Because Mexican food is so beloved throughout the United States, there are many chain restaurants that either specialize in or exclusively serve Mexican food. If you love tacos as much as we do, this is one Mexican restaurant experience you wont want to miss out on! By the turn of the century, there were fewer than a dozen Howard Johnson's left standing. But increased competition and a slew of unfortunate events . "I used to eat here as a kid at lunchtime with my father," one Yelper wrote. Ann Arbor's lost eateries - Ann Arbor - LocalWiki with a character named "Family Sam," a friendly senior citizen chef. day, 2022 Galvanized Media. With the rise of fast-food chains though, . In 1988, theySold anything but some of their locations in Marriott. Briazz. But all hope wasn't lost. Regardless, Mexican food and chains, in particular, have become increasingly popular in the United States over the years. After a booming start in the late 1970s and a growth spurt in the early 1980s, Chi-Chi's sales and store count declined. 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! el Restaurante Top 100 Mexican Chains - elrestaurante.com Torchys Tacos Howard Johnson could simply hold the title of the most failed failed restaurant chain, not only the 80s, but a time. Boy, do we miss those fried clam strips, frankfurts, and that signature HoJo ice cream. Founder Russ Wendell's Vision was, at the time, quite unique: hot dogs served next to a less common fast service option for Era-Tacos. 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. Theres no doubt that we love our Mexican food. Chain restaurants are reliable, no matter where you are in the country (or the world). Howard Johnson's. Photo courtesy of thedailymeal.com. And for more failed restaurants,Only the children of the 1970s will remember these restaurants. See more ideas about denver history, denver, childhood memories. "Go to Chick 'N' Taco and give your belly a treatment" -We want us to be able! Chi-Chi's was a Mexican restaurant that first opened back in 1975 and expanded to 237 chains by 1986. . 30 Defunct Fast Food Chains and What Happened to Them Remembering restaurants that are no longer | Phoenix - Yelp RELATED: Your ultimate restaurant and supermarket survival guide is here! By the time the chain filed for bankruptcy in 1988, there were 300 Pioneer Chickens all over the country. JoJos in the ring around the mall 625 . The company sold most of its locations in the '90s, seeing this list might take you back to your childhood. 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. Gd the first open Ritzy opened in 1980, but when you entered one, you were instantly transported to the classic ambience of the 1950s dinner. America's disappearing restaurant chains - USA TODAY 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. Starting in the 1980s, Mighty Casey's began popping up in Atlanta, Georgia, serving your . 18 Blockbuster Restaurant Chains From the '90s That Are Gone or Hard to Taco Bell just getting started in Arizona (1966) Bell started his specialized Mexican food drive-in at Barstow [California] in 1962. Bennigan's got its start in Atlanta in 1976, but by the early '80s, they were everywhere. Mexican food is one of the most popular global cuisines in America, and theres no mystery as to why. And for more nostalgia, don't miss these 17 Failed Chain Restaurants From the 1990s. This Mexican restaurant chain first opened in Minnesota in the 1970s, but at its peak in the mid-1990s, . Family Style. There are 34 locations in total. What the Torchys menu styles as Damn Good Tacos are the specialty, with more than a dozen varieties available. In 1982, they sold the majority of their restaurants in Marriott. Don't Edit. RELATED: The easy way to make healthier comfort foods. The Fun Meal, as they called it, launched in the early '70s and also included stories about Burger Chef lore, including the chain's mascot Jeff, the Burgerini (a magician), Count Fangburger (a vampire), Burgerilla (a gorilla), and Cackleburger (a witch). ), but also offers flautas the rolled, fried tacos sometimes called taquitos. Burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, tacos, nachos, salads, and more are available. var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); Arro - closed February . Bennigan's. This fast food chain was one of America's first casual dining and sports bar chain. The 80's Fast Food Taco Chain You Probably Forgot About - Mashed.com > U.S. sales: $214 million (est.) The first one was opened by Campbell in Arizona last February. Red Barn had small-town beginnings in 1960s Ohio, but it was destined for greater things. The original light showcase closed in 1983. At the beginning of the decade, Gino stopped that the brand Burger trademarks and other favorite fans in order to reorganize the restaurant. In the mid-1980s, the company was sold to Marriott, which sold off the hotel chain and began converting non-franchise HoJos into Big Boy restaurants (which Marriott also owned). 6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e. 30 Defunct Restaurant Chains From the Past - MoneyWise Cote D'Oro: In 1980, Holiday Magazine named this distinctive, turreted Yosemite Boulevard restaurant one of the Top 100 in the United States. So, if you want a spoon of this Dory Chunky fudge, head toOhio WhereKentucky. But all hope was not lost. If you like to be sure that the ingredients in your food are all-natural and that any meat is raised responsibly in accordance with animal welfare standards, Chipotle is one of the best fast food restaurants you can go to. Taco Cabana 20 extinct Twin Cities restaurants that we still miss - Star Tribune He worked management jobs at Del Taco, and in the 1980s, struck by the quality and efficiency of El Pollo Loco, he started his own chain of Mexican-style broiled chicken, Juan Pollo, which still . In the early 1990s, Bennigan was sold to Metomedia's restaurant group. So, if youre in the mood for some Mexican flavors with an American twist at a reasonable price and an accessible location, Taco Bell is an excellent choice! Just some of the delicious Tex-Mex options on the menu at this restaurant include slow-smoked ribs, enchiladas, quesadillas, fajitas, and tacos. Historic Houston Restaurants - Historic Houston - Houston Architecture Info Among the meats offered, are unusual sweet pork barbacoa and spicy Hatch chile pork options. xhr.open('POST', 'https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', true); One of the reasons Taco Cabana is so popular is that it offers 24-hour service, so when college starts in the fall, you can expect to see a lot of students here in the early hours of the morning! The One '80s Snack You Should Never Eat Again, Says Science. 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. A few of Buffalo's favorite (chain) restaurants of the past } Keep the place clean!" . Top 9 Houston Restaurant Closings of the Decade But there is a sliver of good news: Today, two rebranded Gino's Burgers and Chicken remain in Marylandand yes, they do serve the Gino Giant. But in 1989, Red Barn did not come out of bang, but a groan. In 1979, new owners purchased the business for real estate purposes. 13. Simpson. The monster of the Mexican chain business (though how Mexican it is may be argued), with sales more than twice those of second-place Chipotle, Taco Bell has outposts in all 50 states (though not, for some reason, Washington, D.C.) an average of 141 per state. A food that is better left in the past?The 80's snack that you should never eat again, says science. By 1982 or 1983. Alberto Lombardi was the king of Dallas Italian food. Really good, not expensive home cooked food. But in 1987, Beefsteak Charlie's was sold to Bombay Palace Restaurants and went out of business soon thereafter. 30 Years of Dining in Dallas - D Magazine Founders John Zapp and Mike Young opened the first Chuys restaurant because they wanted to create a relaxed, casual dining restaurant specializing in food from the American Southwest and thats exactly what they did! It might not be as wildly popular as restaurants like Chipotle and Taco Bell (see below), but it still has a reputation for excellent Tex-Mex fast food. There are now only 18 international locations and 15 in the United States. There were 60 locations in the New York metropolitan area by 1984. After starting as a small operation in Colorado Springs, the chain eventually grew to over 200 restaurants in the U.S. and Canada. 19. At the turn of the century, there was less than a dozen the left position of Howard Johnson. We hope that this guide to the best Mexican restaurant chains in America (see also Ranking The Top 18 Pizza Chains In America) has shown you that there are plenty more Mexican food options than Chipotle and Taco Bell although these two have more than earned their popularity! > U.S. sales: $214 million (est.) Walgreen's has a penchant for branching out beyond your traditional pharmacy goodssome even sell beer and wine these days. With that being said, Taco Bells menu has expanded and evolved a lot in recent years, including some exciting and creative options such as the Mexican Pizza and the Cheesy Gordita Crunch. March 2, 2023 11:00 am. The Lone Star State is now one of the 19 in which there are Chuys units. navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); A 1980 sales department accounted for many happy customers who say that Chicken George was better than the chicken of their wife or mother. NJ restaurants: Do you remember these 10 forgotten restaurants? November 15, 2005. "Howard Johnson's was the king of the road," one former franchise owner told Eater. In 1979, McDonald's launched its Happy Meal. 11. Restaurant Review: Southern Fried Goodness and More to Try at Tupelo Honey. And for more, check out these 108 most popular sodas ranked . > Number of U.S. units: 484. Whatever Happened to Chi-Chi's Restaurants? | Kiplinger here is19 old joyful toys that will bring you back to your childhood. 1983 The Food Marketing Institute reports that 2/3 of all fish consumed in the U.S. is eaten in restaurants. Bennigan's got its start in Atlanta in 1976, but by the early '80s, they were everywhere. The fortress ofMcDonalds,Pizza hut,Burger KingAnd other giants from the 80s made the competition steep. The final spot (in Nevada) closed in 1995. And by the early '90s, Chuck E. Cheese became the name of all locations. Location:Southern North America, United States, Texas, H-Town, Montrose, Lower Westheimer. > Number of U.S. units: 100. 10 most popular Mexican chain restaurants in the United States Qdoba comes out of Denver, where its ancestor, called Zuma Fresh Mexican Grill, opened in 1995. 25 Classic Chain Restaurants That Are Still Hanging On - MoneyWise Gino's Hamburgers. A 1980 commercial famously featured many happy customers saying Chicken George was better than their wife's or mom's chicken. He rapidly expanded to 225 outlets by 1986. 17 Failed Fast-Food Chains From the '80s You Have to See, 15 Classic American Desserts That Deserve a Comeback, Hardee's marketing executive said in 2007, 19 Old Happy Meal Toys That'll Bring You Back to Your Childhood. 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. The lamentations on those departed culinary landmarks have been thorough and frequent . Sambo is closed in the middle of the decade. The children of the 1980s certainly remember to savor their last spoonful of Hojos ice cream. Its one of the biggest Mexican food chains worldwide, but its especially well-loved in the U.S., where more than 3,000 Chipotle restaurants have opened in total since 1993. At its pinnacle in the 1970s, Burger Chef had 1,200 locations and was a thriving competitor of McDonald's. Growth was especially strong in the Midwest which was targeted as a region susceptible to their appeal. It served as competition to other taco fast-food chains like Taco Bell, with its burritos, nachos, enchiladas, and six sauces. In 1928, she opened a neighborhood restaurant, which her family expanded in the 1950s into the El Chico Tex-Mex restaurant chain. > Number of U.S. units: 204. Chains dont figure, for instance, in our list of the best Mexican restaurants in every state. And if not, well, you were probably missing out. Bennigan was becoming one of the most efficient mid-range casual catering chains in America. Denver Colo old restaurants no longer here - Pinterest But '80s kids rejoice: A revived Naugles has been in Fountain Valley, California, since 2015. if( 'moc.sihttae.www' !== location.hostname.split('').reverse().join('') ) { "Man, I miss him. Though Restaurant Business lists this chain in the chicken category, not the Mexican, and although chicken is the only protein on the menu, El Pollo Loco calls its food L.A. Between 2001 and 2011, Country Kitchen closed almost 200 locations, with the total number of restaurants falling from 249 to 52, as sales declined by more than 80% during the same period. The original Del Taco opened in the Mojave Desert town of Yermo, California, in 1964. The company filed for bankruptcy in 1992 and never quite recovered. First opened a half-century ago in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and still based there, Taco Johns calls its fare West-Mex. Now operating in 22 states, the chain offers some unusual additions to the usual Mexican chain menu for instance, a meat and potato burrito, stuffed grilled tacos, and flauta-like Mexi Rolls, served with a choice of dipping sauces. The Blue Horse, the Nankin, the Lincoln Del. Beyond Meat vegan options are available, and ground turkey tacos are also offered, as a lower-fat alternative to the ground beef versions., 4. A handful of non-corporate locations still exist in Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. At the start of the decade, you could get the "Chicken in the Basket" special for just 59 cents. The stronghold of McDonald's, Pizza Hut,Burger King, and other giants of the '80s made the competition stiff. 33 more restaurants we still miss in Michigan - mlive.com List of defunct restaurants of the United States - Wikipedia Customers find the chain's classic fried chicken, and now the menu also includes buffalo wings, chicken fingers and family combos with cheesecake for dessert. Get the best food tips and diet advice Interestingly, the chain was founded by a Greek family. > U.S. sales: $236 million (est.) 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. > U.S. sales: $4.805 billion Jessica McGowan. It continued to grow throughout the '60s and '70s. At its height in 1984, there were 102 Pup 'N' Taco locations across California and New Mexico. Unfortunately, it didn't matter how good the chicken tastedthe business met its untimely end to the dismay of fans everywhere. 22 20 Best Mexican Chain Restaurants in America - Shopfood.com; 23 8 of America's Most Beloved Mexican Chains | FSR magazine; 24 The 20 Restaurant Chains That No Longer Exist - PopCulture.com; 25 Top Mexican Restaurant Chains in The United States of America; 26 Mexican Restaurant Chains That Closed Recipes - TfRecipes We highly recommend trying some of the signature items on Uncle Julios menu, like the chocolate pinata, alongside some of the classics such as enchiladas and quesadillas. is the restaurants focus on fresh, non-processed ingredients. In addition, DoorDash, the nations number-one food delivery service, revealed recently that five of 2019s 15 most popular food orders in America were Mexican in style. Toledo was bestowed with Hardee's, Perkins Pancakes, a Mexican chain, and, in 1972, the arrival of two Bob Evans eateries. Ever wonder if your favorite is actually the most popular? About 25 Chicken Delights are operating today, in central Canada and the New York City area. Here's a list of iconic Austin restaurants who have closed in recent years: Alcomar - closed May 2018. And some fan of Fan Favorites - like Burger Chef, G.D.'S Ritzy and Howard Johnson have not fallen by the road. But at its peak in the 1960s, there were hundreds of these orange-roofed restaurants . The British-based market research and data analytics company, determined recently that some 86% of Americans who had tried Mexican food liked it; the only cuisine scoring higher was Italian, at 88%. 15. With increased competition and not enough to distinguish Bennigan's from the likes of Chili's and T.G.I. The trade publication Restaurant Business releases, an annual ranking of the nations top 250 restaurant chains. Simpson. After it was acquired by the Marriott Hotel chain in 1971, it grew to 130 locations, but by the late 1980s, most of them had closed. But this same year, 99 of them wereSold in Taco Bell, all but erase the brand. California has the most with 822. Theres no doubt that we love our Mexican food. 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). What sets Baja Fresh apart from the Mexican fast food chains dotted around the U,S. Carrols Restaurant Group. It now operates in almost every state, plus Washington, D.C. Customers build their own burritos, burrito bowls, taco salads, quesadillas, nachos, or tortilla soup variations. Youve heard plenty about Tex-Mex throughout this article so far, but have you ever heard of West-Mex? 10. At its footwear popularity, Doggie Dinner had 30 places in the golden state, but unfortunately competing with larger chains such as McDonald's in this chain unfolds. La Belle Vie. (Now owned by Yum! 24. Without this bright orange chicken, Monday night football has never been the same. Today, one of the dachshunds always turns near the San Francisco Zoo. Top Mexican Restaurant Chains in The United States of America (USA) 15 BEST Mexican Restaurants Chains in the US (There's One Near You!) > U.S. sales: $371 million It was the kind of offer they couldn't refuse, but it was also the beginning of the end for VIP's. Besides Texas, the chain can be found in Oklahoma, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Maryland. Howard Johnson's is synonymous with 1950s and '60s dining. LIME FRESH MEXICAN GRILL. 5. If you come from this wooden neck, you probably remember that the rotating dachshunds of the seven feet chain and turn in chef's hats and chef's ardes coffers that stood outside each of the restaurants. 8 of America's Most Beloved Mexican Chains | FSR magazine Dont forget to try one of El Toritos frozen margaritas while you have the chance! 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. This meticulously-researched gem recalls dozens of shuttered restaurants going all the way back to Denver's earliest days. The Tex-Mex Invasion | National Museum of American History Although it didn't hold up against Chili's, TGI Fridays, and Applebee's, there was a time when it was fairly ubiquitous throughout the states. 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. At the beginning of the decade, you could get the "chicken in the cart" special for only 59 cents. 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. If you grew up eating at these 1980s restaurants, seeing this list might take you back to your childhood. 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. To determine the famous restaurant chains that are now hard to find, 24/7 Wall St. identified brands that, according to Technomic, had hundreds of U.S. locations at their peak between the 1980s . Next time you have a craving for Mexican food or Tex-Mex, we challenge you to try out a new Mexican chain restaurant with friends or family (see also 17 American BBQ Chain Restaurants You Need To Visit). At its height in 1984, there were 102 Taco Pupping Places across California and New Mexico. RIP: 50 Restaurants That Closed Over The Past Decade - Columbus Underground 200 Bennigan National Locationsscreened their doors A decade ago, but the new owners now manage a much smaller operation of Dallas, Texas and the menu includes Irish items inspired by the pub that you liked in the 1980s. But the chain got an extra boost in the 1980s, thanks to its spokesman,O.J. > U.S. sales: $232 million Howard Johnson's. There is one Howard Johnson's restaurant left in the country, in New York's Lake George. If youve ever heard the phrase Taco Tuesday, this was actually coined by Taco Johns, and what many people dont know is that the phrase has actually been trademarked by the restaurant! El Pollo Loco first opened in 1975. Cheeseburger in Paradise. 15 classical American desserts that deserve a return, The Hardee Marketing Officer announced in 2007, 19 old joyful toys that will bring you back to your childhood. Chipotle Mexican Grill > Number of U.S. units: 727. By the 1980s, there were more than 350 Gino's locations throughout the East Coast. The sale put Walgreen's "completely out of the food business," The New York Times reported. Chain restaurants are big business. 3. La Petite Boulangerie wanted to be every neighborhood's neighborhood marketand in the '80s, they made a pretty good run at doing just that. So, if youre an ethically-conscious fan of Mexican cuisine, you should definitely check out Chipotle if you havent already! } By the mid-'80s, there were nearly 100 D'Lites locations across the country. Today, it has 60-plus locations in Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, as well as its native state of Texas. The first On the Border location was in Dallas, so the choice of name goes beyond the style of cuisine served at this restaurant. ", Beefsteak Charlie's has been a part of New York pop culture since it became a chain in the mid-1970s. > Number of U.S. units: 63. In the mid-1980's. In his younger years, founder Leo Reynosa, Sr. rode with . Star ratings are for the ones I visited. 31 once-beloved chains that no longer exist in the Lehigh Valley and Chain restaurants are big business. > Number of U.S. units: 35. With increased competition and not enough to distinguish the Bennigan tastes of Chile and T.G.I. And thanks to the boom offast food Chains In the 1970s and 1980s, we could sip the same shakes and nibble the same fries for decades. 33 Must-Try Gnocchi Recipes For The Ultimate Taste Of Italy, 36 Must-Try Steak Recipes For The Whole Family, 14 Best Southern American Fast-Food Chains, 50 Fun And Fulfilling 4th Of July Desserts, 75 Insanely Delicious And Fun New Years Eve Desserts, The 33 Best Simple And Easy Mexican Chicken Recipes, 55 Of The Best Tantalizing Tailgating Recipes, 23 Most Popular Chain Restaurants In The United States, Mexican Eats is a solid example of a great Mexican chain restaurant, The Best Menu Items At LongHorn Steakhouse, Ranking The Top 18 Pizza Chains In America, 17 American BBQ Chain Restaurants You Need To Visit, 28 Harry Potter-Themed Cocktails To Inject Some Magic Into Your Drinks, 25 Easy Pizza-Based Appetizers You HAVE To Try, 20 Easy Pitcher Cocktails That Are Perfect for Summer, 20 Tasty And Traditional Italian Christmas Desserts, 28 Delicious Summer Pie Recipes You HAVE To Try, 18 Desserts With Dulce De Leche You Will Love, 13 Starfruit Recipes You Will Love Making, 24 Tasty Asian Breakfast Dishes To Start The Day Right, What To Serve With Empanadas (15 Easy Ideas), 13 Delicious Recipes That Call For Powdered Sugar. 8 Classic Restaurant Chains That Went Out of Business - Spoon University This chain of Mexican restaurants got its start in Minneapolis in 1975, sharing space with a bar owned by an ex-NFL player. In 1983. he was elected to Big Bite's board of directors. A revived Naugles has been in Fountain Valley, California, Long Island and NYC Places that are no more/Facebook, still exist in Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, animatronic hillbilly bear named Billy Bob greeted kids. AlthoughCharlie Beefsteak slogan Was: "I will feed you as there is no tomorrow," sadly, tomorrow came for this chain restaurant by the end of the 1980s. Nopales, eggs and beans and hand made tortillas with really good salsas. Kansas City-area restaurants you'll never eat at again, part 1 Its channel, Wag's had 91 restaurants, all open 24 hours a day, serving your standard rate of Denny'Sque. But with more customers came more control and it has not been long before the anti-discrimination protests against Sambo started. Missing those iconic kids' meals? Red barn Had a small town debut in the Ohio of the 1960s, but it was destined for greater things. These 1980s restaurants aren't still standing todayand if they are, it's in reduced form. In particular, he was a founding partner of Del Taco. Theres a huge range of flavors, ranging from the cooling cilantro cucumber and watermelon options to the fiery jalapeno cucumber margarita. But in 1970, he left that company to build his own Mexican-style chain: Naugles in Southern California. Two professional football players from Baltimore Colts helped create Gino burgers in 1957. And thanks to the boom of fast-food chains in the 1970s and 1980s, we've been able to sip the same shakes and munch on the same fries for decades. Pappasitos Cantina is undoubtedly one of the best Tex-Mex chain restaurants in America. Name Head office location Original location Year started Number of locations Notes Acapulco Mexican Restaurant and Cantina: Cypress, California 2. 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. El Pollo Loco is famous for its Mexican-style chicken dishes specifically, grilled chicken.