When a new restaurant opens on the Strip, owners like to announce their presence to the world with a grand opening. This turns out to be true even when the restaurant isn’t at all grand, like the new McDonald’s next to Circus Circus, right by the old McDonald’s next to Circus Circus, which is closing.

VIP Soft Opening @ Viva McDonald's

Still, there was a red carpet with klieg lights outside and a serenading Elvis impersonator inside. The VIP crowd included magician Mac King, well-suited casino executives and, of course, never-miss-an-opening Vegas character Monti Rock III. There was even a charity auction.

There was free McDonald’s food available for the willing. But it was not easy to go that route: Even the soda fountain was not hooked up. More popular were the high-end catered dishes (meats, pastas and desserts like chocolate-covered strawberries) and bar drinks.

When the VIPs are gone and the McDonald’s opens to the public, so much business is expected that there are two kitchens in the back, replicating each other like mirrors.