What a fantastic experience! This is more than just a McDonald's; it's a piece of living history. I had a wonderful time on the museum tour, learning about the origins of this iconic brand and seeing the vintage decor. It's truly a step back in time. After the tour, I grabbed a classic Coca-Cola, and it was the perfect refreshing treat. The staff were so nice and friendly, and the whole atmosphere was just great. This location in Downey is a must-visit for anyone who appreciates a unique and nostalgic experience. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Scott Schaefer
As a fan of real neon signs and Americana - when we were visiting San Diego from Missouri - we decided it would be a fun road trip to see the oldest surviving McDonalds restaurant in Downey, CA. At the southwest corner of Lakewood Blvd and Florence Ave in Downey, you’ll find the unique looking McDonald’s. It has a little museum with a replica of the original San Bernardino restaurant, along with memorabilia, restrooms and a pretty hidden drive through that wraps around back. The sign appears to be going under restoration as the base of both yellow legs was opened and a few pieces of the white hamburgers sign were missing. It’s still a gorgeous piece of history and well worth seeing and ordering from the window.
After Richard and Maurice McDonald perfected their ”Speedee Service System” in San Bernardino, CA, they hired architect Stanley Clark Meston and draftsman Charles Fish to design their vision for an iconic building for franchising. Meston and Fish took Richard’s idea of a fishbowl like restaurant where customers could see the action inside and designed a glass-enclosed stand with hyperbolic arches on either side; the original golden arches.
The Downey location was franchised to Roger Williams and “Bud” Landon by the McDonald’s brothers and it opened in 1953. This was prior to Ray Kroc buying out the brothers in 1961, so this location did not have to adhere to the McDonald’s corporation franchise rules, including modernization standards.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bruno Bernardo
So unloved, its such a shame. All dirty, broken things, it could be such a highlight as it still has the charm, but need serious attention. You’d think McDonalds could afford to do something nice?? Went out of my way to visit this place!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 2
Jas Dk
I wouldn’t feed this food to my worst enemy. The whole experience was an absolute disaster from start to finish.
First off, the drive-thru is a joke. I sat in line for 20 minutes with no cars ahead of me. I could have walked to the store and gotten my food faster, and I bet it would’ve been fresher too. When I finally reached the window, the employee looked like they couldn’t care less about their job, handing me my food with zero effort or even a hint of customer service.
Now, the food… where do I even begin? The fries were rock hard—definitely not fresh—and tasted like they’d been reheated from last week. The burger was a sad excuse for food. The patty was thinner than a sheet of paper, barely warm, and it tasted like cardboard. Not to mention the bread was soggy and falling apart, as if it had been drenched in some mystery liquid. And of course, it was wrong. I asked for no onions. Guess what? ONIONS EVERYWHERE. They can’t even get a simple order right.
As for the interior of the place? I’ve seen cleaner public restrooms. The floors were sticky, the tables were covered in food crumbs, and there was spilled soda all over the place. How is it possible to make a fast food restaurant this disgusting?
I don’t know why I thought McDonald's was ever good. This was honestly one of the worst meals I’ve had in my life. I’ll be avoiding this place like the plague from now on. Never again.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
J. C. Lima
Very classic look!
Food: 5
Betsy H
On our trip south we decided to stop by and check out the original McDonald's. There is a museum and a working McDonald's. We enjoyed looking through the museum. There is a bathroom in the museum. We also ordered some food because you gotta, right? The employees were nice, it did take a little while to get our food, the food was good (the fries were fresh). Check it out if you're in the area.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Deets Noel
Bathroom is always dirty and so is sitting area. I bought a meal with my kid and he wanted more soda so we go and I asked for a refill and the guy said its $1.98 for a refill might as well buy a new drink. What kind of McDonald's is this no other one charges for refills.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Marco Hernandez
This McDonalds not only takes way too long to get you your food but it's always dirty. The service is also bad and unapologetic. Food is kinda always stale here. Also don't even think about asking for a refill cause the manager will give you a funny look and say we don't do refills anymore. Who doesn't do refills??? Only reason why this place is even viable is because of the app so I don't have to talk to anyone but again, no refills and stale food 🍅🍅🍅
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Stas Linker
Nice place
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sadie Marshall
McDonald's is just one of those places you end up at when you don’t know what to eat. the fries hit different when they’re fresh, and the McFlurry always saves the day. not the fanciest, but it’s quick, cheap, and familiar. sometimes that’s all you need.
We ordered a chicken Mc crispy meal it took them more than 20 mins to deliver that. Fast Food cannot take that long it's ridiculous please.dont order from here
Service: 1
Mayra Leija
Idk why my order is always wrong
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
Susie Garcia
A Ten minute wait and the lunch was cold. It was early lunch time and only a few people
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Big Mac, Hamburger, Quarter Pounder
Mariza Guillen
I requested extra pickles on my 2 cheeseburgers, they forgot. I had to go back again
Food: 4
Service: 4
Yvette Leigh
We just happened to drive by while on vacation. We went back and ate they a couple days later. The atmosphere was fun, and we loved the museum. You order your food outside and take it to the next building to sit in and eat. It's all glass and the center is the museum. We loved the Moon guy from our childhood. Fun to see, we loved it. .
What a fantastic experience! This is more than just a McDonald's; it's a piece of living history. I had a wonderful time on the museum tour, learning about the origins of this iconic brand and seeing the vintage decor. It's truly a step back in time.
After the tour, I grabbed a classic Coca-Cola, and it was the perfect refreshing treat. The staff were so nice and friendly, and the whole atmosphere was just great. This location in Downey is a must-visit for anyone who appreciates a unique and nostalgic experience. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
As a fan of real neon signs and Americana - when we were visiting San Diego from Missouri - we decided it would be a fun road trip to see the oldest surviving McDonalds restaurant in Downey, CA. At the southwest corner of Lakewood Blvd and Florence Ave in Downey, you’ll find the unique looking McDonald’s. It has a little museum with a replica of the original San Bernardino restaurant, along with memorabilia, restrooms and a pretty hidden drive through that wraps around back. The sign appears to be going under restoration as the base of both yellow legs was opened and a few pieces of the white hamburgers sign were missing. It’s still a gorgeous piece of history and well worth seeing and ordering from the window.
After Richard and Maurice McDonald perfected their ”Speedee Service System” in San Bernardino, CA, they hired architect Stanley Clark Meston and draftsman Charles Fish to design their vision for an iconic building for franchising. Meston and Fish took Richard’s idea of a fishbowl like restaurant where customers could see the action inside and designed a glass-enclosed stand with hyperbolic arches on either side; the original golden arches.
The Downey location was franchised to Roger Williams and “Bud” Landon by the McDonald’s brothers and it opened in 1953. This was prior to Ray Kroc buying out the brothers in 1961, so this location did not have to adhere to the McDonald’s corporation franchise rules, including modernization standards.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
So unloved, its such a shame. All dirty, broken things, it could be such a highlight as it still has the charm, but need serious attention. You’d think McDonalds could afford to do something nice?? Went out of my way to visit this place!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 2
I wouldn’t feed this food to my worst enemy. The whole experience was an absolute disaster from start to finish.
First off, the drive-thru is a joke. I sat in line for 20 minutes with no cars ahead of me. I could have walked to the store and gotten my food faster, and I bet it would’ve been fresher too. When I finally reached the window, the employee looked like they couldn’t care less about their job, handing me my food with zero effort or even a hint of customer service.
Now, the food… where do I even begin? The fries were rock hard—definitely not fresh—and tasted like they’d been reheated from last week. The burger was a sad excuse for food. The patty was thinner than a sheet of paper, barely warm, and it tasted like cardboard. Not to mention the bread was soggy and falling apart, as if it had been drenched in some mystery liquid. And of course, it was wrong. I asked for no onions. Guess what? ONIONS EVERYWHERE. They can’t even get a simple order right.
As for the interior of the place? I’ve seen cleaner public restrooms. The floors were sticky, the tables were covered in food crumbs, and there was spilled soda all over the place. How is it possible to make a fast food restaurant this disgusting?
I don’t know why I thought McDonald's was ever good. This was honestly one of the worst meals I’ve had in my life. I’ll be avoiding this place like the plague from now on. Never again.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Very classic look!
Food: 5
On our trip south we decided to stop by and check out the original McDonald's. There is a museum and a working McDonald's. We enjoyed looking through the museum. There is a bathroom in the museum. We also ordered some food because you gotta, right? The employees were nice, it did take a little while to get our food, the food was good (the fries were fresh). Check it out if you're in the area.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Bathroom is always dirty and so is sitting area. I bought a meal with my kid and he wanted more soda so we go and I asked for a refill and the guy said its $1.98 for a refill might as well buy a new drink. What kind of McDonald's is this no other one charges for refills.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
This McDonalds not only takes way too long to get you your food but it's always dirty. The service is also bad and unapologetic. Food is kinda always stale here. Also don't even think about asking for a refill cause the manager will give you a funny look and say we don't do refills anymore. Who doesn't do refills??? Only reason why this place is even viable is because of the app so I don't have to talk to anyone but again, no refills and stale food 🍅🍅🍅
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Nice place
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
McDonald's is just one of those places you end up at when you don’t know what to eat. the fries hit different when they’re fresh, and the McFlurry always saves the day. not the fanciest, but it’s quick, cheap, and familiar. sometimes that’s all you need.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Restaurantji Recommends
We ordered a chicken Mc crispy meal it took them more than 20 mins to deliver that. Fast Food cannot take that long it's ridiculous please.dont order from here
Service: 1
Idk why my order is always wrong
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
A Ten minute wait and the lunch was cold. It was early lunch time and only a few people
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Big Mac, Hamburger, Quarter Pounder
I requested extra pickles on my 2 cheeseburgers, they forgot. I had to go back again
Food: 4
Service: 4
We just happened to drive by while on vacation. We went back and ate they a couple days later. The atmosphere was fun, and we loved the museum. You order your food outside and take it to the next building to sit in and eat. It's all glass and the center is the museum. We loved the Moon guy from our childhood. Fun to see, we loved it. .
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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