John Caldwell:Video shows 'world's fanciest' McDonald's, complete with grand piano, gutted by Helene

2025-05-03 11:33:48source:Dreamers Investment Guildcategory:reviews

A pretty special McDonald's took a big hit after Hurricane Helene rolled into North Carolina,John Caldwell which caused unprecedented devastation and destruction to a number of states across the Southeast.

The McDonald's, located in Asheville, was one of many structures in the historic Biltmore Village, an 8,000-acre property affected by "catastrophic flooding," according to reporting by Florida Today, part of the USA TODAY Network.

Biltmore Village is expected to remain closed until Tuesday, Oct. 15, but may remain shuttered longer as crews begin to assess the damages caused by the storm, which killed at least 200 people.

The McDonald's franchise, built in 2000, was renovated to exude the "high-society elegance" that other bars, restaurants, clothing stores within the Biltmore Village, and was dubbed the "world's fanciest" McDonald's, according to reporting by Atlas Obscura.

Before Hurricane Helene completely gutted the inside of the McDonald's, customers were greeted with red oak tables, wrought iron railings, "and luminous chandeliers under a sweeping pressed-tin ceiling, with every wood feature boasting a handsome finish," Atlas Obscura reported.

A baby grand piano stationed in the corner only elevated the dining experience, playing music as customers waited for their orders or tucked into Big Macs and Chicken McNuggets, Atlas Obscura reported. The McDonald's even had a giant stone chimney.

USA TODAY has reached out to McDonald's for additional information.

Watch: 'World's fanciest' McDonald's left in ruins after Hurricane Helene

As an Uber and Lyft driver, Vitor Sa drives by the corner everyday despite never eating there, he told USA TODAY on Friday. The fancy McDonald's is now caked by at least a foot of mud, Sa said.

"I have passengers this week that I picked up and their family is just like 'We're not going to be able to go to McDonald's and Wendy's anymore this week,' because they're all closed. They're completely destroyed," Sa said. "Their kids are missing the McDonald's that was there."

Contributing: Anthony Robledo

More:reviews

Recommend

All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That

This movie was all that.Case in point: She’s All Thathad Freddie Prinze Jr., Rachael Leigh Cookand a

The 11 most fascinating 2024 NFL draft prospects: Drake Maye, J.J. McCarthy drive intrigue

The 2024 NFL draft is officially two months away. And with the scouting combine starting this week,

The 11 most fascinating 2024 NFL draft prospects: Drake Maye, J.J. McCarthy drive intrigue

The 2024 NFL draft is officially two months away. And with the scouting combine starting this week,