There are thousands of drive-through restaurants in the UK today, serving up all kinds of fast food to weary travellers. But when Coventry received one of the first four McDonald's drive-throughs in 1986, they were a novelty.

Our drive-through was just off Hinckley Road in Walsgrave, where the Golden Arches still trades today. Back when it opened in December 1986, there were still only around 200 restaurants serving up Big Macs and scorching hot apple pies.

A chip shop in Bolton laid claim to the first drive-through in England in 1980, but the idea had been around since the 1920s in the US. For the vast majority of Britons, Maccies is where they had their first drive-through experience.

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Up until then, the most that regular folks had seen of a drive-through is when Fred Flintstone's stone-age car gets tipped over by an enormous dino-rib during the closing credits. The popularity of these restaurants has gone up and down through the years, but people make hundreds of millions of visits per year to them these days.

Telegraph writer David Beevers was one of the first to sample this revolutionary new way of dining out. It's safe to say he was a little underwhelmed by the experience.

McDonald's has had plenty of facelifts over the years - but the core experience is the same as ever
McDonald's has had plenty of facelifts over the years - but the core experience is the same as ever

"Drive-in means your car gets waitress service", he wrote. "Drive-thru means means you sit in the car park munching your meal and staring at the half-empty restaurant. Or the edge of Woodway Park. The rain beating against the windscreen didn't give me a particularly good view of either".

How about the service? "With a cheery 'Please call again!', McDonald's polite staff are really saying 'There's your food - now you're on your own. Beat it".

Juggling burgers, fries and cokes for a family in a car really was strange at the time. But it was still pleasant enough for Beevers - at Maccies, you know what you're getting.

"The food's as reliable as ever. The quality, whatever you think of it, is constant. If you had a McDonald's in Glasgow, that's how it would be in Coventry. I must confess it's that reliability that has made me a confirmed Big Mac addict".

Beevers wasn't the only one who took advantage of the new kid on the block. A week later, a Rolls Royce pulled up outside the Maccies.

Out came Stephen Mosley, of Canley's Drapes furnishings, with his staff in tow. They were there for the staff Christmas dinner - which you might consider stingy, but they all agreed that "their Christmas treat was the best yet". The car would've cost a few bob too.

The Walsgrave restaurant has had plenty of facelifts over the years, but the concept is the same as it ever was - talking through crackly radios and getting annoyed at the person in front. Not bad going for one of the first drive-throughs in the country.

Do you remember your first drive-through experience? How did it go? Comment below, and join us on Facebook for more.

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