Did you know that the world’s oldest continuously operating McDonald’s is quietly flipping burgers in Downey?
Pull off Lakewood Boulevard for a glimpse at the McDonald’s of 1953, complete with its original Golden Arches facade and a vintage road sign still featuring the franchise’s original mascot, Speedee.
The original McDonald’s
The location first opened on August 18, 1953, as the third McDonald’s ever built and the second franchised by Richard and Maurice McDonald. As such, it was part of a wave of “Red and White” McDonald’s stands designed with eye-catching, Googie-style architecture, including the structural yellow arches, bold angles, and bright neon. You can’t miss the old-fashioned road sign featuring the pre-Ronald McDonald mascot, Speedee.
Businessman Ray Kroc turned the McDonald’s concept into an empire starting in 1961. However, the Downey location was spared Kroc’s modernization requirements, as it remained part of the original McDonald brothers’ company. That also meant it lacked corporate additions such as the Big Mac, resulting in poor sales, and the McDonald’s Corporation ultimately acquired it in 1990.
Despite initial plans to demolish the building, McDonald’s ended up restoring the restaurant in response to public demand, adding a museum, gift shop, and drive-thru window.
Visiting the Downey McDonald’s
These days, you can order your typical combo at the walk-up windows and enjoy your meal in the covered patio, taking in all of the retro design elements.
In the museum, you can check out a range of original McDonald’s artifacts, including vintage menus with 15-cent hamburgers, old packaging, early employee uniforms from the 1950s-1970s, and historic photos and marketing campaigns.
Together, the restaurant and museum make for a fun, no-frills trip back through local history.
📍 Address: 10207 Lakewood Blvd, Downey, CA 90241
🕜 Hours: Open from 5am to 11pm daily
