The Worst Time to Hit McDonald's for Fast Food: 10:30 Am

Dec 12, 2024 at 9:25 PM
Aaron of L.A. Photography/Shutterstock brings to light an interesting aspect of McDonald's dining. While the menu items may still attract many, the wait times and incorrect orders often leave customers frustrated. How can one avoid these hassles? Well, one key is to avoid McDonald's at the wrong time of day.

Why 10:30 a.m. is the Worst Time

According to TikToker @chefmikeharacz, a former McDonald's corporate chef, 10:30 a.m. is the absolute worst time to visit. As seen in the video, at this hour, the restaurants are in the midst of switching from breakfast to lunch. The same fryers used for hash browns are now being prepared for fries. There might also be a shift change, with lunch employees coming in and breakfast employees leaving. The restaurants start to see more foot traffic as business picks up again, creating a lot of room for mistakes. As a result, your wait might be longer, and there's a higher chance of getting incorrect items or even forgetting the sauce.

Mid-afternoon: The Least Busy Time

The least busy times of the day at McDonald's tend to be in the mid-afternoon, from about 2 to 4 p.m. After the lunch rush is over and people have returned to their work or homes, the Golden Arches offer a quick in and out experience. You can savor their hot, greasy fries with a variety of delicious ingredients. It's a great time to satisfy your McDonald's craving without the hassle of long queues.

Just After 10:30 for Fresh Food

If you're looking for guaranteed fresh food, believe it or not, just after 10:30 a.m. is the sweet spot. At this time, the employees have completed the transition from making breakfast to the first batch of lunch food. All the lunch/dinner items are at their freshest. Of course, you might have to wait a bit, but if the restaurant's staff has the transition down pat, like a well-oiled machine, it can be a worthwhile experience. While it may be the best time for fresh food, it could also be the worst time in terms of waiting and ensuring accuracy.