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oChef » McDonald’s – San Francisco
McDonald's - San Francisco
Photo from McDonald’s
McDonald's at a glance
San Francisco Transbay
- 🍔 Fast-Food-Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 81 of the guests
#2393 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#34 Fast-Food-Restaurant out of 35 in San Francisco
Poor
3.5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
348
Reviews
21.6%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Affordable deals
- Efficient service
- Convenient location
Frequently criticized
- Poor environment
- Inconsistent food
- Staff attitude
The fast food restaurant McDonald’s in San Francisco’s vibrant Transbay neighborhood presents a casual setting for a quick and satisfying meal. This location is particularly noted for its great coffee, making it an ideal stop for a morning boost or an afternoon pick-me-up.
Whether one is seeking breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even a late-night bite, this spot caters to various dining needs. It offers a welcoming environment with wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restrooms.
Overview: Introducting McDonald's
McDonald’s often delivers on its promise of quick, accessible meals, with many customers appreciating the fast service and the generally helpful staff. While some find the food to be consistently satisfying and hot, others point out occasional inconsistencies in preparation, such as cold items or overcooked burgers.
The overall dining experience can be quite varied; while the location is often convenient, the atmosphere and lack of comfortable seating are frequently noted drawbacks. Value remains a key draw, especially with various deals, though some find unexpected charges like a bag fee to be a minor inconvenience.
Poor
3.5
out of 10
348
Reviews
21.6%
Satisfaction
235
negative
38
neutral
75
positive
This McDonald’s location receives an overall score of 3.5 out of 10, indicating a challenging experience for many patrons. Customer satisfaction is notably low at 21.6%, reflecting a significant number of concerns.
This assessment is drawn from 348 customer observations, with 235 expressing negative sentiments compared to 75 positive ones. Diving into specifics, Value (4.5) and Food (4.3) are the relatively stronger aspects, suggesting that while the offerings are often affordable and generally acceptable, they aren’t consistently outstanding.
However, Service (3.5) and especially Ambience (2.5) significantly pull down the overall perception, highlighting critical areas for improvement in staff interactions and the physical dining environment.
What people like
- Affordable deals
- Efficient service
- Convenient location
What people don't like
- Poor dining environment
- Inconsistent food quality
- Staff attitude
This McDonald’s presents a mixed bag, offering some quick and affordable options, but often falling short on the overall experience. While you might find a convenient meal, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in both the food and the service, and a less-than-ideal dining atmosphere.
With a recommendation score of just 3.8, it’s clear this location struggles to consistently impress. If you’re seeking a quick, budget-friendly bite and are prepared to overlook some rough edges, it might suffice.
However, for a more pleasant and reliable experience, you might consider other options.
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Verdict: Our expert take on McDonald's
Food (4.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 70% of the guests
When it comes to the food, its a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 4.3 putting it squarely in the average range. However, many customers have found joy in specific items, with 27 positive remarks highlighting improved McDonalds coffee, delicious breakfast sandwiches, and consistently fresh French Fries. Some even rave about it being the best fast food burger around, offering a quick and satisfying bite.
On the flip side, customer satisfaction for food is quite low at 30.3%, indicating a poor experience for many. Out of 89 total food-related comments, 43 were negative, often citing issues like food not being fresh, cold and soggy fries, or poor quality chicken and patties. Some even reported getting sick, suggesting inconsistency in preparation or freshness.
Food
89
Reviews
30%
Satisfaction
43
negative
19
neutral
27
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Improved McDonald's coffee
- Fresh French Fries
- Good breakfast sandwiches
What people don't like
- Food not fresh
- Cold, soggy fries
- Poor food quality
Often praised
- foodFrom the outside, the place looked dirty and sketchy, and the ordering area wasn't much better. However, the food was quick, hot, and tasted fine. While you likely can't sit in, it's a good option if you need to eat somewhere cheaper.
- Apple PieThe presence of many homeless people outside made me hesitate to enter and eat inside, as the interior didn't appear very clean. However, I was thrilled to find an Apple Pie, which is discontinued in Korea. The staff were all very friendly!
- French FriesWhile I didn't encounter any specific issues, the lobby design felt unsafe in the event of a conflict. The French Fries were a recommended dish.
- McDonald'sMy experience at this McDonald's was surprisingly good, especially considering how busy they are and the relatively dangerous area of San Francisco it's located in. It was better than most McD's I've visited.
- McDonald's coffeeMcDonald's coffee has gotten way better
- McGriddleit was tasty though
- apple pieI went with a friend who wanted to eat the apple pie, which has been discontinued in Korea. The store is small and crowded.
- best McDonald'sTHIS IS BEST MCDONALD'S GIVEN AREA THEY DO EXCELLENT
- biodegradable strawsMy 1st McD that served biodegradable straws!
- breakfast sandwichesThe breakfast sandwiches here are phenomenal
Frequently criticized
- foodfood always the same with a hint of extra sloppy and old
- food qualityla comida no es igual al de otros restaurantes
- friesThere is no seating of any kind. My order was always wrong, and I have never had warm fries from them; they are always cold. It was just terrible all the way around : (
- 20pc chicken nuggetshalf of those fresh out of the frier and the other half is stale and dry.
- McGriddleReading other reviews, it's clear this is not a one-off incident. I strongly advise avoiding this place and getting your McGriddle somewhere else.
- breakfast sandwichA regular breakfast sandwich combines over $12
- burgerBurger was overcooked
- cheeseburgerMy experience at this McDonald's was arguably one of the worst on the western seaboard. I took one bite of my cheeseburger and immediately gave it to a homeless person. To my surprise, they also took one bite and promptly threw it away.
- chickenhard chewy chicken
- chicken nuggetsMy chicken nuggets were so old and hard
If youre heading here, know that while some items like the coffee or breakfast sandwiches can be a hit, the overall food quality is a gamble. Be prepared for potential inconsistencies in freshness and preparation. Its a place where you might find a gem or be left wanting more.
Service (3.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 79% of the guests
While the service here generally struggles, reflected in a poor score of 3.5 and a poor customer satisfaction of 24.4%, it's not all bad news. Out of 131 total comments, 32 positive remarks highlight instances of fast service and good service. Many customers appreciated Staff who work hard and are nice, often noting order accuracy as a plus.
However, the overwhelming 90 negative comments reveal significant challenges. Frequent complaints centered on excessive waiting time and long wait times, with some orders taking nearly an hour. Issues like rude staff, terrible customer service, and wrong order deliveries were common, pointing to disorganized operations and understaffing.
Service
131
Reviews
24%
Satisfaction
90
negative
9
neutral
32
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fast service
- Staff work hard
- Order accuracy
What people don't like
- Long waiting times
- Rude staff
- Wrong orders
Often praised
- staffHowever, I was thrilled to find an Apple Pie, which is discontinued in Korea. The staff were all very friendly! Good.
- servicefast service. In and out 5 minutes or less
- customer serviceThe best McDonald's for customer service the workers there excellent
- employeesThe employees have always been nice and helpful
- order accuracyThe employees have always been nice and helpful, not to mention fast. I've also never received my order and it be incorrect. If I had to say at least one negative aspect of this location, it would be the issue of having people posted at the entry way asking for money and occasionally food.
- StaffStaff at this location has seen it all, and still work with a smile
- appthis place has it all, the app
- cashierthere has been a cashier taking orders
- extra mileDespite the crime and homeless problem at the restaurant, this McDonald's goes the extra mile for their loyal customers. My take out lunch experience was positive because of their dedication to customer service.
- fast servicethey were very fast
Frequently criticized
- serviceHorrible service. I paid for full meal and ice cream. Only gave me ice cream told me didn't have anything else on my order.
- orderOn New Year's Eve, expecting a busy atmosphere, I was still taken aback by the staff's attitude. Being called "stupid" because of an incorrect order given by another worker is unacceptable. Furthermore, it was inconvenient and questionable that they needed to take my phone to verify the order when a colleague already had the receipt.
- staffThese poor people were so overrun and overstimulated that they didn’t even notice me come and go.
- waiting timeMy experience was quite disappointing. I ordered a Minecraft bundle box and a medium fry, but it took 15 minutes to receive my order. To make matters worse, the food was cold by the time I got it.
- workersThe workers that had gave us the food and drinks gave us an attitude
- apptried ordering through their app, but that was deactivated as well.
- customer serviceThe staff provided terrible customer service. To make matters worse, the manager on duty allowed his employees to treat customers with horrible customer service. They kept insisting the receipt said caramel, not mocha, as if I were lying.
- EmployeeEmployee is very disorganized
- Filipino manthe Filipino guy had an attitude and a look on his face
- Latina womanthis Latina woman said no to our request
If youre lucky, you might experience quick and accurate service, but be prepared for potentially long waits and frustrating interactions. This spot is a gamble; it might be worth trying if youre not in a rush and can tolerate potential hiccups.
Ambience (2.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 64% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot has a few bright spots, particularly its location in an old beautiful building. Despite a low score of 2.5, which is considered poor, and only 9 positive remarks out of 104 total, some customers appreciate the unique atmosphere, often seeing it as an ideal take-out/delivery location. However, the overall picture for ambience is quite challenging, with a staggering 88 negative opinions.
Many lament the complete lack of dining tables and no bathroom, making it feel more like a waiting room. Issues like homeless people loitering and a pervasive urine smell contribute to an unpleasant and often unsafe atmosphere, despite an overall customer satisfaction of 8.7.
Ambience
104
Reviews
8%
Satisfaction
88
negative
7
neutral
9
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Ideal location
- Historic building
What people don't like
- No dining tables
- No public bathroom
- Homeless presence
Often praised
- atmospherethe atmosphere was wonderful
- ambiencethe app, ambience, good hours
- cleanlinessIt was clean
- commuter restaurantMy go to Commuter restaurant
- ideal locationIts in a very ideal location here
- locationits location is Awsome
- old beautiful buildingI love this McDonald's is in a old beautiful building
- take-out/delivery locationIt's kind of a number is only a take-out/delivery location, but at the same time it does get rid of a lot of the long lines
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereatmosphere was a bit off
- parkingfilled with delivery people and homeless people asking for money/food. Takeout or delivery only, filled with delivery people and homeless people asking for money/food. Parking options:Paid street parking. Parking:Located on the part of Market St which cars are not allowed to park on. The closest parking I can think of is really far away. However, that's true with almost all Market St business in SF
- seatingthere was no seating available
- areaiffy and dirty area outside and near this location
- cleanlinessInside, it was a bit cleaner, but the overall ambiance still needs improvement. The food was okay – fast and inexpensive – but unfortunately, the lack of a good first impression and the missing cleanliness marred the overall experience.
- homeless peopleThe presence of many homeless people outside made me hesitate
- homelessthe homeless are always loitering at the entrance doors
- tables25 for a one-time use paper bag to be ridiculous. Since there are no tables to eat in, customers are essentially forced to purchase a bag if they don't want to juggle their food. This lack of dine-in facilities and the high cost of bags made the experience quite inconvenient.
- Hand sanitizerHand sanitizer fell on the ground
- NO DINING TABLESThis McD has NO DINING TABLES
If youre looking for a quick grab-and-go meal and dont mind the lack of seating or amenities, this locations convenient spot might work. However, be prepared for a challenging environment, as the overwhelming negative feedback on the atmosphere suggests its not a place to linger or dine in.
Value (4.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 24% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot has some bright spots, especially with a 4.5 score that lands it in the average range. Many customers appreciate the deals and freebies and rewards available, often finding things cheaper or enjoying the buy 1 get one for a dollar offers. Based on 7 positive remarks, these savings can make a real difference for your wallet.
However, the customer satisfaction tells a different story, sitting at a rather poor 29.2%. A significant number of 14 negative comments point to frustrations like unexpected bag fee or charges for a paper bag, and concerns about prices being jacked up. Some also noted issues with no cash allowed or delivery platform pricing, suggesting value isn't always clear-cut.
Value
24
Reviews
29%
Satisfaction
14
negative
3
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- App deals save money
- Cheapest quick breakfast
- Rewards are worth it
What people don't like
- Unexpected bag fees
- Prices are high
- No cash accepted
Often praised
- cheaperAfter downloading their online app, we had only one day to use the rewards we were given as welcome. We were down to our last and hungry, McDonald's was conveniently located and way cheaper than just about anywhere else in the area. Though much blander today than what I remember as a kid, I am grateful that we were able to eat.
- buy 1 get one for a dollarthe buy 1 get one for a dollar makes it the cheapest quick breakfast
- cheapest quick breakfastIt's conveniently located right at BART and many MUNI lines. The buy 1 get one for a dollar deal makes it the cheapest quick breakfast in the area. However, I'm deducting one star because there is no seating or bathroom anymore due to the unhoused population.
- costsI used the app and got the deals. This way you can still keep the costs down. The food was excellent, the service was attentive, and the atmosphere was wonderful.
- dealsI used the app and got the deals. This way you can still keep the costs down.
- freebies and rewardsThe freebies and rewards are worth the effort.
Frequently criticized
- bag chargeThe restaurant smelled funny and there was nowhere to sit. To my surprise, we were charged a quarter per bag for takeout, which felt like a city ordinance. The burger was overcooked, which is unusual, and none of the requested extras were included.
- bag feepayed for a bag fee and got no bag
- paper bagcharged 25 cents for a paper bag
- pricesprices have been increased a lot
- Extra picklesExtra pickles is 50cents
- cashNo cash allowed
- debit cardmade me use my debit card
- delivery platform pricesbecause they're obscenely priced
- no parkingno parking here
- worth itIt's not worth it
If youre savvy with apps and deals, you can definitely find some budget-friendly options here. However, be prepared for potential extra charges like bag fees and higher prices, which might make you question the overall value if youre not careful.
How are the prices at McDonald's?
You’re looking at roughly 15 per person – reported by 81 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Fast Food Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average is 15, it looks like most folks are actually spending a bit less or right around there. A big chunk of diners (34, to be exact!) are keeping it super budget-friendly in the $1–$10 range, with another 33 landing squarely in the $11–$20 sweet spot. This means it’s pretty accessible for many.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 81 reviews.
Comparing the value for money of this restaurant against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, for a Fast Food spot, we think the pricing here feels pretty fair. It offers good value, especially with so many guests finding options in the lower price ranges.
Customer Reviews: what people think about McDonald's
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Fast and Convenient Commuter Spot
My experience at this restaurant was excellent for an early morning stop. The service was incredibly fast, allowing me to be in and out in 5 minutes or less. It's my go-to commuter restaurant for a quick bite.
- service10
- commuter restaurant9
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Tiny space, construction chaos
My experience at this restaurant was extremely disappointing. I couldn't even eat in because the space was so tiny, with no tables available. The entire area was surrounded by construction, making it look like an incomplete restaurant.
The atmosphere was rated a 2, food a 1, and service a 1.
- tiny1
- no tables1
- construction1
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Takeout
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
1
Understaffing Leads to Terrible Experience
I wish I could give this place zero stars. The issue isn't with the staff or the environment itself, but with the management of this McDonald's franchise. They should be ashamed for severely understaffing this location, making it impossible for the employees to do their jobs effectively.
The staff are truly saints for dealing with such conditions. I placed a mobile order for a McDouble and waited 20 minutes, only to have my order cancelled in the app without it ever being called out. I had ordered just before arriving.
The staff were so overwhelmed and overstimulated that they didn't even notice me come and go. Shame on the management of this location. I will never return.
- staff10
- management1
- understaffing1
- mobile order1
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Takeout
Noise Level
- Moderate
1
Terrible Customer Service Experience
I had a terrible customer service experience at this restaurant. I normally order here, but tonight the staff messed up my order. Despite showing them on the app that I've only ordered mocha frappes in the past 6 months, they wanted to argue and push the caramel frappe on me, refusing to call the cashier who took my order.
The staff provided terrible customer service. To make matters worse, the manager on duty allowed his employees to treat customers with horrible customer service. They kept insisting the receipt said caramel, not mocha, as if I were lying.
It was humiliating because the drink never left the staff's hand. Finally, they remade my drink, but not without speaking negatively about me where everyone could hear and making me wait until they took care of everyone else. McDonald's really needs to retrain their employees on customer service!
- staff1
- order1
- customer service1
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Takeout
2
Cash change in nickels, no dine-in
My experience at this restaurant was limited as there is no dine-in available at this location. When I paid with cash, I received all of my change in nickels, which was quite inconvenient.
- dine-in2
- change in nickels2
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
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
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What service options are available at McDonald's in Transbay?
At McDonald’s in San Francisco’s Transbay neighborhood, one can choose from a variety of convenient service options. These include no-contact delivery, traditional delivery, takeout, and dine-in services. Onsite services are also available for those who prefer to enjoy their meal at the restaurant.
Does McDonald's in San Francisco offer accessibility features and amenities?
Yes, this McDonald’s location is designed to be accessible for all patrons. It features a wheelchair accessible entrance, wheelchair accessible seating, and a wheelchair accessible restroom. Additionally, guests can enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi during their visit, enhancing the casual dining experience.
How does McDonald's generally perform according to customer feedback?
This McDonald’s location receives an overall score of 3.5 out of 10, with customer satisfaction at 21.6%. While Value (4.5) and Food (4.3) show some positives, Service (3.5) and Ambience (2.5) are areas needing significant improvement.
What do customers appreciate most about McDonald's?
Many customers appreciate the affordability, noting that deals like “buy 1 get one for a dollar” and using the app help keep costs down, making it a cheaper option for a quick meal.
What are the main concerns regarding the dining environment at McDonald's?
A frequent concern is the lack of seating, with some locations being take-out only. Customers also mention issues with cleanliness and the presence of homeless people impacting the overall atmosphere.