Thursday, August 11, 2011

Fast Food or Homemade?


While on my way to visit a florist on Long Island, I passed this beautiful older house located at 2045 Jericho Turnpike, in New Hyde Park in the town of Hempstead.



That's right!  The sign above the porch said it is a "McDonald's" of the famous fast food chain!



Totally intrigued by how this old mansion became a McDonald's, I decided to stop in for a cup of coffee and look around. The photo above shows the entrance floor, indicating this was McDonald's Number 12,000, dating back to 1991.


A plaque on the inside wall indicates that the house was the Denton House, circa 1875 and designated as a landmark by the town of North Hempstead.  According to the Denton Family Genealogy web site: "The original owners reportedly were descendants of Richard Denton, a Presbyterian minister who arrived in the New World in 1630 and helped to found the village of Hempstead in 1643. Another Denton, Augustus, was a Nassau County politician at the turn of the century. After World War l the house was no longer inhabited by Dentons and became first one and then another restaurant. When McDonald's acquired the Denton property in 1985, says Lawrence J. Anderer, Jr., the current owner/operator, the company intended to demolish the then dilapidated house and build one of its standard eateries. But residents of the village of New Hyde Park and the Town of North Hempstead obtained local historic designation and struck an agreement whereby McDonald's would restore the Structure's exterior to its appearance in a 1926 photograph -- with an allowance for a low-profile, single story addition to the rear."


The inside of the house was three stories high with an impressive staircase, but other than that it still looked like the average McDonald's and sold the normal fast food fare. It would certainly accomodate a large party, if one was so inclined to have one there!


Meanwhile, back at home, my little flower pot garden has been rewarding me with some wonderful eggplants, peppers and cherry tomatoes, so there was no need for fast food as I decided to make my own dinner that evening. 



I made a roasted garden vegetable pizza!

I sliced and roasted my garden vegetables on a tray, after brushing them first with a little olive oil, in a hot 425 degree oven, until they were soft, about 15 minutes.  If it weren't raining I would have grilled them outside on my barbeque grill. Earlier in the day I had prepared a Food Network recipe for whole wheat pizza crust, which I baked first at 500 degrees for about five minutes to set. I then layered the roasted vegetables on top of the crust and covered them with freshly grated mozzarella cheese and some fresh basil and oregano from my garden. I returned the pizza into the oven for another 10 minutes, until the crust was crispy and the cheese was melted.  Belissimo!  There is nothing like a good home made pizza and it was a wonderful way to eat vegetables!

I'm joining the "Foodie Friday" event on Michael's blog "Designs With Gollum." and  Friday Food weekly feature on Momtrends.  Please visit both  blogs and enjoy a visual feast!


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37 comments:

Claudia said...

New Hyde Park can be quirky about their buildings. That McDonalds tale is a hoot. Imagine - they were going to tear that wonderful building down! What were they thinking? My garden is yielding few and far between this summer - however, I have just enough produce for a grand pizza such as yours. And if the weather holds, I will grill the vegetables! Thanks for the inspiration.

Barbara F. said...

Hi Pat, years ago that restaurant was called The Charred Oak Manor, had a very nice dinner there! I always laugh when I pass it that it became a McDonald's. Your garden pots did a good job for you, your pizza looks delicious. xo

La Petite Gallery said...

I think the Mickey D's is much nicer in an old home.

You can really make Pizza, thin crust is my favorite.

yvonne

Ginny Hartzler said...

Your pizza looks awesome!!! And that McDonald's is beautiful, kind of a contradiction in terms. I'm glad the people didn't let them demolish this beautiful building!

Cindy said...

That pizza looks and sounds SO GOOD! I have been craving pizza, I shall have to make one this weekend.
That is the nicest McDonalds I have ever seen. The dining area looked very pretty, I am glad to hear that the beautiful old home wasn't torn down.
Hugs, Cidny

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Your pizza looks amazing! Yummmy! I love those eggplants you have...round not long.

We have a McDonalds here in Asheville right by the entrance to the Biltmore Estate. It has a grand piano, fireplace and waterfall inside it!

Jojo said...

The McDonalds is amazing. Who knew fast food restaurants coul be so lovely. And if that pizza tastes half as good as it looks and sounds...

Ciao Chow Linda said...

Homemade is always best Pat, and your grilled veggie pizza looks sensational. I can't believe what a great harvest you got from just growing in pots.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

As much as I love old homes --especially gorgeous ones like the one you showed, I certainly would not want it EVER to be turned into a McDonald's (or any other fast food place)... GADS!!!!

Your pizza looks fabulous... Yum!!
Hugs,
Betsy

CynthiaAvaDevta said...

Wow! I grew up five minutes from that Macdonald's...We call it "The White House" and my daughter absolutely loves visiting it! We keep it to pancakes for breakfast and coffee for Mama! So funny when I opened this post and saw "the white house!" Love it. And your pizza is making my mouth water...Haven't had dinner yet and it looks absolutely delicious.

camp and cottage living said...

Well I have never seen such a thing as a McDonalds in a historical building!
And your veggie pizza-yum!!

Lorrie said...

That's the most elegant setting for McDonald's that I've ever seen.

Your pizza makes my mouth water. How delicious!

My name is Riet said...

Yes that must have been a surprise Pat. It looks great on the outside and who cares what's inside.
That pizza looks yummy. I never made oe myself maybe I will try one day.
For now I am not doing much as I have a terrible cold. This summer is so bad, cold and rain all the time.NOt nice.
Have a lovely weekend.

Ola said...

This is something new for me-Mac Donald in such a an elegant place, really surprising but, in my view, I would rather see there a different type of a restaurant:)
Your pizza looks super delicious!

Houseelf said...

My mouth watered at the sight of your pizza. :-) I love toasted cheese.

It's wonderful that the building survived and didn't become yet another souless McDonalds building. I avoid going in them if there is a pretty place nearby.

I wonder if the Dentons came from Hemel Hempstead?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemel_Hempstead

Old Kitty said...

Pat!! Your pizza beats ANYTHING MacDonald's could offer and then some!! WOW!! I love that you used veg you grew - amazing eggplants!!! Amazing!!! Yay for your homecooked lovely meal.

I feel so sorry for the Denton House. I'm glad it wasn't demolished - yay for local community pressure! :-)

Take care
x

Cherry Chick said...

Pat.....How cool! Loved the post...

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

I've never been a fan of McDonald's or any fast food place....but it sure is an interesting use for that old building.

Your photos of the veggies and then the pizza belong in a cookbook. I keep telling you that.

Tracy said...

Your pizza is far and away better than McD's, Pat... YUM!! But fascinating how that beautiful building became home to a fast food giant. I'm glad they kept the integrity of the place alive--and not a lot of red & gold splashed everywhere... LOL! You take us to the most interesting places! Happy Weekend ((HUGS))

Tanna said...

I choose dinner at your house!!! Pat, that looks divine!

I'm glad the folks at New Hyde Park saved the old building. You know I love them so!! blessings ~ tanna

RoeH said...

Now that's my kind of McDonalds! Except I'd like the house better without it. What a beauty.

aliceinparis said...

Hi Pat, My first thought on that house was I wonder what the original owners might think if they knew. Heartbroken I'm sure. Still......quite interesting to see such an unusual MacDonalds.

Love your pizza, looks scrumptious. Isn't it wonderful to have a garden!!
Have a happy weekend!

Sheila said...

McDonalds certainly has a different look in different cities. In Italy we visited a few and the designs are ultra modern. I love the idea of a "Victorian" McDonalds! I posted a couple of pictures I took last summer showing some interesting comparrisons between Manhattan and Gabriola Island. I also mentioned your blog on my post.

diane b said...

That sure is an unusual McDonalds. I'm glad they haven't changed the outside look too much. Your veggie pizza looks yummy and sounds easy. I must try it with our veggies that are growing but not ready yet.

Lynn said...

Your pizza is gorgeous Pat! Isn't it great to have our own fresh veggies to enjoy! And yep, that has to be the fanciest Micky D's I've ever seen:@)

LifeRamblings said...

that McDonald's look amazing. your pizza looks yummylicious. i could almost smell it from here.

Proud Italian Cook said...

Mmmm, that pizza looks so good and especially with your home grown veggies, the best! You know I think I saw a documentary about Mc Donalds on tv once and they featured this place, how funny! We might be having pizza tonight!

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

Now that's an amazing McDonalds and one I would eat at just see see the building!

I do like your pizza better than anything McD's has to offer :)

Nicole Feliciano said...

Crazy! I would have never pegged that as a McD's. Thanks so much for sharing with Momtrends for our Friday Food Linky. Have a great weekend.

Judy said...

Given the choice...McDonald's or Pat's...I'd come sit at your table anytime! Though I quite like your Hyde Park version of Mc's...and the story behind it. I find it easier to picture a fine Italian restaurant in that building though.

Tomorrow...I plan to try your grilled veggie pizza. Looks fabulous!

Yvette said...

This looks delicious, Pat. Yummy. How enterprising you are. One of the things I do very little of is cook for myself. Shame on me. :(

Your garden veggies look absolutely gorgeous.

Betty said...

I thought you were going to say it was a Ronald McDonald House. At least the beautiful building got saved and that's the important thing.

That pizza looks good!

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Incredible! I can hardly believe my eyes... the best Micky D's I've ever seen.

Have a great weekend!
Hugs, Sherry

Linda H said...

If you ever visit Freeport Maine, the MacD's there is also in an elegant old home.
Your pizza is making my mouth water..yummmm

RNSANE said...

I would love to see more McDonald's in such magnificent edifices! Not that I'm a fast food fan - though I do love a REALLY good hamburger!

Your pizza has my tummy rumbling. I would love a piece.

Beth said...

What a fancy McDonalds! Your garden is doing great! Hey, I enjoyed my trip to NYC and I have done a post about the sights - I invite you to stop by.
Blessings, Beth

Annesphamily said...

I loved the McDonalds. How cool that must have been! The McDonalds in my area are owned by a retired NFL played named Tony Bocelli. He played for the Jacksonville Jaguars and David Thompson from the NBA/Nuggets owned a McDonalds in Castle Rock that showcased all his trophies and photos.
Your pizza looks so yummy. Healthy too! We juice so we always get lots of good veggies and fruits!