Review: McDonald's opens latest Somerset restaurant in Ilminster

McDonald’s was granted permission by South Somerset District Council in March 2022 to build the premises within the Southfields Enterprise Park at the western edge of Ilminster, just off the Southfields roundabout.

Construction on the new modular restaurant began in June, with the relevant plot – next to the existing Costa Coffee drive-thru – being cordoned off to the public.

The restaurant has now officially opened its doors to both local customers and motorists visiting Somerset, with dozens of local jobs being created in the process.

The new restaurant and drive-thru is in Southfields Enterprise Park. (Image: Red Consultancy)

Local Democracy Reporter Daniel Mumby shares his verdict... 

Living in Chard, we’ve had to drive to Taunton, Wellington or Yeovil if we fancy a McDonald’s – and I expect those three restaurants will see a downturn in trade as more people flock here for convenience.

The new restaurant is very clean and well-presented – hardly surprising when it’s only been open a day.

Some of the booths look a little cramped, with the franchisee seeking to squeeze as many people in as possible – but the seating is at least very comfortable all round.

I wanted to put the new kitchen to the test, so I used a touchscreen to order a customised double quarter pounder, without all the sauces and additions which simply aren’t to my taste.

Inside the new Golden Arches restaurant. (Image: Red Consultancy)

Fortunately, unlike a previous experience at the Wincanton drive-thru, I had no issues with the McDonald’s app this time.

I hoped my food order would be read out quickly, since breakfast had just finished, but I ended up waiting around 25 minutes for the food to be served – fine in a normal restaurant, not so good for ‘fast food’.

I wasn’t the only one having issues, with other customers complaining of food arriving with the wrong toppings on burgers, and one customer stating his burger was cold.

My first personal disappointment was that the McFlurry I’d ordered couldn’t be provided since the machine was out of order – a common frustration at McDonald’s restaurants, and something they urgently need to fix if this outlet is going to do well.

When I finally got my food (after accidentally spilling most of my Coke Zero on the floor – the perils of livestreaming), it was warm and perfectly edible.

‘The seating is very comfortable all round.’ (Image: Red Consultancy)

The burger was cooked as ordered, and was juicy and filling.

The chips could have used more salt but were otherwise adequate, and the drink was up to standard.

It’s clear that this new outlet is having some teething problems out of the gate, and therefore it was wise they chose to open after children went back to school.

If they are able to iron these out before half term, they should be well set.

Construction on a new McDonald’s in Highbridge, located off the A38 Bristol Road, is expected to begin shortly after plans were approved in June.