Upscale Chelsea McDonald's Just Waiting For Its Michelin Star

Check out the lipstick on this ~~pig~~ factory farm cow: McDonald's Corp. spokeswoman Danya Proud says this McDonald's location on Sixth Avenue between 14th and 15th streets is the first in the nation to get a so-called "urban redesign." It has free Wi-Fi and laptop outlets, upholstered vinyl chairs instead of seats bolted to the floor, subdued lighting, and all-black uniforms for employees. The metrosexual look is, naturally, de rigueur in Europe, but like something out of another world for us boorish Americans. One customer tells the Associated Press it's "beautiful" and more "like a lounge"—but with the same revolting "food."

Not to be outdone, Burger King recently announced plans last month to overhaul its 12,000 locations "with industrial-inspired corrugated metal and brick walls." The AP also mentions that there's "a grand piano visible from the street through a second-floor window" of another McDonald's location—that's the Wall Street one, at 160 Broadway. Keep that in mind, because Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and you can't go to White Castle every year.

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By John Del Signore in Food on November 19, 2009 11:25 AM

Comments [rss]

Nice2MeetU.NY

Not a McDonalds fan, but this place is worth checking out. I would drag myself there for an Egg McMuffin with sausage after a night of hard drinking.

http://www.nicetomeetyounewyork.blogspot.com/

whitecastlerock

McDonald's sucks...

militza

I don't know how anyone eats their food! it seems so heavy.

Wza

People on laptops in public places annoy me.

Important question though, How are the restrooms?

HughGass

I love any excuse to read or use the word [b]fatties[\b]

MsMarvel

Check out the picture with the "Condiments" sign on the wall.

Is it just me or did their designer use a free font version of Chiller? How odd.

valeriob

Nice catch, sure does look like it!

ides_of_march

You can find revolting food in fancy, expensive restaurants too.

NannyState

I wonder if they tested the materials first to see how much of "that smell" they absorb.

JacqueMehoff

that mcDonald's has been around for the longest.

has got to be the 70's.

hotstepper

even if you don't eat the garbage-food they are slinging and just use the free wi-fi, you'll still end up stinking like a fryolator grease trap when you leave. i'm lovin' it.

aveB4life

at first glance i thought it said all black employees. and i was like, well, duh!

Gringcorp

Why, at least according to the Burger King locator, are there no BK locations between Delancey and 30th street? Are there no hungry students within these latitudes to feed? Scared of Wendy's?

Guest

I love how people try to prop themselves up as better than they actually are by hating on things like McDonald's. If the food was actually horrible, it would not be the biggest fast food chain on the planet.

grandzu

Actually Subway has surpassed McDonalds in having the most worldwide locations.

Also the masses loved the macarena.

valeriob

Subway doesn't have a fraction of the stores McDonald's has. Not even close. Not even by a bit. Not even remotely correct in any way.

yello10

Actually, Valeriob, YOU are incorrect. Subway has the most franchise locations of any "restaurant" in the world. I believe it surpassed McDonald's in 2008. Subway: ~31,998 locations, McDonald's: ~31,000

In terms of annual sales #'s, well, I don't know.

*KFC/TacoBell (i.e. Yum! Foods) also has more locations than McDonald's. I really enjoyed how hard you trashed the other commenter though, classy.

Mr Mel

Subway has an advantage, they can open one those shops in a phone booth.

Kojak

True. I do like their apple pies & snack wraps. And their breakfast meals will fill you up until dinner

hotstepper

read a book.

Guest

After you...

John Del Signore

Yeah, because if the masses love something, it can't possibly be "horrible"! By the way, the best selling-album of all time? The Eagles Greatest Hits.

Guest

Um. Now I know why this "news" blog has so many errors all of the time. You don't do research. Everyone knows that Thriller is the best selling album of all time.

jibbly

This would all be perfect if this McDonald's put The Eagles Greatest Hits on repeat over the music system.

valeriob

First I serious'd. Then I lol'd.

JenChungsBaby

I would argue with you but I'm on my way to Burger King before the line gets too long.

longacre

+1

valeriob

Bow tie on a pig

Spirit of 76

Have you ever seen Porky Pig?

valeriob

I should have explained this better. I like the idea of a bow tie on a pig, it's more fun than lipstick and makes it more fun to think about eating.

djwerdna

It could use artistic depictions of Ronald McDonald and the gang. Grimace probably wouldn't need much work to fit in.

babyhitler

what's amazing is that there's white peeps in the picture. You ever go into a mcdonalds in NYC?

kazubes

Now losers who can't find a room to write their novel at the local Starbucks can go to McDonalds and type away to the sweet aromas of bubbling fryers, industrial cleaner and the hobo taking a nap in the swanky leather coup in the corner

NannyState

We're talkin' McCafe Society.

JenChungsBaby

It looks great, as long as you don't have to actually eat there.

zodak

there was an hour long show on the travel channel about upscale mcdonald's all over the world & they had a segment on the financial district one, so this is not unusual.

SikBug

It looks like the fast food joints you see overseas. I'd still never step foot in it.

evbo

I'm with you.

brooklynmouthoff

Upscale? McDonald's is McDonald's.

Kojak

Yes, but now its fabulous. NY Magazine will most likely do a review.

The Yuppie & Hipster populations will take a break to try it out. Then they'll stop after a week after it becomes too 'conformist'.

Mr Mel

That's what you think. After all this publicity, just try and get a reservation there.

i2hellfire

ah...people whine even about a mcdonalds that tries to spruce themselves up. hilarious. did they shit in your coffee or something? fuck your sister?

Kojak

I have nothing against McDonald's. They're successful for a simple reason: giving people what they want at a reasonable price. I happen to think there are MUCH better fast food options out there, but their marketing style and vast reach gives them the advantage.

Elitists will scoff when you mention the word, and fatties will salivate. But if you don't like McDonald s, just don't eat there. I remember when there was such a huge fuss about a McDonald's being located in the Louvre in Paris, and what an travesty it was.

That was the American Media talking. The French didn't give a damn. Actually France is McDonald's 2nd biggest market. Who would've thunk it?