Does This Look Like a McDonald’s?

I believe this is part of Mcdonalds’ overall redesign. Basically, they’re trying to use the Starbucks model: loungey chairs and tables where people can linger over coffee, WiFi for laptops, muted colors, no clowns.

Another McDonalds…sigh…just what the city needs.

You’re right! The new McDonald’s stores are much more upscale. Take a look.

Fascinating! I haven’t been in a McDonald’s in probably 10 years. The idea of loungeyness and WiFi there is so hard to believe. Are they doing to put Ronald McDonald in Diesel jeans and have him carry an iPod? Are they going to call this “McDo,” to get all European and stuff?

OK, so we’re going to have a hip McDonald’s. Now, if only we could get a Panera Bread.

Thanks monkeyrotica & dl004d!

911 E ST is an awfully small location though for a lounge style McDonald’s.

Hopefully this McDonald’s will better then the one on 7th & G. Has anyone else noticed that McDonald’s on 7th and G is the only place on the block with an armed security guard during the evenings?

oh great, perma-stone interiors. better that neighborhood than this one!

“lounge” + $1 food menu + unmotivated employees + downtown = de facto homeless shelter.

I’m not saying that’s a good thing or a bad thing; that’s just what happens.

I was just out the other night on 7th and noticed the security guard outside McDonald’s. Seems like a good idea that he’s there.

I have to say, with all the fear-mongering that goes on about the dangers of going to the Giant on 9th & O Street, I find our small stretch of 7th (between G&H) to be far more threatening. I’ve shopped up at that Giant for 6 years and never felt nearly as uneasy as I do along 7th street in Chinatown on a Saturday night.

All that said, we live in a city and I expect and embrace everything that goes along with it. I’d be really bummed if all the streets of DC turned in to a Disney/suburban safety bubble.

How could you feel threatened on 7th between H and G? There are 100s of people on the street at most hours of the day. It’s just McDonald’s with the security problem. Chipotle, which is connected to McDonald’s has no security inside.

I agree.. I think the fact that there are so many people on the sidewalk between G & H at any point in time gives some the perception of insecurity. You can’t possibly observe everything that is going on around you, thus the insecure feelings.

there is the notion of ‘safety in numbers’ but it’s not always true. the crowded streets of 7th street at night are the perfect environment for pick pockets, etc.

the nightlife on 7th is a mixing bowl of wealthy folks and tough looking ‘kids’ (oh, i’m getting old). and, let’s say it like it is….some racial tensions. i actually saw a homeless guy spit on a woman the other day.

but like the original ‘anomyous’ posting said “we live in a city” and i don’t want it all sanitized.

There’s no denying the fact that the corner of 7th and H is a hotbed for crime and racial/economic tension. I have witnessed two instances of such myself and heard of several others. While that area is full of tourists and wealthy city dwellers, it is also an access point for those traveling by bus or on the Green Line. Personally, I think a permanent police foot patrol presence should be established on that corner regardless of the number of people around.

According to crimereports.com, there has been one reported theft in the past 30 days and no other reported crime at 7th & H St.. Not sure “hotbed” is the correct term when referring to crime at this transportation hub.

“Wealthy” city dwellers? I like that. Will somebody please consider me one of those?

On another issue, I don’t like pickpockets but hardly feel “threatened” or in danger for that kind of crime. I haven’t had it happen to me yet, but if it did I don’t think I’d be traumatized and move out of the city.

“lounge” + $1 food menu + unmotivated employees + downtown = de facto homeless shelter.

So what are you suggesting? Make the minimum purchase higher, a la Fourbucks, to eliminate the homeless shelter aspect?

I’ll take McDonald’s any day over more empty store fronts that turn into outdoor homeless shelthers. A prime example is now 7th St between D and E, aka, Homeless Row.

Sorry cityliving, how’s “city dwellers paying more than they can afford in rent to live downtown so they can boast about how urban they are?”

“”lounge” + $1 food menu + unmotivated employees + downtown = de facto homeless shelter.”

I agree. Even certain Starbuck’s turn into a lounge for some homeless people that sit on the overstuffed chairs for hours, literally 4 or 5 hours, not reading, not drinking coffee, just dozing off. The issue I have that in more than one instance, the smell has been so bad for so long, that paying customers have to leave. I think if the goal is to create an environment that attracts business, the manager needs to be prepared to deal with homeless issues and groups of young kids that might just want to ‘hang out’, but are excessively loud and rambunctious, if the problem arises (it doesn’t in many locations). If the goal is to create an enjoyable environment for the homeless and inappropriately behaved young adults to use as they please, then there won’t be an issue.

They started doing the upscale Mc’D over here in Europe a year or so ago. Even having McCafe in one near work. It’s fine. Definitely more adult oriented, but still the same crappy food.

Now that you mention it, I saw one when I was in China a year ago, and I was like, wow, nicest McD’s I’ve ever seen. I forgot about that.

I was in a similar McDonald’s in Munich. I can hear and see the DC version now. An interior of European contemporary decor with soft trance and acid house playing in the background while various homeless individuals groove in the aisle with cup in hand for spare change.