Gary He, a passionate McDonald’s enthusiast from Brooklyn, New York, has embarked on an extraordinary journey to explore the incredible diversity of McDonald’s restaurants around the world. His adventures are chronicled in his fascinating book, McAtlas: A Global Guide to the Golden Arches, where he reveals the surprising variety of McDonald’s outlets, from the bizarre to the grand. Over the course of his global tour, Gary visited over 55 countries across six continents, capturing hundreds of photographs of these unique branches. His journey not only highlights the creativity and adaptability of McDonald’s but also showcases the cultural and historical significance of its restaurants in different regions.
One of the most memorable stops on Gary’s journey was the McSki in Lindvallen ski resort, Sälen, Sweden, which he describes as his “personal favorite.” Open only during the winter months, this cozy McDonald’s is designed to resemble a lodge and features a ski-thru window where customers can order from the El Maco menu, a Tex-Mex offering exclusive to Nordic countries. According to Gary, the McSki’s isolated location on the side of a mountain made it one of the most picturesque spots he encountered during his travels. The McSki’s unique design and.functional features make it a standout example of how McDonald’s adapts to local environments and cultures.
Another highlight of Gary’s tour was the UFO-shaped McDonald’s in Roswell, New Mexico, a town famous for its history of alleged alien sightings. This futuristic restaurant is shaped like a flying saucer and features statues of Ronald McDonald and his friends in space suits, as well as an alien welcoming guests at the entrance. What’s more, this McDonald’s is one of the few in the world with a gift shop, offering visitors a chance to take home exclusive merchandise. Gary was particularly drawn to this location for its playful nod to the local culture and its status as a one-of-a-kind McDonald’s experience.
Gary’s travels also took him to China, where he visited the country’s first McDonald’s in Shenzhen’s Dongmen shopping district. This historic restaurant, opened in 1990, marked a significant moment in China’s economic liberalization and served as an experiment in introducing Western fast food to a rapidly changing society. Today, the restaurant stands out as a relic of the past, surrounded by modern glass-and-steel buildings. Gary describes it as “beautiful and historically significant,” a testament to McDonald’s ability to adapt to global markets while preserving local character. The restaurant even offers unique menu items like taro pie, a dessert made from a root vegetable popular in the region.
For Gary, the “world’s coolest McDonald’s” was in Taupo, New Zealand, where diners can enjoy their meals inside a decommissioned Douglas DC-3 plane adorned with the Golden Arches. This unique restaurant offers a menu featuring the Kiwiburger, a beef patty topped with beetroot slices and a fried egg, as well as a glimpse into the plane’s history through photographs and notes displayed inside. Despite the 24-hour journey from New York, Gary found the experience well worth the effort, calling the restaurant “iconic” and a must-see for any McDonald’s enthusiast.
Closer to home, Gary was fascinated by the Denton House McDonald’s in Hempstead, New York, a historic two-story mansion dating back to 1795. Originally a private residence, the building was later converted into a funeral home and eventually acquired by McDonald’s in 1986. Despite initial plans to demolish it, a local petition led to its preservation as a landmark. McDonald’s restored the property, complete with chandeliers and exposed wood beams, and it now serves as a testament to the community’s efforts to preserve local architecture. This unique McDonald’s inspired other Long Island communities to fight for restaurants that better reflected their local heritage, showcasing the impact of McDonald’s on cultural and historical preservation efforts.
Gary’s journey didn’t stop there. He plans to revisit Hamburg’s McBoat, a floating McDonald’s where customers in boats can order food at a jetty. Although he didn’t see any boats during his previous visits, he remains hopeful for a third time. Gary’s adventures also introduced him to a wide array of localized menu items, from McSpaghetti in the Philippines, made with sweet banana ketchup and hot dogs, to poutine in Canada and macaroni soup in Hong Kong. These dishes reflect the adaptability of McDonald’s and its ability to cater to local tastes while maintaining its global brand identity.
In conclusion, Gary He’s McAtlas is more than just a guide to McDonald’s restaurants—it’s a celebration of culture, history, and creativity. By documenting his global journey, Gary highlights the diversity of McDonald’s and its ability to blend seamlessly into local environments. His story is a testament to the.JSONObjectFollow him on Instagram at @ghe interfere or other social media platforms for more updates on his adventures. For those who are curious about the Golden Arches’ global footprint, McAtlas is a must-read. Visit www.mcatlas.com to purchase your copy and embark on a journey to explore the fascinating world of McDonald’s.
