McDonald's without the Big Mac would be like the Pittsburgh Steelers without their black and gold team colors.
Thus, it's only fair that the franchise's signature sandwich, and the man who invented it, will be feted today at the opening of the Big Mac Museum Restaurant, in North Huntingdon.
It was Aug. 22, 1967, when Jim Delligatti served his first Big Macs at his McDonald's restaurant in his native Uniontown. It sold for 45 cents.
"I just felt that our customers would appreciate a big sandwich," says Delligatti, 89, who now lives in Fox Chapel.
The McDonald's restaurant is a combination restaurant and historical theme park that features period photos and walnut cases filled with Big Mac memorabilia. Seven flat panel LCD display screens will show vintage McDonald's commercials. Delligatti himself is immortalized with a life-size bronze bust.
The restaurant won't be hard to spot. Just look for the giant replica of a Big Mac.
"It just took off so well," says Delligatti of his creation. "We did so well with it right from the very beginning."
Delligatti first got the idea in 1965. But it took two years for him to convince McDonald's brass to let him try it. By the time they gave the go-ahead, he says, he had the seven-ingredient recipe ready to go.
"The only thing that took a little while was the sauce," says Delligatti, whose family owns and operates 18 McDonald's in Western Pennsylvanina under the name M&J Management.
One first-day glitch: The sandwich was too sloppy and unwieldy, Delligatti says. He got permission from McDonald's management to put a third bun in the middle to stabilize it.
The Big Mac did so well, he put in on the menu in his three Pittsburgh McDonald's. By the next year, the Big Mac was on the menu all over the country. A historical footnote: He briefly considered naming it the Big Mick.
An early skeptic was the late McDonald's founder, Ray Kroc.
"He didn't feel it was going to be big right away," Delligatti says. "After seeing what stores did, he was very happy."
Kroc was more interested in promoting another sandwich he was sure would be a hit -- the Hula Burger, which consisted of a pineapple on a bun with cheese.
This is Delligatti's 50th year in the business. His son Mike will run the Big Mac Museum Restaurant, which was built on the site of a former McDonald's.
"We picked that store because of the layout and because it's sort of the Gateway to Pittsburgh and close to the turnpike," the younger Delligatti says.
Customers will also find photos of Pittsburgh Steelers -- Jack Lambert, Tony Dungy and Rocky Bleier -- who helped with the opening of the Ronald McDonald House. Jim Delligatti co-founded the local charity in 1979, along with other McDonald's franchise owners. Ronald McDonald House provides lodging for out of town families whose children receive medical treatment for life-threatening illnesses.
"We actually went to the Heinz History Center and talked to those folks because we didn't know how to put together a museum," Jim Delligatti says. "They were very helpful to put us on track."
By the way, isn't it time to reveal what's in the "special sauce?"
Delligatti laughs. "If I did that, it wouldn't be a secret."
The Big Mac Museum Restaurant, which will serve a full McDonald's menu, is at 9061 Route 30, in North Huntingdon. Details: 724-863-9837.
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