Can You Actually Eat At McDonald's In The Pentagon?

If you ever wondered how many McDonald's locations there are in the world, the answer is well over 40,000. Strangely, one of them is located in the Pentagon food court. Unlike the pervasive rumors concerning the return of all-day breakfast, which are steeped more in wishful thinking and misinformed internet whispers than the Loch Ness Monster's existence, the fact that you can order up McDonald's best-selling item and a McFlurry in the nexus of United States government secrecy is 100% true. However, the Pentagon McDonald's isn't anything extraordinary — it's simply a place that federal employees go to catch a cheap lunch. It's even listed on the McDonald's website. But can one actually eat at this particular fast food location? You likely already know the answer.

Unfortunately for the Golden Arches, the chain can't exactly bank on big bucks rolling in from tons of curious visitors descending on the Pentagon food court. Understandably, that particular McDonald's location is closed to the public. Only federal employees have access. Of course, the exclusivity of the fast food branch has only whetted the internet's curiosity regarding the idea of top-secret government cheeseburgers. While nobody is trying to cover up its existence, that hasn't stopped the matter from moving swiftly into the viral side of internet lore.

The culprit is a trending song by YouTubers Silly Stu and Spencer Vann called (are you ready for this bombshell?) "McDonald's in the Pentagon." The tune, which is accompanied by a bizarre and ridiculous music video, can only be described as "annoying," and that's putting it generously. The lyrics play up the mystique of fast food in a secure facility, with plenty of one-liners about surveillance and secret clearance. Clips from the song made their way over to TikTok, sparking jokes and memes about eating Big Macs under the watchful eye of Uncle Sam.

Come to find out, those that have actually visited the Pentagon report that there's more to the government institution than simply a McDonald's. One Reddit user recalls all sorts of mundane businesses that also exist there, such as florists, barbers, grocers, retail stores, and even gyms. Confirming the aforementioned song lyrics, the Washington Headquarters Service notes that there are (or were) also Dunkin', Sbarro, Panda Express, and Taco Bell locations at the food court.

Additionally, McDonald's locations exist on various military bases from coast to coast, each of which also restricts access to authorized visitors. All of this to say that the Pentagon McDonald's is, objectively, a huge nothingburger. It's not a secret, it's not that cool, and it's not even unique. Still, the glamour of the concept persists. In a fact that should surprise exactly no one, the Pentagon has refused to comment on the issue.