I hate to own up to this, but we were quite peckish one afternoon and in need of a sit-down meal. Many of the eateries in Xian were remarkably unattractive, and having seen meat on sale in the town (see separate journal on "Xian - a tour round the town"), we wanted safe food. McDonald’s presented itself as a sign of consistent quality (you’ll all have your views on that), and we decided to give it a whirl.
I can’t remember the last time we went into such an establishment, but it is remarkably similar to all others in the chain. We ordered food and drinks at the counter, and like in the UK, the order was punched into the till; sent to the kitchen (in full view to the diners); and by the time the bill was presented to me, the food was on its way. Drinks served, cheeseburger and French fries bagged all on a tray, and I’m off to find my wife who has already settled at the table resting her weary bones.
Despite my reservations, I did thoroughly enjoy our snack and was appreciative of a meal that tasted as it should and was totally inoffensive to the palate. The staff did not hover at the table or watch surreptitiously as we munched on each mouthful – they knew if we wanted more food we’d make our way to the front desk.
But despite the similarities to the UK McDonald’s, there were some real significant differences. First, the staff took responsibility for the shop frontage, and whilst we were there, they were making sure it was clean and litter free. The staff clearly understood the expectations of their fastidious manager and was constantly tidying the restaurant and the surrounding area. Tables were cleaned as soon as they were vacated, and any spillages were soon wiped away. This place was a pleasure to eat, a credit to every single staff member.
Second, we saw how attentive the staff could be if it was necessary. A family group with a preschool child was attempting to eat their meals as well as supervise their son, who was determined to spend time in the small "soft" play area. A member of staff approached the parents, and the next thing we saw was that she’d taken off her shoes and was actively supervising the child on the parent’s behalf. Both child and staff member had "a whale of a time," and it was great to see. It was over and beyond the call of duty, and I guess they may have been insurance issues if anything had gone wrong, but what a sympathetic response from the waitress, enabling hassled parents to have a few quiet moments enjoying their meal.
This was a peaceful and spotless fast-food experience, and if you eat this kind of food, you will surely enjoy McDonald’s in Xian.