French-themed McDonald's - Non! (Gone)
Mequon, Wisconsin
They won't be serving Freedom Fries here. A French-themed McDonald's franchise opened in 2003 in Mequon, north of Milwaukee, Wisconsin just after the Bush administration's Iraq War-Obstinate France tiff. The timing couldn't have been worse, but if anything, it generated sympathy and a new appreciation of what's great about the French.
We visited in 2005, and the place was lunchtime busy. The restaurant features a 12-ft. tall Eiffel Tower replica and French decor. Like all themed-McD's, they don't go far enough with the concept -- the menu is still mostly in English (but you can order French wine). Except for us, no one paid any mind to the surroundings. No one would pose with the Eiffel Tower either...
We encourage Yank vacationers to shake off their nationalism and head here instead of the real France, which is too dangerous -- and Biggie Size those fries.
February 2007: Cancel that recommendation -- this McD's removed its Eiffel Tower to make room for additional seating.
