McDowell's Restaurant (Coming to America Movie)

- 83-15 Queens Blvd, Elmhurst, NY 11373

For many long-time residents of New York, particularly those in Queens, the name McDowell's Restaurant instantly conjures up the hilarious, golden-hued memories of the 1988 classic film Coming to America. Though officially a fictional fast-food establishment—famously defined by its owner Cleo McDowell as being quite distinct from that other burger place with the golden arches—McDowell's holds a significant and cherished place in the city’s pop culture landscape. This Elmhurst location, which provided the backdrop for Prince Akeem Joffer's (Eddie Murphy) humble beginnings in America, transcends its fictional status to become a bona fide cultural landmark.

The restaurant's core identity, as portrayed and remembered, is one of serving delicious, albeit derivative, meals like the signature Big Mick. Patrons fondly recall the experience of getting a hot, fresh burger, noting the spot’s simple, Casual atmosphere. The enduring popularity is fueled by the nostalgia of the movie, with fans often sharing stories and reviews that place the movie’s characters, like Akeem (who was "manager of the cleaning and security department" in the film), at the heart of their positive experience. This is a place where cinematic fantasy blends with New York reality, creating an iconic spot that is still celebrated decades later.

The structure and service model of McDowell's, based on the provided data, was straightforward: a local, single-focus Restaurant dedicated to serving great food, perfect for Dinner and Solo dining. The focus was always on the quick, casual meal—a true fast-food experience, made legendary by Hollywood.

The location that served as the unforgettable McDowell's Restaurant is deeply rooted in Queens, New York history. The provided address is 83-15 Queens Blvd, Elmhurst, NY 11373, USA. While the actual filming location for the exterior of McDowell's was nearby at 85-07 Queens Boulevard (a former Wendy's), this Elmhurst street corner is widely recognized by fans and celebrated as the spiritual home of Cleo McDowell’s empire. The fictional address is often cited within the movie itself, cementing this portion of Queens Boulevard as a cinematic pilgrimage site.

The site on Queens Boulevard is strategically located, making it highly accessible within the Elmhurst and surrounding neighborhoods. Queens Boulevard is a major thoroughfare, well-serviced by public transportation, including the subway line that runs beneath it, ensuring that fans from all over New York City could easily reach this iconic spot. The building itself, in its original configuration as a fast-food restaurant, was designed for high traffic and community access. While specific modern accessibility details are not listed in the available data for the current status of the address, the building that was used was typical of a former major fast-food chain in its time. The ease of access along a major Queens artery contributes significantly to its status as an iconic, easily recognizable piece of New York’s cinematic history.

In keeping with its identity as a quintessential American fast-food establishment, the services offered by the legendary McDowell's Restaurant were simple, efficient, and centered around providing a quick, satisfying meal.

• Dine-in: The primary service option, allowing customers to sit down and enjoy their meal in the casual, comfortable setting.
• Dinner Service: The main meal period, popular for people seeking a quick, hearty evening meal.
• Credit Card Payments: Accepting modern payment methods, indicating a commitment to customer convenience.
• Solo Dining: The casual atmosphere and quick-service model made it highly popular and suitable for individuals.
• Simple Amenities: Included a standard Restroom facility for customer convenience.

While fictional, the function of McDowell's speaks to the core services valued by New Yorkers: speed, accessibility, and a dedicated space to enjoy a meal.

The features that make McDowell's Restaurant a standout establishment are primarily cultural, yet they translate directly into a highly positive customer experience rooted in fun and nostalgia.

• The Iconic Big Mick: The signature sandwich, which is often praised by fans for being "hot and fresh," is the ultimate highlight and the ultimate piece of cinematic history. The Big Mick remains a pop culture legend in the burger world.
• Legendary Staff: The restaurant's history is defined by its iconic employees, including Prince Akeem Joffer and his associate Semmi, whose fictional roles as cleanup and maintenance staff elevated the restaurant’s fame.
• Working Ice Cream Machine: A much-celebrated feature in the reviews is the fact that their "ice cream machine always works," a playful nod to a common frustration at real fast-food chains and a testament to the restaurant’s quality service ethos.
• Casual & Nostalgic Atmosphere: The setting is distinctly Casual, providing a friendly, no-frills environment that instantly transports movie fans back to the iconic 1980s Queens setting.
• Pop Culture Landmark: It is universally recognized as an "iconic place" that became famous after appearing in a major film, drawing fans who appreciate the legacy.
• Credit Card Accepted: Offering easy payment via Credit cards ensures a hassle-free transaction for all visitors.

While McDowell's Restaurant is a fictional entity, the location that serves as its historical and cultural marker in New York is:

Address (Spiritual & Cited Location):
83-15 Queens Blvd, Elmhurst, NY 11373, USA

Note: The building at this or the nearby filming address (85-07 Queens Blvd) may have been demolished or repurposed since the movie was filmed, existing now as a purely historical site and memory.

The provided phone numbers, while included in the data, are presented for completeness but must be understood in the context of a highly unique cultural business that exists primarily in cinematic history.

Phone Number:
(Data Not Provided for Fictional Entity)

Mobile Phone:
(Data Not Provided for Fictional Entity)

For New Yorkers and movie fans, choosing to celebrate the legacy of McDowell's Restaurant is to choose a piece of irreplaceable Queens and cinematic history. This is not about the latest gourmet trend; it’s about experiencing a cultural touchstone.

The fundamental reason to engage with the memory of this location is its status as an iconic pop culture landmark. The restaurant’s role in Coming to America forever links it to the vibrant, aspirational vision of 1980s New York, where a prince could search for his queen while mopping floors. The reviews confirm that the joy of visiting this site is wrapped up in the lore—from the legendary quality of the Big Mick to the fun of joking about the employee of the year, Akeem. The experience is one of pure, unadulterated movie nostalgia, which is priceless to many who call New York home. While the physical building may no longer exist, the spirit of McDowell's, with its "Golden Arcs" and commitment to the American dream (and a great burger), lives on in the hearts and memories of the Elmhurst community. It is a testament to the fact that in New York, even a fictional restaurant can become a historical and much-loved institution.

McDowell's Restaurant (Coming to America Movie)

83-15 Queens Blvd, Elmhurst, NY 11373, USA