Revdict.

McDonald's

Fast food restaurant · 490 8th Ave, New York, NY 10001, United States · United States

3.6 on Google · 4,570 reviews · View on Google Maps

Manipulation score

Clean

Completed Jul 15, 2026 · 54 reviews flagged

How this score works

The score estimates how strongly this place's review record matches known manipulation patterns, from 0 (no signs) to 100. Verdicts: Clean below 40, Suspicious from 40, Likely Manipulated from 70; Review Drive when the flags are mostly staff asking customers for named reviews. It rises with the share of reviews flagged and how suspicious each one is.

Burst
— an abnormal spike of five-star reviews in a single day compared to the place's usual pace.
Low activity account
— the reviewer has almost no other reviews, photos, or Local Guide history; throwaway accounts look like this.
Duplicate text
— the wording is nearly identical to another review of the same place.

Verdicts are statistical estimates based on public review patterns, not accusations. Full methodology, signal definitions and known limits →

Case conclusion

What the numbers say

999 reviews examined

Google rating
3.6★

All reviews shown by Google

Not-flagged average
3.6★

945 examined reviews

Flagged
5%

54 of 999

Coverage
22%

999 of 4,570 Google reviews

“Not flagged” means no configured Revdict signal matched; it does not prove a review is genuine. Data fetched Jul 15, 2026.

Review brief

What reviews not flagged by Revdict say

Reviewers report that this centrally located McDonald's offers fast service and standard food options. However, many experiences are marred by cleanliness issues, high prices, and uncomfortable interactions with security or unhoused individuals.

+ Repeated strengths

Fast service

Reviewers frequently highlight that orders are prepared and delivered very quickly.

2 supporting reviews

4★ · 2022-11-26

The service was very fast, but because it was prepared in advance, there was a slight softening due to waiting (10/10). Vakar was very quick and good. Also, don't throw away your payment receipt if you want to use the restroom, otherwise yo...

4★ · 2023-01-24

This location always has a crowd so I gave 4 stars, however they are extremely fast in service. So if you're running late into the office this is the place to stop.

Convenient 24-hour location

The restaurant's central Manhattan location and 24-hour availability make it a convenient spot for late-night or quick meals.

2 supporting reviews

3★ · 2022-11-26

It's a place that gets you out of a bind when you're hungry; the location near MSG is open 24 hours.

5★ · 2025-07-02

I'm not really a McDonald's fan in Mexico, but this branch has 24-hour service. You place your order digitally on screens in the restaurant that you can use in English or Spanish, which makes it very quick and easy. The burgers and fries ta...

− Repeated complaints

Cleanliness and hygiene

Reviewers frequently describe the dining area and restrooms as dirty, poorly maintained, or smelling unpleasant.

2 supporting reviews

1★ · 2022-11-19

Dirty

1★ · 2023-01-03

We went there during NYE, just prior to the ball drop. The surprising thing was there was homeless folks inside the store walking and smoking next to us when we were preparing to eat. The homeless guy was even asking for food to someone nex...

Aggressive security and seating rules

Multiple reviewers report being yelled at or quickly forced out by security guards regarding strict seating and time limits.

2 supporting reviews

1★ · 2025-09-28

Disgusting security always kicking everyone out because “it’s a fast food restaurant so u need to eat fast” horrible treatment from her. The staff is amazing is just this certain female security guard. It’s impossible to eat in peace. Food...

1★ · 2026-03-08

1 star I purchased an unlimited drink cup and an ice cream. I filled my cup once, sat down, and ate my ice cream. After maybe 20 minutes, a short female staff member (not sure if she’s a security guard or employee) came up to me and told me...

Uncomfortable atmosphere

Reviewers note a high presence of unhoused individuals, drug use, and rowdy behavior inside the restaurant.

2 supporting reviews

2★ · 2023-03-25

McDonald's seems to be the meeting place for homeless and mentally ill people in NYC. I don't know why ?

4★ · 2025-10-08

Sketchy.... very much. Lots of weirdos in the bathroom that go in and out constantly. Table next to me were a crazy couple doing coke, right in front of my son having a happy meal. I told the security guard and he went down on them hard, wh...

Good for

  • A quick bite near Penn Station
  • Late-night food options
  • Using self-ordering kiosks

Avoid if

  • You are sensitive to dirty environments
  • You prefer a relaxed, unhurried dining experience
  • You are traveling with young children
Summarized from 418 text reviews not flagged by Revdict · 2022-11-17 to 2026-07-12 · Summaries can miss context; open the supporting reviews before deciding.

Review anatomy

Reviews per month

Reviews per month, total and flagged
MonthReviewsFlagged
Nov ’22262
Dec ’22551
Jan ’23490
Feb ’23310
Mar ’23392
Apr ’23393
May ’23423
Jun ’23310
Jul ’23554
Aug ’23513
Sep ’23310
Oct ’23283
Nov ’23281
Dec ’23482
Jan ’24271
Feb ’2470
Mar ’24160
Apr ’24250
May ’24378
Jun ’24301
Jul ’24191
Aug ’24202
Sep ’24202
Oct ’2400
Nov ’2440
Dec ’24173
Jan ’2500
Feb ’2500
Mar ’2500
Apr ’2500
May ’2500
Jun ’25130
Jul ’25331
Aug ’25241
Sep ’25190
Oct ’25201
Nov ’25131
Dec ’25191
Jan ’26130
Feb ’26101
Mar ’26161
Apr ’26122
May ’2672
Jun ’26150
Jul ’26101

Rating distribution

5★
4★
3★
2★
1★

Evidence

  • burst 5 five-star reviews on 2024-05-25 vs avg 0.9/day weight 1
  • low activity account 49 reviews flagged weight 0.8

Flagged reviews

Showing the 10 most suspicious of 54 flagged reviews.

Scarlett Brady profile photo

Scarlett Brady

8 reviews · Local Guide

★★★★★

2024-05-25

Super nice and friendly staff
burst suspicion 80
Jerry Brewer profile photo

Jerry Brewer

3 reviews

★★★★★

2024-05-25

Good burgers great customer service
burst suspicion 80
Albano Malo profile photo

Albano Malo

4 reviews

★★★★★

2024-05-25

burst suspicion 80
Neal Patel profile photo

Neal Patel

3 reviews

★★★★★

2024-05-25

Great food!
burst suspicion 80
Rishab Shah profile photo

Rishab Shah

3 reviews

★★★★★

2024-05-25

Great service
burst suspicion 80
Jhon Lopez profile photo

Jhon Lopez

1 review

★☆☆☆☆

2023-03-03

The service is mediocre and it smells strongly of urine. The bathrooms are in poor condition with a lot of paper scattered on the floor. The staff is only concerned with speed and neglects everything else, and their service is rude. We arrived recently and this has already happened three times. The...
low activity account suspicion 48
Hester Li profile photo

Hester Li

2 reviews

★☆☆☆☆

2023-03-22

Slow service and bad attitude
low activity account suspicion 48
Zach Hartness profile photo

Zach Hartness

1 review

★☆☆☆☆

2023-04-14

I paid for a Big mac and got this horrendous sandwich. The fact that anyone could even make this abomination is disgusting. It smells nauseating and the taste is unspeakable.
low activity account suspicion 48
Simone Rodriguez profile photo

Simone Rodriguez

1 review

★☆☆☆☆

2023-04-16

low activity account suspicion 48
UnicaRadio Cagliari profile photo

UnicaRadio Cagliari

2 reviews

★☆☆☆☆

2023-04-20

The security lady was really bad. I don't know why She still works there. I suggest to fire her.
low activity account suspicion 48

Report generated Jul 15, 2026. Reviews change — you can request a fresh investigation.

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