Groceteria.com

Posted: **12 Jan 2012 04:12**

I'm surprised the former mansion that's now a McDonald's in New Hyde Park, NY.

Posted: **15 Apr 2025 21:56**

There's one in Barstow, California, Barstow Station, where the dining area is several converted railway cars.

Posted: **16 Apr 2025 13:28**

There was a unique McDonald's in downtown Oakland, California around 1991. It was a small one, but it was fancy. It was a short walk from the ritzy Paramount Theater. The restaurant had chandeliers and very upscale decor like a fancy expensive restaurant. There was no drive-thru.

Back then, Oakland was much safer. I went on a Middle School field trip to see a play and we walked all over Oakland looking for this rumored fancy McDonald's. When we found it, everyone was awed at the opulence.

My teacher had heard rumors of the fancy McDonald's and made it a priority to take her entire class on a trip. We took the train from the suburbs out to Oakland. It was quite an adventure.

That McDonald's closed down years later, but it was a very fun and memorable trip. It inspired me to go out and seek out unique one of a kind places.

Posted: **19 Apr 2025 03:50**

There used to be a McDonalds above the current CVS in Stateline, NV.

At that time, the CVS operated as something called "Bill's Casino" (which was a Harrahs owned property). There was an elevator or staircase from the sidewalk to get up to the McDonalds. I don't remember if there was also an access from inside the casino to the McDonalds but there probably was. The McDonalds was one of those odd locations that sold personal pizzas (reheated frozen pizzas made in their quick ovens) and had a sign out on the street for the pizza. This location was closed by the late 90's, then not long after, the pizza reappeared at Wal Mart McDonalds locations.

According to this article, the above location was also the first ever McDonalds in a casino and ran from 1987-1997.
https://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/2001/ ... r-leaving/

In the June 2011 street view of this building (current Stateline, NV CVS) on Google Maps, on the left side of the building, is an awkward facing door that has the obvious McDonalds "door handle" on it.

Posted: **20 Apr 2025 19:27**

storewanderer wrote: ↑19 Apr 2025 03:50 There used to be a McDonalds above the current CVS in Stateline, NV.

At that time, the CVS operated as something called "Bill's Casino" (which was a Harrahs owned property). There was an elevator or staircase from the sidewalk to get up to the McDonalds. I don't remember if there was also an access from inside the casino to the McDonalds but there probably was. The McDonalds was one of those odd locations that sold personal pizzas (reheated frozen pizzas made in their quick ovens) and had a sign out on the street for the pizza. This location was closed by the late 90's, then not long after, the pizza reappeared at Wal Mart McDonalds locations.

According to this article, the above location was also the first ever McDonalds in a casino and ran from 1987-1997.
https://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/2001/ ... r-leaving/

In the June 2011 street view of this building (current Stateline, NV CVS) on Google Maps, on the left side of the building, is an awkward facing door that has the obvious McDonalds "door handle" on it.

I think one could make the argument that the one in downtown Reno was also unique in that it did not have a drive through, in the middle of casino row.

Posted: **22 Apr 2025 03:39**

bryceleinan wrote: ↑20 Apr 2025 19:27
storewanderer wrote: ↑19 Apr 2025 03:50 There used to be a McDonalds above the current CVS in Stateline, NV.

At that time, the CVS operated as something called "Bill's Casino" (which was a Harrahs owned property). There was an elevator or staircase from the sidewalk to get up to the McDonalds. I don't remember if there was also an access from inside the casino to the McDonalds but there probably was. The McDonalds was one of those odd locations that sold personal pizzas (reheated frozen pizzas made in their quick ovens) and had a sign out on the street for the pizza. This location was closed by the late 90's, then not long after, the pizza reappeared at Wal Mart McDonalds locations.

According to this article, the above location was also the first ever McDonalds in a casino and ran from 1987-1997.
https://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/2001/ ... r-leaving/

In the June 2011 street view of this building (current Stateline, NV CVS) on Google Maps, on the left side of the building, is an awkward facing door that has the obvious McDonalds "door handle" on it.
I think one could make the argument that the one in downtown Reno was also unique in that it did not have a drive through, in the middle of casino row.

~ttps://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/mcdonalds-reno-11

My favorite thing about the downtown Reno one was how it had a late 80's interior/decor right up until its 2021 closure. They kept getting waivers from "updating" since the location was constantly a redevelopment subject.

The best part was the big tall person sized Smiling Apple Tree against a side wall (see photo above link). Which was there until it closed in 2021.

Posted: **26 Apr 2025 04:27**

bryceleinan wrote: ↑20 Apr 2025 19:27
storewanderer wrote: ↑19 Apr 2025 03:50 There used to be a McDonalds above the current CVS in Stateline, NV.

At that time, the CVS operated as something called "Bill's Casino" (which was a Harrahs owned property). There was an elevator or staircase from the sidewalk to get up to the McDonalds. I don't remember if there was also an access from inside the casino to the McDonalds but there probably was. The McDonalds was one of those odd locations that sold personal pizzas (reheated frozen pizzas made in their quick ovens) and had a sign out on the street for the pizza. This location was closed by the late 90's, then not long after, the pizza reappeared at Wal Mart McDonalds locations.

According to this article, the above location was also the first ever McDonalds in a casino and ran from 1987-1997.
https://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/2001/ ... r-leaving/

In the June 2011 street view of this building (current Stateline, NV CVS) on Google Maps, on the left side of the building, is an awkward facing door that has the obvious McDonalds "door handle" on it.
I think one could make the argument that the one in downtown Reno was also unique in that it did not have a drive through, in the middle of casino row.

The one in Reno wasn't the only one without a drive thru. Back in the late 80s(1987-1988), I worked at the McDonald's in Placentia, California, which didn't have a drive thru, due to local ordinances.

Posted: **26 Apr 2025 10:43**

Hughes56781 wrote: ↑26 Apr 2025 04:27
bryceleinan wrote: ↑20 Apr 2025 19:27
storewanderer wrote: ↑19 Apr 2025 03:50 There used to be a McDonalds above the current CVS in Stateline, NV.

At that time, the CVS operated as something called "Bill's Casino" (which was a Harrahs owned property). There was an elevator or staircase from the sidewalk to get up to the McDonalds. I don't remember if there was also an access from inside the casino to the McDonalds but there probably was. The McDonalds was one of those odd locations that sold personal pizzas (reheated frozen pizzas made in their quick ovens) and had a sign out on the street for the pizza. This location was closed by the late 90's, then not long after, the pizza reappeared at Wal Mart McDonalds locations.

According to this article, the above location was also the first ever McDonalds in a casino and ran from 1987-1997.
https://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/2001/ ... r-leaving/

In the June 2011 street view of this building (current Stateline, NV CVS) on Google Maps, on the left side of the building, is an awkward facing door that has the obvious McDonalds "door handle" on it.
I think one could make the argument that the one in downtown Reno was also unique in that it did not have a drive through, in the middle of casino row.
The one in Reno wasn't the only one without a drive thru. Back in the late 80s(1987-1988), I worked at the McDonald's in Placentia, California, which didn't have a drive thru, due to local ordinances.

And there are still such locations existing.

One logical example would be certain ones within cities like New York City, since they are often in existing buildings and there is no place where a drive thru would be feasible in a block of buildings that all touch the next building.

Probably still some in areas where you'd expect them to have one, but rules don't allow like you say as well.

Posted: **26 Apr 2025 13:21**

A few "standard" McDonalds were built in San Francisco over the years with drive-thru infrastructure even though the actual drive-thrus were never permitted to operate. Tow in particular that I remember were Haight/Stanyan (late 70s or early 80s) and Sixth/Bryant (mid 1990s). Both have since been torn down.

Posted: **06 May 2025 02:45**

Groceteria wrote: ↑26 Apr 2025 13:21 A few "standard" McDonalds were built in San Francisco over the years with drive-thru infrastructure even though the actual drive-thrus were never permitted to operate. Tow in particular that I remember were Haight/Stanyan (late 70s or early 80s) and Sixth/Bryant (mid 1990s). Both have since been torn down.

I think there is one McDonalds in San Francisco with a drive through that actually serves cars. I walked around it at some point. It was like south of Union Square I think. Down near the unique interior newish Safeway that looks somewhat industrial.

South Lake Tahoe passed a drive through ban at some point in the 90's. Then, in the mid 90's, it got a McDonalds building like you describe that was built with the infrastructure for a drive through, but has no drive through. As I recall they repositioned the building on the lot in that project and lost the ability to have a drive through. There is a second McDonalds there which was rebuilt within the past decade but kept the same general footprint as far as drive through and building placement for drive through goes, and it got to keep its drive through despite the new building being quite a bit smaller than the original building.

Posted: **06 May 2025 08:07**

storewanderer wrote: ↑06 May 2025 02:45I think there is one McDonalds in San Francisco with a drive through that actually serves cars. I walked around it at some point. It was like south of Union Square I think. Down near the unique interior newish Safeway that looks somewhat industrial.

There are actually several in outlying parts of the city (still within the city limits) that have functioning drive-thrus, including the very first location in San Francisco on Ocean Avenue.

I had forgotten about the one you mentioned. It was at Third and Townsend and it’s apparently been replaced by a Hyatt Place. I have a vague memory that the McDonald’s was originally built as something else, and that there was some controversy when it opened, but I can’t swear to that.

EDIT: it was originally a Doggie Diner (much loved San Francisco chain) but had become something else by the time I moved there in 1992. It also apparently featured prominently in the movie “Dirty Harry.” It was called the Acorn Cafe in the movie.

ANOTHER EDIT: Post-Doggie Diner it was called Tiger's. The occupant I'm remembering pre-McDonald's was Burger Island. Probably more information than anyone other than me needed...

Posted: **10 May 2025 23:34**

Is the Ocean Avenue one near City College? If it is, I remember that McDonald's.

I also remember both McDonald's and Burger King on Powell Street near Market and the cable car turnaround. Of course, Blondie's Pizza was also on that block, so I was skipping the burger places...

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