In 1980, McDonald’s launched its first floating restaurant in St. Louis, Missouri. This innovative concept marked a significant moment in the fast-food industry, setting a trend for themed restaurants.
Although often referred to as a paddleboat, the restaurant was actually a barge designed to resemble a paddleboat from the 1880s, measuring 185 feet in length and 50 feet in height.
A Grand Structure on the Mississippi River
The McDonald’s paddleboat was an imposing structure. It was an up-fitted cement barge, adorned to mirror an 1880s-style paddleboat.
According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, inside, the décor included 19th-century paintings and murals, and the restaurant could seat 134 people indoors and 200 outside. It stood out not just for its size but also for its unique design and setting on the river.
A Unique Dining Experience in St. Louis
St. Louis locals and tourists alike frequented the McDonald’s paddleboat for its unique dining experience. According to Cameron Collins, author of “Lost Treasures of St. Louis,” the floating McDonald’s was a popular destination.
He recalls to the Riverfront Times, “I remember taking my parents to the floating McDonald’s when they came to visit me from upstate New York.”
The Essence of the McDonald’s Paddleboat
Customers remembered the McDonald’s paddleboat not only for its food but also for its distinctive ambience.
The Riverfront Times reported that the establishment smelled like “a mix of diesel, fryer grease, and beached catfish.” Despite this, the novelty of dining on a barge made it a memorable experience for many visitors.
Inspiration for Others: The Rise of Floating Fast Food
The McDonald’s paddleboat’s success inspired similar ventures. The Drive recalls that in 1986, a second floating McDonald’s opened in Vancouver, and there was interest from a Hong Kong franchisee.
A nearby floating Burger King also emerged, although it was destroyed in a 1993 flood, as reported by the Riverfront Times.
An Ominous Start and Uncertain End
The Drive details how the McDonald’s paddleboat’s inauguration was marked by a bad omen, as breaking the Champagne bottle on its bow took two tries, a concerning sign in seafaring culture.
In 2000, the St. Louis Business Journal reported its closure due to structural issues. McDonald’s told the Journal that the barge needed “extensive renovation, which is financially not justifiable at the present.”
The Disappearance of the McDonald’s Paddleboat
According to The Drive, after its closure, the fate of the McDonald’s paddleboat remained unknown. While it’s speculated that it may have been decommissioned or repurposed, there is no documented evidence of what actually happened.
This has left many to wonder about the ultimate fate of this once-popular riverfront attraction.
Memories Preserved in Postcards
The McDonald’s paddleboat is now remembered through postcards and memorabilia.
These postcards, likely sold onboard, serve as a reminder of the restaurant’s heyday and its role as a distinctive part of the city’s cultural landscape.
Cameron Collins’ Tribute to a Lost Icon
In his book “Lost Treasures of St. Louis,” Cameron Collins pays homage to the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the McDonald’s paddleboat (via The Riverfront Times).
He compiled his list by interviewing locals and noting the places that came up most frequently. Collins said: “It had to be in the book … The same things popped up in all the interviews, and this was one of them.”
The McDonald’s Paddleboat’s Impact on Local Culture
The McDonald’s paddleboat was more than a restaurant; it was a cultural icon for St. Louis residents. Collins explained that for children growing up in the 1980s, dining on this floating McDonald’s was a unique experience that transformed a simple meal into something special.
The restaurant’s setting on the Mississippi River added to its appeal, making it a memorable part of the city’s history.
The McBarge: An Unsuccessful Expansion
While the McPaddleboat was successful in St. Louis, McDonald’s attempts to expand the concept elsewhere were less fruitful.
The Riverfront Times explains that the McBarge, introduced in Vancouver during the 1986 Expo, failed to replicate the McPaddleboat’s success. After several years, it was decommissioned and left in an inlet.
Legacy of the McDonald’s Paddleboat
The McDonald’s paddleboat’s story continues to resonate with those who remember its unique presence on the Mississippi.
Collins shares a vivid memory of his experience on the paddleboat with the Riverfront Times: “My dad had never seen the Mississippi up close and personal, and tried to wade in it. I have memories of eating a Big Mac and taking in the Arch and hearing my mom yell at my dad, ‘Peter! Get away from the edge!’”
