The McGriddle Incident

Bacon, Egg & Cheese McGriddleThe only thing I wanted was a McGriddle. A Bacon, Egg & Cheese McGriddle without Cheese. And I wanted a hash brown. But I didn’t want, didn’t need a drink. I didn’t even have room for drinks. My drink holders were occupied.

I was cutting it kind of close, breakfast was closing in about 5 minutes. Just to be sure, the first thing I asked was if they were still serving breakfast.

“Yes, we are still serving breakfast,” said the pleasant voice through the speaker. “What can I get you?”

So far, so good or so I thought. Actually, this was the start of the McGriddle Incident.

“I’ll have #5, without cheese. And you can hold the drink. I don’t need the drink.”

Cheese should never be consumed in the same bite as a pancake-like McGriddle. That’s where I draw the line. Always hold the cheese on a McGriddle. This particular day, I also wanted the hash brown. So I wanted a meal but without the drink.

“I’m sorry sir, but we can’t do that. We have to charge you for the items separately, we can’t charge you the meal price if you’re not getting the drink.”

“So, what you’re saying is, you’re going to charge me more money for less stuff? Does that sound like it makes sense.”?

“I’m sorry sir, I have to charge you for each item separately if you’re not getting a drink.”

“Why don’t you make me a nice cup of orange juice and I’ll give it to you. It’s on me.”

“Sorry, sir I can’t do that. It’s against our policy to accept gifts from customers.”

“You’re kidding me, this is a joke, right?”

“No sir. Would you like to speak to my manager?”

Aerial View of a McGriddle

We went back and forth like this and probably after the 3rd time she asked me if I wanted to speak to her manager it dawned on that this was a ridiculous waste of time and energy. It wasn’t the savings on money, it was the violation of logic, the idea that I was going to be charged more for less that was driving me slightly mad. In the end though, I decided we were getting nowhere and to let it go.

“Ok, whatever the price is, whatever you have to charge me, it’s ok. It’s not a big deal, it just seems kind of silly. I’ll take the Bacon, Egg & Cheese McGriddle without Cheese and a Hash Brown. Thank you.”

“Sir, I’m sorry, but we are no longer serving breakfast. We are now serving lunch. Is there anything from the lunch menu I can get you?”

 

Photo Credit:
Eli Hodapp
David McKelvey

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