# What "Original Locations" have you been to? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 23, 2025, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-original-locations-have-you-been-to/1024224 "2025-10-23T15:40:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2025, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-original-locations-have-you-been-to/1024224/41 "2025-10-24T01:07:41Z")
I got beignets and chicory coffee at the one and only Café du Monde, Jackson Square, New Orleans. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2025, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-original-locations-have-you-been-to/1024224/42 "2025-10-24T01:15:25Z")
As a native of San Bernardino and of an age, I have eaten at the _original_ McDonald’s on “E” St. just south of San Bernardino High School. I’ve also eaten at the original Rubio’s in Pacific Beach. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2025, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-original-locations-have-you-been-to/1024224/43 "2025-10-24T01:20:02Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > I’ve also eaten at the original Rubio’s in Pacific Beach. Me too. I forgot about that. I lived walking distance from there. Also the original Roberto’s in Mission Beach. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2025, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-original-locations-have-you-been-to/1024224/44 "2025-10-24T01:20:15Z")
I’ve been to the original Hard Rock Cafe in London. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2025, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-original-locations-have-you-been-to/1024224/45 "2025-10-24T01:26:03Z")
I’m pretty sure I’ve eaten at the original location _Taco-Tia_ (Glen Bell’s proto _Taco Bell_) and I’ve been to the _Mitla Cafe,_ which was the inspiration for both. ---
**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2025, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-original-locations-have-you-been-to/1024224/46 "2025-10-24T02:03:14Z")
Shakespear’s Pizza in Columbia, MO. There was one when I was in college in the mid 80’s, now three. Dang good pizza. The last time I was there was about 10 years ago. > **[Shakespeare's Pizza – Shakespeare's Pizza](https://shakespeares.com/)** ---
**Author:** ![Tatterdemalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2025, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-original-locations-have-you-been-to/1024224/47 "2025-10-24T02:12:14Z")
I haven’t actually eaten at this McDonald’s because it isn’t a working restaurant. I have however had a Big Mac at the McDonald’s across the street from it. > **[McDonald's No. 1 Store Museum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonald%27s_No._1_Store_Museum)** > > The McDonald's #1 Store Museum was housed in a replica of the former McDonald's restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois, US, opened by Ray Kroc in April 1955. The company usually refers to this as The Original McDonald's, although it was actually the ninth McDonald's restaurant. > The first McDonald's location was opened by Richard and Maurice McDonald in San Bernardino, California in 1940 and demolished in 1972, although part of the sign remains. The oldest McDonald's still in operation is the thir... ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2025, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-original-locations-have-you-been-to/1024224/48 "2025-10-24T02:36:38Z")
Boston ice cream chains where I’ve been to the original store: - Steve’s (Davis Square) - Emack and Bolio’s (Coolidge Corner) - Toscanini’s (Central Square) - J. P. Licks (JP) I haven’t been to the original Rancatore’s or Herrell’s, but I’ve eaten at their second locations. Why, yes, I like ice cream. ---
**Author:** ![GESancMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gesancman/32/2923_2.png) [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2025, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-original-locations-have-you-been-to/1024224/49 "2025-10-24T03:48:14Z")
In the early 90s I got a job at a pizza place in downtown San Jose called Pizza A Go Go. There were only two stores, but the one I worked at was the first. I eventually became the general manager. In 1998 my boss, the owner of the company, bought a place in Santa Cruz called Pizza My Heart, which also had two stores. He began expanding the company under the latter name, around the the San Francisco and Monterey Bay Areas. After a few years the two Pizza A Go Gos were converted into Pizza My Heart. I left the company (and California) in 2005, when there were eight or nine stores. I think the company is up to around 25 stores now. Anyway, the original Pizza My Heart is located in Capitola, right on the beach. I’ve not only been there, I’ve _worked_ there a couple of times. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2025, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-original-locations-have-you-been-to/1024224/50 "2025-10-24T03:58:15Z")
Well, I’ve certainly been to the questionable Starbucks in Seattle. Closer to home in Canada, I’ve been to the original Boston Pizza in Edmonton, and the original Swiss Chalet in Toronto. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2025, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-original-locations-have-you-been-to/1024224/51 "2025-10-24T05:02:31Z")
I didn’t go into, but went past, the very first Victoria’s Secret store in the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto. This was in 1980 on an interview trip to Silicon Valley. Stanford Shopping Center is still there and is a lot bigger now. I believe there is still a Victoria’s Secret there also. > [@GESancMan](#): > > Anyway, the original Pizza My Heart is located in Capitola, right on the beach. I’ve not only been there, I’ve _worked_ there a couple of times. One just replaced another pizza place at the shopping center with my Safeway. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2025, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-original-locations-have-you-been-to/1024224/52 "2025-10-24T05:22:46Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > If two restaurants count, I ate at the original Billy Goat Cafe in Chicago Or not - I never knew it before, but the underground location isn’t the original. (and it’s Billy Goat Tavern, not Café) > In 1964, Billy Goat moved his tavern to its present subterranean location. > **[Our History - The World-Famous Billy Goat Tavern](https://www.billygoattavern.com/legend/our-history/)** > > The original Billy Goat Tavern location was “born” in 1934 when Greek immigrant, William “Billy Goat” Sianis, purchased the Lincoln Tavern. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2025, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-original-locations-have-you-been-to/1024224/53 "2025-10-24T13:22:11Z")
When I was a Cub Scout, our den mother took us to the original Domino’s Pizza restaurant and they let us all make our own pizzas. That was fun. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2025, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-original-locations-have-you-been-to/1024224/54 "2025-10-24T16:03:45Z")
Another London spot for me: The original [Marquee Club](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marquee_Club) on Wardour Street. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2025, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-original-locations-have-you-been-to/1024224/55 "2025-10-24T16:20:11Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > Oh, and of course, the Seattle [REI](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/REI) flagship is beautiful and huge, and I think it’s where it originally started. That was built in the mid-'90s, about when I moved away from Seattle. There was an REI on Capitol Hill I remember going to once, but I don’t know if that was the original. Are going to compare membership numbers now? ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2025, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-original-locations-have-you-been-to/1024224/56 "2025-10-24T16:34:04Z")
> [@DMC](#): > > [Panera Bread](https://www.panerabread.com/en-us/home.html) (although it’s called the St. Louis Bread Co. in that market) Actually, last time I was in the St Louis area I think they had finally changed to Panera. And along similar lines, there is a chain of sub shops in the midwest called Planet Sub, but when they started in Lawrence KS they were called Yello Sub. (And still are.) The original Yello Sub was at the north end of the KU campus and I ate there many times in my student days. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2025, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-original-locations-have-you-been-to/1024224/57 "2025-10-24T16:38:44Z")
I don’t think I’ve seen it mentioned in the thread yet, but the topic came up when we were having lunch at a Schlotzky’s in Topeka after the No Kings protest last week. They had a picture of the original location in Austin up on the wall. Has anyone here eaten at the original Schlotzky’s? ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2025, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-original-locations-have-you-been-to/1024224/58 "2025-10-24T16:42:16Z")
Hooters - Clearwater, FL Culvers- Sauk City, WI Best Buy - Edina, MN Hard Rock - London ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2025, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-original-locations-have-you-been-to/1024224/59 "2025-10-24T16:48:53Z")
I grew up about a mile from the flagship Toys R Us location in Rockville, MD. Madam’s Organ occupies the space where the “Children’s Supermart” baby furniture store was that Charles Lazarus founded that eventually became a toy store and Toys R Us. My sister lives right by the original Waffle House location. You can’t eat there anymore, it’s a Waffle House museum, but there’s one a few blocks east where you can eat. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2025, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-original-locations-have-you-been-to/1024224/60 "2025-10-24T16:53:59Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > That was built in the mid-'90s, about when I moved away from Seattle. There was an REI on Capitol Hill I remember going to once, but I don’t know if that was the original. It wasn’t. That amazing, rambling original flagship was opened in 1962. The business was founded in ‘38 and operated out of multiple locations, including the founding members’ homes, a shared space near the market, and at the Mountaineer’s Club. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-original-locations-have-you-been-to/1024224.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-original-locations-have-you-been-to/1024224.md?page=4)