I recently stopped by this McDonald’s location in New Haven around 8:00 PM on a weeknight, and unfortunately, the experience was far from comfortable. While the food itself was prepared correctly and tasted as expected, the overall environment made the visit unpleasant.
There was concerning activity occurring directly outside, and even as a large adult male who is typically confident in public settings, I felt genuinely unsafe, despite having my own form(s) of protection. Inside the restaurant, the atmosphere was chaotic where customers were arguing loudly with staff, and individuals who did not appear to be patrons were frequently entering and exiting. The dining area was messy, and several amenities such as the soda machines were not functioning.
I understand that some challenges may be outside the control of the staff, and the employees were doing their best under the circumstances. However, given the unsafe surroundings and overall condition of the restaurant, I would not feel comfortable returning to this location in the future and would definitely reccomend families, single women, or small children or anyone for that matter not go after dark (or at all, if you are not a male/female who is confident in your ability to remain safe in public). Your life is not worth the McChicken I ate.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Mustafa
They have went up on their prices and down on quality of food. Have to make sure to tell them you want it hot or risk getting cold anything. Then have to check and half time it’s still cold. I saw an employee drop a frozen chicken patty on floor and pick it up and put back in freezer. I’m done after six years going there.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Macey Edwards
Rude staff and charging almost a dollar more for the same item as other McDonald's on whalley.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
NB TRANSPORT
Worst MacDonald ever waited 20 mins to order and waited 20 mins for food but and end-up by cancelling the order got my refund rude staff even manager
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Gina Ross
Always an issue at drive thru and rude employees and management
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Steele from juice
I hate these people on 250 whalley ave new haven CT they are so unprofessional they ignore you than talk crap in Spanish had me wait 25 mins at the front than tries to use the kiosk that took my code than went blank asked for help 6 times got no help
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Michelle Tolar
Hot food and fast :) We've been to this location several times and never had any issues. Update: we got food to-go again today and it was still fantastic!!
Worst McDonalds I have ever been to . Rude clueless people working . Even the manager wouldn’t care that I was standing there for 10 minutes on the counter without any help . Screwed up order 3 times . Afraid to eat that food so threw it in the garbage, very rude .
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Whitney J
Today 9/21/2025 at 10:30 am they have THINGS BLOCKOING BITH SIDES IF THE DRIVE ENTRANCE AND EXIT!
nikolay
This is the only McDonald's I have ever been to where I did not feel physically safe, and I am a 22 year old male. I don't know what it is about this place, but do not go here after 11pm. There have been numerous incidents where people (experiencing homelessness) who are on drugs have interfered with service here. Even worse, this has never happened at the Dunkin or Burger king down the road. That's scary and the staff and customers here deserve better, and McDonald's should put everyone's safety first and remove people who are approaching people's cars and causing a commotion. Please do better McDonald's, your customers and staff need you. I don't know if this is problematic, so I apologize to the staff if it is, but I have to give this place a 1 star due to me feeling unsafe. I've never had an issue with service, and all staff have actually been really kind, which was a pleasant surprise considering the conditions they appear to be working in from the customer's point of view.
Charged full price for the McDonaldland meal after being told it was available, but the collectible tin was not included and the staff failed to provide a receipt, which felt like a deliberate attempt to avoid accountability for deceptive practice. Very poor experience—be sure to get everything you pay for. Will not be returning.
Michael Torres
I’ve been going to this McDonald’s every morning for over five years. However, over the last five months, the quality of service has significantly declined. Not only do they frequently get the order wrong, but it also takes them 5 to 10 minutes just to acknowledge you. This was never the case before.
This location used to be one of the most popular McDonald’s in the area, but the service has completely gone downhill. If you have an extra 25 minutes in the morning to wait for your breakfast, then this might still work for you. But if you're hoping to get in and out of the drive-thru in under 10 minutes, don’t expect that to happen here.
I’ve completely stopped going to this location and now visit the diner up the street instead—it has faster service and better food quality. I hope this helps you avoid wasting your morning at this McDonald’s.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
R H W
The one on whalley avenue , They need to get rid of the whole damn crew and replace the whole damn crew including management they still suck .
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Kinyarda Davis
Check your order twice before leaving especially if you are a delivery person.
I recently stopped by this McDonald’s location in New Haven around 8:00 PM on a weeknight, and unfortunately, the experience was far from comfortable. While the food itself was prepared correctly and tasted as expected, the overall environment made the visit unpleasant.
There was concerning activity occurring directly outside, and even as a large adult male who is typically confident in public settings, I felt genuinely unsafe, despite having my own form(s) of protection. Inside the restaurant, the atmosphere was chaotic where customers were arguing loudly with staff, and individuals who did not appear to be patrons were frequently entering and exiting. The dining area was messy, and several amenities such as the soda machines were not functioning.
I understand that some challenges may be outside the control of the staff, and the employees were doing their best under the circumstances. However, given the unsafe surroundings and overall condition of the restaurant, I would not feel comfortable returning to this location in the future and would definitely reccomend families, single women, or small children or anyone for that matter not go after dark (or at all, if you are not a male/female who is confident in your ability to remain safe in public). Your life is not worth the McChicken I ate.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
They have went up on their prices and down on quality of food. Have to make sure to tell them you want it hot or risk getting cold anything. Then have to check and half time it’s still cold. I saw an employee drop a frozen chicken patty on floor and pick it up and put back in freezer. I’m done after six years going there.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Rude staff and charging almost a dollar more for the same item as other McDonald's on whalley.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Worst MacDonald ever waited 20 mins to order and waited 20 mins for food but and end-up by cancelling the order got my refund rude staff even manager
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Always an issue at drive thru and rude employees and management
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I hate these people on 250 whalley ave new haven CT they are so unprofessional they ignore you than talk crap in Spanish had me wait 25 mins at the front than tries to use the kiosk that took my code than went blank asked for help 6 times got no help
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Hot food and fast :) We've been to this location several times and never had any issues. Update: we got food to-go again today and it was still fantastic!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Crispy Chicken Sandwich, Spicy Chicken Nuggets
Worst McDonalds I have ever been to . Rude clueless people working . Even the manager wouldn’t care that I was standing there for 10 minutes on the counter without any help . Screwed up order 3 times . Afraid to eat that food so threw it in the garbage, very rude .
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Today 9/21/2025 at 10:30 am they have THINGS BLOCKOING BITH SIDES IF THE DRIVE ENTRANCE AND EXIT!
This is the only McDonald's I have ever been to where I did not feel physically safe, and I am a 22 year old male. I don't know what it is about this place, but do not go here after 11pm. There have been numerous incidents where people (experiencing homelessness) who are on drugs have interfered with service here. Even worse, this has never happened at the Dunkin or Burger king down the road. That's scary and the staff and customers here deserve better, and McDonald's should put everyone's safety first and remove people who are approaching people's cars and causing a commotion. Please do better McDonald's, your customers and staff need you. I don't know if this is problematic, so I apologize to the staff if it is, but I have to give this place a 1 star due to me feeling unsafe. I've never had an issue with service, and all staff have actually been really kind, which was a pleasant surprise considering the conditions they appear to be working in from the customer's point of view.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 3
Restaurantji Recommends
Incomplete order. Unprofessional service.
Charged full price for the McDonaldland meal after being told it was available, but the collectible tin was not included and the staff failed to provide a receipt, which felt like a deliberate attempt to avoid accountability for deceptive practice. Very poor experience—be sure to get everything you pay for. Will not be returning.
I’ve been going to this McDonald’s every morning for over five years. However, over the last five months, the quality of service has significantly declined. Not only do they frequently get the order wrong, but it also takes them 5 to 10 minutes just to acknowledge you. This was never the case before.
This location used to be one of the most popular McDonald’s in the area, but the service has completely gone downhill. If you have an extra 25 minutes in the morning to wait for your breakfast, then this might still work for you. But if you're hoping to get in and out of the drive-thru in under 10 minutes, don’t expect that to happen here.
I’ve completely stopped going to this location and now visit the diner up the street instead—it has faster service and better food quality. I hope this helps you avoid wasting your morning at this McDonald’s.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
The one on whalley avenue , They need to get rid of the whole damn crew and replace the whole damn crew including management they still suck .
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Check your order twice before leaving especially if you are a delivery person.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
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