We visited the quintessential fast-food restaurant in Downey, about a 15-minute drive southeast from downtown Los Angeles, CA. This is the oldest McDonald's restaurant in the world.
The sign features one massive yellow parabola coming out of the ground instead of the iconic "Golden Arches."The towering neon chef "Speedee" was McDonald's first mascot and he symbolized fast, efficient service.
This McDonald's was opened in 1953 by Roger Williams and Bud Landon. It was the third restaurant franchised by Richard and Maurice McDonald, who founded the chain in 1948. The Downey restaurant, then, is the fourth oldest McDonald's but remains the oldest still standing today.
There's a large sign in the window above the counter comparing the prices of things in 1955 to those of today; gas used to cost 20 cents per gallon, now it costs $3.40. A loaf of bread used to cost 18 cents, not it's $3.50. The McDonald's hamburger, which used to cost 15 cents, now costs $1.00.
Then, in big, red, bold letters: "Our $1.00 Hamburger is a better value today than it was in 1955 when it was 15 cents! [sic]"
The building is mid-century style architecture with windows across the front for customers to walk up and place orders Next to it is a building to provide indoor dining and a small museum showing many very early McDonald's historical items. The drive-thru was not added until 1916. The restaurant was open for food sales the day we visited but the indoor dining was closed. However, I was able to take some zoom photos.
When people think "McDonald's" they don't typically think "innovative," but they should. McDonald's paved the way for Americans' obsession with inexpensive, expeditious food. It pioneered the whole red-and-white tile burger-joint aesthetic that California made famous and lives on today in franchises like In-N-Out.
If you're hunger after reading this, go out a get yourself a McDonald's or In-N-Out burger.
Thanks for traveling with us.
Blessings!
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