Three unusual McDonald's restaurants
Written: Feb 02 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: A boat dock, beer, a lush garden and a Times Square slide show
Cons: Hey, it's McDonald's
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| Profilewriter's Full Review: McDonald's |
I realize we are not talking about National Parks here, but McDonald's is one of the most American of icons and it is fun to "collect" them. Again, not up there with state capitals, but, hey, the kids will enjoy finding unique home bases of the Big Mac.
We have been told by a reliable source, my brother the retired Coast Guard officer, that St. Petersburg, Florida boasts the only McDonald's in the world with its own dock. You can park your craft while you run in to order fries for the crew.
Unfortunately there is no sail-up window, and the McDonald's itself is pretty ordinary looking. But it caught my attention. We have stopped there several times on the drive from the city of St. Petersburg, which borders Tampa Bay, over to St. Petersburg Beach, which is on the Gulf of Mexico. And while the food is standard, the salty atmosphere is a treat. Stand on the little dock and watch the busy boat traffic on the Intercoastal Waterway.
For a different sort of treat, visit the McDonald's in the New Orleans Zoo. We were amazed to find that it serves beer. We don't even drink beer, but we thought that was a nifty touch. So very New Orleans. And, I have to say, this must be the most beautiful McDonald's in the country. It is set in a colorful garden, full of flowers and vines. Really a place you will want to linger, with or without a beer.
The third surprising McDonald's is smack in the center of Times Square, just a short stroll north of Virgin Records and the ESPN restaurant. The first time I walked in, I had to look around for a logo to make sure I was in the right place. There are actual hostesses and what appears to be real wood, good quality wood, on all the surfaces. The place is frantic of course, but one more reason to stop by is that it is directly across the street from Kodak's giant photo mural. The last time I stopped by, the mural was showing highlights of the last century (that would be the 1900s) in a quickly revolving slide show.
I stood in the window, leaning against a very spiffy counter and trying to identify all of the world leaders, movie stars and American icons presented. (No sign of Ronald McDonald, by the way.)
Recommended:
Yes
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Profilewriter
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Location: Trenton, New Jersey
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