A lot of us like to sneak in a cheeky visit to McDonald’s every once in a while. The jury’s still out whether it’s the tasty junk food or our childhood nostalgia that keeps us coming back. Again. And again. Whether you’re a McDonald’s fan or you steer clear of it, you can’t deny that the chain’s restaurant designs had style and energy in the ‘80s and ‘90s.
Bored Panda’s got a wave of nostalgia ready for you with this list of vintage photos from McDonald’s several decades ago, so scroll down, upvote your faves, and share what you remember about the fast-food restaurants from your childhoods, dear Pandas.
We hope that we won’t make you too hungry! When you’re done with this cool photo list, check out r/nostalgia who constantly update their collection of old photos that give us that bittersweet (or is that sweet and sour?) feeling of nostalgia.
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When Ronald Mcdonald Had His Own “Gang” Of Fast Food Fanatics
When I was a kid my mum wore a purple felt tracksuit once and I said it reminded me of Grimace from McDonalds, I have never, and I suspect I never will, see such unadulterated rage in my life
Mcdonalds Fried Apple Pies With The Bubbly, Crispy Outside
Who Remembers When McDonald's Playland Looked Like This? Memories...
The worst part was when it was raining then the sun was shining right after, we insisted on going to play anyway, bathing in puddles :D
You wouldn’t mix up a photo of an old-timey McDonald’s interior with any other fast food restaurant. Nobody else had the same combination of cheeseburger seats, chunky plastic toys, and a loveable colorful cast of characters: from Ronald McDonald and Grimace to the Hamburgler and Mayor McCheese.
McDonald’s has changed a whole bunch over the years. Some might like the modern look, but a bunch of us would love it if the chain went back to its old playful aesthetic. Even if that’s not possible, we’d settle for a time machine so that we can grab one last old-school Happy Meal.
I See Your McDonald's Ashtray And Raise You My McDonald's Coke Spoons, Er, Coffee Stirrers
Fun fact: They did away with these because they were being used to sniff cocaine. https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/stirring-response
It’s not just the interior and exterior of McDonald’s that’s changed. The food’s way different, too. If you think that McDonald’s fries tasted better when you were young, it’s not just your nostalgia talking. In 1992, the chain changed how they made them. They switched from beef tallow to vegetable oil.
Let’s not forget how darn awesome McDonald’s Happy Meal toys used to be. I’ve still got my collection proudly displayed on my shelf. Now, whenever I go grab a burger at McD’s and glance at their toy display, I feel a bit disappointed. Either the toys aren’t as cool as before or I grew up.
Check Out This Awesome McDonald's High Chair I Got At The Flea Market Today
I am JEALOUS beyond words. I have it saved as a search on eBay because if I have another kid I want one safety be damned
These Cookies From McDonald's!!!
We still have cookies https://mcdonalds.com.au/menu/mcdonaldland-cookies
Finally, let’s remember just how amazing birthday parties at McDonald’s used to be. They were all the rage when I was growing up and they had a bit of everything. We’re pretty sure that kids have a lot of fun celebrating their birthdays at McDonald’s even now, but there’s just something missing. Or that could be the nostalgia talking.
Ronald Mcdonald Bench That Was Popular Around McDonald's Establishments Until Sometime Around The Early 2000s
McDonald's Birthday Parties... Complete With Ash Trays On The Tables For A Good Smoke After A Happy Meal
My son had his birthday party cople of times in McD in Skopje, some 17-18 years ago
Our Mcdonalds Hasn’t Changed Since I Was Little
Sometimes You'd Get It At School Events Or Sports Games, Delivered In This Big Yellow Cooler
Full to the brim with delicious orange drink (orange in color not flavor).
These Mcdonalds Halloween Chicken Nugget Toys
These were kind of squashy and had a little hole with a valve at the bottom. I used to use them as water pistols.
McDonald's Drive Thru Menu In The 80s
Tiny Toons Flip Cars - McDonald's Toys
These Old Amber Glass Ashtrays That Everyone Had (Including McDonald's!)
90s Mcdonalds Plates
I have spent so much money on Hercules toys, including McDonald's happy meals, because that animated movie was my than 6-7 yo son's favorite and he watched it on vhs almost every day for some 10 or 12 months
Mcdonald’s Happy-Meal Transformers. When Mcdonald’s Was Considered A Treat. Thanks Mom!
Did Any One Else Collect The “Disney Video Masterpiece” Toys From Mcdonald’s ?
Mcdonalds Gift Certificates. They Were The Golden Tickets Of Trick Or Treating
Let's say "or one regular Coca Cola" so it feels like there is options...
McDonald's Playground
Oh God and these were lava when it was 110* in Houston Texas in August
Does Anybody Remember When Walmart Had Mcdonald’s And The Ronald Mcdonald Bench?
Fisher Price Mcdonald’s Play Toys
SO THAT"S WHAT THEY WERE??!? My grandma had these as toys for us (born in 2002) but the darn things were so worn away I just thought they were generic toys. Oh the memories are flooding back now
McDonald's Back In The Day Had More Charm
Those Food-Shaped Chairs From The Mcdonalds Kids Playrooms In The Mid 90s
Super Mario Bros. 3 McDonald's Happy Meal
Note: this post originally had 52 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.
I feel sorry for anyone who didn't grow up on 80s/90s McDonald's
Jace. Who hurt you?
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Many people. Want a list?
Wow Jace you must be fun at parties
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I don’t go to parties.
Same oh same
I’m sad that people are so easily taken in by the corporate ploy to get kids and their parents into McDonald’s.
Dude, you need to stop taking things so seriously. It isn't about "being taken in by the corporate ploy...." Its just about how fun McDonalds was in the 80s/90s for birthday parties. I had several and they were wonderful! If you had a bad experience with it I am truly sorry! Take a deep breath and breathe. We all love you here
psst, hey Jace, I think Mcd's food is gross too.....
This is interesting
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Gross. Awful garbage food. Children who grew up on this food as a large part of their nutrition tend to end up with delayed exposure to food diversity and may end up averse to natural and normal foods and textures.
But it was fun Jace. Do you remember fun?
Yes, the food isn't/wasn't great, but the whole experience as a kid was awesome. Happy meal toys, the playgrounds, the apple pies, it definitely was the highlight of the week for me as a kid. Really good example of quality marketing.
lol I'm sorry you didn't get to experience the FUN that was 80s/90s McDonalds. You missed out and it shows
Wow. I remember alll of that. McDonald's was a treat for me as a kid. Rarely went but was always excited when I did.
Same it was so special and so amazing, the playgrounds weren't so generic they were fun
These things can't possibly be from 30 years ago. They feel like last week. Man, I'm old.
erm ... I suspect this is where everyone starts to call many things 'vintage' just to make themselves feel better about it all :)))
It's telling that this seems like "current McDonald's" to me. II guess I have not been in in a very very long time.
I feel sorry for anyone who didn't grow up on 80s/90s McDonald's
Jace. Who hurt you?
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Many people. Want a list?
Wow Jace you must be fun at parties
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
I don’t go to parties.
Same oh same
I’m sad that people are so easily taken in by the corporate ploy to get kids and their parents into McDonald’s.
Dude, you need to stop taking things so seriously. It isn't about "being taken in by the corporate ploy...." Its just about how fun McDonalds was in the 80s/90s for birthday parties. I had several and they were wonderful! If you had a bad experience with it I am truly sorry! Take a deep breath and breathe. We all love you here
psst, hey Jace, I think Mcd's food is gross too.....
This is interesting
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Gross. Awful garbage food. Children who grew up on this food as a large part of their nutrition tend to end up with delayed exposure to food diversity and may end up averse to natural and normal foods and textures.
But it was fun Jace. Do you remember fun?
Yes, the food isn't/wasn't great, but the whole experience as a kid was awesome. Happy meal toys, the playgrounds, the apple pies, it definitely was the highlight of the week for me as a kid. Really good example of quality marketing.
lol I'm sorry you didn't get to experience the FUN that was 80s/90s McDonalds. You missed out and it shows
Wow. I remember alll of that. McDonald's was a treat for me as a kid. Rarely went but was always excited when I did.
Same it was so special and so amazing, the playgrounds weren't so generic they were fun
These things can't possibly be from 30 years ago. They feel like last week. Man, I'm old.
erm ... I suspect this is where everyone starts to call many things 'vintage' just to make themselves feel better about it all :)))
It's telling that this seems like "current McDonald's" to me. II guess I have not been in in a very very long time.