Toronto's most notorious McDonald's is about to get less chaotic
While the best-known McDonald's locations of some international cities are famed for their surprising beauty, unique architecture or jaw-dropping patio views, Toronto's is known for a level of sketchiness that has raised it to local legend status.
Whether you love its lore or consider it a blight on the neighbourhood, the Queen-Spadina outpost of the fast-food giant has been the site of stabbings, brawls, and all sorts of general chaos, especially during late-night hours, when you never know what kind of characters you may run into there.
But, with a new McDonald's location gearing up to open just one major street away, some feared that Toronto's most infamous landmark would soon meet its end, especially with the intersection set to serve as a stop on the forthcoming Ontario Line subway.
For better or for worse, representatives for the ubiquitous restaurant chain have reassured us that the well-loved, frequented and often lawless landmark is staying despite the new McD's coming just one block north at Dundas and Spadina.
In fact, the new sibling spot will actually be good news for patrons.
"We can confirm that there will be a McDonald's restaurant opening at [Dundas and Spadina]," a McDonald's Canada spokesperson told blogTO via email.
They added that the new location, though, "will primarily service mobile orders, takeout and delivery... and will not impact the operation of the McDonald's located at Queen and Spadina."
This means that, yes, not only is the Queen-Spadina stalwart staying for the foreseeable future, but it will be less overrun by the hordes of delivery bikes that can be spotted crowded out front on any given day.
Instead, Uber Eats and other delivery orders will be better serviced at the new 300 Spadina Ave. location, which is set to open sometime this fall.
McDonald's branding only recently appeared in the windows of the space, which has been vacant since 2019 following a fire and subsequent restoration.
Becky Robertson
