I just returned from a trip throughout the northwest part of the country, South Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, Nevada. One peculiar thing we noticed during our time in Utah was that there were absolutely ZERO McDonald’s restaurants anywhere. We really do not frequent the place, but since the golden arches are ubiquitous everywhere else we thought it really strange that we saw none of them in Utah. Anyone know what the deal is??
I just searched the store locator at www.mcdonalds.com and found a couple dozen in Salt Lake City alone.
Don’t know where you were, but you must have just missed them. There are 30+ McDonald’s in the Salt Lake area, 3 or so in American Fork/ Lehi, at least that many in North Salt Lake/ Bountiful, several in Provo, a few in Odgen, etc.
Where were you?
Ugly
Well, when we drove through Utah, we were mainly on I-15 going south to Las Vegas. Guess there just weren’t many off of the interstate! It was strange to us because usually in any cluster of hotels/gas stations, etc. there would be a McD’s, but we saw none the day we drove through that stretch of road.
It is true that pretty much most of everything in the way of shops and stores in Utah is in and around what’s known as the Wasatch Front. This is the approx 100 mile stretch from Ogden to Provo, centered on Salt Lake. So once you get south of Provo, there isn’t much of anything outside of the towns.
But a few of those towns have grown quite a bit in the last few years, and some of them certainly have a set of the golden arches.
Of course I don’t know where you picked up I-15 to head south, but I make the drive from SLC to Mesquite (or on to Las Vegas) several times a year, and I can say for certain that Payson, Spanish Fork, Beaver, Cedar City, and St.George (they have 4 or 5) all have McDonalds, and all have at least one sign, store, or both visible from I-15. I’ve seen them many times, and stopped to eat in them more times than I care to remember.
But the signs aren’t all very big, and it’s definitely easy to miss a single store among the truckstops out in the middle of nowhere. But rest assured, they are there.
Next time you come through, we’ll have to talk get-together (especially since I can’t make the Las Vegas Dopefest in two weeks, Damn!)
Ugly
If you drove in from Nevada on I-80, I can see how you might miss the bizillion McDonalds that are here. However, if you came from Wyoming and drove on I-15 south past Centerville, you drove right past one. It’s easily visible from the freeway.
I bet your carmates just didn’t want to go to MickeyD’s, can’t blame them. Now if you want a real challenge, try to buy a decent dry martini in Utah.
I’m not a martini drinker (on the rare occasions when I do drink I’m a G&T kind of guy, or now and then a margarita) but I’ve been told by reliable sources that at least one of the bartenders at Port O’ Call can make a great martini. Unfortunately I can’t remember which one. Also I hear if you go in a few times when they aren’t terribly busy and get to know them a bit, that you may be able to get them tailored to your taste.
The other thing I’m told is that large tips help. 
Ugly