Taiwan's Chung Ho City (Sheng Nan Rd.) McDonald's

The McChronicles dropped in to Taiwan's Chung Ho City (near Taipei) and headed for Sheng Nan Road. That's where this McDonald's is located.

This store is interesting since it combines several funky features all into one restaurant. First, it is a McCafe and a regular store all in one. Next, instead of a drive-thru it offers a walk-up. But it's not an ordinary walk-up, it's sort of a "scooter-up" (you don't actually drive thru in your scooter, you drive up , get off, order, then drive off or eat on the sidewalk). It's a big, urban-type store (small ground floor presence with a multi-(3)story dining area). Add it all up and the experience is pretty cool. Interestingly, this store offers no deivery and no bottled water.

The first-floor order area feels very small and tight. No problem when the crowd is small (it could be a mess if a ton of people show up). The stairs are steep as they lead to the second and third floors. Since the building occupies a corner space there are windows (and tons of natural light) everywhere. This, and the Taipei suburb's teeming masses, make for some extremely interesting people watching while dining.

It's a relief to ascend to the dining area and relax since the street is throbbing with energy. Cars, trucks, scooters, people, smells, sounds, and more add up to almost numb the senses. Behind the glass, and one or more stories above the fray, is a bit of solitude, providing time to unwind and relax - even if it just for a few minutes.

If you're in the neighborhood and in need of a break - consider this option.

The McChronicles: a blog about, not affiliated with, McDonald's.
Images: The McChronicles.

McDonald's Girl Delivers

It may be news to some (not to regular readers of The McChronicles) that McDonald's delivers. Maybe not in your town, but there are places in this world where your meal can be brought right to your home, office, party, event, or ... ?

We've explored the concept of McDelivery before. But, today, while sitting in a Shanghai, China McDonald's, after observing several delivery people returning to the roost, grabbing their next order, and heading out into the streets, it hit us. Who are these people? Why do they do it? What's it like McDelivering? Sadly, we didn't get to ask the questions, yet.

The McChronicles did build up a healthy dose of curiosity and interest. We also snapped these shots of "McDonald's Girl" as she prepared to battle the dangerous streets of Shanghai. 

As she disappeared into the drizzling summer haze we found ourselves saying out loud, "Go, McDonald's girl, go."

We'll try for an interview and report back if we get one.

Comment if you've got a cool McDelivery or McDonald's Girl story.

The McChronicles: a blog about, not affiliated with, McDonald's.

Images: The McChronicles.

McDonald's Changning Road, Shanghai, China

The McDonald's on Shanghai's Changning Road (corner with Dingxi Lu) is interesting to the McChronicles.

Is it huge? No.

Beautiful? No.

Super clean? No

Does it provide awesome service? No.

So, what is it that piques our interest? Surprisingly, it is the total

"averageness" (if there is such a word).

The Changning Road store is a place that hosts international business travelers, tourists, school children, families, and even the occasional gaggle of retired women (the EXACT group that people say will reject McDonald's in China).

Walk in the door and the counter is right in your face. Quick looks right and left reveal the first-floor dining areas. The stairs to the 2nd-floor dining area and rest rooms is immediately to your left.

The seating is typical, the counter area is typical, the floor is the same faux-wood ceramic that is experienced so often worldwide.

This store can get busy, and it can be slow. The McChronicles dropped in at

11:30AM, dodging the noon rush by a bit, and experiencing a crew that had a little breathing room.

We were greeted with smiles, a routine welcome, and proactive help as our meal was selected. We were "processed" as if there were 100 people in line behind us (told to move to the side and wait for our order - The McShuffle), even though we were the only customer - habit we guess.

We chose to sit beside a table of four retired women to see how they enjoyed their McDonald's experience. They seemed to have one mode: everyone talk and laugh at the same time!

OK, so this McDonald's is "average". We had expectations, they were met, we received what we wanted - and it was good. Sometimes it's not so bad being average.

For those interested in McDonald's prices in China, The McChronicles paid 5.5 Chinese RMB (renminbe: the peoples' money) for a hamburger and RMB4.0 for bottled water. Today 1 US dollar is approximately equal to 6.8 RMB.

The McChronicles: a blog about, not affiliated with, McDonald's.

Images: The McChronicles.

Suzhou China's Wei Ting McDonald's

McDonald's rolled into China years ago by landing in the big cities. Eventually, McDonald's was known to exist only in large urban centers. Sensible after all since this is where the people are and the money is.

Fast-forward to today, where we now encounter McDonald's OUTSIDE of major cities. The McChronicles just visited one such restaurant in the townwhip of Wei Ting, outside of Suzhou, in China. Located in the Qing Jian Hu Commercial Plaza, this store caters primarily to people on the go, in cars, on business, or on their way to somewhere else.

Managed by HU Xin Kun, this McDonald's is simply excellent. The exterior is neat and inviting. It has great curb appeal and can be seen easily from the road. Once inside it hits you, this place is really clean (critical for weary travelers and those looking for a relaxing place to grab a quick bite to eat). The atmosphere is quite different from city McDonald's as it is notably quieter and more relaxed. Even the crew have a more dignified demeanor (when compared to the harried city McDonald's staff).

The McChronicles asked some business people who were lunching here to describe this McDonald's and to compare it to other types of McDonald's found in China. The customers quickly categorized this store as "more for business people", "more professional", and "quieter".

This store offers up a spartan, crisp ambiance, complete with tons of windows, natural light, and great views of the area. The seating is ecclectic with benches, stools, chairs, private areas, open tables, and more. You can even surf the internet or check your emails on the three cyber-stations provided free of charge.

The McChronicles shuddered at the sight of the ultra-old-style straw dispenser/germ spreader that is found frequently in China McDonald's. A repeat request: McDonald's, please ban these (for motivation, sit down and watch the straw-dispensing action when a bunch of children show up for a Saturday lunch party).

The Wei Ting McDonald's is a real gem, and highly recommended by The McChronicles. Do check it out.

The McChronicles: a blog about, npot affiliated with, McDonald's.
Images: The McChronicles.

McDonald's Drive-Thru: First-Time Experience in China

Remember your very FIRST McDonald's drive-thru moment? Of course you don't ... that is unless it just happened. This exact experience is occurring for thousands of people every day in China.

As reported by The McChronicles, McDonald’s has been opening drive-thrus in China as the population moves up to car ownership.

The McChronicles was fortunate to accompany a college-educated, business professional on her very first drive-thru (McDonald's or otherwise) experience today. We noticed that, as we were leaving a McDonald's dine-in lunch, our friend, let's call her "Daisy", expressed some confusion as to just what the strange driveway was doing in the parking lot. As the "drive-thru" concept was explained it became clear that the idea was totally unknown to her. The more it was explained, the more confused Daisy became. So, we wheeled the vehicle around and drove thru.

Coming from the perspective where this moment is beyond taken for granted, it was exhilarating to "experience" it for the first time through Daisy's eyes.

When we dropped Daisy back at her office and described the experience to her colleagues, most were totally unfamiliar with the concept. More work to do!

PS: It was a thrill and an honor to capture Daisy's first-ever McDonald's drive-thru experience. The McChronicles considers this a very special once-in-a lifetime moment.

PPS: Daisy's first-ever drive-thru order? Orange juice.

Please comment and share YOUR first McDonald's drive-thru experience.

The McChronicles: a blog about, not affiliated with, McDonald's.
Images: The McChronicles.