My very first memory of McDonald's was in third grade when my teacher asked the class if everyone had been to a McDonald's. I think I might have been the only kid in the class who hadn't. My Dad didn't take us to fast food places, not for health reasons, but because he always said he wasn't going to stand in line to eat. My mother said this was due to his years in the service (Marines) waiting in long lines for food. Anyhow, the teacher asked because she gave out 50 cent gift certificates to the class for Christmas. Thanks to her, Mom took me and my brother to lunch one day at a McDonald's. I believe the gift certificate covered a regular hamburger, small fries and a small soft drink back in the early 70's.
A few years later, my Girl Scout troop picked up trash in a city field for Earth Day and McDonald's gave out free lunches for volunteers that day. As a 10 year old, that impressed me!
In junior high and high school, my church youth group would always stop at McDonald's on outings such as ski trips, so even though my family didn't go, I still had the chance to partake. For some reason, I never strayed from the regular hamburger, small fries and small drink.
In college, there was a McDonald's just off campus that we would frequent. When I first started dating my now husband, it was the year of the summer Olympics and McDonald's marketing disaster, "When the USA wins, You win!" Customers received scratch pieces with Olympic events on them and if the USA won gold, you'd get a free Big Mac, silver was free fries, and bronze was a free Coke. We had quite a few free/discounted meals that summer (he ate all the Big Macs), which worked out well since we were poor college students. Thanks, McDonald's!
We took our kids to McDonald's over the years, mostly for the playground and some of the Happy Meal toys like the mini Beanie Babies. It was a simple joy for them. I think the very last time I visited a Mickey D's was in 2005 in North Carolina on our way to my oldest daughter's softball tournament outside Charleston. We had driven straight through on Easter morning from Cleveland to NC and when we got out of the car, it was like we had stepped onto another planet. From snow to spring temps and azaleas blooming everywhere. When we walked up to the counter to order, the young girl said, "Wait a minute" in a very southern accent. In fact, everyone around us was speaking in a language we were not accustomed to. When we got back in the car, Middle Child said, "Weeeet a meeenit" which was completely out of character for her. It cracked us up so much that it became a family catchphrase, though none of us can do it like she can.
Maybe some day, I'll take my grandkids to McDonald's. I already know what I will order!
This made me smile. McDonald's is less than a year older than I am; I remember the old red-and-white tile buildings with the rainbow-type arches, where you just ordered at the window; there was no place to sit and eat. I remember back in the 70s, I think, a new upscale 'vertical mall' opened in downtown Chicago, and they had a McDonald's in it. A lady came in with a mink stole, having heard about McDonald's, but never having been to one. After a half-hour, she went to the register to complain that no one had come to take her order yet. . .
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed this. I had fun thinking about it for a week. I do not remember the window only McDonald's, but read about it when I was looking for that top picture. Haha, what a great story about the lady waiting for a server. My Dad would have gotten a kick out of that.
DeleteI've never eaten at McDonald's, nor Kentucky Fried Chicken. Partly because I'm vegetarian, partly because their food never appealed to me. I prefer Pizza Express (I believe you have a few in the States). I like Craig's mention of the old lady who was still expecting the waitress!
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of Pizza Express. I can't think of any pizza chains that aren't strictly takeout besides Pizza Hut which is a regular sit down/server restaurant.
DeleteMcDonald's...eeech it is disgusting! Unless you are in the car balancing a big Mack on your lap and dipping those fries in ketchup while keeping your eyes on the road, then the food is heaven! Don't know the reason, but hot-dogs are only good at the ballpark, and McDonald's is the best food ever when on the road.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely serves a purpose when you are on a road trip.
DeleteWell I am from Chicago - and I lived near the original and FIRST McDonald's ever - Des Plaines - can you believe it?
ReplyDeleteWell, that's a cool and fun fact!
DeleteSneaking out of school, what a rebel lol McDonalds seems to bring back memories for many. Nice of your teacher to hand out gift cards.
ReplyDeleteI remember when it was a treat and got it maybe once every few months if that, now they are on every corner. Plus, as an adult, my stomach goes in knots just thinking about their nasty food.
McDonald's is probably one of the few places most Americans can say they've been. Maybe Starbucks will replace that with future generations. There are definitely more Starbucks than McD's now.
DeleteThe very first McDonalds's I ever saw was in Anaheim, California when I was 12 years old. The food was rather different back then - it didn't have the distinct "flavor" that it has today. And the old milk shakes were MUCH better than the ones now.
ReplyDeleteOne of my older cousins (then in her 20's) lived near that McDonald's and had lunch there often. The guy who worked at the counter has a really nasty personality, and he and my feisty cousin used to get into frequent arguments.
I still have a commemorative Summer Olympics tray from McDonald's. I think it was free with a meal, but I'm not certain (it was long ago).
I like McDonald's food (once in awhile), but the local one here in rural TN is always SO crowded that I almost never go. Ironically, one of my cousins presently works there.
I wonder if it took longer for places to hit the west coast back in the day? Now, it's the flyover states that take forever to get new things. It's fun to hear your McD memories, too. And yes, I bet they used real milk and natural ingredients in the shakes back then.
DeleteYou're right. Things always took longer to hit the west coast back then.
DeleteThat's such a nice story, Bijoux. I remember ages ago when there was a McDonald's in New Jersey that we'd stop at occasionally on the way back from family day trips.
ReplyDeleteNext thing we knew, they were all over the place.
I ate at McDonald's a lot in college, too. You can't beat those prices, but now I'm a little more health conscious so I rarely walk under the Golden Arches.
But it's amazing how just about everybody has a McDonald's story.
Sounds like the NJ McD is a good family memory for you, Rob. Like you, their food is not part of my current eating patterns, but I do look back with fondness at all the different memories I had there.
DeleteWow...chandeliers?!?! That's impressive! The one I worked didn't have those, nor did I ever see them years later. The one here in Philly on Walnut Street is probably the worst-looking McDonald's I've ever seen. It's small, it looks very dirty, and it looks more like a small convenient store, like a 7-11.
ReplyDelete"I remember sneaking out of school at lunch to go to McDonald's (we were forbidden to leave school grounds). Boys might have been involved - LOL! " OMG, that cracked me the hell up. Hilarious!!
And do you know what's funny? I clearly remember when those summer Olympics were because that was when the USA took home all the gold metals for gymnastics, diving, swimming, etc. I believe it was in 1984. That was the one year when I was addicted to Olympics and watched them that summer.
What a FABULOUS post, my friend! X I so enjoyed reading this. You have so many wonderful memories of McDonald's!
P.S. Love that picture of the vintage McDonald's!
The one in my hometown no longer has chandeliers, but I was surprised when I looked at google images and found plenty of others. And if cute boys were involved, I was likely to become involved myself!!! I was very boy crazy back then.
DeleteYou are correct! 1984 was the year! There are a number of articles online about how McD's lost so much money on that promotion. It sure peaked our interest in the Olympics and I remember my husband checking the stats in the paper to see what fee food we'd be getting next because we had so many scratch offs!
Thanks for YOUR post, which sparked this one. A topic most of us can relate to.
There wasn't a McDonald's that I remember until around the time I began Jr. High... but I did eat at one a lot in high school. You have good memories!
ReplyDeletewhen I lived up north in the winter, we would often take kids to McDonalds to play inside.
www.thepulpitandthepen.com
Those indoor playgrounds were wonderful in the winter.
DeleteSo enjoying your new blog theme and posts! I remember going to McDonald's way back in the early 1960s with my mom and siblings. Always got the hamburger, fries and a drink. My siblings and me danced in a Polish dance organization growing up when we lived in Pennsylvania and traveled to other places to perform. As part of the day traveling, we always had a McDonald's meal that included a milkshake! I haven't had a milkshake from them in years, but they were so good back then! We do go to McDonald's these days mainly for breakfast if we are traveling or need a quick meal. Took grandson once to one but to eat not to play as we had already been to a playground and he was tired but needed food, LOL. I spent many a time with my kids at the playgrounds here. They burnt off lots of energy!
ReplyDeleteGreat inaugural post!
betty
I'm glad you like my new blog theme! That's a great memory of traveling with the dance group and stopping at McD's. I didn't have breakfast there very much, but I've always heard they make great coffee and it's cheap.
DeleteWe have a McDonalds within walking distance from out place right now but my grandma used to take my brother and I there for lunch when we stayed with her over the weekend. Those are nice memories.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's a great memory, Mary. I loved staying overnight at my grandma's.
DeleteI can't believe that $.50 got you all of that! These days that would easily cost $6. Too funny about her imitating the southern accent. It isn't easy to do. :) Don't you love when those little silly moments become a family wide inside joke? Too cute.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it crazy? Though I feel as though Happy Meals were only $1 when my kids were little, but maybe I'm wrong. We have a few funny vacation quotes that we use now and again.
DeleteInflation is real! My first job was at McDonalds at 14 years old.. and I made $5.15!! LOL Minimum wage is now more than 3x that amount.
DeleteMinimum wage was $2.35 when I started working, which was better than babysitting at $1 an hour!
DeleteMy daughters fondly remember our visits to McDonalds after late night shopping on a Friday. That was over 35 years ago!! I still love their Big Mac and now my grandson is a huge fan of Maccas.
ReplyDeleteWelcome and thanks for visiting! Isn't it the little things that kids remember the most?
DeleteNowadays I only ever go to McDonald's for an Egg McMuffin and hash browns once in a great while (usually on a road trip), but I do have many fond memories...mostly of items they discontinued. I was hooked on their Cajun McChicken sandwich and the McDLT ("the hot stays hot and the cool stays crisp!").
ReplyDeleteI will say Tara made me a fan of the once-a-year McRib, too.
I can't say I've ever heard of the Cajun McChicken, but I do remember the McDLT promotion. It's a bummer when companies discontinue foods you like. My kids are still mad about Pastry Swirls!
DeleteI remember touring a McDonald's when I was a Brownie. They were still cutting up potatoes on site for the fries back then. And then, like Ron, I worked there as a teen. That's not easy work! I haven't been to one in many years, though.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm thinking that we also toured in Girl Scouts. I vaguely remember seeing the assembly line of making a burger. Forgot all about that!
DeleteFirst of all, I know I've told you before but I am totally digging your new digs here! - Omgosh. Happy Meals were a life saver at times especially when traveling with kids and no matter how well you may have thought you cleaned your car, 8 months later you find a flippin' french fry! - I remember in Michigan one town, can't remember which, Bloomfield Hills or Birmingham, had their "golden arches" moved to ground level because it looked more high class than the arches up in the air. Something to that effect. Like people with money don't eat McDonald's? Ahem.. President Trump. :)
ReplyDeleteLol, YES! I remember finding a petrified French fry in the minivan once or twice. No matter how much money you have, if you have kids, you've been to Mickey D's!
DeleteWow.... look at those old pics.
ReplyDeletesneaking out of school/college was the big time high for me, especially to see some classic movies.
It was exciting to think you were getting away with something.
DeleteMaybe I'm easily impressed, but I'd be impressed now if McDonald's gave people a free lunch for volunteering on Earth Day.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember my first time going to McDonald's, but we ate A LOT of fast food when I was a kid. I totally remember the teenie beanie babies. I was a teenager when they had those, but I was obsessed with them.
I wish I could say I never eat there now, but I love the chicken nuggets and sweet and sour sauce. They also have incredibly good sweet tea. I'm very picky about sweet tea, and McDonald's is one of the few places I think has good sweet tea.
It would be nice if businesses did more of that. Even a free cup of coffee. That's funny about the sweet tea. I did a post my first year of blogging about how I didn't know what sweet tea was!
DeleteGrowing up, McDonald's was the only restaurant we went to as a family. We never actually ate there, just did a hit and run each time, and we kids just came to the conclusion that all restaurants were like that.
ReplyDeleteIt was a rude awakening (in a good way) for me when Queenie and I started dating and I would take her to real restaurants ( you know, after I found out McD's wasn't always an appropriate date venue).
I did do time as a Burger King employee. Also an awakening, not so much in a good way!
My husband never went to any restaurants as a kid because it was a large family, so he never ate at a real restaurant till things like homecoming and prom. My former neighbors met at BK as fellow employees. Had the limo swing through the drive thru after their wedding!
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