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). (Well,not quite the same fries.) In 1983. he was elected to Big Bite's board of directors. Founded in 1974, Chi-Chi's was a Mexican-restaurant chain operating in the United States and Canada up until it filed for bankruptcy in 2004, according to a Journal Times report. Fast-food chains continued to grow, with the number of companies increasing by about two-thirds. 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%. Don Pablo's is another Mexican-inspired chain . 4. But in 1970, he left that company to build his own Mexican-style chain: Naugles in Southern California. In fact, Moes is actually an acronym that stands for Musicians, Outlaws, and Entertainers. Mex which it defines as SoCal lifestyle meets Mexican heritage. Fire-grilled chicken is the thing here, by itself (or with beans and rice, fries, etc. Fast-food tacos, burritos, tostadas, and quesadillas make up much of the menu, though there are also American-style burgers. 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. And if not, well, you were probably missing out. In 1988, theySold anything but some of their locations in Marriott. Friday's, the chain fell behind. Was on 7th ave. Just south of Van Buren at the bottom just before going over the bridge. Each television show based in the city, fromFriends ToSaturday Night Live, has blocked about it for a few decades. In 1967, the chain was established in Abilene, Texas, by Bill R. Waugh, an art graduate from Abilene Christian University. Wish it were still there Mr. Davis was a primary investor in Big Bite. According to Eater, during the height of its popularity in the 1960s, Howard Johnson's served "more meals outside of the home than any entity in America, except for the U.S. Theres a huge range of flavors, ranging from the cooling cilantro cucumber and watermelon options to the fiery jalapeno cucumber margarita. The One '80s Snack You Should Never Eat Again, Says Science. A handful of non-corporate locations still exist in Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. Howard Johnson's. There is one Howard Johnson's restaurant left in the country, in New York's Lake George. Regardless, Mexican food and chains, in particular, have become increasingly popular in the United States over the years. If youre ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now. 4. 20+ New & Recently-Opened Restaurants in Columbus in 2023. 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 . 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. In 1977, Mr. Paul purchased the steakhouse. Whether you were into their delicious cheesy potato skins or the iconic Irish Tower O'Rings, Bennigan's was a hit in the 1980s. 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. 6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e. Besides Texas, the chain can be found in Oklahoma, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Maryland. More than half of the locations were finally converted to Roy Rogers, and the rest was closed. Gino's Hamburgers. This Mexican restaurant chain first opened in Minnesota in the 1970s, but at its peak in the mid-1990s, . He continued to grow in the 60s and 70s. Location:Southern North America, United States, Texas, H-Town, Montrose, Lower Westheimer. 25. 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. Get the best food tips and diet Bennigan's got its start in Atlanta in 1976, but by the early '80s, they were everywhere. Fast Casual. Does this list bring back any memories? The chain was sold for $630 million in 1979, and heading into the '80s, HoJo's became a victim of its own success. But in 1989, Red Barn did not come out of bang, but a groan. El Torito is one of the longest-standing Mexican chain restaurants in America, dating all the way back to 1954! topics. VIP was a casual catering chain on the 24-hour west coast that started from Oregon in 1968. The company sold most of its locations in the '90s, seeing this list might take you back to your childhood. } ); Mexican food is one of the most popular global cuisines in America, and theres no mystery as to why. 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. Today onlySome restaurants remain. Restaurant Review: Southern Fried Goodness and More to Try at Tupelo Honey. Get the best food tips and diet Sadly, that was the beginning of the end for Gino's. It serves traditional Tex-Mex-style tacos, nachos, and burritos, and other Mexican style meals. > U.S. sales: $324 million Only 1980s Kids Will Remember These Restaurants. 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. 15. This chain of Mexican restaurants got its start in Minneapolis in 1975, sharing space with a bar owned by an ex-NFL player. But the children of the 80s probably do not experience experience. It took 10 years for the chain to die a slow death, which meant that the children of the 80s have had to experience the great barn and the Barnbuster Burgers . Chains dont figure, for instance, in our list of, the best Mexican restaurants in every state, Source: Keithready / Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons, Source: Photo taken by Bobak Ha'Eri. Of all the fast-food chains out there, only one could be the first to ever use . New French Cafe. Taco Bell just getting started in Arizona (1966) Bell started his specialized Mexican food drive-in at Barstow [California] in 1962. In the late 1980s, if you lived . 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. The original Pollo Loco was in Sinaloa, Mexico, and there is a Mexican chain today, unrelated to the U.S. one. 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). 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. It served as competition to other taco fast-food chains like Taco Bell, with its burritos, nachos, enchiladas, and six sauces. Unfortunately, it was the beginning of the end for Gino. But according to The Washington Post, Holmes "knew little about cash flow," despite the restaurant's great marketing. Beefsteak Charlie's is part of New York's pop culture because it has become a chain in the mid-1970s. Unfortunately, no matter the quality of the chicken-taste - the company has encountered its inexpensive end to the consternation of fans everywhere. The trade publication Restaurant Business releases an annual ranking of the nations top 250 restaurant chains. And for more nostalgia, do not miss these17 chain restaurants in the 90s. 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 . We promise this Tex-Mex chain restaurant will quickly become a family favorite! All Rights Reserved. Pappasitos Cantina is undoubtedly one of the best Tex-Mex chain restaurants in America. 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. But '80s kids probably didn't get to experience much of it. if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { Taco Bell is probably one of the first Mexican chain restaurants that come to mind when you think about Mexican fast food, which is hardly surprising since there are more than 7,000 Taco Bell Restaurants across the United States. You could get the famous "Gino Giant," a massively stacked hamburger aptly nicknamed "a banquet on a bun," all over the place. 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. Del Taco is headquartered in Lake Forest California, and is led by CEO John D. Cappasola Jr. 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. 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. This restaurant is part of a larger family of restaurants known as the Pappas family-owned restaurants. 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. Feb 9, 2022 - Explore ben mccullough's board "Denver Colo old restaurants no longer here" on Pinterest. single > Number of U.S. units: 484. 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. Rubios Coastal Grill More than half of the locations were eventually converted to Roy Rogers, and the rest were closed. By the mid-'80s, there were nearly 100 D'Lites locations across the country. 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). At its height in 1984, there were 102 Taco Pupping Places across California and New Mexico. 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! And the controversy is for good business! It was such a success for founders Max . Chipotle specializes in Mexican food favorites such as burritos, but it has an extensive menu ranging from burrito bowls to tacos and fajitas. But that was only true for so long. Dam it was good Mexican food. Miss these emblematic meals of children? Boy, do we miss those fried clam strips, frankfurts, and that signature HoJo ice cream. The trade publication Restaurant Business releases, an annual ranking of the nations top 250 restaurant chains. 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. And for more than 1980 anti-stirlish, Only the children of the 1980s will remember these restaurants . Former regulars might remember the antique decor of the restaurant or the Greek . It took 10 years for the chain to die a slow death, which meant children of the '80s did get to experience the Big Barn and the Barnbuster burgers. 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. Beyond Meat vegan options are available, and ground turkey tacos are also offered, as a lower-fat alternative to the ground beef versions., 4. Taco Bueno. > U.S. sales: $348 million This restaurant chain has been in existence since 1982, and the first location was based in Austin, Texas. The sale has put the "completely out of food activity" of WalgreenThe New York Times reported. 5. The chain Antone's pale in comparison to the original locations. The US Mexican restaurant industry has seen good growth over most of the past decade, reaching a market size of around $79.4 billion in 2023. 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. By the 1980s, there were more than 350 Gino's locations throughout the East Coast. every day. ), in Pollo Fit Bowls, or in the form of burritos, tostadas, or overstuffed quesadillas. Burger Chef. At one point, the Burger King-esque chain had as many as 27 restaurants around Illinois, but by the early 1980s, the chain was finished. (Like any expert from the pop culture of the 80s knows, that's where Brad, played by Judge Reinhold, works in the movie. var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); 321. To his pinnacle in the 1970s,Burger chef EU 1,200 locations and was a flourishing competitor of McDonald's. Bennigan's was fast becoming one of the most successful mid-range casual dining chains in America. In 1979, new owners bought the company for real estate purposes. In 1979, new owners purchased the business for real estate purposes. By 1982 or 1983. Nopales, eggs and beans and hand made tortillas with really good salsas. Chi-Chi's was a Mexican restaurant that first opened back in 1975 and expanded to 237 chains by 1986. . 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. A 1980 commercial famously featured many happy customers saying Chicken George was better than their wife's or mom's chicken. 12. The Earles were on the cusp of the growing appetite for Mexican food, and it was prepared with care and flavor in both locations. > Number of U.S. units: 63. > Number of U.S. units: 727. 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. The International House of Pancakes is one of those chain restaurants that has come and gone a handful of times in Western New York. With increased competition and not enough to distinguish Bennigan's from the likes of Chili's and T.G.I. 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. Sambo is closed in the middle of the decade. I wish it was still here. Whether you are in their delicious skins of red potatoes or the iconic Irish tower O'Rings, Bennigan was a success in the 1980s. There were at least 300 Rax locations by the mid-'80s; there were even locations in Guatemala and Canada. If youre looking for something fresh and new, you can also choose to order the Taco of the Month, which never fails to impress. 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. 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. 1977: Fine Wine and Italian Style. 7. xhr.send(payload); Dick Nager has had a story to help create successful catering chains. Whether your usual order consists of nachos, burritos, tacos, quesadillas, or even a Mexican-style salad you name it, its on the menu. The first Chi-Chi's Mexican Restaurant opened in downtown Minneapolis in 1975 and was one of the breakout restaurants of the year; by 1986 a whopping 237 locations had been opened, with 42 opening in 1985 alone. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesnt have to be hard. From there, unfortunately, it was all downhill. Lauren Gray is a New York-based writer, editor, and consultant. Red Barn had small-town beginnings in 1960s Ohio, but it was destined for greater things. That's what Bennigan's, an Irish-themed bar and grill, offered in the 1980s. Sam Battistone and Newell F. Bohnet opened the first Sambo's restaurant in 1957. Buffalo locations, 1979. Torchys Tacos Friday, the chain fell behind. 26. Nine years in, Naugle sold his modest three-location chain to a businessman named Harold Butler, who took the concept and ran with it. Family Style. 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. 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. The American company has units all over California (and especially in the southern portions of the state), as well as in Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Texas, and Louisiana. 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! 1983 The Food Marketing Institute reports that 2/3 of all fish consumed in the U.S. is eaten in restaurants. Moes Southwest Grill Inc. (Big Bite). The name Sambo comes from a combination of the names of the founders: Sam Battistone and Newell F. Bohnett. The fun meal, as they called it, launched in the early 1970s and included stories about Burger Chef Lore, including the mascot of Jeff chain, La Burgerini (a magician), Count Fangburger (a vampire), Burgerilla (a gorilla), and Cackleburger (a witch). 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. Two Baltimore Colts professional football players helped to create Gino's Hamburgers back in 1957. Eventuallywith a lot of enthusiasm and tons of helpZiebarth was able to open a new Naugles location in 2017. Ever wonder if your favorite is actually the most popular? Big Bite expanded to a chain of approximately 30 restaurants. There's no denying that warm, fuzzy feeling that comes from biting into the burger you've been enjoying since you were a kid. But as any child of the '70s or '80s knows, Walgreen's once had full-on restaurants, too. This page was last edited on 25 January 2023, at 04:55. He rapidly expanded to 225 outlets by 1986. These 1980s restaurants aren't still standing todayand if they are, it's in reduced form. "Bennigan was the lowest of the main stakeholders," said an analyst at theAssociated pressat the time. Chipotle. 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. But its flame burned short and bright: By the late '80s, the owners filed for bankruptcy, and all of the locations had closed by the 2000s. Originally part of the Pillsbury Corp., the restaurant was founded in 1976. 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. Bennigan had its start in Atlanta in 1976, but in the early 1980s they were everywhere. Mexican cuisine is the full package: flavorsome, filling and exciting without being overly complicated. Bennigan's got its start in Atlanta in 1976, but by the early '80s, they were everywhere. Unlike some other fast food restaurants, where you get served your chosen condiments along with your order, at Taco Cabana, you get to go and take your pick from the condiment bar and help yourself to whatever you like! Keep place clean!" Qdoba comes out of Denver, where its ancestor, called Zuma Fresh Mexican Grill, opened in 1995. (Well, not quite the same fries.) / Wikimedia Commons, ALSO READ: The 15 Most Popular Food Orders in America, ALSO READ: These Are the Top 15 Foods on the Rise for 2020. All Rights Reserved. LIME FRESH MEXICAN GRILL. Del Taco was founded in 1964, in California. 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.". 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. Family Style. 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! Perkins logo, 1960. When similar style pizza place Chuck E. Cheese went bankrupt in 1984, ShowBiz purchased it. At the beginning of the decade, you could get the "chicken in the cart" special for only 59 cents.