Sterling Wood
Google
Title: **McGriddles with Onions?!? And Other Misadventures at Arrowhead Travel Plaza**
Review:
Ah, the Arrowhead Travel Plaza McDonald's in Pendleton, Oregon—a place where dreams of a quick, tasty breakfast go to die. Stopping by for a McGriddles combo meal with a small Diet Coke seemed like a good idea until reality hit harder than a trucker on a 20-hour haul.
First off, I was in such a rush to satisfy my craving that I left my phone in the car. No phone, no McRewards. No biggie, right? I could live without earning those precious points for once. But then came the pièce de résistance: my McGriddles sandwich. What should have been a delightful blend of sweet and savory was transformed into a culinary abomination. ONIONS on a McGriddles sandwich. Yes, you read that right. Onions. The cardinal sin of breakfast foods. The taste was so bizarre and gross, I briefly considered driving back to show them the atrocity they had committed. Seriously, who puts onions on a McGriddles? It was like someone in the kitchen decided to play a practical joke on the next unsuspecting customer, and I was the unfortunate victim.
Now, let's talk about the truck stop itself. Desperate for a pick-me-up after the onion fiasco, I sought out my favorite energy drink, the Monster Recovery Drink. But alas, it was nowhere to be found. The shelves were devoid of my beloved elixir, as if taunting me in my moment of need. Adding to the charm of the place was an aroma that can only be described as "eau de retirement home." A nostalgic scent if you’re into that sort of thing, but not exactly what I was hoping for on a road trip pit stop.
On the bright side, the bathrooms were clean—mostly. It’s not much, but at least I didn't have to hold my breath or do a balancing act over the toilet seat. Silver linings, I suppose.
So, here it is: 2 stars for the McDonald's experience that included a ghastly surprise in my sandwich and 3 stars for the truck stop that couldn't quench my thirst for Monster Recovery but did manage to keep the bathrooms relatively clean. Arrowhead Travel Plaza, you’ve earned your place in my road trip nightmares.