Quesadillas, burritos and burrito bowls, and nachos are among the other offerings. 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. In 1982, a few years after being purchased by a Swiss holding company, the chain overflowed in its franchise efforts and filed for bankruptcy. Check out the top 10 Mexican chains in the United States according to Restaurant Business based on sales: Bennigan's 200 nationwide locations shuttered their doors a decade ago, but the new owners now run a much smaller-scale operation out of Dallas, Texas, and the menu does include the Irish pub-inspired items you loved in the 1980s. > Number of U.S. units: 580. Former regulars might remember the antique decor of the restaurant or the Greek . Torchys grew out of a food truck in Austin. Beefsteak Charlie's was a big-time restaurant that had over 60 locations in the early 1980s. Don't Edit. (Like any expert from the pop culture of the 80s knows, that's where Brad, played by Judge Reinhold, works in the movie. The chain was sold for $630 million in 1979, and heading into the '80s, HoJo's became a victim of its own 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. 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 . The French and Italian eatery was a favorite of E.&J . In 1982, they sold the bulk of their restaurants to Marriott. In 1967, the chain was established in Abilene, Texas, by Bill R. Waugh, an art graduate from Abilene Christian University. RELATED: Your ultimate survival guide and supermarket is here! 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. . 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! The International House of Pancakes is one of those chain restaurants that has come and gone a handful of times in Western New York. But if you killed for an ollieburger, check thisCopycat Recipe satisfy your desire. The Blue Horse, the Nankin, the Lincoln Del. In the mid-1980s, all Diners doggie had closed. And by the early '90s, Chuck E. Cheese became the name of all locations. A 1980 sales department accounted for many happy customers who say that Chicken George was better than the chicken of their wife or mother. . Vegan-friendly Beyond Meat tacos, nachos, and bowls are available, too. So, if youre an ethically-conscious fan of Mexican cuisine, you should definitely check out Chipotle if you havent already! It opened its first U.S. venue in Los Angeles in 1980, and since then, nearly 500 El Pollo Loco restaurants have been established. If you were wondering where this restaurant gets its name from, its called On The Border because its named after the border between Mexico and Texas. 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. Eventuallywith a lot of enthusiasm and tons of helpZiebarth was able to open a new Naugles location in 2017. He rapidly expanded to 225 outlets by 1986. Here are 19 Old Happy Meal Toys That'll Bring You Back to Your Childhood. Briazz. By the 1980s, there were more than 350Gino places throughout the east coast. Boy, let's miss these clam tapes, Frankfurts and this Signature Hojo ice cream. Baja Fresh has been around since 1990, and its yet another Mexican restaurant chain to emerge from California. 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. Howard Johnson's. Photo courtesy of thedailymeal.com. And for more restaurants that didn't stand the test of time, Only 1990s Kids Will Remember These Restaurants. Boy, do we miss those fried clam strips, frankfurts, and that signature HoJo ice cream. Lucia's Restaurant. Nine years in, Naugle sold his modest three-location chain to a businessman named Harold Butler, who took the concept and ran with it. It's risky ranking Chipotle at the bottom of a Mexican-American food roundup, considering the sheer size and ferocity of Chipotle's die-hard fan club. You could eat as many shrimp, salad, beer and rib as you could never want - all for less than $ 20, according toBklyner. And for more failed restaurants,Only the children of the 1970s will remember these restaurants. Although the company liquidated in 1991, there are a handful of independently owned stores left around the United States. Taco Bell The Tex-Mex Invasion. Family Style. document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { In 1981. Chi-Chi's. El Pollo Loco first opened in 1975. After her family migrated from Mexico to Texas in the 1890s, Adelaida Cuellar began selling her handmade tamales at her county fair. That is, until 2008 when Bennigan's went bankrupt. 13. Beefsteak Charlie's was a Manhattan stalwart from the early 20th century to the late '80s. 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). Just some of the delicious Tex-Mex options on the menu at this restaurant include slow-smoked ribs, enchiladas, quesadillas, fajitas, and tacos. The company filed for bankruptcy in 1992 and never quite recovered. Mr. Robert Davis (and others) founded Big Bite. Unlike a regular buffet, you could raise your flag and a server would bring more of whatever you'd like, whether it be tacos, flautas, tamales, guacamole, or sopapillas. navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); 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( navigator.sendBeacon ) { But according toThe Washington PostHolmes "knew little about cash flows", despite the great marketing of the restaurant. The trade publication Restaurant Business releases, an annual ranking of the nations top 250 restaurant chains. 13. there was a well-known family style restaurant chain called . Perkins logo, 1960. In the late 1980s, if you lived . See more ideas about denver history, denver, childhood memories. At its height, there were nearly 100 restaurants in The national level, which was quite the Founder Graydon D. Webb. The name Sambo's comes from a combination of the founders' names: Sam Battistone and Newell F. Bohnett. Today, one of the dachshunds always turns near the San Francisco Zoo. We finally started swishing and sipping when La Cave popped open "with a refr eshing idea whose arrival . RELATED: The easy way to make healthier comfort foods. The original Chuys appeared in 1982 in Austin, Texas. An animatronic hillbilly bear named Billy Bob greeted kids as they watched a show, played arcade games, and ate not-super-outstanding pizza. That is, until 2008 when Bennigan's went bankrupt. Originating in El Paso, Texas, Pancho's Mexican Buffet grew in popularity, thanks to its all-you-can-eat "buffet"-style service. Any American fan of Mexican food will be familiar with Chipotle. 8. . It was launched by Howard Johnson himself in the 1920s as a soda fountain and lunch counter, and by 1954 there were 400 outposts in 32 states. In 2006, however, food blogger Christian Ziebarth posted about Naugles, and the response was through the roof. You could have the famous "Gino Giant", a massively stacked hamburger nicknamed "a banquet on a bun", everywhere. Leo's Mexican Restaurant In 2001 Leo's Mexican Restaurant closed its doors, to the chagrin of Tex-Mex connoisseurs and ZZ Top fans. If you were a kid in the '80s, there's a good chance you had a birthday party or two at Showbiz Pizza Place. 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. "They just leave that Ritzy is a little atrophy of Ritzy over the next eight or ten years, and he decreased at seven locations"Webb saidThe observer of Dallas in 2004. The last original location shut down in 2006. But the children of the 80s probably do not experience experience. day, 2022 Galvanized Media. There are also salads on Moes menu if youre in the mood for something light and healthy which, in addition to the customizability of the menu, means that Moes is the perfect Mexican restaurant for everyone regardless of tastes or preferences. Nine years, Naugle sold its modest three-locate chain to a businessman named Harold Butler, who took the concept and ran with her. Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse. Created by former Green Bay Packers star Max McGee and restaurateur Marno McDermit, it launched in 1975 in the unlikeliest of places for a Mexican food chain: downtown Minneapolis. The stronghold of McDonald's, Pizza Hut,Burger King, and other giants of the '80s made the competition stiff. with a character named "Family Sam," a friendly senior citizen chef. Get the best food tips and diet In 1979, McDonald's launched his good meal. Full Member. All Rights Reserved. . Many were not surprised when the metromedia filed for bankruptcy in 2008. The Mexican seafood restaurant closed because of high rent costs. Toledo was bestowed with Hardee's, Perkins Pancakes, a Mexican chain, and, in 1972, the arrival of two Bob Evans eateries. Chi-Chi's was a Mexican restaurant that first opened back in 1975 and expanded to 237 chains by 1986. . In 1956, Pup 'N' Taco began gracing roadsides in Southern California. "Go to Chick 'N' Taco and give your belly a treatment" -We want us to be able! In the late 1990s and . Of all the fast-food chains out there, only one could be the first to ever use . 4. And some fan favoriteslike Burger Chef, G.D. Ritzy's, and Howard Johnson'sfell by the wayside. When the chainfiled for bankruptcy in 1988 There were 300 pioneering chickens throughout the country. > U.S. sales: $324 million Only 1980s Kids Will Remember These Restaurants. Family Style. In 1982, Denny's offered the company about $12 million to buy out 35 VIP's locations. 1 of 3. That's what Bennigan's, an Irish-themed bar and grill, offered in the 1980s. This restaurant is part of a larger family of restaurants known as the Pappas family-owned restaurants. Taco Bueno has been established since 1967, and like all good Tex-Mex restaurants, it originated in the state of Texas itself in Abilene, to be exact. Qdoba Mexican Eats 20+ New & Recently-Opened Restaurants in Columbus in 2023. 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). Still, if you were lucky enough to experience Pup 'N' Taco, then you probably can't get the jingle out of your head. 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. Every TV show based in the city, from Friends to Saturday Night Live, has joked about it for the last few decades. 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. Each television show based in the city, fromFriends ToSaturday Night Live, has blocked about it for a few decades. 1982 Having introduced nouvelle cuisine at Ma Maison in Los Angeles, Chef Wolfgang Puck presents "California cuisine" to patrons of his new chic-casual Sunset Strip restaurant, Spago. Not only is El Toritos extensive menu filled with Mexican favorites like beef enchiladas, flame-grilled fajitas and traditional burritos, but you also get the option of building your own plate made up of the restaurants most popular menu items. By 1982 or 1983. 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. Another extremely popular Mexican restaurant chain in America is Del Taco. There are 34 locations in total. A handful of non-corporate locations still exist in Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. Sambo is closed in the middle of the decade. 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. It was the kind of offer they couldn't refuse, but it was also the beginning of the end for VIP's. 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! It was the kind of offer they could not refuse, but it was also the beginning of the end for VIP. Oklahoma City Mexican Restaurants 1983. "Man, I miss this place. 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. 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. 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. Beyond Meat vegan options are available, and ground turkey tacos are also offered, as a lower-fat alternative to the ground beef versions., 4. Missing those iconic kids' meals? More than half of the locations were finally converted to Roy Rogers, and the rest was closed. Eventually, they renamed several locations to No Place Like Sam's or Jolly Tiger instead. 167). Taco Bell was established in 1962, and since then the restaurant has become famous for its incredible Crunchy Taco recipe, which continues to be one of the most popular items on the menu. if( 'moc.sihttae.www' !== location.hostname.split('').reverse().join('') ) { Investing in real estate can diversify your portfolio. Bennigan's got its start in Atlanta in 1976, but by the early '80s, they were everywhere. Forsaken Fotos / Flickr. And although there was a unique showcase holding a dear life life in Nebraska, toofirm 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. food and drink and health, as well as entertainment, beauty, and other lifestyle But with more customers came more scrutiny, and it wasn't long before anti-discrimination protests against Sambo's began. LIME FRESH MEXICAN GRILL. If you grew up eating at these 1980s restaurants, seeing this list might take you back to your childhood. to promote fast food franchises serving pita sandwiches. 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. Click here for the top 15 Mexican chains in America. RIP VIP's. > Number of U.S. units: 100. 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. Today, one of the dachshunds still rotates near the San Francisco Zoo. 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. By the turn of the century, there were fewer than a dozen Howard Johnson's left standing. But all hope was not lost. Theres no doubt that we love our Mexican food. Ralph Rubio can make a fair claim to having introduced Baja-style fish tacos to America and his fresh Mex chain, based in San Diego, certainly popularized them. There are five shrimp or fish tacos on the menu as well as meat versions and a grilled vegetable version. 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. 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. "Howard Johnson was the king of the road," said a former franchise led by eater. Mr. Davis was a primary investor in Big Bite. 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. Bennigan was becoming one of the most efficient mid-range casual catering chains in America. While the chain had a rocky financial status through the '70s, there were over 300 chains in operation by the '80s. In the early 1990s, Bennigan's was sold to Metromedia Restaurant Group. Lauren Gray is a New York-based writer, editor, and consultant. While not for everyone, Mexican chain restaurant dining is a popular dining destinations for families all across . 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. > Number of U.S. units: 35. Of course the sections most of us will head to immediately are . Theres no doubt that we love our Mexican food. Children of the 1980s certainly remember savoring their last spoonful of HoJos ice cream. 58 (tie) SANTIAGO'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT. There are close to 800 Qdoba locations in the U.S., and 44 out of 50 U.S. states have at least one Qdoba restaurant. Jessica McGowan. Originally Sambo's Restaurant (chain) in the 1960's, then rebranded as Jolly Tiger in the early 1970's. Oddly, it was changed back to Sambo's in the early 1980's rebranded (again!) 11. 57. VIP was a casual catering chain on the 24-hour west coast that started from Oregon in 1968. But according to The Washington Post, Holmes "knew little about cash flow," despite the restaurant's great marketing. But then, things took a ride. They often offer low investment fees, helping you maximize your profit. Friday's, the chain fell behind. The Lone Star State is now one of the 19 in which there are Chuys units. is the restaurants focus on fresh, non-processed ingredients. Bennigan had its start in Atlanta in 1976, but in the early 1980s they were everywhere. El Torito is one of the longest-standing Mexican chain restaurants in America, dating all the way back to 1954! Qdoba comes out of Denver, where its ancestor, called Zuma Fresh Mexican Grill, opened in 1995. Simpson. He continued to grow in the 60s and 70s. The sale has put the "completely out of food activity" of WalgreenThe New York Times reported. Get the best food tips and diet Chipotle specializes in Mexican food favorites such as burritos, but it has an extensive menu ranging from burrito bowls to tacos and fajitas. About 25 Chicken Delights are operating today, in central Canada and the New York City area. 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. In 1982, they sold the majority of their restaurants in Marriott. But at its peak in the 1960s, there were hundreds of these orange-roofed restaurants . In 1984, G.D. Ritzy's was taking in about $5.2 million just from ice cream sales. And any New York child in the 1980s grew up love this chain, thanks to its unlimited portions. RELATED: Your ultimate restaurant and supermarket survival guide is here! Sold anything but some of their locations, Only the children of the 1990s will remember these restaurants, Long Island and News sites that are no longer / Facebook, The 80's snack that you should never eat again, says science, Only the children of the 1970s will remember these restaurants, Only the children of the 1980s will remember these restaurants, 40 habits to reduce your risk of dementia after 40, The FDA says "Do not get" COVID vaccine if you have this condition. But the name was re-franchised in 2003, and there are still some Roy Rogers in Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Walgreen's has a penchant to bring back beyond your traditional pharmacy products - some even sell beer and wine these days. In 1983. he was elected to Big Bite's board of directors. (As any '80s pop culture expert knows, it's where Brad, played by Judge Reinhold, works in the movie. 1. > U.S. sales: $4.805 billion Regardless, Mexican food and chains, in particular, have become increasingly popular in the United States over the years. Restaurant Review: Southern Fried Goodness and More to Try at Tupelo Honey. Mexican cuisine is the full package: flavorsome, filling and exciting without being overly complicated. 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. Finally, if youre looking for really high-quality, rustic-inspired Tex-Mex, theres nowhere better than Uncle Julios. 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. To this day . The trade publication Restaurant Business releases an annual ranking of the nations top 250 restaurant chains. 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. Unfortunately, Webb could only put on the Ritz for so long. 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. This meticulously-researched gem recalls dozens of shuttered restaurants going all the way back to Denver's earliest days. 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. Growth was especially strong in the Midwest which was targeted as a region susceptible to their appeal. Taco Bell just getting started in Arizona (1966) Bell started his specialized Mexican food drive-in at Barstow [California] in 1962. Jolly Tiger 2080 W. Stadium Blvd. There will be 31 in Arizona by the end of the year, Campbell said.