NYC tourist was stabbed at infamous murder McDonalds near Penn Station: Its like a little slice of hell

The Manhattan fast-food joint where an Australian tourist was stabbed in a terrifying, unprovoked attack Monday is an infamous hangout for shady characters — earning it the nickname “Murder McDonald’s.”The McDonald’s at 490 Eight Avenue, which is open 24/7, attracts a seedy clientele, including drug dealers, thugs and junkies from a nearby methadone clinic, after hours, they told The Post.“It’s like a f—ing nightmare,” said one clinic patron named Toaster, 45, adding that he eats at the restaurant about once a week.“It’s a murder McDonald’s.

They do whatever they want here.It’s like a little slice of hell because you can get whatever you need here,” he said.“You gotta watch out while you’re eating McDonald’s and you’re not even freaking from here.”Nearby, a panhandler and admitted former drug pusher named Tony said anyone with common sense stays away from the eatery after midnight.“Once it gets dark that’s when all the stuff comes out … that’s when the vampires come out, the bloodsuckers,” he said.

“The bloodsuckers come out when it hits dark.When it’s light, they sleep, just like a vampire.“It’s money hour,” Tony added.

“Not a place to be hanging out here at that late night.”At around 2 a.m.on Monday, a 19-year-old man from Australia was inside the McDonald’s eating when he was stabbed in the ribs and back by a wackjob wielding a knife, according to police and law-enforcement sources.Words were exchanged between the victim and his attacker, but sources said the horrifying incident was largely unprovoked.The victim, who was staying at a nearby hotel, according to sources, was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition.Cops later arrested Juan Mercedes, 25, and charged him with second-degree assault in the attack.

Mercedes, of Florida, was awaiting arraignment later Monday.The victim may have been unaware of the notorious, Penn Station-area restaurant’s sordid reputation, ...