(actually written and posted after midnight..so it's Friday here folks...)

In addition to Wednesday's Recipes, I am going to be featuring a small-town America roadside attraction every Friday (if I remember). If I don't have an attraction to review, I'll do restaurants or towns. How's that?

Today I am starting off with a local spot in Des Plaines, IL - the McDonald's Museum.

That's right folks, Mickey D's beginnings.

According to Roadside America, which is a fascinating website by the way, "McDonald's Corporation held onto the patch of property west of Chicago where franchise Store #1 once stood; Ray Kroc first opened for business there on April 15, 1955. It was demolished and replaced in 1984 by a modern McD's, still in operation. The company's PR big wigs finally realized they had a history to preserve, so they constructed a complete replica of Store #1 right across the street in Des Plaines".

Hmmm, a museum for the Big Mac... that's food for thought. Let's just hope that Burger King doesn't follow with a Whopper of an idea. I can just see it now: the giant Burger King standing at the entryway, holding a burger and smiling that evil grin of his. (shudder)


(McDonald's Museum and Store No. 1: 400 N. Lee St., Des Plaines, IL Hours: Memorial Day - Labor Day, Call for times. Phone: 847-297-5022)