steal/rob my order right in front of me. The food was rated a 3 and the atmosphere a 1.
- ServiceWorst ever place to visit, No empathy or sympathy
- employeeOnly one employee working the mobile order
- managementMy experience at this restaurant was a total and complete failure. I waited an hour for my food, and the management was awful with no system in place. There were easily 40-60 people waiting, many for food delivery, and the staff were super rude.
- Door Dash orderfilling ridiculously large Door Dash order
- EmpathyNo empathy or sympathy to customers
- English speaking staffa woman who barely spoke English
Overall, service here is a real mixed bag, leaning heavily towards disappointment. While you might get lucky with a quick order, be prepared for potential long waits and frustrating interactions. If speed and accuracy are top priorities, you might want to consider other options or stick to app orders.
Ambience (4.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 60% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, many customers appreciate the spotlessly clean environment, especially the washrooms, and the convenient location. With features like wheelchair accessibility and two levels of seating, it offers a pleasant atmosphere for many, contributing to the 32 positive remarks. However, the overall vibe is a bit of a mixed bag, with a customer satisfaction of just 43.2%.
Some folks have unfortunately encountered unpleasant smells, cleanliness issues, and the presence of homeless people, which significantly impacts the atmosphere. These concerns are reflected in the 36 negative comments, bringing the score to an average 4.9.
Ambience
74
Reviews
43%
Satisfaction
36
negative
6
neutral
32
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cleanliness
- Convenient location
- Multi-level seating
What people don't like
- Unpleasant odors
- Panhandlers present
- Unclean environment
Often praised
- cleanlinessIt was clean and convenient, making it a pleasant place to visit. However, I was startled when a homeless person entered, took food, and threw things.
- atmospherethe atmosphere was also rated 4
- bathroomsHas bathrooms available
- cleanit is clean
- locationlocation is the best part
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- busyNever too busy
- convenienceIt was clean and convenient, making it a pleasant place to visit. However, I was startled when a homeless person entered, took food, and threw things.
- convenientReally convenient it's open 24/7
- dine in areadine in has plenty of chairs and tables
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereMy experience at the restaurant was as expected regarding the food and service. I would recommend keeping your wits about you, as the client is very vibrant, let's say. The atmosphere was not ideal, but the food and service were good.
- homeless peopleThere's a lot of homeless people around this location
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:1
- accost customersThen accosting the customers for money
- areaMy low rating is due to the area.
- assaultedAvoid if you don’t wish to get assaulted.
- bathroomif you need to use the bathroom you must purchase a food item
- bathroom codepara pasar al baño tienes que comprar porque tiene codigo el baño
- creepy old mana creepy old man sitting next to the bathroom doors
- heaterhad heater on when no heater needed
If you're looking for a clean and convenient spot, you might find it here, especially if you can snag a seat on the second floor. However, be prepared for a potentially mixed experience, as some serious atmosphere issues, like unpleasant smells and the presence of panhandlers, could detract from your visit.
Value (3.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 22% of the guests
When it comes to value, some customers have found a few bright spots, especially with app deals offering a decent deal and a perceived best price-performance ratio. For some, it's even considered one of the more affordable places to grab a bite. Based on 22 total opinions, 5 positive remarks highlight these occasional wins.
However, the overall picture for value is quite challenging, with a score of just 3.4 and customer satisfaction at a low 22.7%, indicating significant room for improvement. Many feel the prices are simply too expensive and overpriced, leading to complaints about it being a total rip off due to extra charges and outrageous tip demands. A substantial 16 opinions expressed these strong negative sentiments.
Value
22
Reviews
22%
Satisfaction
16
negative
1
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good app deals
- Best price-performance
What people don't like
- Often overpriced
- Mandatory tip demands
- Extra bag charges
Often praised
- affordable placesone of the more affordable places to eat
- app dealsdecent deals in the app
- best price-performance ratioI've been going to this McDonald's branch several times a year for years and have always been positively satisfied. I can recommend McDonald's to anyone who wants a quick, tasty snack, as in my opinion, it has the best taste in the fast-food category and offers the best price-performance ratio. The service was rated 4, and the atmosphere was also rated 4.
- dealnow that's a deal
- pricesone of the few places in San Francisco where you can eat at human prices
Frequently criticized
- pricesMy experience at this restaurant was marked by the incompetence of the management. The digital menu behind the cashier was not working, and we were given a paper menu without any prices.
- $300it cost $300 for a chance to eat big Mac
- EBTSUTTER MCDONALD'S NEVER HAS EBT
- bagcharging $0.25 for the bag when order "to go" is simply stupid
- costHowever, the experience was tempered by the cost. I questioned, "But why does it cost so much? " The atmosphere was decent, rated a 3, and the service was good, rated a 4.
- expensivetake your money elsewhere, the place is Earthly expensive, well it was
- fast foodOtherwise, nothing special. It was quite expensive for fast food. A homeless person asked us for money while we were eating.
- mandatory tipBetter add mandatory 100$ tip
- outright lootIt is outright loot on gun loint
- overpricedextremely overpriced
If youre hunting for a bargain, you might snag a decent app deal occasionally, but be warned: many find the prices expensive and feel its a total rip off due to unexpected charges. Its likely to disappoint if youre expecting great value, so proceed with caution.
How are the prices at McDonald's?
On average, you’ll spend around 15 per person – from 86 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $11–$20 category. For a Fast Food Restaurant, that’s mid-range, maybe slightly above.
Looking at what others spend, most guests (40 out of 86) are right in this $11–$20 sweet spot. A good number (32) also opt for the even more budget-friendly $1–$10 range. This tells us prices are generally clustered around the average, offering mostly affordable options.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 86 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
For a Fast Food Restaurant, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It offers a good balance for those looking for a quick and satisfying meal in San Francisco without overspending.
Customer Reviews: what people think about McDonald's
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Worst McDonald's Experience
My experience at this McDonald's was the worst I've ever had. I specifically stated that I don't eat meat, but they sent me the wrong bagel, which contained meat. When I tried to resolve the issue, the attendant was disrespectful and claimed she couldn't help because there were no more bagels available.
- wrong bagel1
- attendant1
- bagels1
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Great People and Helpful Service!
I loved my experience here. The people were great and very helpful. They even assisted me with putting points on my app.
It's a great store. I highly recommend visiting if you're in San Francisco.
- people10
- helpful10
- great store9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
2
Rude Staff and Early Closing
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing due to the rude employees who were shoving customers out by 10 pm, even though their website claims they close at midnight. They were already putting chairs on tables. It's frustrating when they sell you a meal and then rush you out immediately after handing it over.
It would be more considerate to inform customers about the closing time before they pay.
- rude employees1
- closing time2
- selling meal2
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Clean, Fast Service, Great Food
My experience at this restaurant was very positive. The place was nice and clean, and the service was fast. I appreciated the convenience of the self-order and pay kiosk.
I recommend this place.
- cleanliness10
- service10
- self-order kiosk9
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
6
Average McDonald's with Higher Prices
My experience at this McDonald's was pretty standard. It's your average McDonald's, but I noticed the prices were a bit higher at this location compared to the one back home. On the positive side, the service was quick.
A heads-up for future visitors: if you need to use the bathroom, you must purchase a food item to get the code.
- service8
- prices4
- bathroom3
What McDonald's offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
Offerings
- Quick bite
- Late-night food
- Coffee
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Parking
- Usually difficult to find a space
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What accessibility features does McDonald's in Union Square offer?
This McDonald’s location at 441 Sutter St is designed with accessibility in mind. You’ll find a wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restroom, ensuring a comfortable visit for everyone.
What dining options are available at this McDonald's?
You can enjoy a variety of dining options throughout the day at this San Francisco McDonald’s. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and also offer dessert. Seating is available for you to relax and enjoy your meal.
How does McDonald's generally perform according to customer feedback?
McDonald’s has an overall Restaurant Score of 4.4, with Customer Satisfaction at 37.1%. Food scores an average 5.4, Ambience 4.9, while Service is 3.8 and Value is 3.4, both indicating areas needing improvement.
What aspects do customers typically praise about McDonald's?
Customers often appreciate the cleanliness and convenience of the location, along with the taste of items like burgers, fries, and breakfast options. Many also highlight the speed and accuracy of service.
What are the common complaints or drawbacks mentioned by visitors?
Frequent concerns include an unpleasant atmosphere, sometimes due to the presence of homeless individuals, and perceived high prices for fast food. Some also report slow service or overwhelmed staff.