dachjaw

I actually considered that, but my family thought I was stark raving mad. Maybe I was. I got an engineering degree and had a successful software career, so I don't regret quitting to spend more time on studying.

Cleanliness. This was hammered into us when I worked there. If the parking lot and dining room are clean, it's probably a well-run store.

I'm pretty good at telling in just a few seconds whether the food is going to be good or not, although sometimes I'm wrong. My local McDonald's is in a poor area and I had a bad feeling the first time I saw it from the outside, but the service is pretty good and the fries are always hot.

We didn't have pies when I started but I remember when we got them. This was McDonalds' first attempt at a dessert. We had both apple and cherry and the cherry ones were the best thing on the menu.

For those who haven't had one, they are like hot pockets with cherry or apple filling.

Your penultimate paragraph says it. Back then, McDonalds was really the only fast food place out there that had name recognition, pretty good food, and low prices. Today they suffer from being too establishment for younger people. Interestingly, back then they mostly appealed to the young adults (pre-Ronald) and were pushing hard to be recognized by the public as a "restaurant".

I think they were better then, but that may just be an old man talking. The meat was fresh when I started but they switched to frozen patties while I was there. I don't care what corporate said, fresh definitely tasted better.

Also, we grilled the meat instead of whatever method they use now. It was less consistent, but when done right, grilled is better.

Also, the buns were better then. We toasted each one in the bun toaster and that combination of carmelization and warmth was great. I believe they steam them now.