A VERY GOOD PLACE TO FIND YOURSELF.
QUEENS,
YOUR
MAJESTY.
From a royal palace to Queens Boulevard. Every great story needs a neighborhood. This one comes with Golden Arcs.
THE ORIGINAL ADDRESS
ONE BOROUGH.
A ROYAL REPUTATION.
THE ORIGINAL MOVIE ADDRESS
85-07
Queens Boulevard
85-07 Queens Boulevard, Elmhurst, Queens, New YorkNear Queens Boulevard & Broadway
The original restaurant building no longer stands. This address is a piece of movie history; our McDowell’s lives here on the web.
OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPSA REAL CORNER OF MOVIE HISTORY
A LITTLE CORNER.
A BIG-SCREEN
LEGACY.
Akeem came to Queens looking for a queen. He also found a uniform, a mop, and a boss with very strong opinions about hamburger buns.
For the original film, a Wendy’s in Elmhurst became McDowell’s. The location helped turn Cleo’s family business into one of the movie’s most memorable places.
- 1988
The Golden Arcs get their close-up.
Coming to America brings McDowell’s to the big screen.
- 2013
The neighborhood changes.
The original restaurant building is demolished to make way for apartments.
- ALWAYS
A place in the rewatch rotation.
Some landmarks live on every time you press play.
Behind the location: NY1’s film-location visit · The original building’s history
THE ARCS HAVE FRIENDS EVERYWHERE.
QUEENS ROOTS.
A LONG REACH.
In 2017, Chicago’s Wieners Circle dressed up as McDowell’s for Halloween—signs, uniforms, and all. Proof that a fictional restaurant can inspire a very real appetite.
The storefront in this photo is that Chicago tribute. Cleo would probably call it expansion. We’ll call it a very good costume.
See the 2017 storyBEFORE YOU HAIL THAT CAB
A QUICK
HEADS-UP.
Big movie love.
A little practical information.
Can I eat at the Queens address?
The original filming building is gone, and this tribute has no operating restaurant at that address. Use the map to explore a bit of film history. Use our menu to work up a very convincing imaginary appetite.
What are your opening hours?
For nostalgia? Whenever you press play. This is a fan website, so there are no restaurant hours, reservations, delivery, or pickup. The menu is always here for a little daydreaming.
Browse the menuWhere can I meet Cleo and the crew?
Start with our story page for the family, the film, and the man behind the Mick. Then revisit Coming to America for the full shift. Plaid uniform optional.
Meet the McDowell’s familyNO PLANE TICKET REQUIRED.
YOUR NEXT STOP?
THE BIG MICK.
All that sightseeing works up an appetite.