(Unlike other restaurants, there was no way to order takeout from a buffet.). Though the chain was popular enough to make it onto Seinfeld in the first place, ultimately, Kenny Rogers Roasters went bankrupt in 1998. For more From the Archives, visit our Web page here. The Southern California chain was founded in 1970, closed in 1995, and was rebooted in 2015 when the trademark expired. After it was acquired by theMarriott Hotel chain in 1971, it grew to 130 locations, but by the late 1980s, most of them had closed. While their family-owned vibe made them largely successfully, they inevitably became strapped for cash and merged with the Hardees chain. 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. Seven locations were revived a few years later, but they were all closed by 2016. The eatery was not without controversy though, as the name is a derogatory slang word used towards African Americans. The last one to cave shut down in 2008, but in 2003, its sliders were still only 85 cents. Alas, entrepreneur James A. Mather was not to be dissuaded, with nearly 300 outposts of the steakhouse in operation into the 1980s. As in other parts of the country, competition from McDonalds, Burger King and the like was severe, forcing the chain to close in 1988. This restaurant opened with Disney's Polynesian Village Resort in 1971 and remained in operation until 1994, when it was replaced by 'Ohana. Trader Vic's. The Polynesian-themed restaurant was in Seattle's Washington Plaza Hotel (now the Westin) and capitalized on the tiki-fad of the 1950s and 1960s. Long Island-native Herb Wetanson was inspired to found Wetson's after seeing McDonald's while on a roadtrip out west. Charging by the person rather than by the item eventually caught up with Eatza Pizza, and after the company headquarters relocated to Connecticut in 2007, the number of restaurants was cut drastically. Pepsi Joe's (AKA Happy Paradise) (10th, above Race). The chains upsetting and racist name caused protests and lawsuits across the US at its 1,117 stores. 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. Nope, this place had absolutely nothing to do with Jim Morrison and The Doors. 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. 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 . For every In-N-Out success, theres an also-ran like Koo Koo Roo. Launched in the 1970s by Marno McDermitt and NFL star Max McGee, Chi-Chi's quickly grew, introducing a rudimentary menu of Mexican-style food to many American towns. Now I have to find another restaurant. 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. If you were a Geri's fan, you can show your love with this T-shirt. Seinfeld fanatics will remember a classic episode in which the chicken franchise was forever immortalized. Founded in 1930, the Cloud Club offered more than just food. In the 2003 episode, Kyle excludes Cartman from his birthday dinner at the famed Mexican chain, and Cartman will stop at no lengths to get an invite. Before Chipotle and Taco Bell, there was Chi-Chi's. But that reign ended pretty abruptly. The first Bud's in Lake Worth was at 928 N. Dixie Highway. The advent of the. Meanwhile, the restaurant portion of the business died a slow death, with just one Howard Johnson's still in business. Get the best food tips and diet advice Carrols was an upstate New York favorite that people still reminisce about to this day. Olga's Diner, Marlton There's little argument that Olga's Diner was South Jersey's best-known diner for decades. America's most popular TV series featured Kramer waging war on Kenny Rogers Roasters for hanging a neon sign that keeps him up all night. Burger Chef even gave the Golden Arches a run for its money, and at one point in the 70s, the Chef was second only to the Mac in its number of restaurants. The chain grew to more than 400 restaurants worldwide by the mid-'90s, and it's perhaps most famous for its appearance in a 1996 episode of Seinfeld, aptly titled "The Chicken Roaster.". A Malaysian company bought the chain restaurant and keeps Kenny Rogers Roasters alive and well in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, China, the Philippines, and Thailand, but there are no more Kenny Rogers Roasters in North America. 150 locations at its peak in the mid-1990s. We stan a health-conscious fast food restaurant. Yet another chain that sprang up in the Midwest, Burger Chefs founders used that invention to really make their burgers go gangbusters in the late 1960s and 70s. And for more throwbacks, don't miss these 25 Great Foods from the 1980s That Will Remind You of Simpler Times. Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes closed all 97 remaining locations during the pandemic. My top three (almost a three-way tie) are: 1. So if you're lucky enough to live near Lakewood, Colorado, check out the last casa standing. Girls. Eventually, the chain was bought by Hardees, which converted most Burger Chefs into its own restaurants or simply shuttered them. Even though Shor reopened a year later, the restaurant's heyday had passed. The chain, which was owned by Planet Hollywood, first popped up in New York in 1995. 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. They still exist. How I Lost 10 Pounds For My High School Reunion, The History Of King Cake And The Plastic Baby. Steak and Ale was ahead of its time. The #dreamteam went on to found 359 locations. 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.". But as Hollywood exited the golden era, so did the Brown Derby, and by 1987 all four locations were closed. navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); Last Call! The electrical chain, founded in Southend, Essex, in 1937, closed in 2006. Many, many big TVs. Only 1970s Kids Will Remember These Restaurants. Penny's Diner of 12310 Winchester Road LaVale, MD 21502, a 1997 Starlite (#M4472 ), was moved to Low Moor, VA. Its giant dachshund with wide eyes is a local icon although the diner is long gone. This Texas steakhouse first opened in the 1960s, and it remained an independent chain throughout the Dallas area. Getting its name from pumpernickel bread, this fast food sandwich joint from Argentina was a major hit in the '70s and '80s. As one Baltimore reporter noted, "It was a favorite of mine as a kidso much so that I had a birthday dinner there once. In 1962, Happy Harry's opened up in Wilmington, Delaware. At its height, there were 230 White Towers, but the chain died after legal action from White Castle forced them to make significant changes. The chain had closed by. 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. Dun. By Libby Birk Fans still talk about its breakfasts and freshly squeezed orange juice. It started in 1968 when General Foods Corporation purchased the chain. Little Tavern was a chain of charming, cottage-style restaurants that felt like a home away from home for many children of the '90s in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. area. The chains later owners soon bought Ruby Tuesday, which quickly outperformed Morrisons and thus led to its demise. That said, it changed hands frequently and was bought by PepsiCo in 1982, and later bought by Mrs. Fields Original Cookies in 1987. A Tribute to Chi Chi's Mexican Restaurant/Facebook, largest Hepatitis A outbreak in the country, 14 Charlie Brown's locations still remain, Bring Back Hot'n'Now to Wisconsin Now/Facebook. Early morning pizza brings us an insane amount of joy. This chain at one point had several-hundred locations in the United States as well as in such faraway lands as Australia. The popular sit-down restaurant. Located at 2 Archibald St., Spiak's had been a corner bar, lunch counter and restaurant for 90 years, according to past news articles. But it was all about that salad bar. The Lemoyne Diner (1941 O'Mahony #1104) was in Baltimore from 1990 to Sept. 4, 2002 at the 5800 block of York Road in Baltimore, but never opened. Think: tacos, hamburgers, hot dogs and pastrami sandwiches. 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. In addition to ethnic foods of all types, the U.S. has a history of self-founded restaurants. If you were lucky enough to still have a Roy Rogers near you in the 1990s, chances are high you were a serious devotee. One of many iconic Upper East Side eateries owned by the Santo Family Group, the fine dining experience in its garden of stain glass was said to have been magnificent," explained The New York Times. RELATED: Learn how to harness the power of tea to lose weight. 1. Howard Johnsons was a line of hotels and restaurants that had been around long before HoJo was making stellar plays at Shea Stadium. With over 37,000 restaurants worldwide, it's safe to say McDonald's isn't going anywhere. That was the end of Chi-Chi'sand rightfully so. After Pillsbury bought Steak and Ale in the '80s, the chain went national with 280 locations. The 20 Restaurant Chains That No Longer Exist, 'The View' Hosts Defend Marjorie Taylor Greene: 'I Have to Say, I'm on Marjorie's Side', Rapper Sentenced to Life in Prison After Stabbing Conviction, Prince Harry Set to Live Stream 'Intimate Conversation' With Trauma Doctor, Manson Family Member Linda Kasabian Dead at 73, Model Abby Choi Dead at 28 After Brutal Murder, Tom Sizemore's Family Told 'No Further Hope' for 'Saving Private Ryan' Star's Recovery, Netflix Confirms 'Pokemon' Series to Celebrate Pokemon Day. You may recognize Casa Bonita from your '90s youth if you're from Oklahoma, Colorado, Arkansas, or Texas. The restaurant had almost 1,000 locations at its height but shut down in the '80s after most were sold to Denny's. in the 50s and 60s. First in Mid-City, then Metairie. High School Reunion, the U.S. has a History of King Cake and the Plastic.! In business with Jim Morrison and the Doors A. Mather was not without though. 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