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Most would probably argue that McDonald's, the iconic American fast-food chain, is known for its menu, and not its decor. But Katrinka from Baltimore, Maryland, recently tweeted a few pics of a restaurant in Freeport, Maine, that has become popular because of the opposite.

"It looks like a funeral home outside and a retirement home inside," the Twitter user wrote. Her tweet instantly went viral and people started responding to it with other weird McDonald's locations. From a decommissioned airplane to an old bank building, or to even no-longer-existing but nevertheless fascinating constructions, it would definitely be interesting to order a burger in one of these joints!

The McDonald's that got Katrinka's attention actually has a pretty nice story behind it. When the fast-food chain was looking to expand to the town of Freeport, they ran into a problem: the Freeport building design restrictions were strict, and the authorities wanted the fast-food giant to maintain the area's aesthetic. To put it simply: no golden arches.

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MAnahP
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My home town. I remember it opening. I still like to eat in the plane pretending to be a little kid.

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So, McDonald's chose the Gore House that was built by a wealthy local merchant, William Gore, around 1850. At first, the town couldn't decide whether to allow this, but ultimately gave the go-ahead, and it opened in December of 1984. The restaurant retained its style, which the Freeport Historical Society describes as "a mix of Greek Revival and Italianate architecture."

One could walk in and think that this was just another local posh tavern similar to the one across the street. But this restaurant doesn't offer fine steak and craft beer; only Big Macs and Coca-Cola.

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kitty.boom
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They got nice lightings inside. Who would have thought McDonald would have chandelier?

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kitty.boom
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It looks like those paper town cardboard toys. Where you have to fold and assemble it.

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Erin
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One of my favorite childhood memories...St. Louis Weekends! We would see the Cardinals play a game or two, visit the zoo, and eat on the McDonald's Riverboat.

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Ninja Kitty
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

oh yeeaaahhh!! my cousin lives right by it! she took me there one time and we went inside, and it is very....[no word found]

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JessG
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do the strict building codes say the houses have to look like they're in Wonderland?

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Ivana Junas
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The villa of Chiang Ching-kuo, son of Chiang Kai-shek, for a period of about a month.

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Molly Cule
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The picture on the left is in it's own little cave at the foot of the stairs. It was pretty cramped but it was the most popular table.

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Taras O
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is from Vancouver, BC. They had it for the 86 Expo and now it's abandoned.

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Dippin Dot
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's one that looks like this in Oshkosh, WI, and I know of a few others around the MN/WI/IL part of the midwest.

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Cori
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one is kinda sad. I'm glad they saved it, but I feel like that grand old house deserved better.

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Jessica Brand
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh my God! I made myself so sick eating there! Hadn't eaten anything but DFAC food for 8 months and went overboard. But it was SOOOOO worth it on my way back for R&R.

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Note: this post originally had 78 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.