Dining Out Boston

It was a happy, happy day when six "Buy 1, Get 1 Free" McDonald's sandwich coupons arrived in the mail. After an afternoon of eating unsatisfying (and equally unhealthful) chips and salsa while watching the Steelers DOMINATE the Broncos (no bias here), I needed a more legitimate protein fix. At 8pm, with five dollars in pocket, where else would I go but McDonald's?

"Well, Burger King, Wendy's, Quiznos"…Silence! I was hungry for a quarter pounder.

Also, this isn't just any McDonald's. The Coolidge Corner location is clean, uncrowded, and usually devoid of ketchup-smeared children whining about their happy meal toys. The food is actually delivered fast, and yes, I know, that's the point, but you'd be surprised how long it can take to scoop a small order of fries at other establishments. And, of course, the fare is greasy, trans-fatty glorious McDonald's burgers, fries, and the underappreciated filet-o-fish.

But what most appeals to me about this particular McDonald's is that its staff is wholly unflappable. It's as if an entire FBI hostage negotiations team lost their jobs and were simultaneously rehired to flip burgers at Coolidge Corner. On a previous visit I had brought a coupon, whose terms were a triumph of legalese. I had interpreted it as offering "Buy 1 Extra Value Meal, Get 1 Free" but the McDonald's corporation seems to have preferred the less desirable "Buy 1 Classic Sandwich, Get 1 Free." Well, didn't I get in a tizzy over this issue while the cashier and manager calmly and repeatedly explained to me my error. Although quite irked at the time, I now appreciate the fact that they remained collected even after I in my anger made fun of their outfits.

Opting for McDonald's may not seem like such an informed choice when you're trying to satisfy a lingering hunger with a minimal amount of money. It is, however, when you eat in Brookline.

The Info
McDonald's
295 Harvard St., Brookline
www.mcdonalds.com