McDonald's (161 and Frantz)

337 W Bridge St, Dublin, OH

Several years ago, I was involved in an investment club. I researched a stock that I thought was ready to take off: McDonald's. It was down to about $14 a share, held down due to uncertainty over the looming war, the looming fat-food lawsuits, and a growing awareness of healthy eating. We didn't buy, but we should have, as it now trades for close to $60. Whatever else McDonald's is, it is quintessentially American, and will adapt. It is also a hated franchise among the latte-quaffers in every office in America, which perhaps endears it to me even more.

The go-to McDonald's for us lately has been at Rt. 161 and Frantz Rd. This is an older franchise, and a place that gives us results. I will vary my order at the Arches in direct proportion to how long it's been since I've eaten there. If it's been a while, it has to be the Big Mac. Wednesday's Mac did not disappoint, and was probably the freshest, most delicious specimen of that species that I have tasted. The mitigating factor for that visit was the fries, which were uncharacteristically overfried. I'm willing to overlook it as a fluke, but will have to keep my eyes out for a trend.

You'll do well to arrive before 11:45 or after 12:30, but even at peak times, lines are reasonable. It's always a clean restaurant, and the counter service is top-notch, for fast food or anywhere else for that matter. Considering that the restaurant industry averages over 100% annual turnover, it's hard to be consistent, but these folks have done it well for years.

There's no real issue getting in or out, or with parking as it's located in the Kroger plaza, and pull-thru spots are usually available close-by. The only strange thing about the place is the vestibule, which is so narrow that patrons often get stuck behind the door they just opened if they chose the wrong interior door. There's no Playplace in the modern sense, but it does have a children's area with a few activities in the back.

All-in-all, a good example of a proud American franchise.