"Howard Johnson's was the king of the road," one former franchise owner told Eater. Bennigan's got its start in Atlanta in 1976, but by the early '80s, they were everywhere. Of course the sections most of us will head to immediately are . The fortress ofMcDonalds,Pizza hut,Burger KingAnd other giants from the 80s made the competition steep. > Number of U.S. units: 118. The graveyard of Denver eateries is the subject of a wonderful new book by Colorado authors Robert and Kristen Autobee titled, Lost Restaurants of Denver . After starting as a small operation in Colorado Springs, the chain eventually grew to over 200 restaurants in the U.S. and Canada. > U.S. sales: $213 million (est.) Doggie Diner was a staple in Northern California's Bay Area in its heyday. Based today in Salt Lake City, the chain currently has locations in 11 states. > Number of U.S. units: 148. Possibly theyrenamed several places At no place like Sam's or Jolly Tiger instead. 4. Many locations were converted to Hardee's in the '90s after the burger chain bought Rax. Reduced-calorie dishes included hamburgers made with lean beef, high-fiber buns, and low-calorie cheese. 167). Boy, do we miss those fried clam strips, frankfurts, and that signature HoJo ice cream. Unfortunately, it was the beginning of the end for Gino. Branded Burgers, chain restaurant, open 1960s-1980s in Athens, Hartselle and Cullman. document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { A couple of years later, things came full-circle when Butler sold to Collins Food International, who decided to merge Naugles with none other than Del Taco in 1988. In 1988, theySold anything but some of their locations in Marriott. Fuzzys Taco Shop Fast-food chains continued to grow, with the number of companies increasing by about two-thirds. Growth was especially strong in the Midwest which was targeted as a region susceptible to their appeal. Though Beefsteak Charlie's slogan was, "I'll feed you like there's no tomorrow," sadly, tomorrow came for this chain restaurant by the end of the 1980s. But in 1987, Beefsteak Charlie's was sold to Bombay Palace Restaurants and went out of business soon thereafter. The children of the 1980s certainly remember to savor their last spoonful of Hojos ice cream. Today, one of the dachshunds always turns near the San Francisco Zoo. single But then, things took a turn. With increased competition and not enough to distinguish Bennigan's from the likes of Chili's and T.G.I. Founded in Denver in 1993 and now based in Newport Beach, California, it helped popularize the build-your-own trend with its sort-of-Mexican burritos, tacos, bowls, and salads. And for kids, in particular, Burger Chef was the top choice: It was the first fast-food chain to include toys with its kids' meals. In 1979, McDonald's launched his good meal. > U.S. sales: $371 million > U.S. sales: $10.410 billion Don Pablo's is another Mexican-inspired chain . U.S. sales alone for the industry leader, McDonald's, exceeded $38 billion in 2018. Launched by a former Del Taco partner in 1970, Naugles featured simple Cal-Mex food like basic cheese burritos or ground beef crispy tacos. LIME FRESH MEXICAN GRILL. I wish it was still here. Taco Cabana The last original location shut down in 2006. In 1981, more than 50 VIP sites had taken along the highways of Washington, California, Idaho and Nevada, In addition to the locations of Oregon. That's what you call to live your childhood dream. EatThis.com is part of the AllRecipes Food Group. It was the kind of offer they couldn't refuse, but it was also the beginning of the end for VIP's. If you grew up in the '80s, there's a good chance you went to at least one of these restaurants. Still another Texan, founded in Dallas in 1986, Uncle Julios features mesquite-grilled fajitas, guacamole made tableside, and chocolate piatas for dessert. The chain marketed an all-you-can-eat salad bar plus unlimited beer, wine, and sangria. 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 At the beginning of the decade, Gino stopped that the brand Burger trademarks and other favorite fans in order to reorganize the restaurant. The full list includes restaurants I copied from the telephone directory (and which were listed as "Mexican restaurants" in the yellow pages). The menu at G.D. Ritzy's stood out for all the ways that you could customize your burgers, drinks, and ice cream. Chi-Chi's took off, growing to 237 locations by 1986. Annie's Santa Fe was a popular Mexican restaurant during the 1980s and 1990s which had locations at several local malls, including Oak Park Mall and Bannister Mall. Fast-food tacos, burritos, tostadas, and quesadillas make up much of the menu, though there are also American-style burgers. Moes Southwest Grill isnt just famous for its classic Mexican food (which is incredible) but also for the carefully-chosen music thats always playing at this chain restaurant. The original Pollo Loco was in Sinaloa, Mexico, and there is a Mexican chain today, unrelated to the U.S. one. The chain has locations in 15 states today, focusing on California, Oregon, and Washington (though Las Vegas has more Del Tacos than any other city). The menu includes queso, guacamole, both soft and crispy tacos, Big As Yo Face burritos, and Elvis Green Chile Fried Chicken (breaded with crushed potato chips). From their salsas, which range from classic salsa verde to the sweet and delicious mango salsa, to their delicious tacos, quesadillas and fajitas, a lack of flavor is never a problem at Baja Fresh. Get the best food tips and diet advice Whether you are in their delicious skins of red potatoes or the iconic Irish tower O'Rings, Bennigan was a success in the 1980s. But the children of the 80s probably do not experience experience. In 2006, however, food bloggerChristian Ziebarth Posted About NautglesAnd the answer was across the roof. Pizza Haven - Australian pizza chain; Pumper Nic - chain in Argentina; founded in 1974 and closed in 1999; Pup 'N' Taco; Red Barn; Royal Castle - one franchise location survived after chain was liquidated in 1975; Sandy's; ShowBiz Pizza Place - Merged into Chuck E. Cheese You could have the famous "Gino Giant", a massively stacked hamburger nicknamed "a banquet on a bun", everywhere. 11. A 1980 commercial famously featured many happy customers saying Chicken George was better than their wife's or mom's chicken. Any classic Mexican fast food you can think of, you can order at Taco Bueno. Heartland. They often offer low investment fees, helping you maximize your profit. "Bennigan was the lowest of the main stakeholders," said an analyst at theAssociated pressat the time. Now Holidays Restaurant. In 1982, Denny's offered the company about $12 million to buy out 35 VIP's locations. Taco Bueno combines Mexican cuisine with American fast food culture with its meal combos. But as any child of the '70s or '80s knows, Walgreen's once had full-on restaurants, too. It opened its first U.S. venue in Los Angeles in 1980, and since then, nearly 500 El Pollo Loco restaurants have been established. The timing was . Pappasito's Cantina is considered one of the best Mexican restaurant chains in the U.S., and it is easy to see why. Carrols Restaurant Group. But in 1989, Red Barn went out not with a bang, but a whimper. > Number of U.S. units: 35. There were 225 locations by the mid-'80s, but Naugles merged with Del Taco, and locations slowly converted. Unfortunately, no matter the quality of the chicken-taste - the company has encountered its inexpensive end to the consternation of fans everywhere. This Mexican restaurant is the original home of the frozen margarita, tableside guacamole, and the fajita platter, so other Mexican chain restaurants owe a lot to this establishment. And for another trip down memory lane, check out these 15 Classic American Desserts That Deserve a Comeback. navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); This meticulously-researched gem recalls dozens of shuttered restaurants going all the way back to Denver's earliest days. Its fried chicken articulation quickly became one of the largest chains belonging to the country. if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { See more ideas about denver history, denver, childhood memories. Without that bright orange chicken, Monday Night Football was never the same. And for children, in particular, Burger Chef was the best choice: it was the first fast food chain to include toys with the meals of his children. All Rights Reserved. The chain was sold for $630 million in 1979, and heading into the '80s, HoJo's became a victim of its own success. That's what Bennigan's, an Irish-themed bar and grill, offered in the 1980s. Family Style. Its channel, Wag's had 91 restaurants, all open 24 hours a day, serving your standard rate of Denny'Sque. This family includes Pappas Burger, Pappas Bar-B-Q and Pappas Bros Steakhouse to name just a few (see also The Best Menu Items At LongHorn Steakhouse). D'Lites (1978-1987) Norcross, GA. More than 100. We finally started swishing and sipping when La Cave popped open "with a refr eshing idea whose arrival . Big Bite expanded to a chain of approximately 30 restaurants. Keep place clean!" At its height, there were nearly 100 restaurants in The national level, which was quite the Founder Graydon D. Webb. The company sold most of its locations in the '90s, seeing this list might take you back to your childhood. } Chi-Chi's Inc., owned by Prandium Inc., is a chain of 130 Mexican full-service restaurants that can be found in Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Bennigan's got its start in Atlanta in 1976, but by the early '80s, they were everywhere. Sadly, the opposite of the Wag's jingle is true today: It's no longer "a great day for Wag's," which is nowhere to be found in the world. March 2, 2023 11:00 am. Del Taco was founded in 1964, in California. In 1982, they sold the bulk of their restaurants to Marriott. 23. Finally, if youre looking for really high-quality, rustic-inspired Tex-Mex, theres nowhere better than Uncle Julios. var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); The latest edition uses the most recent U.S. sales figures, from 2018, to rank the chains. This health-conscious fast-food chain offered healthier options than their competitors, but when chains like McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's began to do the same in the form of salads, baked potatoes, and other items, it spelled the end for D'Lites. Doggie diner Was a basis in the Northern Bay region of California at its peak. Not only does On The Border deliver excellent value for money due to its impressive portion sizes, but many of the signature dishes on the menu at this restaurant are cooked on mesquite wooden grills, which enhances the flavor and makes the Mexican food at On The Border some of the best in America. ", Beefsteak Charlie's has been a part of New York pop culture since it became a chain in the mid-1970s. Children of the 1980s certainly remember savoring their last spoonful of HoJos ice cream. Though there's an unrelated restaurant of the same name in New York, the last real All-American Burger on Sunset Boulevard has since closed. "You could make money anywhere." Beefsteak Charlie's was a Manhattan stalwart from the early 20th century to the late '80s. VIP was a casual catering chain on the 24-hour west coast that started from Oregon in 1968. It was the kind of offer they could not refuse, but it was also the beginning of the end for VIP. The best Mexican restaurant chains list includes fast food Mexican restaurants like La Salsa, Rubio's Coastal Grill, and Chipotle as well as sit down Mexican chains like Acapulco and Chevy's. Mexican chain restaurants include any taco restaurant where you can order Mexican cuisine. It closed in . El Torito is one of the longest-standing Mexican chain restaurants in America, dating all the way back to 1954! You can almost taste the burgers, hot dogs, and fries just looking at it. It served as competition to other taco fast-food chains like Taco Bell, with its burritos, nachos, enchiladas, and six sauces. There are now only 18 international locations and 15 in the United States. At its pinnacle in the 1970s, Burger Chef had 1,200 locations and was a thriving competitor of McDonald's. This chain of Mexican restaurants got its start in Minneapolis in 1975, sharing space with a bar owned by an ex-NFL player. Get the best food tips and diet Taco Bell just getting started in Arizona (1966) Bell started his specialized Mexican food drive-in at Barstow [California] in 1962. Without further ado, were going to be listing the 16 best Mexican chain restaurants in America, describing the style of the menu for each one (see also Americas Best Buffet Restaurants). In 1928, she opened a neighborhood restaurant, which her family expanded in the 1950s into the El Chico Tex-Mex restaurant chain. Dick Nager has had a story to help create successful catering chains. But increased competition and a slew of unfortunate events . Dont forget to try one of El Toritos frozen margaritas while you have the chance! Your ultimate restaurant and supermarket survival guide is here! Sambo's began in 1957 in Santa Barbara, California, reaching peak popularity in the late 1970s with more than 1,100 restaurants in 47 states. When similar style pizza place Chuck E. Cheese went bankrupt in 1984, ShowBiz purchased it. Just some of the delicious Tex-Mex options on the menu at this restaurant include slow-smoked ribs, enchiladas, quesadillas, fajitas, and tacos. That was the motto of Mexican fast-food chain Naugles. Burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, tacos, nachos, salads, and more are available. Only 1980s Kids Will Remember These Restaurants. El Pollo Loco is famous for its Mexican-style chicken dishes specifically, grilled chicken. Investing in real estate can diversify your portfolio. This is a list of notable Mexican restaurants. Rip Vip's. During the 1990s and 2000s, a wider availability of Mexican food at different price points--low, medium, and high--spread beyond Manhattan to Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. There were serious noise complaints from neighbors at the Huntington Harbour location in 1981, and, in the mid-1980s, claims that the chain excluded minorities on a regular basis from several of its Orange County . It serves traditional Tex-Mex-style tacos, nachos, and burritos, and other Mexican style meals. . ), After the movie came out, All-American Burger, which was only in the Los Angeles area, experienced a brief boom. Among the meats offered, are unusual sweet pork barbacoa and spicy Hatch chile pork options. Chain restaurants are big business. Among these are the Democrat (barbacoa, avocado, and cotija cheese on corn tortillas) and the Republican (grilled jalapeo sausage, pico de gallo, and cheddar jack on a flour tortilla). Theres a huge range of flavors, ranging from the cooling cilantro cucumber and watermelon options to the fiery jalapeno cucumber margarita. Posted September 13, 2004. 60 (tie) BOBBY SALAZAR'S MEXICAN FOODS. 13. Menu items have fanciful names like Homewrecker (an overstuffed burrito ), John Coctostan (a Southwest-style quesadilla), and Alright Alright Alright (nachos with queso). Ted N. Holmes founded Chicken George in 1979. Sadly, there are no more D'Lites today. Mr. Davis was a primary investor in Big Bite. Translating to the crazy chicken in Spanish, El Pollo Loco is one of the most famous Mexican-style chain restaurants in the United States, and definitely the winner of the funniest name contest! > U.S. sales: $214 million (est.) Uncle Julios restaurants can be found in Wisconsin, Texas, Virginia, Oklahoma, Mayland, Missouri, New Jersey, Illinois, North Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee. Vegan-friendly Beyond Meat tacos, nachos, and bowls are available, too. Taco Bueno is a famous fast food restaurant chain situated in the southern United States. Mexican cuisine is primarily a fusion of indigenous Mesoamerican cooking with European, especially Spanish, elements added after the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire in the 16th century. every day. DEL TACO. xhr.open('POST', 'https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', true); November 15, 2005. After her family migrated from Mexico to Texas in the 1890s, Adelaida Cuellar began selling her handmade tamales at her county fair. There will be 31 in Arizona by the end of the year, Campbell said. According toEaterFor the height of his popularity in the 1960s, Howard Johnson served "more meals outside the home than any American entity, with the exception of the US military.". Full Member. Perkins logo, 1960. Torchys Tacos > Number of U.S. units: 170. Bennigan had its start in Atlanta in 1976, but in the early 1980s they were everywhere. Tortillas at Chuys are handmade daily, all the ingredients are fresh (not frozen), and there are 10 homemade salsas. Although it was a regional chain (it was mostly centralized to California), All-American Burger was made famous with anyone who came of age in the '80s, thanks to Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Sambo is closed in the middle of the decade. The original Pioneer Chicken opened in 1961 next to a Pioneer Market, a grocery store chain in Los Angeles. (Well, not quite the same fries.) Del Taco restaurant, Inc. is an American fast food chain that specializes Mexican and American cuisine. Missing those iconic kids' meals? Qdoba first opened under the name Zuma Fresh Mexican Grill in 1995, which then changed to Z-Teca and became Qdoba in 1999. 58 (tie) SANTIAGO'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT. But if you'd kill for an Ollieburger, check out this copycat recipe to satisfy your craving. However, Pappasitos Cantina really stands out for a few reasons. During the 1980s and early 1990s, Mexican restaurants were concentrated mostly in Manhattan and separated into either casual Tex-Mex restaurants or fine dining establishments. Bankrupcty. Unfortunately, to the consternation of fans across the country, Burger Chef has not continued to follow and finally sold to the owner of Hardee's in the early 1980s. (Like any expert from the pop culture of the 80s knows, that's where Brad, played by Judge Reinhold, works in the movie. There is no to deny this hot and blurred feeling that comes frombite into the hamburger You have enjoyed from your child. Mr. Paul is a restaurateur who had owned other popular Los Angeles-area restaurants: The Old Virginia and Chez Paul, both in South Pasadena. The basic staples remain native foods such as corn, beans and chili peppers, but the Europeans introduced many other foods, the most important of which were meat from domesticated animals (beef, pork, chicken, goat and sheep), dairy products (especially cheese) and various herbs and many spices. } If youre ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now. > U.S. sales: $236 million (est.) Feb 9, 2022 - Explore ben mccullough's board "Denver Colo old restaurants no longer here" on Pinterest. Many weren't surprised when Metromedia filed for bankruptcy in 2008. A Mexican fast-food establishment with locations all over the United States, its charming motto was, "Prepare food fresh. Taco Cabana is known for its tortilla machine, which allows customers to enjoy steaming hot tacos just a couple of minutes after they place their order. Mexican food. But according to The Washington Post, Holmes "knew little about cash flow," despite the restaurant's great marketing. Originating in El Paso, Texas, Pancho's Mexican Buffet grew in popularity, thanks to its all-you-can-eat "buffet"-style service. The most talked-about item on the menu is the fire-grilled chicken, which you can get incorporated into various dishes at the restaurant, from tacos to burritos. Another famous item on the Taco Cabana menu is the queso, which many lovers of Tex-Mex have labeled the best queso at any of Americas Mexican fast food restaurants. 3. navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); Damon . Another Tex-Mex chain Taco Cabana has close to 200 locations throughout the United States, but most of them are in the restaurants town of origin, which is, of course, Texas! Get the best food tips and diet Howard Johnson's might just hold the title for most sorely-missed failed restaurant chain of not just the '80s, but any era. RIP VIP's. If you were a kid in the '80s, there's a good chance you had a birthday party or two at Showbiz Pizza Place. Chipotle specializes in Mexican food favorites such as burritos, but it has an extensive menu ranging from burrito bowls to tacos and fajitas. More than half of the locations were eventually converted to Roy Rogers, and the rest were closed.
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