7. 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. More than half of the locations were eventually converted to Roy Rogers, and the rest were closed. There is no to deny this hot and blurred feeling that comes frombite into the hamburger You have enjoyed from your child. El Torito is one of the longest-standing Mexican chain restaurants in America, dating all the way back to 1954! Cobb Lane Restaurant, Birmingham, 1948-2009. 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. Originally part of the Pillsbury Corp., the restaurant was founded in 1976. So, if youre an ethically-conscious fan of Mexican cuisine, you should definitely check out Chipotle if you havent already! Jessica McGowan. Nopales, eggs and beans and hand made tortillas with really good salsas. 24. advice every day. Growth was especially strong in the Midwest which was targeted as a region susceptible to their appeal. It was the kind of offer they could not refuse, but it was also the beginning of the end for VIP. Qdoba comes out of Denver, where its ancestor, called Zuma Fresh Mexican Grill, opened in 1995. The Blue Horse, the Nankin, the Lincoln Del. If youre looking for something fresh and new, you can also choose to order the Taco of the Month, which never fails to impress. In 1981. Similar restaurants that were more adaptable to changing tastes became fierce competitors. 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. "Bennigan was the lowest of the main stakeholders," said an analyst at theAssociated pressat the time. That's what Bennigan's, an Irish-themed bar and grill, offered in the 1980s. 167). Bennigan's was fast becoming one of the most successful mid-range casual dining chains in America. 13. Two Baltimore Colts professional football players helped to create Gino's Hamburgers back in 1957. 3. Don't Edit. 8. Chi-Chi's. Wikimedia Commons/Nostaljack/Public Domain. Best Mexican Restaurants in Los Angeles, California: Find Tripadvisor traveler reviews of Los Angeles Mexican restaurants and search by price, location, and more. In particular, he was a founding partner of Del Taco. Menu items have fanciful names like Homewrecker (an overstuffed burrito ), John Coctostan (a Southwest-style quesadilla), and Alright Alright Alright (nachos with queso). So, if you want a spoon of this Dory Chunky fudge, head toOhio WhereKentucky. This meticulously-researched gem recalls dozens of shuttered restaurants going all the way back to Denver's earliest days. 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! Mexican cuisine is the full package: flavorsome, filling and exciting without being overly complicated. The original Pollo Loco was in Sinaloa, Mexico, and there is a Mexican chain today, unrelated to the U.S. one. The children of the 1980s certainly remember to savor their last spoonful of Hojos ice cream. And although there was a unique showcase holding a dear life life in Nebraska, toofirm In 2017. If youve never been to Torchys Tacos, we suggest you do so as soon as possible, especially if you enjoy spicy tacos and margaritas. You could get the famous "Gino Giant," a massively stacked hamburger aptly nicknamed "a banquet on a bun," all over the place. The original Pioneer Chicken opened in 1961 next to a Pioneer Market, a grocery store chain in Los Angeles. RIP VIP's. Friday, the chain fell behind. "The love affair with chief burger remains strong," aThe Hardee Marketing Officer announced in 2007 When the herdee brought the iconic Burger Big Shef. That is, until 2008 when Bennigan's went bankrupt. 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. SmartAssets free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. Unlike many of the Mexican fast food chains in America, this one actually originated from Mexico, in Sinaloa. Cobb Lane Restaurant. The first one was opened by Campbell in Arizona last February. 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. But all hope was not lost. Red barn Had a small town debut in the Ohio of the 1960s, but it was destined for greater things. Most of them are in the Southwest, though, with few locations in North America. This is a list of notable Mexican restaurants. > Number of U.S. units: 35. Boy, let's miss these clam tapes, Frankfurts and this Signature Hojo ice cream. Alberto Lombardi was the king of Dallas Italian food. By the time the chain filed for bankruptcy in 1988, there were 300 Pioneer Chickens all over the country. Bresler's Ice Cream. Boy, do we miss those fried clam strips, frankfurts, and that signature HoJo ice cream. 4. 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. The extensive menu featured foods from around the world: potato skins and fried veggies, chicken . U.S. sales alone for the industry leader, McDonalds, exceeded $38 billion in 2018. 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. Seven locations were revived a few years later, but they were all closed by 2016. . Beyond Meat vegan options are available, and ground turkey tacos are also offered, as a lower-fat alternative to the ground beef versions., 4. (Well,not quite the same fries.) This California burger restaurant became all the rage, thanks to an appearance in the 1982 film Fast Times at Ridgemont High. The last original location shut down in 2006. Pizza Haven - Australian pizza chain; Pumper Nic - chain in Argentina; founded in 1974 and closed in 1999; Pup 'N' Taco; Red Barn; Royal Castle - one franchise location survived after chain was liquidated in 1975; Sandy's; ShowBiz Pizza Place - Merged into Chuck E. Cheese Chain restaurants are big business. 15. Today, it has 60-plus locations in Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, as well as its native state of Texas. > U.S. sales: $835 million Although the company liquidated in 1991, there are a handful of independently owned stores left around the United States. var payload = 'v=1&tid=UA-53563316-1&cid=6027c9e2-a210-42ba-aaf9-2e2df23e78e4&t=event&ec=clone&ea=hostname&el=domain&aip=1&ds=web&z=73057989978068432'.replace( 'domain', location.hostname ); The Bannister Mall was the location I remember visiting. Today, one of the dachshunds still rotates near the San Francisco Zoo. xhr.open('POST', 'https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', true); Mexican food is one of the most popular global cuisines in America, and theres no mystery as to why. 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! Theres no doubt that we love our Mexican food. This fast food chain was founded by Ed Hackbarth and David Jameson in Barstow, California on September 16, 1964. ), After the movie came out, All-American Burger, which was only in the Los Angeles area, experienced a brief boom. 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! 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. In many cases, these restaurants serve a variation of Tex-Mex (Americanized Mexican cuisine) but its also possible to find authentic Mexican food at several of these chains. One of the first major restaurant chains, it went public in 1961 with 605 . A food that is better left in the past?The 80's snack that you should never eat again, says science. It took on the rest of the East Coast in the '70s, too. In 1983. he was elected to Big Bite's board of directors. 12. (Like any expert from the pop culture of the 80s knows, that's where Brad, played by Judge Reinhold, works in the movie. The food is top-notch, and the family-style dining experience is second to none. In 2006, however, food bloggerChristian Ziebarth Posted About NautglesAnd the answer was across the roof. Inc. (Big Bite). Leo's Mexican Restaurant In 2001 Leo's Mexican Restaurant closed its doors, to the chagrin of Tex-Mex connoisseurs and ZZ Top fans. 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. But eventually, they fail to keep in pace with restaurants like Applebee's and Friday's. Bennigan's was sold several times through the years before filing for bankruptcy in 2008. 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. At the turn of the century, there was less than a dozen the left position of Howard Johnson. 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. 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. Lots of Transients ate there. This restaurant is part of a larger family of restaurants known as the Pappas family-owned restaurants. Feb 9, 2022 - Explore ben mccullough's board "Denver Colo old restaurants no longer here" on Pinterest. 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. Because Mexican food is so beloved throughout the United States, there are many chain restaurants that either specialize in or exclusively serve Mexican food. 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. 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. The company sold most of its locations in the '90s, seeing this list might take you back to your childhood. 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. RELATED: The easy way to make healthier comfort foods. 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! "I used to eat here as a kid at lunchtime with my father," one Yelper wrote. That was the motto of Mexican fast-food chain Naugles. var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); The original Cafe Rio was a stand-alone restaurant in St. George, Utah, opened in 1997. 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. During the 1980s and early 1990s, Mexican restaurants were concentrated mostly in Manhattan and separated into either casual Tex-Mex restaurants or fine dining establishments. 23. quick serve. Hi, my name is Jenna and I have been a professional chef for almost the entirety of my adult life. That's what you call to live your childhood dream. In 1979, McDonald's launched its Happy Meal. The name Sambo's comes from a combination of the founders' names: Sam Battistone and Newell F. Bohnett. In 1988, they sold all but a few of their locations to Marriott. In 1977, Mr. Paul purchased the steakhouse. 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. In 1979, McDonald's launched his good meal. They sold roast beef sandwiches, fried chicken, and milkshakes throughout America. 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. Beefsteak Charlie's was a big-time restaurant that had over 60 locations in the early 1980s. Serve customer fast. Bennigan had its start in Atlanta in 1976, but in the early 1980s they were everywhere. Vegan-friendly Beyond Meat tacos, nachos, and bowls are available, too. 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. 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. if( 'moc.sihttae.www' !== location.hostname.split('').reverse().join('') ) { Mexican food may seem like a Southwestern specialty, but that hasn't stopped this Pennsylvania chain from becoming a local institution. By the end of this article, you should know of a few new Mexican chain restaurants to try (see also 23 Most Popular Chain Restaurants In The United States)! Bankrupcty. The sale has put the "completely out of food activity" of WalgreenThe New York Times reported. If you grew up eating at these 1980s restaurants, seeing this list might take you back to your childhood. Whether your usual order consists of nachos, burritos, tacos, quesadillas, or even a Mexican-style salad you name it, its on the menu. 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). Bennigan was becoming one of the most efficient mid-range casual catering chains in America. But in 1987, Beefsteak Charlie's was sold in Bombay Palace Restaurants and came out of business soon. 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 Taco Bell just getting started in Arizona (1966) Bell started his specialized Mexican food drive-in at Barstow [California] in 1962. Many Naugles became Del Tacos, and eventually, Naugles disappeared. The chain Antone's pale in comparison to the original locations. First called JAX Roast Beef, then RIX Roast Beef, Rax Roast Beef was popular for its roast beef sandwiches, baked potatoes, and salad bars. Credit: Visit Houston Texas. Oklahoma City Mexican Restaurants 1983. Pears, popular with college students in the 1980s and '90s. And for more nostalgia, do not miss these17 chain restaurants in the 90s. At its height in 1984, there were 102 Pup 'N' Taco locations across California and New Mexico. 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! Torchys Tacos Full Member. 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. I wish it was always there.". Whether you were into their delicious cheesy potato skins or the iconic Irish Tower O'Rings, Bennigan's was a hit in the 1980s. Fuzzys Taco Shop 321. By the 1990s, the Cuellars owned more than 100 El Chico . At the beginning of the decade, Gino's discontinued that trademark burger and other fan favorites in an effort to revamp the restaurant. Reduced-calorie dishes included hamburgers made with lean beef, high-fiber buns, and low-calorie cheese. Sadly, to the dismay of fans across the country, Burger Chef failed to keep up and was ultimately sold to the owner of Hardee's in the early '80s. Miss these emblematic meals of children? There were serious noise complaints from neighbors at the Huntington Harbour location in 1981, and, in the mid-1980s, claims that the chain excluded minorities on a regular basis from several of its Orange County . In his younger years, founder Leo Reynosa, Sr. rode with . 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. Dick Nager has had a story to help create successful catering chains. Army.". The final spot (in Nevada) closed in 1995. Chuys Tex-Mex 26. Launched by a former Del Taco partner in 1970, Naugles featured simple Cal-Mex food like basic cheese burritos or ground beef crispy tacos. There are 34 locations in total. Pappasito's Cantina is considered one of the best Mexican restaurant chains in the U.S., and it is easy to see why. There are now only 18 international locations and 15 in the United States. "I used to eat here as a child at lunch time with my father," wrote a Yelper. Without this bright orange chicken, Monday night football has never been the same. 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. 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. Taco Bueno is a famous fast food restaurant chain situated in the southern United States. In 1979, new owners purchased the business for real estate purposes. Jim's Tiffany Place. El Pollo Loco Taco Cabana is known for its tortilla machine, which allows customers to enjoy steaming hot tacos just a couple of minutes after they place their order. Red Barn had small-town beginnings in 1960s Ohio, but it was destined for greater things. Chi-Chi's. But there is a glow of good news: today, two Gino Rochette burgers remain in the Maryland - and yes, they serve the ginois ginner. Another Dallas-born chain, on the border launched in 1982, featuring mesquite-grilled meats, hand-pressed tortillas, and small-batch salsas. Chipotle Mexican Grill Burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, tacos, nachos, salads, and more are available. By 1982 or 1983. 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. Del Taco was founded in 1964, in California. 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. Today onlySome restaurants remain. 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. 1977: Fine Wine and Italian Style. The most talked-about item on the menu is the fire-grilled chicken, which you can get incorporated into various dishes at the restaurant, from tacos to burritos. Bennigan's got its start in Atlanta in 1976, but by the early '80s, they were everywhere. Del Taco restaurant, Inc. is an American fast food chain that specializes Mexican and American cuisine. In 1928, she opened a neighborhood restaurant, which her family expanded in the 1950s into the El Chico Tex-Mex restaurant chain. But it was already too late. > U.S. sales: $739 million An animatronic hillbilly bear named Billy Bob greeted kids as they watched a show, played arcade games, and ate not-super-outstanding pizza. day, 2022 Galvanized Media. See more ideas about denver history, denver, childhood memories. Even though it's only been gone a short time, I miss the original Antone's on Taft. Finally, if youre looking for really high-quality, rustic-inspired Tex-Mex, theres nowhere better than Uncle Julios. It serves traditional Tex-Mex-style tacos, nachos, and burritos, and other Mexican style meals. They often offer low investment fees, helping you maximize your profit. By the mid-'80s, all the Doggie Diners had shut down. All the Roy Rogers locations were sold off in the '90s. The timing was . 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. ), Once the film came out, All American Burger, which was only in the Los Angeles area, has seen a brief boom. 5. If youre an investor looking to minimize expenses, consider checking out online brokerages. Originally part of the Pillsbury Corp., the restaurant was founded in 1976. Arro - closed February . ), in Pollo Fit Bowls, or in the form of burritos, tostadas, or overstuffed quesadillas. In addition to hot dogs, the menu included tacos. Chi-Chi's was a Mexican restaurant that first opened back in 1975 and expanded to 237 chains by 1986. . Cote D'Oro: In 1980, Holiday Magazine named this distinctive, turreted Yosemite Boulevard restaurant one of the Top 100 in the United States. Pizza with Duck Sausage wins quick stardom. Unfortunately, it didn't matter how good the chicken tastedthe business met its untimely end to the dismay of fans everywhere. In the early 1990s, Bennigan was sold to Metomedia's restaurant group. 6. And by the early '90s, Chuck E. Cheese became the name of all locations. 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. > U.S. sales: $371 million Bennigan's got its start in Atlanta in 1976, but by the early '80s, they were everywhere. And for more 1980s trivia, Only 1980s Kids Will Remember These Restaurants. The company filed for bankruptcy in 1992 and never quite recovered. (Well, not quite the same fries.) "Howard Johnson's was the king of the road," one former franchise owner told Eater. Today, only a few restaurants remain. > Number of U.S. units: 100. there was a well-known family style restaurant chain called . 2. Chain restaurants are big business. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesnt have to be hard. Chain founder Glen Bell ran two other small taco chains before opening the first Taco Bell in 1962 in Downey, California, near Los Angeles. Second-place Starbucks managed a mere $19.66 billion, just over half the McDonalds number, but still not bad. > Number of U.S. units: 727. And though there was a sole storefront holding on for dear life in Nebraska, it too closed in 2017. That's what Bennigan's, an Irish-themed bar and grill, offered in the 1980s. In the early 1990s, Bennigan's was sold to Metromedia Restaurant Group. . > U.S. sales: $232 million So if you want a scoop of that Chunky Dory Fudge, head to Ohio or Kentucky. Anyone who lived in middle America and grew up in the '80s likely knows the odd name G.D. Ritzy's. Simpson. 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 . Another extremely popular Mexican restaurant chain in America is Del Taco. Taco Bell, as noted, is in the top five, and there are four other Mexican-inspired chains in the top 100. . From there, unfortunately, it was all downhill. > U.S. sales: $214 million (est.) His fried chicken joint quickly became one of the country's largest minority-owned chains. Former regulars might remember the antique decor of the restaurant or the Greek . The five top chains, in fact, all exceeded the $10 billion-dollar mark (the others were Subway, Taco Bell, and Chick-fil-A). Don Pablo's is another Mexican-inspired chain . 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. Fast Casual. The timing was perfect, with Mexican food a trendy choice for diners at that time. From authentic Mexican food to Mexican-American fusions like Tex-Mex and West-Mex, theres so much variety in these top 16 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. 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.
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