‘McStabby’s’ reopens its lobby: Infamous 3rd Avenue McDonald’s lets customers inside again

The McDonald’s at the intersection of Third Avenue and Pine Street, one of the most notorious in the region, has reopened its lobby to customers.

With fans and fútbol enthusiasts flocking Seattle for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, it’s no coincidence that McDonald’s reopened its lobby amid the influx of foot traffic, first reported by Seattle Submissions, a popular Instagram account documenting Seattle news and culture. The lobby is still not open for in-person dining, but customers can now enter the business to place an order or pick up an online order.

SEATTLE’S MOST NOTORIOUS McDONALD’S ON 3RD AVE REOPENED ITS LOBBY TO THE PUBLIC FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS 👀 pic.twitter.com/pQwwONwZy5

— SEATTLESUBMISSIONS (@SEATTLESUBMISS) June 16, 2026

The lobby closed in 2020, with employees serving customers take-out orders only through a plexiglass-covered hatch. Last year, the location even removed its doors and covered it with plywood to protect the store from vandalism. According to the Seattle Police Department (SPD), crime increased at the intersection after it shuttered its lobby to the public.

The 3rd Avenue McDonald’s opens at 6 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m., making it among the earliest locations to close within the fast-food chain.

MyNorthwest has reached out to McDonald’s for comment.

Locals weigh in on ‘McStabby’s’ reputation online

The location is informally known as “McStabby’s” by locals and online due to the rampant drug use and crime that occur near the fast-food eatery. The issues at this McDonald’s location have persisted for so long that some local residents claim it was once nicknamed “Crackdonalds” decades ago.

“I moved to Seattle in 2016, and the place was a s*** hole,” one resident commented on Seattle Reddit. “I don’t blame them for a second for not letting the riff-raff come in. I watched a dude get stabbed right outside. We always called it Murder Burger.”

Others came to the location’s defense, saying its dangerous reputation is overplayed.

“I walk by this McDonald’s probably more than 5x a week, often late at night, and it’s not dangerous. During the summer tourist season, I often see a mix of tourists and down-on-their-luck folks in line. It’s not a dangerous feeling, like some places in Lakewood or maybe stretches along Aurora,” one resident commented. “All that being said, I don’t blame the McDonald’s for closing the dining room considering there are homeless people hanging around the intersection pretty much 24/7 and they will take advantage of the location if given the opportunity.”

“Was absolutely surreal, I walked past and you can now actually go into the restaurant to order,” another local wrote. “This World Cup is one of the best things to ever happens to the city, public spaces becoming ALIVE again!”

Elderly man beaten, left on pavement in unprovoked attack near the 3rd Avenue McDonald’s

A 29-year-old man was arrested over the weekend for injuring a 77-year-old man during an unprovoked assault in downtown Seattle.

On April 19 at approximately 9:50 p.m., SPD officers responded to reports of an assault near 3rd Avenue and Pine Street, right next to the McDonald’s, SPD announced. After the attack, the suspects walked off and left the victim lying on the pavement.

At the scene, officers found the victim bleeding from a head injury and a possible broken arm. The Seattle Fire Department responded and treated the victim before he was transported to the VA hospital for additional treatment.

A security guard told SPD that one of the suspects remained in the area. Shortly after, officers located the 29-year-old suspect and arrested him.

A second suspect was arrested on May 5 in Redmond in connection with the violent and unprovoked assault of a 77-year-old man.

Contributing: Jason Sutich, MyNorthwest

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