McDonald's
Loosdorf, Austria
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Just off the A1 freeway in Loosdorf is the familiar McDonald’s, making an easy roadside stop on the way toward Vienna. The tall Golden Arches sign is hard to miss from the road, and the building looks like the sort of McDonald’s found almost anywhere. Step inside, though, and there is a little something different waiting next to the burgers and fries. 04-09

The McCafé occupies its own separate counter, more like a small Starbucks tucked inside the restaurant. Behind the glass are cheesecakes, cookies, pastries, and other treats not normally associated with an American McDonald’s. You can order a barista-made espresso or cappuccino and sit down with a real cup and saucer. Quite a change from grabbing a paper cup at the drive-through window.

McDonald's
Loosdorf, Austria
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

McCafé was already well established in Austria when these photos were taken, even though the idea still seemed rather new to many American travelers. The European locations leaned into the local coffeehouse tradition, creating a quieter corner where motorists could take a proper break from the freeway. Of course, anyone who still wanted a Big Mac could find one just a few steps away.

The location sits along Austria’s busy A1 Westautobahn, the main route between Salzburg and Vienna. That makes it a handy stop for tour buses, truckers, and anyone in need of coffee and cheesecake before continuing down the road. McDonald’s with a pastry case? Why not?

UPDATE: The Loosdorf McDonald’s remains open near the A1 at Gewerbestraße 10. It still includes a separate McCafé along with the familiar McDrive, playground, and Golden Arches. 08-26

McKebab
Bratislava, Slovakia
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Here's a fast food scene from Bratislava, Austria. The familiar golden arches are located here... at a McKebab. It was located just a few doors down from some other familiar restaurants, including a colonel. Many thanks to Richard Weiss for info. 04-09

Cruising through downtown Bratislava turns up the McKebab, complete with a rather familiar set of Golden Arches worked into the sign. This is not the place for a Big Mac, though. The menu here is all about kebabs, falafel, wraps, and fries. 04-09

The little fast-food shop sits along busy Obchodná Street, a pedestrian shopping strip filled with signs, restaurants, and plenty of foot traffic. It was also only a few doors away from some genuine American fast-food chains. Even Colonel Sanders was hanging around nearby. With McDonald’s and KFC in the neighborhood, McKebab found a clever way to join the crowd.

Western fast-food names and logos became a familiar sight around Central and Eastern Europe after the fall of the Iron Curtain. Local operators sometimes borrowed a little of that recognition for themselves, and this sign certainly does not leave much doubt about its inspiration. Just bend those famous arches a bit, add “Kebab,” and apparently you are ready for business.

McKebab
Bratislava, Slovakia
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

The logo may look familiar, but something says the McDonald’s legal department probably did not approve this particular use. Still, a warm kebab with garlic sauce does not sound bad after a long day wandering the streets. Maybe there was room in town for both Macs.

UPDATE: Bratislava was originally identified as being in Austria, but it is actually the capital of neighboring Slovakia. A Mc Kebab remains open on Obchodná Street, although the Golden Arches-style sign shown here may have changed. 08-26

Gafthof Restaurant
Schladming, Austria
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Stopping in Schladming and all over the place the popular beer was Schladminger. Here's the Gafthof Restaurant in Schladming serving of course Schladminger beer. It seems from Vienna to Linz nearly every Austrian beer is either Kaiser or Wieselburger but these are scarce in Schladming. It made me realize how regional Austrian beers really are. Many thanks to Richard Weiss for info. 04-09

A Gasthof is usually more than just a restaurant. Many are family-run inns serving hearty regional food, with rooms available upstairs for travelers. This one fits right into the old alpine town, where restaurants and guesthouses are mixed among the shops beneath the surrounding mountains.

Restaurant
Scheibbs, Austria
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

This restaurant in Scheibbs, AT features Kaiser beer and the sign features the words "Scheibbserhof". 04-09

Of course, no restaurant stop in Schladming would be complete without a glass of Schladminger Bier. The local brew seemed to be served just about everywhere around town. From Vienna to Linz, the beer signs were usually for Kaiser or Wieselburger. Arrive in Schladming and those brands suddenly become scarce.

Schladminger has been brewed right here in town since 1909, so the Gasthof was simply supporting the hometown favorite. It is a reminder of how regional Austrian beer can be. Drive into another valley and the beer signs hanging outside the restaurants can change right along with the scenery.

UPDATE: Schladminger Bier is still brewed in town and remains a familiar sight at local restaurants and Gasthofs. The original “Gafthof” caption has also been corrected to the German spelling “Gasthof.” 08-26