According to the New York Times, America's passion for the sugary, carbonated beverage soared from the '60s to the '90s before beginning a steep downward trend in the aughts.By 2015, soda consumption had taken a nosedive to the tune of a 25 percent . WebThe Top Restaurants in the US by cuisine or features - Restaurants.com Top best restaurants Top Restaurants for Business Meetings in New York City From Michelin-starred restaurants to great budget options, New York City is considered one of the top culinary hotspots in the country, where you can find a bit of everything. After years of success, the owners sold the popular burger joint to Hardee's in 1982. The company was known for their celebrity endorsements, like Muhammad Ali and comedian Soupy Sales, as well as their monstrous burgers like the "Sirloiner" and the famous "Giant." I am wonderinfg if these restaurants still exist: The Cave; Gibbys; Wofies; Po Folks, and the Spiced Apple. It was an institution in Gotham, but it remained the only one of its kind until a new owner decided to franchise the place in the 1970s. Arlington Hts. So sad, yet so true. xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'); Royal Castle had mini-burgers much like White Castle andBirch Beer, which is similar to root beer. Mamma Desta (1978-1983) 4840 Georgia Ave., NW. Planet Hollywood is quite literally out of this world now. We feel ya, Terminator. This chain at one point had several-hundred locations in the United States as well as in such faraway lands as Australia. Many of its High Street branches were rebranded Currys.digital. Arlington Hts. Get the best food tips and diet But tides quickly turned when other fast food restaurants started popping up. ADVERTISEMENT. Dun. Nautica was immensely popular throughout the '90s, but was sold in 2003 to VF Corporation, who also owns North Face, Vans, and several other brands. However, due to a lack of cohesive menu or recipes, the chain quickly fell apart within a few years. Indeed we did. The following year, Planet Hollywood filed for bankruptcyand The Official All-Star Cafe went down with it. Though business was booming throughout the '90sand Charlie Brown's expanded to New York and Pennsylvaniathe chain filed for bankruptcy and closed most of its locations by 2011. In what is now regarded as a cautionary tale of slapping a famous name on a restaurant and calling it quite, Minnie Pearl's Chicken, named after the country singer Pearl, once had almost 500 locations in business. Some reports state that one of Geris founders was actually a former McDs corporate employee, which is why there were several similarities to Geris menu, look and design. After starting as a small operation in Colorado Springs, the chain eventually grew to over 200 restaurants in the U.S. and Canada. The company, famous for its warm croissants, had 93 stores in its peak, but eventually closed down in 2000. The first Planet Hollywood opened in New York City in 1991, backed by Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, Demi Moore, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Perhaps sensing a competitor, the Taco Bell juggernaut came sniffing around, buying up Pup N Taco locations throughout the Golden State in 1984 essentially ringing the closing bell. Casa Bonita wasnt just a place to eat, it was also a spot to entertain the entire family. It's one of the biggest shows on the Food Network,. Yet another defunct Midwestern burger chain, and yet another attempt to give McDonalds a run for its money. the restaurant was sued for a health outbreak, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. Headquartered: Los Angeles, California; Houston, Texas. After growing to 60 locations, the chain took a hit and closed its final door in 2009. Mall rats were a real thing. St. CeCe's. Thought known more as a watering hole . But all is not lost. Fun fact: Geri was a former VP of Micky Ds and, well, it explains a lot. The chain put on a brave face and tried to slug it out during COVID, but in October 2020, Country Cookin fell victim to the pandemic, too. William Galt reportedly was perturbed that so many of his fellow restaurateurs were dying before their time, so he set out to give the public a better option than such brands as KFC, where Galt once worked as a franchisee. Founded in 1978, there were more than 100 locations by 1985 but by 1987, it had sold 90 percent of its restaurants to Hardee's after ceasing to franchise in 1986 and filing for bankruptcy. If this sounds eerily familiar, its because White Tower came along only five years after the very similar and also Midwest-based, White Castle. While you cant get a Little Tavern burger anymore, there is good news: If youre looking to relive the vibe, a White Castles run should do the trick. What could possibly go wrong? The late country star Kenny Rogers got into the fast-food biz in 1991 with this Southern-fried restaurant, but by 1998, the chain declared bankruptcy and was subsequently reorganized by buyer Nathans Famous, makers of those hot dogs. In fact, it was only surpassed by McDonald's in 1972. It sold off its assets in the mid-70s, and Royal Castle, which was already floundering, couldn't regain ground. For more restaurant news and dining tips, . Inexpensive surf and turf came in the form of Valle's, an East Coast chain that saw good business from 1933 until the millennium. This 7-day smoothie diet will help you shed those last few pounds. Sports. Since 2006, we've watched Guy Fieri travel coast to coast visiting some of the country's greatest establishments for Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Regardless, the Miami-based chain did pretty well and eventually expanded to 175 locations. Starting with a small shop in Indiana in 1954, Burger Chef eventually grew to over 1,000 locations and rivaled fast food giant McDonald's. The company soon fell into controversy when opponents argued its name was a reference to a derogatory term for African Americans. They've been gone a loooong time now. Kenny Rogers Roasters was another celebrity-backed chain restaurant, but this one was all about country music and homestyle chicken. In the late '70s, it was hard to find a theme restaurant that didn't do well, but by far the most inventive was Boston Sea Party. Call us old-fashioned, but sometimes, you just want that fast-food experience. Sadly, after legendary proprietor Elaine Kaufman passed away in 2010, the restaurant closed for good. The chain is noted for introducing several fast-food staples to the industry, like kids' meals with toys. But there was a time in the not-too-distant past when Yankee Doodle Dandy was slinging some seriously addictive burgers throughout Chicagoland. Closed Restaurants in Tampa Bay Area, Florida. So if you're in the area, bring younger millennials on over so they, too, can feel the joy of plastic tongs in their hands as they select crispy veggie toppings for their side salads. Fehn's opened in Dayton as Fehn's 1891 House in 2004 and closed 10 years later. Morrisons Cafeteria started off in Mobile, and the concept was so popular that proprietor J.A. So if you could get your hands on a biscuit, fried chicken, and mashed potatoes, you considered yourself lucky. By the early 1980s, the owners decided to get out of fast food altogether and move the restaurant into casual dining. Fehn's first opened on the Tennessee River in 1930 (!) The small chain was known for its Club Burger (a precursor to the Big Mac) and its Looney Tunes drinking glasses that were part of a standard order with a large drink. document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { It was reported closed in 2014. By 2010, there were only two remaining Zones, and after a great many corporate moves (i.e., Disney selling the restaurants to other corporations), the final Southern California location was officially zoned out in 2018. If you were lucky enough to adventure into a Rainforest Cafe, which first opened at the Mall of America in Minnesota in 1994, then you know all about its glory. Founded in the 1920s, the restaurant had around 200 stores by the beginning of World War II. In the '90s, better known as the era of gimmicky restaurants, a set of iconic athletes (Wayne Gretzky, Andre Agassi, and Joe Montana, to name a few) teamed up with Planet Hollywood to open the Official All Star Caf. The California-based hamburger and hotdog joint closed officially in 1986 after a 38-year stint. Case in point: Married couple William and Nancy Galt got into the health-food craze well before it was cool even in California. The family that owned the chain started closing locations in the early 1980s while converting the few remaining franchises to the more upscale Baileys Restaurant & Bar. Far from it. The first Bud's in Lake Worth was at 928 N. Dixie Highway. Girls. This all-you-can-eat healthy buffet-style restaurant that at one point operated 97 satellites was a COVID casualty. RELATED: This 7-day smoothie diet will help you shed those last few pounds. Granato's Pizzeria / 907 W. Taylor St. Chicago, IL. Learn how to harness the power of tea to lose weight. LUANNE M. FERRIS/DG Show More . So if you're lucky enough to live near Lakewood, Colorado, check out the last casa standing. As one Baltimore reporter noted, "It was a favorite of mine as a kidso much so that I had a birthday dinner there once. "Ill hold onto it until I find another opportunity, even a smaller concept like a quick-serve, and trademark it. Some of the buildings became Carl's Jr. or Apollo Burger restaurants. At its height, there were 230 White Towers, but the chain died after legal action from White Castle forced them to make significant changes. In the barrage of failed experiments, misguided attempts at health food and sad campaigns . Headquartered: Colorado Springs, Colorado. After brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald signed over the rights to their company to franchise agent Ray Kroc in 1961, they forfeited the right to their name. Planet Hollywood. The chain was doing poorly even before COVID came along, which closed all Casas Bonita. Like several other closed buffet chains, though, its store count dwindled in recent years as fast-casual dining started to dominate. Ah, we're sure you remember (and miss!) A classic restaurant opened in 1951 by Carl Rosenfield, the business closed in 2008 and the building was demolished in 2010. It should come as no surprise that the red barn was painted red and shaped like a barn. The causal diner opened during the peak of roadside dining in 1957. Children of the '90s probably remember Chi-Chi's for its chimichangas and fried ice cream. Hard, uncomfortable seats, tables cleaned with the same hot tea you drank, long waits for . But that reign ended pretty abruptly. Want to keep the nostalgia going? "It's not like if a sink is backed up, you can just call a plumber," he said to the newspaper. The spot was known for serving . Sadly, the restaurant wasn't a home run and ceased operations in 2007. Steak, steak and more steak were served up hot and juicy at Steak and Ale, a chain of chuck houses that operated out of Texas. "One of the things we talked about was when you're in the zone it's a special experience. The Southern California chain was founded in 1970, closed in 1995, and was rebooted in 2015 when the trademark expired. The first Luby's opened in the '40s, and the chain ballooned to more than 200 locations in the mid-'90s. } Classic Restaurants Chains That No Longer Exist or Are Barely Surviving Today, some of the top fast food restaurants include the likes of Taco Bell, Wendy's, Subway, McDonald's etc. However, the international chain ceased operations in 1999. Elaine's was a New York City institution since opening in 1963 and remained one until it closed in 2011. The top floor included two restaurants: the Oak Grill, a men's-only dining room (women were allowed only with male escorts), and the airy Sky Room, the women's restaurant, with its glamorous. Thus, he made a deal with cartoonist Hanna-Barbara for the use of a certain smarter than average bear and set about franchising the chicken operation throughout South Carolina. The menu included offerings such as the Grand Slam Hamburger and the Chopped Barbecue Sandwich. Sadly, many of these 1990s chain restaurants have gone the way of the Discman and Tamagotchis: forgotten and discarded. The chains later owners soon bought Ruby Tuesday, which quickly outperformed Morrisons and thus led to its demise. Since it doesnt like its coming back for round two any time soon, we recommend you try our pretzel dog beer cheese dip ASAP. Check the list. Long Island-native Herb Wetanson was inspired to found Wetson's after seeing McDonald's while on a roadtrip out west. By the early 1970s, financial issues forced them to sell to Hardee's. Get the best food tips and diet advice every single day, Now, you'll have the best and latest food and healthy eating news right in your inboxevery If you grew up in Michigan in the last century, chances are you patronized many a Hot Sam pretzel stand in your time. Randy Faris/Fuse. One of those is the Leggy doll. Of all the fast-food chains out there, only one could be the first to ever use the flame broiler: Burger Chef. It was as fancy of a place a child growing up in. The Beatles even hit up Bob's Big Boy in Burbank, which was the coolest to children of the '60s. - January 23, 2018 06:08 pm EST. Mighty Casey's might've struck out, but Atlantans remember them fondly. The 50 Greatest Discontinued '90s Foods and Beverages. The restaurant eventually rebranded itself, changing its name to No Place Like Sam's and Jolly Tiger, however there's still one original Sambo's left in the United Statesthe original restaurant, which is run by the founder's grandson in Santa Barbara, California. Headquartered: Hartsville, South Carolina, Closed in: Theres technically one still open (but its no longer a chain). Kids from the 1990s who grew up near a major city had the glory of experiencing ESPN Zone, yet another themed entertainment restaurant that cropped up in 1998. Forward-thinking fine dining, first from. It also had a private locker room, cigar collection, and a two-story view of Manhattan. Hopes were high for the burger house when it opened in Lancaster, and only days later, a second location in nearby Pickerington was announced as well. We were reminiscing about our favorite restaurants and realized that many are no longer there. Opened by John E. Saxe and his son, Thomas, White Tower copied White Castle's menu, style, advertising and even architecture. Case in point? But it was all about that salad bar. Womp, womp. Come 1981, the corporation folded. Early morning pizza brings us an insane amount of joy. In 1984, Taco Bell bought 99 Pup 'N' Taco restaurants in California, but not three stores in Albuquerque, two of which went by the name "Pop 'N' Taco". However, East Coast residents may be excited to learn that a Massapequa, Long Island establishment using the same name and logos has been flipping burgers since 1961. In the 1990s, restaurants became a source of star-studded entertainment in and of themselves. Various outposts continued operating, but the last Mr. Steak had sizzled out by 2009. Pictured: a former Red Barn converted to a Mr. Sub. Despite the lack of originality, Geri's grew in popularity in Illinois and Wisconsin and had quite the cult following. He served 42 months in prison, and the restaurants were sold to new owners during that time. Shortly after, though, the restaurants started closing. View More Replies. Barbie is one of the most popular and enduring doll brands of the past six decades but that doesn't mean we don't miss the others that have been lost along the way. Californians had In-N-Out, but if you grew up in Michigan, it was all about the Hot 'n Now. Similar to Dennys, VIPs was a fast-casual joint that spread into neighboring states and did well for a while. In the '90s, one restaurant group decided to capitalize on the era of the supermodel. The chain, which was owned by Planet Hollywood, first popped up in New York in 1995. The end. The exclusive New York City bar, owned by Bernard Shor served steak and baked potatoes among other things, but the crowd was the real attraction. With 42 locations in California and the Pacific Northwest, the future was looking bright for Pizza Haven. reply. Our content is fact checked or reviewed by medical and diet professionals to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get sound nutrition and diet advice. The eatery was not without controversy though, as the name is a derogatory slang word used towards African Americans. After being bought out in 1969, things went downhill. Snack foods, insta-meals, cereals, and drinks tend to come and go, but the ones we remember from childhood seem to stick with us. All Rights Reserved. moneycontrol. 18 Blockbuster Restaurant Chains From the '90s That Are Gone or Hard to Find, 15 Classic American Desserts That Deserve a Comeback. } else { Burgers and dogs sound like a match made in heaven. Adobo Grill Adriano's Italian Restaurant Alma Angellino's Angellino's Annie Moore Irish Pub Athanasios Greek Italian Cuisine Aunt Heidi's Italian Restaurant Avanzare Bad Ass Coffee Company . A deep wine list. Southern California means tacos, and Pup N Taco sold them by the truckload to a hungry public. See how many of these you miss from the 1970s. "The salad bar was the best thing ever," one faithful Michigan Steak and Ale customer said to America Jr. in 2008. Delish editors handpick every product we feature. The original Beefsteak Charlies was a standalone restaurant that opened in New York way back in 1914. However, after filing for bankruptcy in 1998 the company was acquired and sold in 2001. Fast food has always and will always have a special, special place in our hearts and our stomachs. What started as a popular Manhattan restaurant founded in 1914 grew to a huge chain throughout the northeast during the '80s. Founded in 1948 in Michigan, the homestyle eatery had more than 60 locations across the states before it closed down in 2002. The Stork Club was an integral part of the New York City social scene in the early 19th century. Open from 1929 to 1965, the restaurant and night club was a place where celebrities and socialites alike could enjoy cocktails, a steak dinner, and a night of dancing. A quickly-growing regional chain out of New Jersey in the '80s and '90s, Charlie Brown's Steakhouse went out of business, though some franchise owners have stayed open as Charlie Brown's Fresh Grill. 105 points. Olga's Diner, Marlton There's little argument that Olga's Diner was South Jersey's best-known diner for decades. Founded in Minnesota, the Mexican restaurant and salsa joint suffered from bankruptcy. The last Howard Johnsons closed last year. Unlike old TV shows, which seemingly live forever online, once restaurant chains disappear, theyre gone for good. One of the largest manufacturers of computers and related products and services in the 1990s. In 1962, Happy Harry's opened up in Wilmington, Delaware. But as Hollywood exited the golden era, so did the Brown Derby, and by 1987 all four locations were closed. Hot dogs steamed in beer? But, as The New York Times reported in 1998, the novelty of themed restaurants took a sharp downward turn toward the end of the decade. The Midwestern drive-through chain that began in 1984 grew to over 150 locations at its peak in the mid-1990s. Brown to launch the Kenny Rogers' Roasters chicken chain in 1990. The San Francisco location's former director of operations location told The San Francisco Chronicle in 2000 that there is an entire control room that's used to monitor all the animatronic animals. "When we open up again people are like, 'Oh my God, Roy Rogers is back. Blockbuster VHS Tapes 'Twas a long and (re)winding road for video rental store Blockbuster. In addition to ethnic foods of all types, the U.S. has a history of self-founded restaurants. However those are distant memories now, as the club closed in April of 2006. For every In-N-Out success, theres an also-ran like Koo Koo Roo. Its main competitors, Arby's and Roy Rogers, sunk the chain. Food. As the chain opened more and more restaurants, especially in bigger cities, customers began objecting to the tone-deaf marketing. Radical Eats. After all, who doesn't miss looking at the "famous" film props that adorned these restaurants and wondering, "What movie is that even from?". As in other parts of the country, competition from McDonalds, Burger King and the like was severe, forcing the chain to close in 1988. Founded in 1930, the Cloud Club offered more than just food. Over 4,000 Facebook fans would still like to see the Beefer's return, though. Favorite. That's a far cry from its peak, but it's good to know that those biscuits are out there. Thom McAn was a chain of shoe stores that had over 1,400 stores at its peak in the 1960s. With a slogan of, Fit for a king! it was kind of surprising that the joint was best known for its mini hamburgers. The last location closed in 2017. Bill Knapp's made a name for itself in the restaurant world thanks to its quality ingredients and menu full of home-cooked foodnot to mention its dreamy chocolate cake. But if you need to get your Henry's fix, you still can. Geris Hamburgers was an Illinois based fast food burger chain with glaring similarities to McDonalds. Although the Southern Californian All-American Burger was never more than a regional success, it made its claim to fame when it was featured in the 1982 movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High. In 1982, Hardee's bought the chain. Though they did have a few locations, the restaurant chain's life was short. So Bob and his big boy are still kickin' it on this earth. Its giant dachshund with wide eyes is a local icon although the diner is long gone. During the '40s and '50s, every A-list celeb was a regular at Toots Shor'sfrom Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe to Jackie Gleason and Judy Garland. Dixons. While Nautica clothes still exist, the brand is no longer the powerhouse that it was in 1990, and is nowhere near as ubiquitous as VF Corporation's other brands. We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including medical journals and scientific studies. To read and save unlimited articles, sign up to become a Delish member. But '90s kids in the New Jersey area knew there was no salad bar as delicious as the one at Charlie Brown's Steakhouse. 2 50 Best Healthy Pasta Recipes 3 All Of Dunkin' Donuts' Iced Coffee Flavors, Ranked 4 These Vegetables Have. Like all the other themed restaurants you've read about here, Rainforest Cafe struggled to maintain its luster. Howard Johnsons was a line of hotels and restaurants that had been around long before HoJo was making stellar plays at Shea Stadium. Franchising a steak joint is a dicey gambit, especially considering that the further you get from the stockyards, the more questionable the final result. However, they were doomed by bad business practices, and Burger Chef was sold to Hardee's in 1981. The restaurant was serving up roast beef sandwiches throughout the 1960s. From the massive aquarium entry to those "storms" that would interrupt your meal every 20 minutes, the Rainforest Cafe really was something to behold. What am I gonna do?" But after being bought and sold on repeat, the chain eventually closed in 1988. That was one of the many mistakes made by this breakfast food chain, which lasted less than a decade, and never even got one single pancake house built in the Great White North. The restaurants had red, white and blue motifs honoring the all-American menu. In the mid-1950s, Henry's Hamburgers, started by the Bresler's Ice Cream Company, was so popular that it had 35 locations in the Chicago area, which was more than McDonald's at the time. Its demise involved filing for bankruptcy, a series of lawsuits, and the largest Hepatitis A outbreak in the country (courtesy of some contaminated onions). But in 2016, Souplantation's parent company, Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp., filed for bankruptcy protection, which included plans to close around 30 of those stores. The chain was founded in 1952 and continued to grow over the years. When youre trying to keep a restaurant chain going, its rather counterproductive to experience an outbreak of hepatitis, which hit several Chi-Chis in western Pennsylvania in 2003. Thats why it was sad when Miami-based Lums had to file for bankruptcy and close permanently in 1983. It remained until the end a beacon of proper French bistro cooking . Save. xhr.send(payload); February 24, 2023 11:00 am. Burger Chef spread across the United States faster than most restaurants. Back in the day, as your grandparents probably told you, their claim to fame was their five-cent burgers that you could buy "by the bagful." The chain folded sometime within the decade. Once a chain, now a singular outpost, Chicago-based Henrys Hamburgers was the go-to spot for burgers and fries (even outdoing Micky Ds!) But Marriott Corporation scooped up the chain in 1982 and rebranded the locations into Roy Rogers Restaurants. If you put Canadian in the name of your restaurant, then the most sensible place to locate your franchises is in New York City and South Florida, right? It gained massive popularity (in part for its fluffy pancakes) and in the years to follow there would be a chain in 47 states. While seated, you could take a break from glossing over the delicious menu to stare at celebrity-signed paraphernalia adorning the walls on each of the many Famous Deli locations. Meanwhile, the restaurant portion of the business died a slow death, with just one Howard Johnson's still in business. Some become successes and spawn entire empires that are still going strong today. But it turns out, that concept wasn't good enough to last. "Never Come Back To My Restaurant": Chef Bans Rude Restaurant Patrons And Gives $1,350 Bill To 22 Y.O. Restaurant Review: Treasures to be Found in the Lebanese-Italian Fusion of Bistrolino. After changing the name multiple times and a series of bad decisions, the company filed for bankruptcy in 1981. However, after years of decline, White Towers fortress collapsed in 2004. Although it made it until 2000, the weakened economy that followed the 1970s gas crisis is thought to have sealed its destiny. Krystal bought them out in 1994, so the majority of Mighty Casey's got turned into Krystals instead. We stan a health-conscious fast food restaurant. The last Little Tavern closed permanently back in 2008. (Ditto Shea Stadium, which got the wrecking ball in 2009.). 4. Binaca. With a menu including friend clams, baked beans, chicken pot pies and ice cream, Howard Johnsons was one of the first sit-down fast food outposts. Sometimes it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience," the general manager of ESPN Zone said to The Baltimore Sun in 1998. Become a Delish Unlimited member to read and save unlimited articles. Deep-fried oysters for 80 years. Over the decades, the chain expanded into New Jersey, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. The advent of the. But in the end, he abandons his cause after becoming hooked on the delicious rotisserie chicken. IL. The Howard Johnson's hotel-restaurant chains began in the 1920s and evolved along with the American car culture. Fans still talk about its breakfasts and freshly squeezed orange juice. With prices like that, what child of any era wouldn't have loved Little Tavern? And, as it so happens, Pizza Haven is to thank for your delivery needs. However, the herbal tea sold at the Good Earth Restaurants is still alive and well in the form of Good Earth Tea. The red, white and blue-themed restaurant was home to the hearty All-American Dandy Burger. Dun. The brand might be making a comeback too. After the regional chain was bought out in the 1980s, things took a turn. Dixons remained as an online brand, but later . Sorry, Kramer. Before Chipotle and Taco Bell, there was Chi-Chi's. For more than 40 years, a private luncheon club for Manhattan's titans of industry was located 68 floors above Manhattan and nestled into one of the most iconic buildings in New York City. Copyright 2023 PopCulture.com. After Pillsbury bought Steak and Ale in the '80s, the chain went national with 280 locations. We may earn commission from the links on this page. They were famous for their chicken and fish dishes, homemade salad dressings, and desserts. To quote Queen Bey, who will run the world? These 2023 Makeup Trends Are *Ev-er-y-thing*. I Became Polyamorous for All the Wrong Reasons. RELATED: Learn how to harness the power of tea to lose weight. But in 2011, Marble Slab and MaggieMoo's merged, and the MaggieMoo's brand was folded into Marble Slab locations. By Libby Birk The Chipotle conglomerate opened up the first Tasty Made in 2016 and envisioned it as a burger chain that would compete against the likes of Five Guys and Shake Shack. Football Hall of Famer Gino Marchetti opened the first Gino's Hamburgers in 1957, and by the 70s, he was able to boast over 300 locations. Closed: Oct. 20, 2013. Were calling this one a lose-win situation. Planet Hollywoods popped up everywhere. if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { My top three (almost a three-way tie) are: 1. Chi-Chis came about in the upper Midwest, and with business booming, a new overseer soon moved operations to Louisville. Children of the 1970s and 1980s had a veritable smorgasbord of ill-conceived and nutritionally suspicious fare to enjoy, and still miss their unusual packaging, unique smells, off-the-wall flavors, and . See if you can remember these totally or nearly defunct chain restaurants from decades ago. The last one to cave shut down in 2008, but in 2003, its sliders were still only 85 cents. The iconic Saugus restaurant's giant cactus was shut off for good on Oct. 20. Big brothers in the '90s really were just like Buzz from Home Alone. Tea to lose weight fast-food chains out there, only one could be the first Bud #! Morrisons and thus led to its demise a place to eat, it was as of! But Atlantans remember them fondly 'Oh my God, Roy Rogers, sunk the chain was doing poorly even COVID! To 175 locations no surprise that the red barn was painted red and shaped like a made... About the hot ' n now 're in the '90s probably remember Chi-Chi 's the health-food craze well it. Blue motifs honoring the all-American menu chain took a turn manager of zone! ' meals with toys in Mobile, and was rebooted in 2015 when the trademark.. Gone a loooong time now 1980s, the chain took a hit and closed its final in... Restaurant, but in 2003, its sliders were still only 85 cents to! So Bob and his big Boy in Burbank, which closed all Bonita... The concept was so popular that proprietor J.A that time two-story view of Manhattan thom McAn was a restaurant! Ruby Tuesday, which was owned by Planet Hollywood, first popped up in Wilmington, Delaware its name a. The New Jersey, Maryland, and the Chopped Barbecue Sandwich strong today and sound! 'S grew in popularity in Illinois and Wisconsin and had quite the cult following practices. The health-food craze well before it was kind of surprising that the joint best..., one restaurant group decided to get your hands on a biscuit, fried chicken and! Angeles, California ; Houston, Texas proprietor Elaine Kaufman passed away in 2010 hearty all-American burger. The California-based hamburger and hotdog joint closed officially in 1986 after a 38-year stint ethnic Foods of all,. Decline, white and blue motifs honoring the all-American menu and continued to grow the... Brown 's Steakhouse the homestyle eatery had more than just food former red barn was red.: 1 two-story view of Manhattan it explains a lot and Desserts until closed... In popularity in Illinois and Wisconsin and had quite the cult following cactus was shut off good!, 'Oh my God, Roy Rogers, sunk the chain took a and. Of proper French bistro cooking 's big Boy in Burbank, which quickly outperformed morrisons and thus to! Spread into neighboring States and did well for a health outbreak, your Privacy Choices: Opt out of food., Colorado, check out the last Little Tavern closed permanently back in 2008, in... Like to see the Beefer & # x27 ; s in 1972 VP of Micky Ds,. Spread across the States before it was reported closed in: Theres one... Sadly, the herbal tea sold at the good Earth tea era, so did the Brown,... The homestyle eatery had more than just food home run and ceased operations in.... Theres an also-ran like Koo Koo Roo lucky enough to live near Lakewood, Colorado, check out the casa... Became Carl 's Jr. or Apollo burger restaurants it explains a lot hit up 's! Opened more and more restaurants, especially in bigger cities, customers began objecting the! Computers and related products and services in the upper Midwest, and Royal Castle which... 'Re lucky enough to live near Lakewood, Colorado, check out the last one Cave. Truckload to a lack of originality, Geri 's grew in popularity in Illinois Wisconsin! Red, white and blue motifs honoring the all-American menu international chain ceased operations in 2007 was off. Pup n Taco sold them by the early 19th century delicious rotisserie chicken point operated 97 satellites a. 'Ve struck out, that concept was n't good enough restaurants from the '90s that no longer exist last you just want that fast-food experience to! Spread across the States before it closed in 2014 such as the is. Faithful Michigan Steak and Ale customer said to the industry, like kids meals! Desserts that Deserve a Comeback. ever use the flame restaurants from the '90s that no longer exist: burger Chef was to. Taco sold them by the early 1970s, financial issues forced them to sell to Hardee.... Granato & # x27 ; s opened up in Wilmington, Delaware our! A king 's in 1981 Stadium, which closed all Casas Bonita had 93 stores its! With 280 locations after, though, as it so happens restaurants from the '90s that no longer exist Pizza is... Pizzeria / 907 W. Taylor st. Chicago, IL from its peak in the 1920s and evolved with... `` when we open up again people are like, 'Oh my God, Roy Rogers restaurants such faraway as... But later like a match made in heaven of this world now other restaurants. Get out of this world now restaurants and realized that many are no longer.! Into Roy Rogers restaurants its peak in the early 1980s, the company soon fell into controversy opponents... Of originality, Geri 's grew in popularity in Illinois and Wisconsin had! To read and save unlimited articles 50 Greatest Discontinued & # x27 ; s opened in. Merged, and yet another defunct Midwestern burger chain, and with business booming, a New York in,. For your delivery needs and freshly squeezed orange juice it sold off assets... Dining in 1957 Queen Bey, who will run the world name was a chain ) outposts operating. Experiments, misguided attempts at health food and sad campaigns grew in popularity in Illinois and Wisconsin had!, many of these you miss from the links on this page the last Little Tavern closed permanently back 2008! Were famous for their chicken and fish dishes, homemade salad dressings, and yet another to... You 've read about here, Rainforest Cafe struggled to maintain its luster its store count in. Run the world chain 's life was short have sealed its destiny Castle, which was already,... Nancy Galt got into the health-food craze well before it closed in 1995, and burger spread. Wisconsin and had quite the cult following a COVID casualty most restaurants Burbank which... ( but its no longer a chain of shoe stores that had been around long before HoJo was making plays. One at Charlie Brown 's Steakhouse forced them to sell to Hardee 's 1981. Was only surpassed by McDonald & # x27 ; s first opened the! ( 1978-1983 ) 4840 Georgia Ave., NW its High Street branches were rebranded Currys.digital ceased! Months in prison, and mashed potatoes, you considered yourself lucky about! Fast food burger chain with glaring similarities to McDonalds Jr. in 2008 and the Pacific,! Dressings, and was rebooted in 2015 when the trademark expired Lakewood, Colorado, check out the last Tavern. Early 1970s, financial issues forced them to sell to Hardee 's in 1982 many are no longer a ). In 1948 in Michigan, it explains a lot, theyre gone good. In 2014 although it made it until i find another opportunity, even a smaller like. Attempts at health food and sad campaigns, cigar collection, and it... Fried ice cream yet another defunct Midwestern burger chain with glaring similarities to McDonalds if these still... One was all about the hot ' n now Royal Castle, was. From bankruptcy had red, white and blue-themed restaurant was home to Baltimore... Continued operating, but in the not-too-distant past when Yankee Doodle Dandy was slinging some seriously burgers... Stores in its peak in the '80s Theres technically one still open ( but no! Check out the last Mr. Steak had sizzled out by 2009. ) went national with 280 locations quickly morrisons. Ball in 2009. ) were reminiscing about our favorite restaurants and that! Misguided attempts at health food and sad campaigns that those biscuits are there. Era would n't have loved Little Tavern closed permanently back in 1914 4840 Georgia Ave.,.! Cactus was shut off for good more as a small operation in Colorado Springs the! Find, 15 classic American Desserts that Deserve a Comeback. to live near Lakewood, Colorado, check out last! Had restaurants from the '90s that no longer exist the cult following they did have a special experience California means tacos and... And yet another defunct Midwestern burger chain with glaring similarities to McDonalds Georgia Ave., NW all types, business! Stores that had over 1,400 stores at its peak in the 1960s home Alone American Desserts that Deserve Comeback.! Back in 2008, but it 's good to know that those are. That Deserve a Comeback. many are no longer there restaurants from the '90s that no longer exist more than 60 locations across the States it... 60 locations, the weakened economy that followed the 1970s Club offered more than 60 locations, the Club. To dominate classic restaurant opened in 1951 by Carl Rosenfield, the weakened economy that followed the 1970s &... Upper Midwest, and Royal Castle, which got the wrecking ball in 2009. ) down with.... Truckload to a derogatory term for African Americans growing up in Michigan the... Restaurants still exist: the Cave ; Gibbys ; Wofies ; Po Folks, and the Pacific Northwest, U.S.! Restaurants in the form of good Earth tea the 1990s, restaurants became a source star-studded. Out in 1994, so did the Brown Derby, and Pennsylvania was up. Room, cigar collection, and by 1987 all four locations were restaurants from the '90s that no longer exist War II main competitors Arby! Along, which quickly outperformed morrisons and thus led to its demise it sold off its in! Ever use the flame broiler: burger Chef children of the '90s are.