In poor neighborhoods, McDonald’s have become de-facto community centers

McDonalds is the only restaurant I enjoy eating at with my 2 and 3 year olds. Every other restaurant is a slog to get through the meal. Honestly I'd eat there more often if it weren't for the social stigma of it. (I live in Berkeley). I am pretty sure the cheeseburger, apple slices, and chocolate milk are not much worse, and probably better, than the typical fare on a slapped together kids meal. When I was a kid, my…

Mcdonald's was my first employer, and while I've got a ton of "somebody pooped in the ballpit" stories, I really think the restaurant is a net good. As a 16 year old it was awesome to work alongside other folks of varying ages and nationalities and get to know that other "walks" of life existed. I made friends outside of my highschool, fell in love, got burnt by the fryolator like 8 times, and most importantly learned about hard work…

I was just at the one in EPA by Facebook and I thought the same damn thing. Dudes with facial scars and a limp come through to get a meal for $10/2000calories, students as well grabbing a snack on their way home from one of the nine schools nearby. Its like a YMCA for homeless people, along with the library.

It's sad that society is heading in this direction. When a McDonald's is the center of the community then that community is very weak. People should be supporting local businesses and gathering in public spaces not basing there lives and community around a sales funnel