Saturday's opening shot

A hot summer Saturday morning on 14th Street near First Avenue...

Noted

twitter currently feeling like the delancey street mcdonalds

— Desus Nice (@desusnice) November 10, 2022

If you haven't been following Elon Musk's chaotic takeover of Twitter, this Associated Press article provides some background. 

H/T taylorlorenz3.0

That fake McDonald's sign is no longer on the Zum Schneider space

A quick follow-up to the post from Friday ... in which a coming soon (January 2021!) sign for McDonald's appeared on the door of the former Zum Schneider space on Avenue C at Seventh Street. The sign is now gone — apparently someone was not — yuk! yuk! —lovin' this hoax...

By all accounts, the sign, which looked Photoshopped in the daylight and suspiciously appeared outside the door, was a fake.

Anyway, so we'll see what might be next for real here. Zum Schneider, the popular biergarten and restaurant, closed here after 20 years in late February. The co-op board reportedly would not renew the lease.

Is a McDonald's opening in the former Zum Schneider space on Avenue C?

Updated 1:30 p.m.

Several readers who got a closer look at the sign say it's a fake — it looks Photoshopped and it's taped to the outside of the door, which is suspicious.

Updated 11/22

The sign has been removed.

This just in... a reader (thanks Ryan!) shares these photos from the former Zum Schneider space on Avenue C at Seventh Street ... where there is now a coming soon sign for McDonald's...

The sign, with the McDonald's logo, reads: "We're Lovin' It! Coming January 2021. Open 24 hours."

At this very moment, we're not sure it this is legit or not — possibly someone trying to be funny. (Still thinking of the Hooters hoax at the former 2nd Ave Deli site way back in 2006.) We'll look to get verification on this.

Zum Schneider, the popular biergarten and restaurant, closed here after 20 years in late February. According to Zum Schneider owner Sylvester Schneider at the time, the co-op's lawyer here on Seventh Street stated that the building had no intention to renew the lease.

If this is true, then it will mark the third McDonald's in the neighborhood, joining the one on First Avenue at 14th Street and on First Avenue near Sixth Street. (The outpost on Third Avenue closed in June 2017.)

911 calls in the coronavirus era

Reported at the McDonald's on 14th Street near First Avenue via the Citizen app.

The McTrump Value Meal at the McDonald's on 1st Avenue

Spotted at the McDonald's on First Avenue near Sixth Street... the McTrump Value Meal, featuring a Big Mac, Filet-o-Fish, McChicken, Cheeseburger, Extra-Large Fries, milkshake and four Diet Cokes...



Hijinks via @tglnyc ... photos via a reader.

The McDonald's on 1st Avenue is back in McAction

The McDonald's on First Avenue between Sixth Street and Seventh Street reopened today as promised after a nearly month-long renovation.

Among the upgrades: There are now four self-service ordering kiosks where you can use a credit/debit/gift card or some mobile payment system. You can order here then use cash and coupons at the register. (You can also bypass the kiosks and order from a cashier.) In case you're having problems figuring out the ordering system, there were two McDonald's employees roaming the kiosk area.

You can customize your order at the kiosk, adding, say, butter, cheese or sausage to your Sausage Egg McMuffin, not that we're recommending this.

Aside from those uncomfortable-looking stools we noted the other day, there are a variety of booths and chairs for your dining-in experience in the renovated dining area ...

Your last weekly McDonald's update until next week

The under-renovation McDonald's on First Avenue between Sixth Street and Seventh Street reopens on Monday, an employee told EVG McDonald's correspondent Steven.

The updated interior includes self-serve ordering kiosks and some uncomfortable looking stools...



This McDonald's outpost, which opened here in the early 1980s, closed for the upgrade back on July 29.

Your McDonald's renovation report

The McDonald's on First Avenue between Sixth Street and Seventh Street closed last Tuesday for renovations that are expected to last three weeks.

Workers have already cleared the sidewalk bridge. And yesterday, part of the new McD's facade went up as the top photo via Steven shows.

McD's facade watchers — currently one person — are said to be anxiously awaiting the final facade reveal.

In 2015, workers removed the (at least) 7-year-old "Dollar Menu" signage...



... to make room for a big Big Mac and large container of upside-down fries...



Meanwhile, the owners of Organic Grill nearby on First Avenue are offering currently displaced McDonald's customers a deal... if you don't like your meal. then it's free...

View this post on Instagram

Hey Lower East side residents! Our blocks ( 6th and 7th st ) on First ave are officially McDonald’s Free for the first time in at least 20 years! Not for long though, just while the store undergoes complete renovation. For the time being, let’s celebrate! If you know someone who used to eat there, please let them know: 🛑🛑🛑🛑I invite all of them to try The Organic Grill food. If they don’t like it, they don’t pay! Fair? Deal?🛑🛑🛑🛑Let me know . You are more than welcome to repost it ! #nycveganrestaurants #veganeastvillage #organicgrill #organicgrillnewyork #eastvillagevegan #plantbasednewyork #veganeatsnyc #veganeatsnewyork #nycveganfood #nycveganfoodie #veganfoodnewyork #veganfoodnyc #vegansofnewyorkcity #vegansofnewyork #veganfoodnewyork #vegansofnyc #veggieburgernyc #veggieburgernewyork #veganburgernewyork #veganburgernyc #nycvegan #vegansofnyc #newyorkvegan #veganrestaurantsnyc #veganrestaurants #vegannyc #veganbrunchnyc #organicrestaurantsnyc #veganbrunchnewyork #vegbrunchnewyork #nycveganbrunch #newyorkveganbrunch #vegansofnewyork

A post shared by ORGANIC GRILL (@organicgrill) on Aug 8, 2019 at 4:13pm PDT

As for the "McDonald’s Free for the first time in at least 20 years" line... I know we talked about this before — this McDonald's location has been around since the 1980s. (If someone wants to chime in with more exact info...)


[McD's in the 80s pic via Jeremiah Moss]

The McDonald's on 1st Avenue is closed for a gut renovation

The McDonald's on First Avenue between Sixth Street and Seventh Street closed yesterday as workers quickly gutted the space for an McUpgrade...



EVG reader Samir Randeria, who shared these photos, spoke with a supervisor on the scene. This McDonald's should be back open in about three weeks. (This location received an updated facade in July 2017.) It was not immediately known if the upside down box of fries on the marquee will be moved to a different position, like, say, sideways.

Last summer, the McDonald's on 14th Street at First Avenue also closed for a three-week upgrade, which included the arrival of digital self-order kiosks.

Previously on EV Grieve:
1st Avenue McDonald's replaces $1 menu signage; new emphasis placed on the Big Mac, large fries

Revamped McDonald's ready to reopen on 14th Street

[Photo from July 2 by Tara Cox]

The McDonald's at 404 E. 14th St. near First Avenue closed back on July 2 for an interior-exterior renovation combo... and yesterday, a new McDonald's sign arrived ... EVG regular Greg Masters shared these photos...



This McDonald's was expected to reopen sometime today...



You can see the difference now in the facade...


[Google Street View from November]

Not sure of the extent of the makeover inside just yet. The McDonald's on Essex and Delancey reopened in April after a five-month renovation. Changes there included the arrival of digital self-order kiosks, table service and mobile ordering.

Perhaps the renovation will help boost those Yelp reviews here. Some one-star Yelpers state that this is among the worst McDonald's in the city.

'A Fresh New Look' coming to the 14th Street McDonald's

[Photo by Pinch]

As noted on July 5, the McDonald's on 14th Street near First Avenue closed without any notice... work permits point to an interior renovation.

This past week, a banner arrived on the plywood promising "a fresh new look" ... meanwhile, workers are gutting the inside ...



An EVG reader left this comment on the previous McD's post:

I live in the building so have this info: They will be closed for 3 weeks and are remodeling: Trying out a mostly black facade in an attempt to class it up.....

Previously on EV Grieve:
The McDonald's on 14th Street at 1st Avenue is now closed, and gutted, for the time being

The McDonald's on 14th Street at 1st Avenue is now closed, and gutted, for the time being

The McDonald's at 404 E. 14th St. near First Avenue was boarded up on Tuesday ... its McSignage removed.

The DOB permits posted on the plywood note an "interior renovation."



There isn't any note to patrons about a closure — temporary or permanent. (The McDonald's at 25 Third Ave. at St. Mark's shut down in June 2017 after 20 years in business.)

The arrival of the work permits, of course, suggest a renovation or upgrade, perhaps like the McD's on Delancey and Essex.

Several of the one-star Yelp reviews about this location state that this is among the worst McDonald's in the city.

Thanks to EVG reader Tara Cox for the photos and tip!

A tale of 2 chains on 3rd Avenue

The Shake Shack is looking close to opening at 51 Astor Place/the IBM Watson Building/Death Star. (Haven't heard an exact date just yet.)

Meanwhile, across Third Avenue, here's a look at the former McDonald's ...



This McDonald's location closed on June 1 after deciding not to renew the lease after 20 years here near St. Mark's Place.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The Shake Shack effect? McDonald's on 3rd Avenue at St. Mark's Place has closed after 20 years

McDonald's loses its golden arches on 1st Avenue

In a dramatic development at McDonald's on First Avenue, a crane crew was on the scene here between Sixth Street and Seventh Street for a signage switcheroo this morning...

As you can see, workers replaced the McDonald's with the stylized yellow "M" of the Golden Arches to...



... a sign that a typographist standing nearby believes is now entirely Helvetica Neue Black...



There was no immediate response from anyone else in the area.

The Shake Shack effect? McDonald's on 3rd Avenue at St. Mark's Place has closed after 20 years

[Photos by EVG reader MP]

Some passersby were shocked yesterday to see that the McDonald's on Third Avenue at St. Mark's Place had shut down. A sign on the door noted, "Sadly, this location is closing."



In June 2015, The Real Deal reported that real-estate investor Arthur Shapolsky was in contract to buy the corner assemblage — 23 Third Ave., 27 Third Ave. and 3 St. Mark's Place — for roughly $50 million. The site could reportedly accommodate a 41,500-square-foot commercial building or a residential one of roughly half the size.

However, Joseph Gabay, whose family owns the properties, told me last night that they have not been sold despite the continued rumors.

"McDonald’s has chosen not to renew their lease after a 20-year run," he said via email. "With the addition of 51 Astor, the dynamic of the square has changed."

As noted earlier this week, Shake Shack is expected to open later this year directly across the street in a corner space at 51 Astor Place.

"With a contemporary brand moving in like Shake Shack and McDonald's leaving the change is evident," Gabay said.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Report: Northeast corner of St. Mark's Place and 3rd Ave. fetching $50 million for development site

P.S.

And what happened to the Golden Arches?

@evgrieve McDonald’s arches removed in armored truck. pic.twitter.com/x7JRDrSRqd

— Jacob Ford (@unitof) June 1, 2017

[Updated] McDonald's remains closed on 1st Avenue after 'the accident'

Just after 7 this evening, an EVG reader noted that there was a fire at the McDonald's on First Avenue near Sixth Street. We're not sure about the extent of the fire — it didn't make the cut for the @FDNYalerts on Twitter.

There doesn't appear to be any visible damage in the restaurant. However, this location remains closed for the evening. Signage on the door refers to "the accident."



Updated 5/20
The restaurant is back McOpen.

Also, per Giovanni in the comments, there was a grease fire in the kitchen. (Perhaps the employee unwittingly sat on this East Fifth Street tree guard?)

1st Avenue McDonald's replaces $1 menu signage; new emphasis placed on the Big Mac, large fries

[Image via Google]

Longtime McDonald's signage watchers were treated yesterday to something new… as workers replaced the familiar (and colorful and at least 7-year-old) "Dollar Menu" on the marquee here on First Avenue near East Sixth Street…


[Photo by Vinny and O]

[Photo by EVG reader Rainer]

… to an admittedly more staid look featuring a pretty big Big Mac and more fries than can actually fit into the fry box…



McDonald's is reportedly moving away from its Dollar Menu, and emphasizing new, mid-priced items.

Please leave your comments on McDonald's new approach in the comments. (Sample discussion starters: Why is the box of fries upside down?)

Report of an OD at the 1st Avenue McDonald's

According to multiple witnesses, emergency responders carried a young man out of the McDonald's on First Avenue near East Sixth Street around 6:30 tonight. He was pronounced dead after being administered CPR.

Witnesses said that the man died of heroin overdose in the restroom. His female companion was seen on the street inconsolable.

Photo via Bill the Libertarian Anarchist

Noted

Outside the McDonald's on Third Avenue at St. Mark's Place this afternoon. Eat a Big Mac. Do some planks.