I can’t help but feel that McDonald’s digital ordering screens mark the beginning of the end for the franchise. Personally, I stopped going as soon as they installed them. It’s not that I don’t enjoy junk food—I do, just like everyone else—but the experience of navigating a cold, impersonal touchscreen just to get a burger is a complete turnoff.

A few weeks ago, I was in Paris, staying at my apartment near Gare de l’Est, when I stumbled upon a new restaurant concept: Bouillon Chartier—a high-volume, ultra-affordable French brasserie. Here, the average entrée costs around $10, and starters or desserts are just $2. The total meal price? Less than McDonald’s. And yet, right next door, McDonald’s sat nearly empty, its absurd touchscreens glowing in the void.

At Bouillon Chartier, you get an actual waiter, a real table, and a glass of wine for $4. You can chat with the person next to you, enjoy the bustling atmosphere, and actually feel human while eating. Sure, the service is fast-paced, but the price and experience make it worth it.

McDonald’s has fundamentally misunderstood something essential: eating is a social activity. By replacing human interaction with sterile automation, they’ve stripped away what little charm fast food ever had. And as places like Bouillon Chartier prove, people still crave connection—even when they’re just grabbing a quick meal.