McDonald's

McDepression hurts. Photo by Kate Ingalls.

Seems those ads promising help for people suffering from the Big Mac withdrawal symptoms were put on the T by McDonald's local ad agency without the hamburger chain's approval.

In a statement, Arnold President Pam Hamlin says:

Arnold apologizes for its mistake to McDonald's and to anyone who was offended by the ad. McDonald's did not approve the ad, and it's release was our unintended error. We've addressed the issue and have improved our approval process to ensure this does not happen in the future.

McDonald's and Arnold asked the T to pull the ads down (see the other ads).

David Yamada doesn't think much of the Orange Line ads that posit lack of a Big Mac stuffed in your mouth as the sort of mental issue that one more typically sees advertised on clinical-research ads between Forest Hills and Oak Grove:

I'm sorry, but the ad is just too close to the real thing to be funny.

The Boston Licensing Board voted today to let the Soldiers Field McDonald's extend its closing time from 11 p.m. until 2 a.m.

At a hearing yesterday, representatives from the mayor's office and the Brighton Allston Improvement Association asked for an earlier closing time.

The mayor's office asked for midnight at the request of Boston Police and the neighborhood association asked for 1 a.m., saying it was concerned about the area being flooded by people getting out of area bars between 1 and 2 a.m.

The restaurant already has a 24-hour drive-thru and is near a 24-hour IHOP. It had originally sought 24-hour operations itself - in fact, was cited last year for opening around the clock without board approval - but scaled back to 2 a.m. after meeting with the BAIA.

Also today, the board voted to let the McDonald's open in the morning at 5 a.m., an hour earlier than previously.

The Soldiers Field McDonald's, which already has a 24-hour drive-thru, is seeking permission to keep its dining room open until 2 a.m.

The Boston Licensing Board considers the request at a hearing tomorrow.

Last year, the restaurant simply started running its dining room around the clock, figuring if the nearby IHOP could, so could it. Then, a Boston Police officer issued a citation and the franchisee learned you can't simply open a restaurant whenever you feel like it without permission of the licensing board.

McDonald's plans to seek permission to open the dining room at its Soldiers Field Road location around the clock - after learning it couldn't do so just because a franchisee felt like it.

The peeved citizen who repeatedly complained about the McDonald's delivery truck blocking West Street early every Friday sent a shoutout this morning to the BPD officer in cruiser 1145 who forced the driver to turn onto Tremont Street to keep West clear. Granted, he let the driver pull onto the one-way Tremont the wrong way, but baby steps, people.

"Thank you for making my morning commute a good one," enthused our citizen, no longer having to detour around the short street at 5:45 a.m.

Every Friday morning, somebody tries to drive down West Street in Downtown Crossing. Only to have to back up and find another way to work because of a stupid McDonald's delivery truck parked there, just around the corner from Tremont.

This morning was no exception for the aggrieved citizen, who filed his or her sixth straight complaint today about the truck with Kentucky plates 45121T. Last Friday, the city ticketed the truck (just like it did in October), but the driver no doubt just chuckled before tossing the ticket away.

Earlier:
Dunkin' Donuts driver achieves the Masshole trifecta.

MBTA Transit Police report they've nabbed the guy who allegedly destroyed a $3,000 cash register at the South Station McDonald's, possibly in a snit over it being closed when he wanted to buy something.

Timothy Chace, 28, of Dorchester, was arrested on a charge of malicious destruction of property with the aid of people who recognized his photo from a wanted poster, police say.

More specifically, somebody called police and told them where he worked, the Suffolk County District Attorney's office reports:

The Allston Civic Association will oppose plans by the owner of the Brighton Mills McDonald's to extend his hours until 2 a.m., the Crimson reports.

The association voted 7-6 to oppose the later hours. Members cited the precedent that letting the burger joint stay open would have and said only transients from away would be likely to eat there that late. Owner Bob King says he needs the extra hours to make up for the anticipated loss of revenue during the relocation of the nearby Charlesview Apartments.

King also owns the McDonald's on Harvard Avenue. Last year, the civic association fought King when he proposed a 2 a.m. closing there, citing similar concerns. However, the Boston Licensing Board - the ultimate arbiter on closing hours - voted to extend the hours, in part because the Kelly's across the street already had a 2 a.m. closing time.

Boston Police report arresting a West Roxbury teen on charges he tried to hold up the McDonald's behind his house at gunpoint Saturday morning. Police say they were aided in their search by footprints in fresh snow leading from the restaurant to his house.

The owner of the McDonald's franchise on American Legion Highway has withdrawn his request for a license to stay open 24/7.

The owner of the McDonald's at 718 American Legion Highway goes before the Boston Licensing Board on Weds., Oct. 6, seeking permission to stay open 24 hours a day. The burger outlet is currently open 7 a.m. to midnight.

Cosmo was right, except they didn't wait 'til April.

The McDonald's on Boylston St in the Fenway closed unceremoniously and without notice early this week. I've been meaning to go over there to take a picture of the remains, which reportedly include the golden arches "sticking out of a dumpster in the parking (lot)." If anyone gets a chance, please post a snapshot in memoriam.

Boston Police report arresting a Dorchester woman on charges she threatened another motorist with a knife last night at the McDonald's drive-thru on Warren Street:

The victim elaborated by telling officers that they were pulling into the drive-thru window of McDonald's when they were confronted by another car who also trying to get in the drive through window. The victims reported that an argument ensued and they ended up letting the other car go first. The victim, however, reported to officers that the operator of the other car was not satisfied with being allowed to get in front of them and continued by getting out of her car, brandishing a knife, and threatening victims by saying "We'll kill you, I'll slash your tires."

Earlier:
Coffee rage at a Dorchester Dunkin' Donuts.

Latte-serving baristas at McDonald's.

Jeff Cutler discovers the chaos that can erupt when the Quincy McDonald's runs out of hot fudge.