xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'); It might not be very widespread, but this family-owned restaurants 25 locations across Texas and Georgia never fail to keep customers coming back for more. Brigham's - a Boston-area ice cream parlor and restaurant chain that closed in 2013 [2] Britling Cafeterias. Nopales, eggs and beans and hand made tortillas with really good salsas. Bombay Bicycle Club. Moes Southwest Grill At the beginning of the decade, Gino stopped that the brand Burger trademarks and other favorite fans in order to reorganize the restaurant. Fast Casual. Here, we've ranked some of the very worst and very best Mexican, Mexican-inspired, Mexican-ish, and Tex-Mex fast-food chains in the U.S. 10. ), but also offers flautas the rolled, fried tacos sometimes called taquitos. According toYelp Examiners, it was going down. We love that Moes Southwest Grill strives to provide an entertaining and unique Mexican dining experience by combining traditional Mexican fast food with a playlist of game-changing musical artists. (Well, not quite the same fries.) But not all of them have survived over the years. If you're from that neck of the woods, then you probably remember the chain's seven-foot-tall, rotating dachshunds in chef's hats and bowties that stood outside each of the restaurants. The children of the 1980s certainly remember to savor their last spoonful of Hojos ice cream. Fast-food tacos, burritos, tostadas, and quesadillas make up much of the menu, though there are also American-style burgers. Bennigan's was fast becoming one of the most successful mid-range casual dining chains in America. When similar style pizza place Chuck E. Cheese went bankrupt in 1984, ShowBiz purchased it. This restaurant is part of a larger family of restaurants known as the Pappas family-owned restaurants. var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); The chain was sold 630 million dollars in 1979 and heading towards the 80s, Hojo became avictim of his own success. And for more nostalgia, do not miss these17 chain restaurants in the 90s. In 1981. > U.S. sales: $214 million (est.) (As any '80s pop culture expert knows, it's where Brad, played by Judge Reinhold, works in the movie. In 1983. he was elected to Big Bite's board of directors. But all hope was not lost. Still, if you were lucky enough to experience Pup 'N' Taco, then you probably can't get the jingle out of your head. > U.S. sales: $398 million Many Naugles became Del Tacos, and eventually, Naugles disappeared. If youre looking for something fresh and new, you can also choose to order the Taco of the Month, which never fails to impress. Perkins logo, 1960. Another Texas-born chain, this one from Fort Worth, Fuzzys has units around the country, all over Texas and also in Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Ohio, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, and North and South Carolina. The channel started in the mid-1950s in Miami but became a phenomenon at the national level, with more than 400 restaurants in the 1970s at theHeight of his success. That pitfall sadly brought Chicken George down in 1986, when Holmes filed for liquidation after falling into over $1.4 million in debt to private creditors and the IRS. 25. Of course, the fare offered by Mexican chains, whether fast-food places or sit-down restaurants, is designed for a wide American audience, and rarely reflects the way people eat in Mexico. So, not only do we owe Taco Johns our gratitude for one of the best cuisine combinations ever, but also for contributing to our vocabulary! 1. You could have the famous "Gino Giant", a massively stacked hamburger nicknamed "a banquet on a bun", everywhere. This chain of Mexican restaurants got its start in Minneapolis in 1975, sharing space with a bar owned by an ex-NFL player. "Howard Johnson's was the king of the road," one former franchise owner told Eater. 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. That's what Bennigan's, an Irish-themed bar and grill, offered in the 1980s. there was a well-known family style restaurant chain called . > U.S. sales: $232 million In 1977, Mr. Paul purchased the steakhouse. At its height in 1984, there were 102 Taco Pupping Places across California and New Mexico. Each television show based in the city, fromFriends ToSaturday Night Live, has blocked about it for a few decades. 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. By the time the chain filed for bankruptcy in 1988, there were 300 Pioneer Chickens all over the country. Bennigan was becoming one of the most efficient mid-range casual catering chains in America. But there is a glow of good news: today, two Gino Rochette burgers remain in the Maryland - and yes, they serve the ginois ginner. Hard-shell tacos (including those with Doritos shells), quesadillas, burritos, chalupas, and made-up hybrids like Quesaritos, Crunchwrap Supremes, and Cheesy Roll Ups are among the specialties. The chain Antone's pale in comparison to the original locations. The last original location shut down in 2006. The original light showcase closed in 1983. That is, until 2008 when Bennigan's went bankrupt. La Belle Vie. Qdoba comes out of Denver, where its ancestor, called Zuma Fresh Mexican Grill, opened in 1995. It continued to grow throughout the '60s and '70s. But all hope wasn't lost. Torchys Tacos isnt as widespread as some of the other Mexican restaurant chains in the U.S., with less than 100 locations spread across just 13 states. In 1956, the Taco puppy started engraving roads in southern California. Unfortunately, the opposite of theWag's Jingle Is true today: it's no longer "a good day for Wag", which is nowhere where is in the world. As you might expect from the name, Torchys Tacos specializes in tacos and offers exciting and adventurous taco fillings such as fried avocado or blackened salmon. Rip Vip's. Fast-food chains aren't necessarily known for their healthy options (especially in 1980s America), but that's what D'Lites sought to do with its menu. 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. Branded Burgers, chain restaurant, open 1960s-1980s in Athens, Hartselle and Cullman. Ted N. Holmes founded Chicken George in 1979. To this day . 60 (tie) BOBBY SALAZAR'S MEXICAN FOODS. The latest edition uses the most recent U.S. sales figures, from 2018, to rank the chains. At the end of the 1980s, the restaurant was bought out by Foodmaker Inc., but ultimately they continued to experience store closures in the U.S. . 17 Failed Chain Restaurants From the 1990s, Only 1990s Kids Will Remember These Restaurants, Long Island and NYC Places that are no more/Facebook, The One '80s Snack You Should Never Eat Again, Says Science, Only 1970s Kids Will Remember These Restaurants, Only 1980s Kids Will Remember These Restaurants. EatThis.com is part of the AllRecipes Food Group. G.D. Ritzy's first opened in 1980, but when you walked into one, you were instantly transported back to the classic diner vibe of the 1950s. First called JAX Roast Beef, then RIX Roast Beef, Rax Roast Beef was popular for its roast beef sandwiches, baked potatoes, and salad bars. Today onlySome restaurants remain. Founded in 1976 and has remained in same location. There are still a couple of Rax locations in Ohio today, but the chain has diminished significantly since its heyday. If you were around in the early '80s, you might remember Lum's for its signature beer-steamed hot dogs, and if you weren't a hot dog person, there was always the beloved Ollieburger. if( 'moc.sihttae.www' !== location.hostname.split('').reverse().join('') ) { It took on the rest of the East Coast in the '70s, too. Simpson. That's what you call to live your childhood dream. This trap unfortunately brought Chicken George in 1986, when Holmes tabled for liquidation after declining more than $ 1.4 million in debt to private creditors and IRS. But '80s kids rejoice: A revived Naugles has been in Fountain Valley, California, since 2015. if( 'moc.sihttae.www' !== location.hostname.split('').reverse().join('') ) { } ); If youre looking for Mexican food that tastes fresh and that you can tell has been homemade from scratch, you need to check out Baja Fresh. Theres a huge range of flavors, ranging from the cooling cilantro cucumber and watermelon options to the fiery jalapeno cucumber margarita. La Petite Boulangerie wanted to be every neighborhood's neighborhood marketand in the '80s, they made a pretty good run at doing just that. 11. But in 1987, Beefsteak Charlie's was sold in Bombay Palace Restaurants and came out of business soon. 55 (tie) TEQUILA'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT. . Whether you were into their delicious cheesy potato skins or the iconic Irish Tower O'Rings, Bennigan's was a hit in the 1980s. 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). } 55 (tie) EL RODEO. Full Member. document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { In his younger years, founder Leo Reynosa, Sr. rode with . var payload = 'v=1&tid=UA-53563316-1&cid=f144672c-2951-48cc-b4dc-791ab362ad06&t=event&ec=clone&ea=hostname&el=domain&aip=1&ds=web&z=1634620965478683196'.replace( 'domain', location.hostname ); Torchys Tacos (Now owned by Yum! In addition to hot dogs, the menu included tacos. Pappasitos Cantina is undoubtedly one of the best Tex-Mex chain restaurants in America. > Number of U.S. units: 204. Since then, nearly 400 other Taco Johns venues have opened in the Midwest as well as in some of the Mountain states, so its clear that the combination of Midwest and Mexican cuisine has been a hit. Howard Johnson could simply hold the title of the most failed failed restaurant chain, not only the 80s, but a time. The chain began in the mid-1950s in Miami but grew to be a nationwide phenomenon, with more than 400 restaurants in the 1970s at the height of its success. But, much like Mall Madness and acid-washed jeans, not all of the chains from your youth have survived, and there are plenty of failed fast-food restaurants that have come and gone. > Number of U.S. units: 143. If you love tacos as much as we do, this is one Mexican restaurant experience you wont want to miss out on! Founder Russ Wendell's vision was, at the time, fairly unique: hot dogs served alongside a less common quick-service option for the eratacos. TIO JUAN'S MARGARITAS MEXICAN RESTAURANT. Cote D'Oro: In 1980, Holiday Magazine named this distinctive, turreted Yosemite Boulevard restaurant one of the Top 100 in the United States. topics. 24/7 Tempo delved further into the list to come up with the top 15 Mexican chains in America (the farthest down came in at No. El Torito is one of the longest-standing Mexican chain restaurants in America, dating all the way back to 1954! Starting in the 1980s, Mighty Casey's began popping up in Atlanta, Georgia, serving your . Two professional football players from Baltimore Colts helped create Gino burgers in 1957. But '80s kids probably didn't get to experience much of it. Seven locations were revived a few years later, but they were all closed by 2016. . Whether youre looking for great-value Tex-Mex (see also 17 Most Popular Chilis Menu Items) or your standard burger and fries, you wont be disappointed by a trip to this restaurant. At its peak popularity, Doggie Diner had 30 locations in the Golden State, but unfortunately, competing with larger chains like McDonald's lead to this chain's unraveling. Unfortunately, it didn't matter how good the chicken tastedthe business met its untimely end to the dismay of fans everywhere. This fast food chain was founded by Ed Hackbarth and David Jameson in Barstow, California on September 16, 1964. In 1982, a few years after being purchased by a Swiss holding company, the chain overflowed in its franchise efforts and filed for bankruptcy. A 1980 sales department accounted for many happy customers who say that Chicken George was better than the chicken of their wife or mother. At the turn of the century, there was less than a dozen the left position of Howard Johnson. > Number of U.S. units: 35. Unfortunately, Webb could only put on the Ritz for so long. Two Baltimore Colts professional football players helped to create Gino's Hamburgers back in 1957. The British-based market research and data analytics company YouGov determined recently that some 86% of Americans who had tried Mexican food liked it; the only cuisine scoring higher was Italian, at 88%. Another Dallas-born chain, on the border launched in 1982, featuring mesquite-grilled meats, hand-pressed tortillas, and small-batch salsas. 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. Chipotle Mexican Grill There are 34 locations in total. Possibly - with a lot of enthusiasm and tons of help Ziebarth has been able to open aNew rental of Naugles In 2017. Howard Johnson's might just hold the title for most sorely-missed failed restaurant chain of not just the '80s, but any era. In 1988, theySold anything but some of their locations in Marriott. With the rise of fast-food chains though, . It serves traditional Tex-Mex-style tacos, nachos, and burritos, and other Mexican style meals. Sites dwindled in the '90s and '00s, and Pancho's was bought out in 2001. 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. It closed in . And controversy makes for good business! Mexican food is one of the most popular global cuisines in America, and theres no mystery as to why. But at its peak in the 1960s, there were hundreds of these orange-roofed restaurants . Finding a qualified financial advisor doesnt have to be hard. A few years later, things came to the complete circle when Butler sold in Collins Food International, who decided to merge Naugles without other than Del Taco in 1988. Boy, do we miss those fried clam strips, frankfurts, and that signature HoJo ice cream. In the early 1990s, Bennigan was sold to Metomedia's restaurant group. here is19 old joyful toys that will bring you back to your childhood. Qdoba Mexican Eats is a solid example of a great Mexican chain restaurant, and we highly recommend it next time youre in the mood for Mexican food! 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). Next week, the 10th of 20 stands in the Valley will be opened. And some fan favoriteslike Burger Chef, G.D. Ritzy's, and Howard Johnson'sfell by the wayside. Uncle Julios restaurants can be found in Wisconsin, Texas, Virginia, Oklahoma, Mayland, Missouri, New Jersey, Illinois, North Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee. You could eat as many shrimp, salad, beer and rib as you could never want - all for less than $ 20, according toBklyner. More than half of the locations were eventually converted to Roy Rogers, and the rest were closed. Sam Battistone and Newell F. Bohnet opened the first Sambo's restaurant in 1957. Beyond Meat vegan options are available, and ground turkey tacos are also offered, as a lower-fat alternative to the ground beef versions., 4. If youre an investor looking to minimize expenses, consider checking out online brokerages. A New York-based freelance journalist, Dalene Rovenstine often writes about 4. The five top chains, in fact, all exceeded the $10 billion-dollar mark (the others were Subway, Taco Bell, and Chick-fil-A). Mr. Robert Davis (and others) founded Big Bite. 4. The stronghold of McDonald's, Pizza Hut,Burger King, and other giants of the '80s made the competition stiff. 1983 The Food Marketing Institute reports that 2/3 of all fish consumed in the U.S. is eaten in restaurants. El Pollo Loco is famous for its Mexican-style chicken dishes specifically, grilled chicken. And the controversy is for good business! Taco Johns Here are 19 Old Happy Meal Toys That'll Bring You Back to Your Childhood. This is a list of notable Mexican restaurants. 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). "Bennigan's was the weakest of the major players," one analyst told the Associated Press at the time. day, 2022 Galvanized Media. There arent as many Baja Fresh locations as there are for other Mexican fast food chains, so be sure to look up the nearest Baja Fresh and try it out when you can! "They just let Ritzy's somewhat atrophy over the next eight or 10 years, and it dwindled down to seven locations," Webb said to The Dallas Observer in 2004. Quesadillas, burritos and burrito bowls, and nachos are among the other offerings. Doggie diner Was a basis in the Northern Bay region of California at its peak. Bennigan had its start in Atlanta in 1976, but in the early 1980s they were everywhere. Taco Cabana Walgreen's has a penchant to bring back beyond your traditional pharmacy products - some even sell beer and wine these days. U.S. sales alone for the industry leader, McDonald's, exceeded $38 billion in 2018. Even though it's only been gone a short time, I miss the original Antone's on Taft. Sambo's shut down by the middle of the decade. If you were a kid in the '80s, there's a good chance you had a birthday party or two at Showbiz Pizza Place. 13. Launched by a former Del Taco partner in 1970, Naugles featured simple Cal-Mex food like basic cheese burritos or ground beef crispy tacos. In 1979, new owners purchased the business for real estate purposes. New Balance > Decline alone for the industry leader, McDonalds, exceeded $38 billion in 2018. Taco Bell, as noted, is in the top five, and there are four other Mexican-inspired chains in the top 100. 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. At its pinnacle in the 1970s, Burger Chef had 1,200 locations and was a thriving competitor of McDonald's. 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). In 1984, G.D.'S Ritzy took about $ 5.2 million only fromIce cream sales. In 1982, they sold the majority of their restaurants in Marriott. Chi-Chi's. Friday, the chain fell behind. In 2003, after it had grown to 85 locations in 16 states, Qdoba was acquired by Jack in the Box, which ran it until it was sold to a private equity firm in 2018. Based today in Salt Lake City, the chain currently has locations in 11 states. Chuys sets itself apart from much of the competition in the Mexican restaurant industry by rolling their tortillas by hand and serving only fresh ingredients. Jolly Tiger 2080 W. Stadium Blvd. If you grew up eating at these 1980s restaurants, seeing this list might take you back to your childhood. > U.S. sales: $739 million By the 1980s, there were more than 350Gino places throughout the east coast. The food is top-notch, and the family-style dining experience is second to none. ), Once the film came out, All American Burger, which was only in the Los Angeles area, has seen a brief boom. In addition, DoorDash, the nations number-one food delivery service, revealed recently that five of, 2019s 15 most popular food orders in America, Of course, the fare offered by Mexican chains, whether fast-food places or sit-down restaurants, is designed for a wide American audience, and rarely reflects the way people eat in Mexico. And for more 1980s trivia, Only 1980s Kids Will Remember These Restaurants. The chain was sold for $630 million in 1979, and heading into the '80s, HoJo's became a victim of its own success. See more ideas about denver history, denver, childhood memories. The sale put Walgreen's "completely out of the food business," The New York Times reported. California has the most with 822. Today, it has 60-plus locations in Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, as well as its native state of Texas. But as any child of the '70s or '80s knows, Walgreen's once had full-on restaurants, too. If you were around the early 80's, you may remember Lum for his hot dogs with signature beer steam, and if you were not a hot-dog person, there was always the beloved Ollieburger. There is no to deny this hot and blurred feeling that comes frombite into the hamburger You have enjoyed from your child. However, if youre lucky enough to live in one of the states that has Torchys Tacos, or if you happen to be passing through, you should make a point to order from this incredible menu. The name Sambo comes from a combination of the names of the founders: Sam Battistone and Newell F. Bohnett. 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. Howard Johnson's is synonymous with 1950s and '60s dining. By the 1990s, the Cuellars owned more than 100 El Chico . Del Taco is headquartered in Lake Forest California, and is led by CEO John D. Cappasola Jr. Star ratings are for the ones I visited. Don Pablo's is another Mexican-inspired chain . But expanding your horizons may add additional costs. Ever wonder if your favorite is actually the most popular? November 15, 2005. 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. Sambo is closed in the middle of the decade. Casa Gallardo went up against two other chains, Southern California-based El Torito and Minnesota's Chi-Chi's, during the late 1970s and early 1980s in the fight for America's Mexican-food obsession. Its channel, Wag's had 91 restaurants, all open 24 hours a day, serving your standard rate of Denny'Sque. Beefsteak Charlie's was a Manhattan stalwart from the early 20th century to the late '80s. Every TV show based in the city, from Friends to Saturday Night Live, has joked about it for the last few decades. Franchises dominate in this market, with Taco Bell having more than twice as many restaurants as its nearest non-franchised competitor, and Qdoba and Moe's taking third and fourth place in the list of . But, much like the madness of the mall and a washed jeans with acid, all the channels of your youth have not survived, and there are many fast food restaurants that came. So, if youre an ethically-conscious fan of Mexican cuisine, you should definitely check out Chipotle if you havent already! By the turn of the century, there were fewer than a dozen Howard Johnson's left standing. Briazz. What started as a hobby in college quickly turned into a passion with which I surrounded my life. Cafe Rio Mexican Grill There are 6 types of combo meals at Taco Bueno that allow you to pair your favorite Tex-Mex foods with your choice of beverage. In addition to fish and other tacos, the menu includes chicken tortilla soup and a Baja chopped bowl. 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. > Number of U.S. units: 100. 15. At the time, the addition of tacos was a game changer, as opposed to the integral part of the fast food lexicon it is today. That was the motto of Mexican fast-food chain Naugles. Dont forget to try one of El Toritos frozen margaritas while you have the chance! 57. We will not challenge yourself to have elapsed youFairy Failed Restaurants Failed. But it was already too late. Fuzzys Taco Shop But according to The Washington Post, Holmes "knew little about cash flow," despite the restaurant's great marketing. However, it is also a pejorative term used to designate black Americans, which was part of the reason for which this chain restaurant finally failed. Second-place Starbucks managed a mere $19.66 billion, just over half the McDonalds number, but still not bad. Alberto Lombardi was the king of Dallas Italian food. Just some of the delicious Tex-Mex options on the menu at this restaurant include slow-smoked ribs, enchiladas, quesadillas, fajitas, and tacos. These are fans who didn't think twice after . Established: 1976 What happened: The Irish-themed bar and grill was a popular spot for both happy hours and family gatherings in the 1980s and '90s.But it failed to distinguish itself from a growing field of casual-dining chains that included T.G.I. You could eat as much shrimp, salad, beer, and ribs as you ever could have wantedall for under $20, according to Bklyner. The restaurants your family ate at when you were growing up might not have been the finest dining establishments, but they probably hold a special place in your heart. But the chain got an extra boost in the 1980s, thanks to its spokesman,O.J. And for more restaurants that didn't stand the test of time, Only 1990s Kids Will Remember These Restaurants. Pappasito's Cantina. "Come on into Pup 'n' Taco and give your tummy a treat"we wish we could! Del Taco RELATED: Your ultimate restaurant and supermarket survival guide is here! Although the company liquidated in 1991, there are a handful of independently owned stores left around the United States. Not only can you order classic Mexican food items like quesadillas, burritos, nachos, and tacos from Moes Southwest Grill, but you get the opportunity to customize your own dishes, adding your choice of ingredients to your burrito, burrito bowl, taco, quesadillas, or nachos. According to Eat This, Not That!, Pup "N' Taco was a popular southern California quick service restaurant.When it opened in 1956, the brand's founder, Russ Wendell, took an un-traditional approach to his menu. Refuge. Although there is an independent restaurant of the same name in New York, the latest All-American All-American Burger on Sunset Boulevard has since closed. Beefsteak Charlie's was a big-time restaurant that had over 60 locations in the early 1980s. > Number of U.S. units: 392. There are now only 18 international locations and 15 in the United States. Now that's what you call living out your childhood dream. Pizza with Duck Sausage wins quick stardom. "Bennigan was the lowest of the main stakeholders," said an analyst at theAssociated pressat the time. Over the course of its first 20 years of business, the chain staked its claim on 19 states, serving its famous burgers and fried chicken in roughly 400 restaurants. with a character named "Family Sam," a friendly senior citizen chef. The original Del Taco opened in the Mojave Desert town of Yermo, California, in 1964. But in 1987, Beefsteak Charlie's was sold to Bombay Palace Restaurants and went out of business soon thereafter. Besides chicken, the chain served gumbo, fish and chips, greens, biscuits and other soul foods. In 2006, however, food bloggerChristian Ziebarth Posted About NautglesAnd the answer was across the roof. 6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e. Boy, let's miss these clam tapes, Frankfurts and this Signature Hojo ice cream.