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Wednesday, November 16, 2022

French fries, Lakewood's McDonald's

Do you remember which year McDonald’s came to Lakewood near Villa Plaza and across the street from Shakey’s? It was before 1966. Did you know McDonald's started switching from fresh potatoes to frozen French fries in 1966?

= Marne Noreen said 11/16/2023: I remember it being available during my junior year; 64-65. But I don't know for sure.

= Phil Nesse said 11/16/2022: Am guessing, but maybe 1964.

Postscript: Watching through outside window as potatoes 🥔cut into fries 🍟was a way to briefly while away time before order ready. As we well know, no drive through back then!

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Lakewood's McDonald's Golden Arches, a "self-service" restaurant at 6002 100th St SW, opened in April 1964. Across the street, at 6006 100th St., was Shakey's Pizza Parlour & Ye Public House. It may have opened during the summer
of 1965.

McDonald's incorrectly said it was in Villa Plaza. Shakey's said correctly that it was at an "Entrance to Villa Plaza."

A large ad (part of which is posted here) in the April 2, 1964, TNT/Tacoma News Tribune, said the new McDonald's at 72nd and Pacific in Tacoma and Lakewood's Villa Plaza Shakey's were open.

 A story in the same TNT issue said the Tacoma McDonald's had opened a "few weeks ago."