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A lot of us like to sneak in a cheeky visit to McDonald’s every once in a while. The jury’s still out whether it’s the tasty junk food or our childhood nostalgia that keeps us coming back. Again. And again. Whether you’re a McDonald’s fan or you steer clear of it, you can’t deny that the chain’s restaurant designs had style and energy in the ‘80s and ‘90s.

Bored Panda’s got a wave of nostalgia ready for you with this list of vintage photos from McDonald’s several decades ago, so scroll down, upvote your faves, and share what you remember about the fast-food restaurants from your childhoods, dear Pandas.

We hope that we won’t make you too hungry! When you’re done with this cool photo list, check out r/nostalgia who constantly update their collection of old photos that give us that bittersweet (or is that sweet and sour?) feeling of nostalgia.

#1

When Ronald Mcdonald Had His Own “Gang” Of Fast Food Fanatics

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Unwelcomed Guest
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was a kid my mum wore a purple felt tracksuit once and I said it reminded me of Grimace from McDonalds, I have never, and I suspect I never will, see such unadulterated rage in my life

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#3

Who Remembers When McDonald's Playland Looked Like This? Memories...

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frederic eeckman
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The worst part was when it was raining then the sun was shining right after, we insisted on going to play anyway, bathing in puddles :D

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You wouldn’t mix up a photo of an old-timey McDonald’s interior with any other fast food restaurant. Nobody else had the same combination of cheeseburger seats, chunky plastic toys, and a loveable colorful cast of characters: from Ronald McDonald and Grimace to the Hamburgler and Mayor McCheese.

McDonald’s has changed a whole bunch over the years. Some might like the modern look, but a bunch of us would love it if the chain went back to its old playful aesthetic. Even if that’s not possible, we’d settle for a time machine so that we can grab one last old-school Happy Meal.

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#5

I See Your McDonald's Ashtray And Raise You My McDonald's Coke Spoons, Er, Coffee Stirrers

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Seleta Garcia
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fun fact: They did away with these because they were being used to sniff cocaine. https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/stirring-response

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It’s not just the interior and exterior of McDonald’s that’s changed. The food’s way different, too. If you think that McDonald’s fries tasted better when you were young, it’s not just your nostalgia talking. In 1992, the chain changed how they made them. They switched from beef tallow to vegetable oil.

Let’s not forget how darn awesome McDonald’s Happy Meal toys used to be. I’ve still got my collection proudly displayed on my shelf. Now, whenever I go grab a burger at McD’s and glance at their toy display, I feel a bit disappointed. Either the toys aren’t as cool as before or I grew up.

#7

Check Out This Awesome McDonald's High Chair I Got At The Flea Market Today

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Katie and Jared Coates
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am JEALOUS beyond words. I have it saved as a search on eBay because if I have another kid I want one safety be damned

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#8

McDonald's Toys From 1987

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Woody
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The burgers just the burger... (not a transformer) 🍔

John Montgomery
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No it is too. You can see the lines. They just decided not to transform that one. Including the fries I I have a set of most of them. I don't think I have the drink.

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Analyn Lahr
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Either my older sister still had one (I was born in 1987) or they came out with these again in the early 90s but we had the drink cup.

David Dubas
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The transformers that we had in Canada actually turned into cool spaceships and jets.

Orionpax75
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Right after the transformers released in 86 I still have the chicken nuggets one. Believe it or not these are worth a few grand in mint condition.

John Montgomery
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They must've just gotten popular. I got most of them a few years ago, and I don't think we paid over twenty or thirty for them. Maybe that means still in the baggies.

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April Simnel
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh my gawd. You kids. My location always ran out of the McNugget box one first during the whole promotion, and the little boys would throw fits.

JeffC
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

HOLY C**P!!! I haven't seen my Chicken McNugget toy since then LOL!!! WOW

Kahlo Smith
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Amazing... that cheeseburger clearly transformed into a cheeseburger with extra pickles!

Rob Chapman
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah yes, The McDonald's Transformers. They were more than meets the eye.

Nikola Murphy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My daughter got the burger one in her Happy Meal a few months ago. They brought the "retro" ones back!

Slim 864 GVG
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I worked at McDonald's in 1987. It was my first job and I made $3.15 an hour. Lol

Stuart Conway
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Grew up in Fairbanks, AK. I swear they only shipped the yellow one that far north. Had at least 6, stopped eating kid's meal at that point. Ha

Kiera Mortensen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had all of these at one point. I don't know where any of them are now.

luvu2themoon downbak2thedrt
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had the burger. Never ever saw anyone with any the others. Only in the display case.

comboplush
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oooo I remember those! 87 was a bit early for me, though, they might have been released a bit later in Europe. I oddly remember the drink one and how it felt like to hold it, but don't know if I had it or just saw it somewhere else.

Rus Franklin
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We still have some of these, but our prize possession is the complete Tarzan Tree House and Inspector Gadget!

Lauren Caswell
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh my wow I had these I'd forgotten! I'm sure they made tmnt ones like that too...gah nostalgia indeed! ^-^

Ritchat
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4 years ago

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#9

These Cookies From McDonald's!!!

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SanchaTheSeeker
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We still have cookies https://mcdonalds.com.au/menu/mcdonaldland-cookies

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Finally, let’s remember just how amazing birthday parties at McDonald’s used to be. They were all the rage when I was growing up and they had a bit of everything. We’re pretty sure that kids have a lot of fun celebrating their birthdays at McDonald’s even now, but there’s just something missing. Or that could be the nostalgia talking.

#11

Ronald Mcdonald Bench That Was Popular Around McDonald's Establishments Until Sometime Around The Early 2000s

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Llewella
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The one we had at the McD I worked at was stolen. Returned after a week. Judging from the photo's in an envelop around his neck, someone took him on a roadtrip. We framed the photo's

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#12

McDonald's Birthday Parties... Complete With Ash Trays On The Tables For A Good Smoke After A Happy Meal

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Ilir Ajdini
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My son had his birthday party cople of times in McD in Skopje, some 17-18 years ago

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#18

Sometimes You'd Get It At School Events Or Sports Games, Delivered In This Big Yellow Cooler

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#19

These Mcdonalds Halloween Chicken Nugget Toys

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Molly Cule
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These were kind of squashy and had a little hole with a valve at the bottom. I used to use them as water pistols.

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#21

McDonald's Teenie Beanie Babies

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ƒιѕн
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sad to say but I was one of the collectors of these. I also still have all of them. This just reminded me I have them stored in huge totes in the closet.

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#28

90s Mcdonalds Plates

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Ilir Ajdini
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have spent so much money on Hercules toys, including McDonald's happy meals, because that animated movie was my than 6-7 yo son's favorite and he watched it on vhs almost every day for some 10 or 12 months

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#32

Mcdonalds Gift Certificates. They Were The Golden Tickets Of Trick Or Treating

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Justine Nicole
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let's say "or one regular Coca Cola" so it feels like there is options...

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#35

Does Anybody Remember When Walmart Had Mcdonald’s And The Ronald Mcdonald Bench?

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Charlotte
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have an ancient, highly suggestive photo of me and Ronald on one of these benches. Let's just say there's a reason he looks so happy! ;)

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#36

Fisher Price Mcdonald’s Play Toys

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Xavier Wescott
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

SO THAT"S WHAT THEY WERE??!? My grandma had these as toys for us (born in 2002) but the darn things were so worn away I just thought they were generic toys. Oh the memories are flooding back now

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#44

These Toys From McDonald's In The Vhs Packaging

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#45

Stumbled Upon This In My House Today. McDonald's Transformer From The Late 80's. Remember These?

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#49

Mcdonalds 101

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Gareth Graham
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I worked during this nightmare. They didn't have the usual 1 week rotation for a month promotion. Instead they were all available for the whole month, but they were in 'blind' bags. There was always at least one adult standing at the counter asking to feel through a large pile of bags to try and get the one their 'child' was after

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