Table of Contents
Introduction
McDonald’s has always held a special place in my heart–and not just for their uncommon locations. To me, it’s more than just about the burgers and fries.
I vividly remember one of my early McDonald’s experiences—attending my sister’s birthday party at the location near my first house. There, I remember playing in the “Officer Mac” playplace.
It was the adventures with my grandparents that would cement McDonald’s as a nostalgic spot for me. The golden arches were always part of the journey. While I loved McDonald’s anywhere, the most memorable McDonald’s stops were at the locations which were on the unusual side. We would often find ourselves at locations like the “world’s largest” McDonald’s Glasshouse in Vinita, OK, or the (probably much larger) McDonald’s in Walt Disney World next to “Downtown Disney.”
My college experience would write a new chapter of my McDonald’s obsession. One memory I have was eating at a “McDiner” concept in Lafayette, IN while I was at Purdue. McDiners were an ultimately failed concept where McDonald’s tried to turn fast food into a sit-down diner experience.
Most of my McDonald’s experience in college was focused on survival–relying on the dollar menu and thinking about my next dreaded exam. In retrospect, McDonald’s helped fuel my degrees more than even caffeine did. I used to go daily–sometimes 3 times a day–to get something to eat. I never cooked. (“Super Size Me” be damned!”) During this time, I’d often drive to Chicago and head downtown with my grandparents and spend some quality time with them there–sometimes, at McDonald’s.
One of my most memorable Christmas morning gifts were my first shares of McDonald’s stock from my grandparents. Decades later, I still hold onto that stock. McDonald’s as a brand has made an impression on me on both personal and financial levels. Even my first blog was Dine At Joe’s, which was originally themed in McDonald’s red and yellow.
As I’ve grown older and traveled the world, McDonald’s has remained a fascinating constant. Whether it’s a “Quarter Pounder” in Chicago or a “Royale with Cheese” in Paris, there’s something both comforting and intriguing about how McDonald’s scales its business globally.
In this post, I’m sharing a map of all of the most unique McDonald’s locations from around the United States. These locations have unique or legacy design, museum exhibits, statues (generally reflective of the local culture in the communities where they reside), and/or historical notability.
Without any further ado, here’s the map of all of the uncommon McDonald’s locations which I am aware of. I’m certain that there are some that I’ve missed… if you can think of any, let me know in the comments and I’ll get it added.
