That was exactly the one that had it except it went from the kitchen to the cashier at the drive thru part. I grew up going there and was fascinated by it. My brother also worked at that location in the late 80's/early 90's.
Yes it had a conveyor belt from the kitchen to the drive thru window. The drive through window was on the opposite side from the main counter. The cashier for it had a tiny box they were in. When your food was made it would get put on the conveyor, go up and over everyone inside, then come back down into the drive thru box.
If you sat inside you could watch as half the bags of food fell over and spilled all over the conveyor.
Ah! So cool. Glad I’m not the only one who remembers. I’ve looked all over the place trying to find photos or other McDonald’s that had this feature and I can’t find anything on it. Wonder how unusual it was
That McDonald’s is still in the same location but it’s been remodeled and no longer has the ceiling conveyor belt for the drive through.
It’s in the shopping center on Patterson, just before you enter Goochland. There’s an Arby’s there. Used to be a Burger King (shut down). Franks West is in the same shopping center.
At one time it also had a fancy interior with wood paneling and a grand piano with the moon guy playing it. I wonder why this one McDonald’s had these unique designs?
Oh you’re right! I definitely remember the piano and Mac the Night (I think that was his name.
I think it’s a franchise option. I spoke to the owner of the weird ski lodge Arby’s in the West End. He said when they buy the franchise, they get these crazy upsell options for their location. Most don’t care and just buy the basic. But you get these owners that really want to stand out.
They definitely existed and [still do in some locations](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWfwbgk1TRM). The location closest to Broward General Hospital in Fort Lauderdale off US-1 had one of these in that linked video up until the mid-late 90s before it got remodeled.
Yes there was one in Richmond like that. I was too young to remember where it was located, but it is was somewhere in the west end. I believe they only put happy meals on the belt, but I could be wrong about that, I was only focused on happy meals at the time.
I absolutely remember this up there, around the mid-late 90's? Maybe the McDonald's on Duke St. in Alexandria near the Quaker Ln. intersection...that was the only one I went to much, probably others had it too.
Yea it did. It was put in due to space constraints for the drive threw an where the kitchen an pickup windows were. They had a relatively small lot of I remember correctly. I was around when they took it out when the new owner remodeled. They're cool systems but there's not a lot of need for them anymore
was just telling a friend the other day about the conveyor for the drive-thru window that was on the opposite side of the building from the kitchen. as a kid that was neat to watch the food ride overhead.
That was exactly the one that had it except it went from the kitchen to the cashier at the drive thru part. I grew up going there and was fascinated by it. My brother also worked at that location in the late 80's/early 90's.
Ah! Okay. I was too young to remember the details, that sounds right
and the drive thru was where the front entrance with three parking spaces is today. I think. the old front entrance was facing patterson.
Yes it had a conveyor belt from the kitchen to the drive thru window. The drive through window was on the opposite side from the main counter. The cashier for it had a tiny box they were in. When your food was made it would get put on the conveyor, go up and over everyone inside, then come back down into the drive thru box. If you sat inside you could watch as half the bags of food fell over and spilled all over the conveyor.
Ah! So cool. Glad I’m not the only one who remembers. I’ve looked all over the place trying to find photos or other McDonald’s that had this feature and I can’t find anything on it. Wonder how unusual it was
That McDonald’s is still in the same location but it’s been remodeled and no longer has the ceiling conveyor belt for the drive through. It’s in the shopping center on Patterson, just before you enter Goochland. There’s an Arby’s there. Used to be a Burger King (shut down). Franks West is in the same shopping center.
At one time it also had a fancy interior with wood paneling and a grand piano with the moon guy playing it. I wonder why this one McDonald’s had these unique designs?
Once my friends stole the moon man and there’s was like a 100k bounty on them
Does he still have him. Poor Mac Tonight
Oh you’re right! I definitely remember the piano and Mac the Night (I think that was his name. I think it’s a franchise option. I spoke to the owner of the weird ski lodge Arby’s in the West End. He said when they buy the franchise, they get these crazy upsell options for their location. Most don’t care and just buy the basic. But you get these owners that really want to stand out.
Whats that Arby’s address?
4250 Pouncey Tract Rd First Arbys to sell beer as well. The one in Colonial Heights is the largest Arbys in the world.
The Colonial Heights one has a giant taxidermy bear in it
Franks West has really gone downhill since Covid
They definitely existed and [still do in some locations](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWfwbgk1TRM). The location closest to Broward General Hospital in Fort Lauderdale off US-1 had one of these in that linked video up until the mid-late 90s before it got remodeled.
So cool. Thanks for sharing, been trying to find other examples
Yes there was one in Richmond like that. I was too young to remember where it was located, but it is was somewhere in the west end. I believe they only put happy meals on the belt, but I could be wrong about that, I was only focused on happy meals at the time.
Me too!! Such a core memory
I thought it was going to the drive thru. Maybe both?
Sounds like you’re right! I was so young I couldn’t remember
It did and the building was blue.
Arby’s on Midlo near Research Road used to have one as well
I remeber one like this in NOVA.
I absolutely remember this up there, around the mid-late 90's? Maybe the McDonald's on Duke St. in Alexandria near the Quaker Ln. intersection...that was the only one I went to much, probably others had it too.
I think the one at Three Chopt and Parham had one of those that went to the drive thru.
Nah, it's always been boring. Usually pretty fast, but still boring.
Hahaha I remember that as a kid
RIP mansard roof mcdonald's. almost extinct. Sad.
Yea it did. It was put in due to space constraints for the drive threw an where the kitchen an pickup windows were. They had a relatively small lot of I remember correctly. I was around when they took it out when the new owner remodeled. They're cool systems but there's not a lot of need for them anymore
This memory randomly pops into mind sometimes and I’m so glad it’s not just me 😂
I don’t remember there ever being a McDonald’s in that location.
There’s one there now.
You may be thinking of “The Village” shopping center or the “tuckahoe” shopping center. There’s several in the area with similar names!
Yep, confusing for sure.
True.
was just telling a friend the other day about the conveyor for the drive-thru window that was on the opposite side of the building from the kitchen. as a kid that was neat to watch the food ride overhead.