C'mon McDonald's.. you're killing me. (but not in the way you'd think)

I saw something recently that pretty much sealed it for me. McDonald’s is phasing out self serve soda fountains from dining rooms. Some locations already have. Others will follow. And for someone like me who actually likes to sit down, take a few minutes, and enjoy a meal, that one change feels bigger than it should. It feels like a message.

Don’t stay..

Get your food and go.

That’s really what this whole thing has turned into over the last decade. And honestly, it’s been bothering me for a while, I just couldn’t quite put my finger on it until now.

McDonald’s didn’t just modernize. It stripped itself down. Dehumanized itself, and lost its soul 

I’m not naive. It’s a business. It’s always been about making money. But it used to feel like there was another layer to it. There was some kind of human element baked into the experience. You were being served, not processed.

Now it feels like you’re purposely ignored and ironically, being herded like cattle.

The stores themselves tell the whole story. Walk into one today and it’s all gray, brown, and sterile. Clean, sure. Efficient, sure. But there’s no life in it. No personality. No reason to stay longer than you absolutely have to.

And that feels intentional.

Compare that to places that actually want you to sit for a bit. Even somewhere like Starbucks figured this out. Comfortable seating, a little bit of atmosphere, something that says it’s okay to exist here for a minute.

 McDonald’s went the complete opposite direction. Hard seats, bland surroundings, nothing to look at, nothing to feel. Eat and move along.

Maybe that’s the whole strategy now. Drive thru. Delivery apps. Quick turnover. Minimal interaction. Fewer employees. Less cost. More volume.

I get it.

I just don’t like it.

Because I remember what it used to be.

I grew up when McDonald’s actually felt fun. Bright colors. Weird little details everywhere. Hamburger shaped stools. Murals on the walls. Playgrounds outside where kids could burn off energy. 

You’d sit inside and people watch while sipping a soda and eating fries that somehow tasted better back then. When I was a little boy, I remember servers would even come back from behind the counter and top off people's coffee. Some would even toss me a little bag of McDonaldland cookies on occasion.

That's customer service. That's humanity. The real interactions and smiles behind the counter. Little moments that made it feel like a place, not just a transaction.

I even met Ronald McDonald a couple times as a kid. He would regularly make stops at the different McDonald's taking pictures with the kids, signing autographs, handing out little bags of McDonald's swag to the youngsters. That stuff sticks with you.

And it wasn’t just childhood nostalgia either. Even into the late 90s and early 2000s, taking my own kids there still felt like something. The restaurants were big. They were busy. There was energy. It felt alive.

Now it feels like a waiting room.

During my last visit, it kind of hit me all at once. Sitting there, looking around, realizing I didn’t want to be there any longer than necessary. And that’s when it clicked.

I’m probably done dining inside McDonald’s.

Not out of anger. Just… reality.

I’ll still hit the drive thru once in a while, especially for breakfast. That taste is still familiar. It still connects to a lot of good core memories. That part hasn’t changed much.

But the experience around it? That’s gone. And for me, that matters more than I realized.

Living here in Florida now, I’ve got a White Castle nearby with more being built soon. That’s probably going to be my go to when I want a burger fix. Funny how that comes full circle too, considering I ended up in their Craver Hall of Fame back in 2013. That’s a story for another day, but yeah, there’s history there. At least it still feels like something.

Maybe I’m just old school. Maybe I’m missing the point entirely and this is exactly what people want now. Fast, efficient, no interaction, no lingering.

If that’s the case, then McDonald’s is doing exactly what it set out to do. However for me, it feels like the end of something.

Not just a menu or a dining room feature, but an era where even a quick cheap meal had a little bit of warmth to it. A little bit of personality. A little bit of humanity.

I’ll still go back once in a while, take a bite, and probably get hit with a wave of nostalgia, but I think it’s time to start building new memories somewhere else.

Somewhere that still feels like it actually wants you there.

McDonald’s Doesn’t Physically Feel Like McDonald’s Anymore

So while I largely dislike what McDonald’s has done with its interior design in recent years, I still occasionally get out of the car, go inside, order my food, and sit down to eat rather than dining in my vehicle.

It forces me to slow down if that makes sense. I just tend to eat much faster in the car. There is something psychological about it. Maybe it's conditioning from this rat race we live in, but it's like I eat more manically in my car.

But I can’t deny that sitting inside McDonald’s now is not very enjoyable. I walk in and order from the kiosk. No one greets me. I rarely see anyone unless they are delivering food to tables. Heck.. I’m sure eventually even that will stop, and your number will just flash up on the screen where in turn you grab your food from a shelf.

The interiors of these places are not very inviting. No pictures on the walls, stripped down furniture, and basic tables. My local McDonald’s has even removed the soda fountain from the dining area!

It feels like they want you in and out as fast as possible. Not many people even dine inside anymore, but the direction still feels intentional.

It is this kind of industrial efficiency focused design that seemed like a good idea to the stock holders I'm sure.. but I personally despise it.

Everything is built around speed and automation. They tout it as benefiting the customer, but really.. it benefits the restaurant more than anything else.

What I would give to sit in an old school McDonald’s again. Looking around at the colors, watching the lunch or breakfast rush, seeing people slow down a little and interact with each other or the staff. Yes it was fast food. Yes it was cheap. Yes it was a chain. But there was something about it. 

Like so many other things in life, I didn't know it at the time, but dining there was an experience all into itself.  If you were lucky enough to witness it yourself, you will probably agree that it is long gone. A big piece of innocence and perhaps something that in retrospect now feels a little magical. Now I'm afraid it is gone forever.

The honest truth, after my last dining experience and McDonald's I had a couple of days ago, I cannot see myself dining in house any longer. And that says a lot for me, someone who has been a lifelong fan of the brand and the concept. But I think I have come to accept, reluctantly, that the old version of McDonald's is gone and only lives on in my memories.

Maybe I should just step away from that relationship entirely and focus on smaller, independently owned burger places, if even that kind of thing still exists anymore.

Ah.. who am I kidding. I will continue to occasionally dine on McDonald's til' my dying day. Just not in the uncomfortable, unpleasant, sterile atmosphere devoid of customer service and life that is the McDonald's dining room.

The McDonald's Big Arch (the bite heard around the world)

If you've been living under a rock, and haven't heard about the ridiculousness that is the McDonald's CEO trying a bite of the new 'Big Arch'.. do yourself a favor and go watch it right now.

Watching the McDonald’s CEO take tiny, hesitant bites of a massive burger is peak internet absurdity. There he is, the head honcho, nibbling like the thing might bite back. It comes off goofy, awkward, and honestly kind of hilarious. And, it has resulted in McDonald's selling an insane amount of these burgers.

I'm not so sure that hiring Jason Momoa to tear into that burger with huge monstrous bites, would have had the same impact as this awkward marketing campaign did.

But even in its awkwardness, it works. People are talking, sharing, and laughing about it. Suddenly McDonald’s is everywhere in the conversation. Heck, it even makes ME want to grab one after work just to see what the fuss is about. 

Bad publicity? They say there's no such thing. This example is proving to me more than ever, that this old addage holds water. Quite simply, this was viral gold for the company. 🍔

Why the Egg McMuffin Still Beats Other Fast-Food Breakfasts

As I get older, it’s getting harder to justify a fast-food breakfast. I now skip the fried potatoes and greasy hash browns altogether, and lately, if I stop anywhere but McDonald’s, the sandwiches seem way too salty. It’s like they punch me in the mouth and spike my blood pressure 20 points. My go-to, as I’ve said many times before, is the McDonald’s Egg McMuffin.

That got me thinking: I know McDonald’s is the healthiest breakfast sandwich among the major fast food chains, but I wanted to see how the Egg McMuffin really stacks up against other popular breakfast sandwiches (all of which I’ve eaten). Here are the numbers I found:

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🥓 How the Egg McMuffin Stacks Up in 2025

When you’re talking fast food from the big chains.. McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King, Hardee’s, Carl’s Jr., Bojangles, Whataburger, the Egg McMuffin still holds its own. Here’s a look at how it compares:

McDonald’s — Egg McMuffin: ~310 calories, ~770 mg sodium. Simple ingredients, moderate calories, good protein. Balanced and widely available.

Wendy’s — Classic Bacon, Egg & Cheese: ~330 calories, ~18 g fat ~870 mg sodium, Slightly heavier but still reasonable for a fast-food breakfast.

Hardee’s / Carl’s Jr. — Frisco Breakfast Sandwich: ~490 calories, ~1,300 mg sodium, 24 g protein. Tasty but high in sodium compared to simpler sandwiches. I love this sandwich.. but OUCH! This is half of your daily allowance of sodium.

Burger King — Sausage, Egg & Cheese Croissan’wich: ~720 calories, ~1,620 mg sodium. Delicious but packed with calories and salt.

Whataburger — Breakfast on a Bun: ~415 calories ~ 900 - 1100 mg sodium, depending on the meat chosen.

Bojangles — Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit: ~470 calories, ~1,280 mg sodium. Big flavor, big salt. 

🥯 The Takeaway

I’m not saying the Egg McMuffin is “healthy,” but compared to most other big-chain breakfast sandwiches, it’s definitely healthy-er. Moderate calories, decent protein, and reasonable sodium make it one I feel good about grabbing. Leaving off the cheese makes it just a little better, a perfect compromise between convenience, flavor, and starting the morning right.

McDonald’s Monopoly Is Back After 10 Years — And I’m Lovin’ It

So just when I think I’m out… they pull me back in.

McDonald’s is once again running their Monopoly game — something they haven’t done in ten years! And just like that, I’m back in line at the golden arches.

Back in the day, I was going to eat breakfast at McDonald’s most mornings anyway. But when the Monopoly game rolled around? Oh, that changed everything. I’d head straight inside, grab one of those big paper game boards printed on the back of the placemats, and start peeling those little stickers off my Egg McMuffin wrappers, hash brown sleeves, and drink cups like a man on a mission.

No, I never hit the million-dollar jackpot (still waiting, Ronald), but I did rack up my fair share of free burgers, fries, cookies, and pies. There was something electric about it — that mix of caffeine, breakfast grease, and the faint hope you might pull Park Place. It became a whole vibe I looked forward to every year.

And really, what’s not to love? You’re entertained, there’s something fun to do, and there’s always that shot at winning money or prizes. It’s not exactly a retirement plan, but it’s fun to dream for a minute or two. Like they say — you’ve got to be in it to win it.

But here’s the twist: I was never a huge Monopoly fan as a kid.

I mean, I am and I’m not. It’s a great slice of Americana, and the concept makes sense. But as a shy, well-behaved little kid who loved board games, I made the mistake of joining a family game once when my aunts, uncles, and cousins were all gathered at my grandma’s house.

I was just excited to roll the dice, move my little pewter dog around the board, and flip those colorful cards that showed Mr. Monopoly floating out of jail with angel wings or suddenly striking it rich. I wasn’t out to crush anyone — I just wanted to play.

So when I landed on Boardwalk, which my uncle owned, and had to hand over every last pretend dollar while everyone laughed at how “broke” I was, it crushed my little six-year-old heart. I don’t think I ever played Monopoly again after age nine or ten.

Still, I admired the game. I just chose not to play it. So when it got paired with my love for McDonald’s? All bets were off.

Which brings me to now. I don’t need to eat McDonald’s every day — or even every week. But let’s be real, I can always justify grabbing a coffee and an Egg McMuffin on the way to work. It’s practically the healthiest fast-food breakfast sandwich out there — full of protein and actual nutrients (especially if you skip the cheese).

But like I’ve said before, I know myself. If they run out of promotional cups, you might not get game pieces with your drink. They used to be well stocked on the sandwich wrappers that had them, but I’m not sure if that’s still a thing. One sure bet, though, was always the hash brown wrapper — that’s where I could always count on getting a game piece.

These days, though, I usually skip the hash browns. Fried starches are a bad combo for anyone, but especially for someone my age. Same goes for fries — I’d rather have an extra burger than pummel my arteries with a salty pile of regret.

So maybe I’ll do a couple full meals over the next month, maybe find a slower McDonald’s location that’s still stocked with all the special cups and wrappers. I don’t know how far I’ll go with it this year — maybe I’ll just play once or twice for old time’s sake, just to bring back that feeling that meant so much over the years.

McDonald’s has really been hitting on all cylinders lately with the retro vibes, and I, for one, am loving it.

Ba da ba ba ba.

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Update..

After writing this post early this morning, I couldn’t resist — I stopped by McDonald’s and ended up winning on every single game piece I pulled! I scored 3,000 reward points that I uploaded straight to my app, plus a free food item. 

There are a couple caveat's however. In the past whenever you pulled your game piece tab there were two little tickets. This has now been changed to only one play piece. This means if you were big on filling up your playboard with properties like I used to be, it's going to take considerably longer to do so. 

Also, everything I won is redeemable through the app. Not exactly the same feel as back in the day, but I understand that things change, and you must admit that things have changed an awful lot in 10 years.

So yes, McDonald’s, you’ve officially hooked me for at least a few more visits… so ’ll be back soon.

McDonald’s McDonaldland Adult Happy Meal: Why Nostalgia Made Me Buy One (Even When I Said I Wouldn’t)

If you grew up in the ‘70s, ‘80s, or ‘90s, get ready to feel like a kid again—because McDonald’s just pulled off the ultimate nostalgia play. The McDonaldland Adult Happy Meal is here, and the second I got one in my hands I was transported straight back to Saturday morning cartoons, Ronald, Grimace, and playground memories.

I didn’t plan on writing about McDonald’s this week. Honestly, I’ve been doing my best to avoid fast food altogether. Now in my 50’s, I’m focused on getting my health back on track—but then McDonald’s dangled something in front of me that I couldn’t resist: a McDonaldland Adult Happy Meal. Hook, line, and sinker—I was back in line like I was 10 years old again.

I am a sucker for this kind of throwback retro goodness. They had me at 'McDonaldland' and the psychedelic retro commercial that came out not too long ago. Just the idea of revisiting that colorful, whimsical world of Grimace, Hamburglar, and all the rest was enough to get me to pull into the drive-thru.

What Is the McDonald’s Adult Happy Meal?

McDonald’s has re-launched a special Happy Meal aimed at adults who grew up on the original McDonaldland characters. Each meal comes with:

A choice of a Quarter Pounder with cheese or 10-piece Chicken McNuggets

Medium fries

Medium drink

A McDonaldland collectible toy (Grimace, Hamburglar, Birdie, Mayor McCheese, Fry Guys or Ronald McDonald)

It’s a full-blown nostalgia play—part marketing genius, part cultural flashback. And judging from how fast they’re selling out in some areas, it’s working.

My Experience

When I got the bag and pulled out of the drive-thru, I had to park my car so I could closely examine every corner of it. It took me right back to when I was a kid—the little details like the hamburger garden, the hamburger fish swimming around, funky psychedelic-looking trees that produced both apples and apple pies, the lagoon, and all the classic characters like Mayor McCheese, the Hamburglar, and the Fry Guys.

Even the toy felt like a time capsule. When I pulled the prize from the bag, I examined it the same way I used to as a kid. 

I could not believe the attention to detail: the designers sprinkled ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s nostalgia throughout the box art, including Captain Crook, Big Mac the cop, Uncle O’Grimacey, Professor Von Sauce and, and of course, Ronald McDonald himself. Even the talking garbage cans made me smile—it was clear that someone painstakingly worked on this to make it truly feel like it was yanked straight out of the past.

The Quarter Pounder box was a delight as well, covered with artwork and Quarter Pounder characters.

Open it up, and Mayor McCheese greets you, claiming your quarter pounder was grown from a seed he planted himself. I of course saved the prize for last, having no idea what to expect since I hadn’t read much about the promotion.

When I finally unwrapped it, it turned out to be Ugh... 'Birdie'—my least favorite McDonaldland character ever. I remember her from the ‘80s, but she really never resonated with me. But I couldn’t help smiling anyway; it’s nostalgia, after all. Still, the prize pack was amazing: a miniature passport, a beautiful postcard featuring a panoramic scene of McDonaldland, and a few more little toucheas that made the whole thing feel special.

And yes—I polished the whole experience off with a strawberry milkshake, for old time’s sake. I’ve been trying to be good lately, but I may just roll the dice for another Happy Meal to see if I can strike gold with another toy—anyone besides Birdie, please!

The Bigger Picture

McDonald’s knows exactly what they’re doing here. They’re not just selling burgers—they’re selling memories. Adults my age grew up with Ronald, Grimace, and the Hamburglar. Now we have jobs, mortgages, and stress—but a part of us still remembers the thrill of tearing into that cardboard box.

This is an incredible promotion. They’re clearly catering to people like me who long for the nostalgia and retro goodness of the old days when advertising agencies truly poured their blood, sweat, and tears into winning over customers. Obviously, there are others who feel the same way—otherwise, McDonald’s wouldn’t have bothered. I’m all for it, and I hope they do more like this.

Will I make this a habit? Probably—but I’ll limit it. I love it, even if it could be trouble for my waistline. For now, I’m just savoring the memories, the retro details, and the pure joy of being transported back to McDonaldland, if only for a moment.

October 19th, 2025:

By the way.. did you know McDonald's has brought back their Monopoly Game?!?

Read about it below..

McDonald's Monopoly is Back After 10 Years - And I'm Lovin' It.

Why the Egg McMuffin Is Still the Healthiest Fast Food Breakfast Sandwich in 2025

The Timeless Egg McMuffin: Why It Still Wins My Mornings..

What is it about the Egg McMuffin?

I’ve written about this sandwich many times over the years. It's probably my favorite breakfast sandwich of all time. While my preferences have shifted here and there—depending on the season, my mood, or what else is on the menu—I keep coming back to the classic Egg McMuffin.

Right now? It’s the total package.

A Sandwich Built on Nostalgia

Part of the magic is nostalgia. I have vivid memories of going to McDonald's with my dad early in the morning. He’d sip his coffee and read the paper, and I’d be scarfing down an Egg McMuffin with a chocolate milk or orange juice. Then it was off to the McDonaldland playground before school. Those moments—small, routine, but full of comfort—are baked into every bite I take now.

That kind of memory adds flavor nothing else can.

Built to Last (and Built Well)

But nostalgia aside, let’s be honest: the Egg McMuffin still slaps. It's nearly a perfect sandwich. A toasted English muffin, a round egg (cooked fresh on-site), Canadian bacon, and melted American cheese. The order of the ingredients, the balance of savory and salty, the texture contrast between fluffy egg and chewy muffin—it just works.

There’s a reason it’s McDonald’s flagship breakfast item. Just like the Big Mac holds that title for lunch and dinner.

The Health Factor (Yeah, I Said It)

Now, I’m not a health nut. Never claimed to be. But the older I get, the more I pay attention to what I put in my body. I don’t want to pummel my poor arteries and liver with saturated fat bombs every morning.

By fast food standards, the Egg McMuffin is surprisingly decent. Clocking in under 300 calories, with a decent protein boost, it’s a rare combo of taste and balance in the world of drive-thru breakfasts. And if you're like me and want a little more without blowing your daily intake, you can double up. Two Egg McMuffins barely push past 500 calories—and if you skip the cheese, it’s even less. I’ll skip the hash browns (I’ve never been a hash brown guy anyway) and go for a second McMuffin instead.

Okay, But… the Competition

Look, if we’re talking strictly taste and indulgence, sure, I’ve got a long list of contenders. One of these days I should do a full top-10 best breakfast sandwiches list, because the options out there are crazy good.

A few honorable mentions:

The Whataburger Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit – absolutely one of my all-time faves.

Whataburger's steak biscuit – savory bliss.

White Castle's Chicken and Waffle sandwich – surprisingly delicious.

Even McDonald’s steak bagel sandwich, is something I swear I’ve dreamed about. (I think it's the sauce)

But here’s the thing: most of those are gut bombs. They’re indulgent, heavy, and not the kind of thing I want to start every day with. The Egg McMuffin, though? It’s comforting without the crash. Satisfying without the guilt. Flavorful without going overboard.

Still the One

So yeah, after all these years, after all the experimentation and flavor-packed rivals, I’m still loyal to the Egg McMuffin. It’s dependable. Delicious. Balanced. And it comes with a side of memories I never want to lose.

And that, my friends, is why the Egg McMuffin is still king of my breakfast world.

McDonald's News. This could be trouble (for me)

The closest McDonald's to me is currently 2.9 miles away from my home. However, they have broke ground on a new store in the Clermont area of Florida. The distance of this new McDonald's is only one mile from my home. Crap.

I say 'Crap' because now I will have TWO McDonald's within three miles of my front doorstep. I have greatly changed my eating habits over the last couple of years, only eating Mc Donald's on occasion, but I know myself. If the craving strikes for a late afternoon burger and shake, I'm going to have to work on bolstering my willpower.

These days, McDonald's only really gets my hard earned money for breakfast. The McDonald's down the road is actually more convenient for that, as it's right on the way to work and incredibly easy to get in and out of. While this new McDonald's is not easily accessible going to work, it will be the last fast food stop on the way home, right before I turn into my neighborhood. It's also smack dab in the center of the area where I run most of my errands.

Will this really equate to me consuming more McDonald's fare? Sadly, I'm afraid so. I get the occasional craving for several McDonald's menu items. Below is the breakdown..

 

McMuffins, McGriddles, Chicken Biscuits & McBagels

Craving consistency: Daily during my morning commute

Regular Hamburger
Craving consistency: Bi-weekly

Filet-O-Fish

Craving consistency: Once a year

Big Mac

Craving consistency: Twice a year

Double Quarter Pounder & Triple Cheeseburger

Craving consistency: Once a year

Chicken McNuggets w/honey
Craving consistency: Once a year

Egg Nog, Strawberry and Shamrock Shakes

I used to think about McDonald's shakes probably on a weekly basis. However, I have become adept at fighting off those cravings largely in part to the machines always being broken. 

So while a week never passes without McDonald's entering my mind in some way, I have gotten really good at fending off the thoughts and cravings, mainly because of a healthier diet I've adopted. However, having a McDonald's that's practically a stone throw away, is going to challenge my willpower.

I'll do my best to hang in there with my healthier lifestyle. Just for kicks, I may pop in for the grand opening, and write a subsequent blog post about it. Stay tuned for that one. I'm thinking the new store will be up and running well before spring.

How to get 50 FREE Big Macs.. ( in 1977 )

I came across this 1977 newspaper clipping from my hometown newspaper The Fort Collins Coloradoan. The appliance store 'downing's' was having a huge sale and were offering coupons for free Big Mac's to get people in the door. Basically, the more you spent, the more Big Mac's you would score, with the chance of accumulating a maximum of 50 Big Macs total. Behold..

A closer look at the 'Free Big Mac' Redemption chart..

I miss the days when businesses had deals like these. It was great going out to buy something you needed anyway, and getting something extra in return. In this case, you could go buy an appliance or television, and be able to get dinner for your family several times over!

Just another example how businesses used to fight for your business. Nowadays, they know people are going to spend money with them regardless, so they won't even bother spending one extra cent to get your attention. 

I love viewing old advertisements from the recent past. The culture of shopping has changed so much since the 70s. Don't even get me started on prices. I loved seeing how ten Big Macs had a retail value of $7.50! I'm seriously considering featuring more ads like this on a regular basis, so keep an eye out..

1978 Happy Meal Space Raiders toys from McDonald's

You've got to admit, some of todays fun meal toys are pretty dang impressive. However, the ones I acquired as a kid hold a special place in my heart. Particularly my complete set of 1978 Space Raider Happy Meal toys. They were made by a toy company called Diener, and the set consists of four alien figures and four space ships. All of the figures in the set are roughly two and a half inches, were made of a soft bendable rubber, and came in a variety of about 5 different colors.

Aliens.. Brak, Zama, Dard and Horta
and ships.. Altair 2, Ceti-3, Krygo 5, and Lyra 4

These guys hail from the era when Happy Meals always came in those cool boxes, and included a free package of McDonald Land cookies. When these figures were released, the STAR WARS craze was in full effect, and kids were scrambling to get their hands on anything sci-fi related. 

I remember obtaining my very first Space Raider figure which was Brak (The green fellow with the big brain). I remember placing him in the Happy Meal box for safe keeping on the trip home. Upon retrieving him from the box, I noticed he was coated with French fry salt that had collected at the bottom of the box. It was hard as heck to get the salt granules off of him, so I gave him a bath in the kitchen sink with some Dawn dish soap. I soon learned that these guys would need a regular hygiene regimen to keep them looking presentable. The type of rubber that they were made of seemed to be a magnet for hair, lint, dirt, dust, sand, and all manner of filth.

Each alien had their name clearly printed on the front of them, as did the ships. You had no clue as to which ship was paired with each alien, so usually you would just match them up by color. Collectors often refer to these as rubber eraser figures. I even remember kids at school trying to use them for this purpose. These attempts usually resulted in making a big mess of your school work, because the rubber would just smear the pencil marks rather than removing them from the paper.

Diener also produced other rubber and plastic toys for other companies in the 70's and 80's. In fact, there was another Space Creatures Happy Meal toy set they made in the 1980's. You can see the more monster-esque Happy Meal toy line here at Neato Coolville.

I loved my Space Raiders, and had hours of fun playing with them.  I guess they weren't too different from the non articulated cowboys and Indians, or green army men I grew up with.  Those simple yet great toys forced you to use your imagination, provided a kid with endless hours of fun, and I for one have many great memories of playing with them.

McDonald's Breakfast Bagels are Back

I know I'm a little late with sharing this news, but I was happy to see that an old fan favorite is back on the McDonald's menu. The McBagel! It's not actually called a McBagel, but that's what myself and other fans of the breakfast sandwiches came to call them over the years. 

The rollout of this sandwich re-release has been slow going, but they are now finally available at my local McDonald's.

Last week I stopped by McDonald's for my weekly treat of one Egg McMuffin with coffee, and was greeted by pictures of Bagel sandwiches at the drive through. As the sun broke, the glowing menu board greeted me, coaxing me to reunite with an old friend.

The McBagel had a pretty good run as far as breakfast sandwiches go. It debuted in 1999 and was only discontinued in 2019. It was a casualty of McDonald's trimming and simplifying their drive through menu to weather the Covid pandemic.

Hello old friend

For old times sake and to celebrate their return, I decided get one. While I hadn't eaten one of these sandwiches in years, I do remember eating my weight in them, which wasn't very hard to do as they were big sandwiches. Over the years, the Steak Egg & Cheese Bagel became my favorite from the lineup, so that's what I ordered.

McDonald's Steak, Egg & Cheese Bagel

I ordered up the Steak Bagel and it was delicious. The Bagels were nicely toasted and the steak patty and grilled onions played off of the big bready bagel perfectly. Let's also not forget about that incredible sauce they add to it. I don't know what its made from, but fans were screaming for its return when McDonald's dropped bagels from their menu. 

I was happy to find that the sandwich is still a beast! It's a bit more pricey than the other sandwiches on the menu, but is way more filling and in my opinion a great value. 

I've mentioned in past articles, I really don't have any desire to dine inside of McDonald's these days. I usually take my breakfast home, or enjoy it the best I can on the way to work. The Bagel sandwiches come in a wrapper that easily peels back and serves as a pocket to hold the bagel with. This wrapper allows you to keep your hands and clothes nice and neat. It's an overlooked, yet innovative packaging feature that is not wasted on a breakfast sandwich connoisseur such as myself.

I for one am super happy to see these bagels back on the menu. They won't replace my breakfast go-to of the Egg McMuffin, but its nice to know it's at the ready when I crave a beefier and more filling breakfast. 

It seems as if McDonald's has listened to the masses petitioning for a return of the McBagel. I wonder what might be next. Snack Wraps? Cheddar Melts? The McDLT? Fish McBites? Time will tell.

The 25th Anniversary of the Big Mac

To my readers:
Rest assured that this blog is not becoming a McDonald's niche blog. I recently penned an article about my McDonald's memories that was SO full of content, I've broken it down into six different articles thus far. Random retro uploading of content will commence soon. Thank you.

I vividly remember the 25th anniversary of the Big Mac. If I recall correctly, it took place in 1992 and concluded in early 1993. I scored more than a few 25 cent Big Macs with the great promotion they were pushing at the time. In fact, I still have a 25th Anniversary Big Mac Box (or two) in my possession. My most pristine box that you see below, graces a shelf in my office with some other fast food memorabilia.

1993 Big Mac 25th Anniversary commercial

As much as I remember that 25th Anniversary of the Big Mac, for the life of me I could not remember when the 50th Anniversary rolled around. Going off of the Big Mac's introduction in 1967, it should have happened in 2017.

Then it dawned on me that 2017 was an incredibly crazy year for me. I relocated nearly 2000 miles cross country and was deep into discovering all of the great eateries located around the Orlando area. However, a couple quick internet searches on this milestone refreshed my memory pretty quickly. For the 50th anniversary, they made a larger 'Grand Big Mac' to commemorate the occasion. Also available with purchase, were five different Big Mac Coins minted specially for the occasion.

While the thought of a larger Big Mac excited me to no end, I sadly learned of the promotion after the fact. However, those specially minted Big Mac coins have been on my radar lately, as you can still buy them for a song on eBay. If I pick up a set, I'll make sure to share more info about them here.

McDonald's ruined my lifelong dream for middle age

For me, McDonald's was a heck of a lot of fun to visit in the 70s and 80s. I talked about some of my memories and experiences during those decades in my last McDonald's article, so take a peek if you missed it. In that post, I inferred that today's McDonald's simply cannot hold a candle to the McDonald's of old, and that's what today's article will discuss.

I wanna go back

Ninety percent of my childhood visits to McDonald's were in the mornings with my Dad. During those trips I marveled at the calm, quiet, and welcoming atmosphere that engulfed us. I remember all kinds of working men and retired gentlemen calmly starting their day off in the McDonald's dining room. I watched many a bloke methodically sipping coffee, eating their breakfast and reading the newspaper. 

I recognized that these men from all walks of life were starting their day leisurely and calmly, with an air of Zen about them. Men would talk politics, news, local events, fishing, the weather, etc. Some would simply pull up a table and watch the traffic roll by on the main street that ran through town. It all fascinated me to no end, and I swore as a young boy that I was going to start off my weekdays the same way when I grew up and became an "Old Guy". Sadly however, McDonald's has in part killed my boyhood dream of following through. 

My issues mainly have to do with the corporate unification of the restaurants themselves. They have been remodeled and restyled to a point where they are devoid of any character, charm and serenity. I would even go as far as saying many are downright unpleasant to dine at. When I began penning this article, I initially thought I may have been going off on another one of my 'Old Man Rants', but I now realize this is not the case. 

As I started drafting this article, I did a small sample poll at my place of business to see what kids I work with, from the ages of twenty-three to thirty years of age think of dining-in at McDonald's, and it was unanimous. Everyone hated it. One twenty-five year old gal I work with even made a gagging sound and said:

 "I CANNOT and WILL NOT eat inside of a McDonald's. That awful brown interior, the noise.. I can't even!". 

The general consensus among my friends is that the restaurants are way too bright, hectic, noisy, ugly, and unwelcoming. There was nothing we could all agree on, that would make any of us want to go inside of a McDonald's to eat. Who knows.. maybe McDonald's is making it less welcoming on purpose. I'll touch on this subject in a moment.

My favorite local McDonald's a couple of years ago..

The McDonald's buildings I remember from my youth and most of my adulthood. That classic Mansard roof with the beams that glowed bright yellow at night. 

The very same McDonald's location after a recent remodel..

Oy.. the new McCafé style of restaurants. I don't even know where to begin. The interior looks just as unimaginative and unwelcoming as the exterior. I no longer dine inside of this location, which was once my favorite local McDonald's. However, for the sake of this article, I decided to visit one this week before 8:00 a.m.

These joints are SO incredibly tiny now! I pretty much had the place to myself for most of my breakfast, but the decor and fixtures bounced and carried sound from every inch of the restaurant, to the corner table I was sitting at. 

I could very clearly hear the constant blare of timer alarms from the kitchen, as well as every conversation the employees were having. When the restaurant started getting busier, the noise really got annoying. Thankfully I was done eating and opted to finish my coffee on the road.

Call me old fashioned but..

I remember a time when carpenters and designers took pride in hiding the hardware that held up fixtures and decor.

So while it was no shock to me that the ambiance was horrid, there were some high points. For one, I got to try a Steak McGriddle for the very first time and really enjoyed it. The negatives were mitigated by the lovely management and staff. All were friendly, caring and attentive. They also had an attendant actively keeping the place absolutely spotless. A big shoutout to the staff at 16832 Corner Center Drive in Clermont Florida. 👍

Back in the day, I used to love dining at McDonald's for breakfast. The whole vibe was way more easy going and relaxing. This week I found the whole atmosphere (apart from a pleasant staff) to feel cold and unwelcoming. I also can't help but notice how much louder and chaotic it seems as well. I feel a bit anxious when I try to eat my breakfast there now. I noticed others appeared to feel the same way as well. Most scarfing down their meals, guzzling their coffee, and hurriedly getting on their way. 

I guess I can't blame what I feel and witness in their restaurants entirely on McDonald's. I realize society has changed quite a bit since the 70s and 80s, and we live in an much faster paced world. That being said, it seems McDonald's has fully embraced that culture.

A McDonald's in Northglenn Colorado I used to frequent.
A newer building with some nice retro touches

I have personally dined in McDonald's locations that had NO LOITERING signs posted right at the tables. If that doesn't make you feel pangs of neuroticism while dining, I don't what would. I can halfway understand McDonald's not wanting someone who paid next to nothing for some fast food sitting around loitering, but that line of philosophy doesn't exactly hold water for me personally these days. 

Getting customers in and out as quick as humanly possible turns a better profit for sure, but that's what the drive-thru is for. They may not want patrons who pay cheap prices, taking up space and 'loitering', but last time I checked, McDonald's is moving past cheap fast food prices at light speed. In fact, the prices of many McDonald's menu items are right on par with Chic-Fil-A prices. 

Then you've got those touch point kiosks that are right in your face as you walk into the joint. It's a preferred method for the public to use, and I get it. Automation can be a wonderful thing. I love walking into a Little Caesars and scanning the code on my phone, only to see their 'Pizza Portal' open up to present me with my piping hot order. However, automation in many instances has sucked the humanity and sense of community out of many a business, and it shows no signs of slowing up. 

Whenever I go on road trips and spot an older McDonald's, I try to stop in if time allows. Usually its for breakfast, and I take my order to-go because I'm on the road. However, I always take a moment to look around these older establishments. Many times, it appears as if they have remained untouched by time. Even if the interior has been updated, they still have way more character than today's restaurants. I also tend to see lots of locals sitting in groups chewing the fat, and a few people reading newspapers. That probably has to do with the closer knit communities that smaller towns tend to enjoy. 

Those older McDonald's are usually more abundant the further west I get from Florida, where the pace of life is quite a bit slower. Its a wonderful thing, and I hope the McDonald's McCafé resets take time getting to them, which will inevitably wipe the character and charm from those establishments as well.

I do hold out a wee bit of hope however. Many franchisee's have a bit more control over the aesthetic of their restaurants, and go the opposite route of corporate. When I lived in Virginia, I had a job that regularly took me to Williamsburg. A franchisee in that town had his store decked out like a diner from the 1950s with great murals, decorations, and even an old Wurlitzer juke box. I use to take a seat directly across from an elevated stage that displayed a beautiful red 1957 Chevy coupe. Stepping into that restaurant was truly like stepping back in time, and I truly loved it.

Largest McDonald's in the World
Orlando, Florida

Here near Orlando, we have the World's largest McDonald's. It has an arcade, incredible play area for kids, and I even got to eat pizza there.

 

McDonald's on Walt Disney World property
1596 W. Buena Vista Dr. FL, 82320

al fresco dining

Unique decor

My go-to 99% of the time are two regular hamburgers
The shake was a rare treat 

mostly because the shake machine was working

Exercise bikes that help power the restaurant
(or help to burn off 2 burgers and a shake)

The World's Largest and Eco-friendly restaurants are both worth a visit, and I highly recommend you check them out if you're visiting the Orlando area. I for one am glad I checked both off of my "McDonald's to see" list, but I have no desire to spend any real amount of time in either of them. They both have their very own unique vibe.. just not the vibe I am looking for personally.

Maybe my whole view on this matter will change a bit as I get older. After all, I had some incredible times hanging out on the front curb of a 7-11 with my friends when I was a kid. That's right, I said "the front curb". In the end, the location didn't matter as much as the people I was hanging out with. 

That being said, I would love to find just a little bit of that old McDonald's magic I experienced back in the day, and there doesn't even have to be that much of it. A little color, decoration, maybe some throwbacks to the chain's great history. The Egg McMuffins, Big Macs, and Shakes keep me vested, but a little retro magic would keep me hooked and even more engaged than I already am.

For now, I will continue eating McMuffins on my way to work, or somewhere else more pleasant like the tailgate of my truck in front of a lake. My radar is on high alert however for any form of old school McDonald's in my area. I don't even care if its a 70s, 80s, 90s, or early 2000s building. I have incredible memories of dining at McDonald's across all of those decades.

I wonder.. do kids these days even have magical or formative experiences at McDonald's? Will they have the same deep connection and interest that I have in the brand 50 years after my very first visit? I can't see how that is possible given the current state of their culture. But what do I know? Things change, people change, and God willing.. I will be along for the ride. 

I've always watched what McDonald's does with great interest, and will continue to do so for some time to come. There's still enough there to keep me interested in what they are doing. Especially when they embrace their roots. If nothing else, I've still got my favorite menu items and a lifetime of memories.

A Retro McDonald's is now on the Roku rolling screensaver

If you weren't aware, the Roku television app has a rolling screensaver that activates when the app or Roku TV is not in use. I always love watching it, as they hide all kinds of Easter eggs in the scenery that have to do with iconic Hollywood movies. I was all kinds of stoked when I saw THIS appear on the screensaver last week..

Wow.. I'm Lovin' it

The first thing that caught my eye was the glowing golden arches. Then.. the honest to goodness retro McDonald's building. It's that great old building design that is quickly going extinct from coast to coast in the United States. When you take a closer look, you begin to see the great Easter eggs..

Look closer and you see some old friends. There's the Hamburglar lurking about, Birdie presenting a gift to Grimace, a McNugget Buddy wearing a party hat, and another with a balloon. There's also a Big Mac, Fries and a Grimace Milkshake, front and center in one of the windows.

A really cool product placement, obviously meant to commemorate Grimace's birthday and of course, the new Grimace Milkshake that's overtaking TikTok in a very weird way lately. It was a really nice surprise to be reminded of these old friends from years past. 

I really hope McDonald's keeps pushing forward with embracing this retro angle in advertising, as it makes tons of folks happy, and will surely prove to be a money maker for the company. One things for sure, you'd better check it out now, as its imprint on Roku is sure to only be available for a 'Limited time only'.

70s & 80s memories of Breakfast at McDonald's

What is it about McDonald's that makes people lifelong fans? I'm not a fan of everything the company does by a longshot, but there's some kind of connection there that keeps me tethered to them. I find myself always being somewhat interested and invested in what they do.

I think after 50 plus trips around the sun I've finally figured it out, and it has to do with nostalgia. I have lots of great memories of McDonald's from the 70s and 80s, but my memories of McDonald's breakfast are among the most vivid.

As a 70s and 80s kid..
A few times a year, my Dad would wake me up early and tell me he was driving me to school. We would leave the house at the crack of dawn and he'd surprise me by stopping at McDonald's.

We would walk in those doors and the ladies behind the counter would start enthusiastically greeting my Dad by name. They would exclaim things like "Is this your Son?!?" They would then fawn over me for a bit, sliding multiple packs of McDonaldland cookies across the counter, as well as the occasional Happy Meal toy.

My Old Man had some sort of a McDonald's promotional mug that he would either get free refills on, or for mere pennies. I remember him being super proud of that mug, and he would boast about the deal he was getting every time he used it. 

Dad's breakfast order usually consisted of some hot cakes and sausage, or a couple breakfast sandwiches. I would always get an Egg McMuffin with chocolate milk or orange juice.

And then there was the vibe of the place. The whole joint smelled of coffee and breakfasty goodness. I remember vivid colors of yellow, white and red. The floors were these medium to off brown colored tiles, which directed your attention back upward towards the McDonaldland artwork and decorations hung throughout the restaurant.

I would usually scarf down my breakfast and then make a beeline out to the McDonaldland playground. I would jump around inside the big steel Barred Grimace, take a ride on one of the little hamburger spring rides, and hit the slide a couple of times. When I got bored with that, I would head back inside to finish off my drink. Dad would hand me the comic strips to read, while he finished reading his paper

I remember taking a long look around on many occasions thinking..

"This is exactly what I want to do when I'm Old! Come to McDonald's every morning, read the paper, and hang out with other old guys."

Back in the day, it was such a calm and relaxed atmosphere with incredible food and fun. To me, it seemed like absolute heaven.

Lots of colorful locals frequented that McDonald's every morning. Many of them knew my old man by name, which was no shock to me. My Dad knew a lot of people in town, as he owned and operated a barbershop there for the better part of 30 years.

One morning regular was a dear friend of the family named Sidney Joseph. He was around my Dad's age and had a couple of daughters I was friends with. Sidney could be found in McDonald's every weekday morning before 8:00 AM, with two newspapers laid out in front of him. He would bring scissors and an envelope from home for cutting coupons, articles, and the occasional comic he found amusing.

This was during a time when restaurants still had smoking sections, which is where Sidney always sat. His table was at the edge closest to the non-smoking section, so he could more easily converse with other folks who didn't smoke. Sidney did not smoke cigarettes as he was a pipe smoker. I remember watching with great interest and fascination as he packed his pipe, lit it, and proceeded with his morning ritual of reading and dissecting the newspapers.

Sidney would sit there for hours on end, occasionally walking up to the counter to get another coffee. He'd chat with the other locals and make small talk with anyone who cared to do the same. My Dad would always stop by before leaving, and we'd briefly chat with him. As we parted ways, he would always gently shake my hand and leave me with some words of wisdom. 

Sidney had a catchphrase that he'd utter to myself and others. It was five simple words, but I'd find them to have a profound effect on my philosophy and outlook on life. The catchphrase he would sincerely share was..

"Hey.. be GOOD to yourself".

He always included that "Hey" which always made me hyperfocus on him. I could see even as a young boy that he truly meant what he was saying. I knew what he was telling me carried importance, even if I didn't understand the gravity it held at that time.

Many years later when I was married with a couple kids, my wife and I were in town visiting my folks. We popped into that very same McDonald's located in midtown Fort Collins for some breakfast. Lo and behold, Sidney was sitting at that same table, dissecting the local newspapers! We greeted him and talked for a few minutes, catching up on how each others families were doing. Once again as we parted ways, he shook our hands and he uttered those words I came to revere.. "Hey.. be good to yourselves".

Sadly, Sidney passed away in April 2022 and the world is a little less kind and quirky without him. I'll always remember that pleasant and caring gentleman, not to mention the sweet smell of his pipe tobacco that would occasionally drift by in the air.

I recently had a discussion with my Mom about these morning excursions and how much they meant to me, when we suddenly both came to a realization. We agreed my old man probably frequented that McDonald's on a regular basis unbeknownst to the rest of my family. 

I realize now that they treated my Dad like a king because he was one of their regulars. He really did look like he felt at home there, and when he brought me along, so did I.

There are McDonald's I have frequented for breakfast over the years, but none that ever felt like the one in my hometown of Fort Collins Colorado. I would love to pull up a table at my local McDonald's for an Egg McMuffin & coffee, shooting the breeze with some other 'Old Guys' my age. 

However, there is a wrinkle in my lifelong plan of spending my middle age relaxing at McDonald's for breakfast. I've yet to find one nearby that I care to spend any amount of time in. In fact, I just uploaded an article on this very subject entitled:

'McDonald's ruined my lifelong dream for middle age'

Make sure to check it out if you have a chance.