Seattle’s infamous ‘McStabby’s’ McDonald’s reopens its doors for unsuspecting World Cup fans: ‘We always called it Murder Burger’

The World Cup has brought many things to the United States: Scots with an insatiable appetite for beer, Norwegians turning Boston escalators into an impromptu Viking ship, and Europeans overwhelmed by the United States’ dizzying fast food options.

But in Seattle the arrival of international football fans has had another, unexpected, consequence. As per My Northwest, this influx of foot traffic has resulted in one of the most notorious McDonald’s in the city opening its doors for the first time in six years.

A video posted to X described the reopening as amazing, though locals were astonished to see tourists flocking inside, smiling in disbelief and saying “they don’t know what I know…”

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

This particular McDonald’s, located at the intersection of Third Avenue and Pine Street, is infamous in Seattle due to reported high levels of drug use and violent crime around it. As per the report, it’s been variously dubbed “McStabby’s” and “Crackdonald’s”.

That reputation is backed up by McDonald’s own actions. In 2020, they reportedly closed the lobby, with food only being served to customers through a protective plexiglass-covered hatch. In 2025, with vandalism on the rise, the branch even apparently removed its doors and replaced them with plywood. It also has restricted opening hours, closing at just 10 pm. By comparison, other local McDonald’s are either open past midnight or 24 hours a day.

“I watched a dude get stabbed right outside”

The article quotes a Seattleite as saying: “I moved to Seattle in 2016, and the place was a s–t hole. 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.”

Now, with World Cup visitors to serve, this branch has thrown open its doors for the first time in over half a decade, and locals are upbeat. On Reddit’s Seattle board, one celebrated: “I walked past and you can now actually go into the restaurant to order. This World Cup is one of the best things to ever happen to the city, public spaces becoming ALIVE again!”

Others struck a more pessimistic tone, saying “it’s going to be closed as soon as football leaves” and confidently predicting “McStabby/McShooty will come through”. McDonald’s has not commented on the reopening or their future plans for this branch.