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
CleanCompleted 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★
- Not-flagged average
- 3.6★
- Flagged
- 5%
- Coverage
- 22%
All reviews shown by Google
945 examined reviews
54 of 999
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
Review anatomy
Reviews per month
| Month | Reviews | Flagged |
|---|---|---|
| Nov ’22 | 26 | 2 |
| Dec ’22 | 55 | 1 |
| Jan ’23 | 49 | 0 |
| Feb ’23 | 31 | 0 |
| Mar ’23 | 39 | 2 |
| Apr ’23 | 39 | 3 |
| May ’23 | 42 | 3 |
| Jun ’23 | 31 | 0 |
| Jul ’23 | 55 | 4 |
| Aug ’23 | 51 | 3 |
| Sep ’23 | 31 | 0 |
| Oct ’23 | 28 | 3 |
| Nov ’23 | 28 | 1 |
| Dec ’23 | 48 | 2 |
| Jan ’24 | 27 | 1 |
| Feb ’24 | 7 | 0 |
| Mar ’24 | 16 | 0 |
| Apr ’24 | 25 | 0 |
| May ’24 | 37 | 8 |
| Jun ’24 | 30 | 1 |
| Jul ’24 | 19 | 1 |
| Aug ’24 | 20 | 2 |
| Sep ’24 | 20 | 2 |
| Oct ’24 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov ’24 | 4 | 0 |
| Dec ’24 | 17 | 3 |
| Jan ’25 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb ’25 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar ’25 | 0 | 0 |
| Apr ’25 | 0 | 0 |
| May ’25 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun ’25 | 13 | 0 |
| Jul ’25 | 33 | 1 |
| Aug ’25 | 24 | 1 |
| Sep ’25 | 19 | 0 |
| Oct ’25 | 20 | 1 |
| Nov ’25 | 13 | 1 |
| Dec ’25 | 19 | 1 |
| Jan ’26 | 13 | 0 |
| Feb ’26 | 10 | 1 |
| Mar ’26 | 16 | 1 |
| Apr ’26 | 12 | 2 |
| May ’26 | 7 | 2 |
| Jun ’26 | 15 | 0 |
| Jul ’26 | 10 | 1 |
Rating distribution
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
8 reviews · Local Guide
★★★★★
2024-05-25
Super nice and friendly staff
Jerry Brewer
3 reviews
★★★★★
2024-05-25
Good burgers great customer service
Albano Malo
4 reviews
★★★★★
2024-05-25
Neal Patel
3 reviews
★★★★★
2024-05-25
Great food!
Rishab Shah
3 reviews
★★★★★
2024-05-25
Great service
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...
Hester Li
2 reviews
★☆☆☆☆
2023-03-22
Slow service and bad attitude
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.
Simone Rodriguez
1 review
★☆☆☆☆
2023-04-16
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.
Report generated Jul 15, 2026. Reviews change — you can request a fresh investigation.
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