San Bernardino, California: First Original McDonald's Museum
RoadsideAmerica.com Team Field Report
- Address:
- 1398 N. E St., San Bernardino, CA
- Directions:
- From Route 66/Mt. Vernon Ave. turn east at the stoplight onto Baseline St. Drive one mile, crossing over the I-215 freeway. Turn left (north) at the stoplight onto E St. Drive a quarter-mile. The museum will be on the left, at the corner of W. 14th St.
- Hours:
- Daily 10-5. Gated after hours. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
- Phone:
- 909-885-6324
- RA Rates:
- Major Fun
Results 1 to 5 of 8... Page of 2 [Next 3 items]
The founder of the Juan Pollo restaurant chain bought this property in a foreclosure sale and turned part of it into a McDonald's Museum. Bonus: 15-cent McDonald's sign out front.
Roadsideamerica.com Report... [05/14/2023]
First Original McDonald's Museum:
A Happy Meal of McD trivia and memorabilia at the original fast food phenom site, opened in 1940 by Dick and Mac McDonald, now a museum.
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Great piece of fast food history. You find out the REAL facts about the history of McDonald's, not the Ray Kroc version. I did not know that Ray Kroc was actually a milk shake machine salesman, who met the McDonald brothers when he wondered how come they bought so many of his milk shake machines. That so-called McDonald's #1 in the midwest was actually #9, but the first of the Ray Kroc stores after he bought the franchise rights. So much great McDonald's history!
We had a special treat to meet Albert Okura, the owner of the museum, the Juan Pollo chicken stores, plus the town of Amboy! Very interesting man, who shared all the fast food history that started in the San Bernardino area. We found out that Taco Bell founder Greg Bell was from San Bernardino and he invented the crispy shell taco.
[JJJ, 07/14/2014]
San Bernardino is the home of many firsts, including the first U.S. appearance by The Rolling Stones. It's also the birthplace of Taco Bell, Bakers, and home of the World's First McDonald's! The original building was demolished in 1972, but the current property, also home to the Juan Pollo restaurant chain, hosts an amazing collection of pre-Ray Croc McDonald's items. Some date back to 1940, when the McDonald Brothers moved the "Airdrome" to San Bernardino.
Come on a weekend; the tour guide we had was really fun, and he was also one of the artists who worked on the outside mural. It depicts the history of San Bernardino, McDonald's, and Route 66. There is also a great military museum next door. And they are both FREE!
[American Tourister, 01/09/2013]
Inside, look for what is billed as the world's largest french fry, 11 feet. The origin of the fry is not explained, but there is a photo with it of what appears to be its creator, with the museum sign and the fresher fry.
[Steve Cook, 07/28/2012]Page of 2 [Next 3 items]
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The Route 66 memorabilia displayed in the McDonald's Museum is the collection of Danny Castro, who had planned to move it into its own museum in late 2010, but didn't.