New look for Hamilton McDonalds

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By Teri Horsley, Contributing Writer Updated 12:00 PM Tuesday, September 15, 2009

We don’t often visit fast food joints when searching the area for a decent meal, but the recently rebuilt McDonalds on Hamilton’s west side deserves our attention.

The 5,000 square foot building still seats about 120, but family style seating, flat screen televisions, portable video games and free WiFi for customers are just a few of the amenities that makes this location, “McWonderful.”

“After 40 years here, we just felt it was time to rebuild, and we wanted it to be different than the other locations,” said owner George Schmidt.

While most of the exterior was built according to corporate specifications, Schmidt and his management team (his wife Rhonda and his son Joel are co-owners with Daniel Durbin serving as operations director) put their heads together to come up with an interior design that is both contemporary and functional.

The booths are arranged in a block format with family-friendly table tops and a few high top tables have been added so customers can easily view one of the televisions, broadcasting the latest news, weather and sports. The former fireplace has been moved to the center of the restaurant and a huge, bronze Ronald McDonald greets customers as they stand in line. A double drive through is now available for those who don’t have time to stop and eat.

“We wanted to create the best of both worlds, a new contemporary feel but still keeping in mind that this is McDonalds,” Joel said.

As for the menu, the old favorites will always be offered, but new items like the 1/3 pound Angus Burgers, a Brownie Melt and a complete line of the popular McCafe coffee products are now available. McDonalds also plans to add frappacinos and strawberry/banana smoothies by next spring. Larger groups can hold business meetings and birthday parties on site with one day’s advance notice.

Contact this writer at tlhrsly@cinci.rr.com