Posts Tagged “self-referentialism”

So we were innocently driving along the Pennsylvania Turnpike today when we decided to exit to take a break for nature. We stopped at the first place off the toll plaza that seemed promising… the omnipresent McDonald’s. Sure, it seemed normal enough:

But… what is that in the window?

Could it be… A GIANT BIG MAC?!?!?!

YES!! It turns out this is no ordinary McDonald’s. In fact, it’s the Big Mac Museum Restaurant. Score!

In addition to the World’s Largest Big Mac, the Big Mac Museum also boasts a wide array of Big Mac paraphernalia (collectible Happy Meal toys, old packaging from Big Macs of bygone days) on display as well as souvenirs available for purchase, such as these glorious Big Mac Christmas tree ornaments:

You can also learn all about Jim Delligatti, the creator of the Big Mac:

…and the legendary (!) sandwich’s journey through time all the way up to the present day:

Nice. This is why I love a road trip. We didn’t intentionally go to the Big Mac Museum, but it was such an awesomely lucky find and we were both thrilled to stumble upon it. I have to confess that while I’m generally fairly anti-corporate in most of my leanings, there’s something I love about insanely self-referential corporate shrines (such as the New World of Coke in Atlanta… so awesome), even for companies I’m not particularly fond of (I cannot believe how much I was into this McDonald’s, but what can I say?). I also love factory tours! So perhaps I enjoy quirkiness and company pride, or maybe I’m just morbidly fascinated with wretched excess. Either way, I can’t get enough! Bring it on, America!