The iconic golden arches are set to make a comeback in Minneapolis' Dinkytown neighborhood, nearly three years after McDonald's closed its popular two-floor restaurant near the University of Minnesota to make way for an upscale mixed-use apartment complex.
Dinkytown McDonald's will reopen at same site as the one closed in 2020
Known locally as "Drunk Don's" because it was a favorite stop after an evening of drinking, the former Dinkytown McDonald's was a beloved fixture for students and residents in the neighborhood.
November 7, 2023 at 1:16AM
![The new Dinkytown McDonald's that is set to open this week in Minneapolis, Minn. is seen on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023. ] LEILA NAVIDI • leila.navidi@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/4MD4OIUZX5JALMEX5ISXT6X3RI.jpg?&w=712)
It's opening next week at the same place — on the street level of the recently built Identity Dinkytown, 407 15th Av. SE.
Unlike its predecessor, the new McDonald's will not feature a drive-thru option. Instead, all orders will be handled digitally through touch-screen kiosks.
Jeff Grayson, speaking for the restaurant owner Melissa Smith-Kennedy, said it will open next week though the exact date is unclear.
"We are very excited about the return to the Dinkytown community," Grayson said.
Known locally as "Drunk Don's" because it was a favorite stop after an evening of drinking, the former Dinkytown McDonald's was built in 1963 and had been a beloved fixture for students and residents in the neighborhood for nearly six decades.
For many, including new Americans, the popular fast-food chain served as more than an affordable dining option. It also provided a place of refuge and a spot where they could unwind after a hectic day.
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