The oldest McDonald’s still in operation (1953). Downey, CA
In the quiet suburban city of Downey, California, a piece of fast food history still stands tall - the oldest operating McDonald's restaurant.
This unassuming hamburger stand opened its doors on August 18, 1953, becoming only the third McDonald's location in existence.
It was franchised by the McDonald brothers themselves, well before the involvement of business magnate Ray Kroc who would later transform the company into a global juggernaut.
With its signature golden arches and walk-up service style, this humble eatery offered a glimpse into the pioneering vision of efficient, high-quality fast food that would revolutionize the restaurant industry.
For decades, the Downey McDonald's operated in peaceful anonymity, a beloved local gem.
However, its fortunes changed in the 1990s as the McDonald's corporation modernized, leaving this vintage restaurant as the last of its kind.
Suddenly thrust into the spotlight, it faced the threat of demolition until public outcry demanded its preservation.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation named it one of the 11 Most Endangered Historic Places in 1994, spurring a two-year restoration effort.
What could have been yet another casualty of corporate expansion became an unlikely cultural icon - a vintage time capsule whisking customers back to the origins of one of America's most recognized brands.
Today, this architectural jewel from the golden age of drive-ins continues to serve up nostalgic charm and simple burgers to patrons young and old.
An adjacent museum offers fascinating insights into McDonald's' humble beginnings, while the original restaurant itself has been preserved in a state of '50s time warp.
Stepping through its diner-style doors, one can almost envision a young Ray Kroc dreaming of a future fast food empire as he visits the McDonald brothers' ingenious operation.