"I miss Mighty Casey's," another wrote. Brown to launch the Kenny Rogers' Roasters chicken chain in 1990. Bars you'd hit with friends until the lights came on and the bartender proclaimed 'last call!'. Hot Shoppes; Little Tavern Burgers; Dino's Italian Restaurant; Eddie Leonard's Sandwich Shop; Port of Italy Restaurant; Kenny Rogers Chicken; Burger Chef; The Red Barn; Arthur Treacher's Fish-n-Chips; and too many more to list, but all of these are waaay better than 18 South Jersey Bars We Used to Close That No Longer Exist. Of course, like many smaller chains, it could not compete in the burger wars. Granato's Pizzeria / 907 W. Taylor St. Chicago, IL. Year opened: 1971 Year closed: 2011 In a pre-e-reader, pre-Amazon world, browsing books at Borders was an idyllic way to spend an afternoon. Although Puck owns other locations of Spago, in 2001 the chef decided to close down the original, which had become an institution amongst Hollywood's heavy hitters. Ma'am Sir 4330 W Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90029 East side Filipino restaurant Ma'am Sir closed its doors at the end of August. Case in point: Married couple William and Nancy Galt got into the health-food craze well before it was cool even in California. In 1979, the last Sandys changed its name to Hardees. Sadly, many of these 1990s chain restaurants have gone the way of the Discman and Tamagotchis: forgotten and discarded. The chain was founded in 1952 and continued to grow over the years. At its height, there were 230 White Towers, but the chain died after legal action from White Castle forced them to make significant changes. The advent of the. Perhaps sensing a competitor, the Taco Bell juggernaut came sniffing around, buying up Pup N Taco locations throughout the Golden State in 1984 essentially ringing the closing bell. American bakery chain, La Petite Boulangerie or "little bakery," did indeed start out small, with only two stores in the beginning. Beer and wine were fine, but if you wanted to host a truly epic get-together in the '90s, having a few six-packs of Zima on ice was non-negotiable. Its main competitors, Arby's and Roy Rogers, sunk the chain. Ponderosa and Bonanza Steakhouses, now owned by the same parent company, once numbered in the hundreds combined in the United States. Dee's was so popular it had a franchise in South Africa due to the Mormon missionaries who had fallen in love with it when visiting the state. Mr. Steak was a quality, yet affordable, steak house that took the United States by storm in the '60s. The Southern California chain became known worldwide not for its food, but its cameo in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High," but by the time it did, it was already on the ropes. The iconic Saugus restaurant's giant cactus was shut off for good on Oct. 20. I am wonderinfg if these restaurants still exist: The Cave; Gibbys; Wofies; Po Folks, and the Spiced Apple. And for more throwbacks, don't miss these 25 Great Foods from the 1980s That Will Remind You of Simpler Times. It was as fancy of a place a child growing up in. From swanky celebrity hot spots to local institutions, take a look back at some of the most iconic restaurants that have, sadly, gone out of business. If youve ever road-tripped across America, odds are high that youve pulled over at a roadside Dennys. Photo via Facebook. There are now a few Naugles 2.0 locations across California. Case in point? Sam's Red Hots / 2345 W. Armitage Ave. Chicago, IL. And if you were a burger lover or a fan of the Gold Rush fried chicken sandwich, you absolutely loved hitting up the Fixin's Bar for all your topping needs. But before said second location came to be, the company scrapped the expansion plans entirely and closed down its original location to boot. Elaine's was a New York City institution since opening in 1963 and remained one until it closed in 2011. There is one location left in Miami, should you wish to have a Birch Beer. The original Beefsteak Charlies was a standalone restaurant that opened in New York way back in 1914. Pup N Taco had a great idea when they founded the California-based joint in 1956. After changing the name multiple times and a series of bad decisions, the company filed for bankruptcy in 1981. In 1967, Bahooka was opened in Los Angeles to capitalize on the Tiki phenomena in the U.S. at the time. Nautica was immensely popular throughout the '90s, but was sold in 2003 to VF Corporation, who also owns North Face, Vans, and several other brands. Steak and Ale was a local hit, offering New York strip and herb-roasted prime rib for prices as low as the watts of the bulbs in its dimly-lit restaurants. But it turns out, that concept wasn't good enough to last. Heather DeLuca Updated: December 20, 2022. Penny's Diner of 12310 Winchester Road LaVale, MD 21502, a 1997 Starlite (#M4472 ), was moved to Low Moor, VA. A previous version of this article was originally published in 2019. Open since 2018, this bright neighborhood spot that quickly became an essential in the area for pica-pica, shared Filipino plates. After rising in popularity for several decades, Michigan like nearly every place in America saw the homogenization of chain restaurants by the turn of the millennium. While Nautica clothes still exist, the brand is no longer the powerhouse that it was in 1990, and is nowhere near as ubiquitous as VF Corporation's other brands. But, eventually, Red Barn was purchased by another conglomerate that also ran the Motel 6 chain, and the companys resources were swiftly refocused away from the restaurants and into hotels. The OG happy meal chain was super successful back in the mid 1900s with 1,200 locations, but by 1981 they had closed their doors. I am a '90s baby. But by the 2000s, Hot 'n Now was forced to close two-thirds of its locations. If ESPN Zone was for the grownup sports fans out there, then ShowBiz Pizza Place was where those sporties took their kids for birthday parties. "I am disappointed that the company did not continue with the success I had expected and hoped for," Schwarzenegger said a statement in 2000. However, it was memorialized on the sitcom Seinfeld and some remain in operation in Asia. Come 1981, the corporation folded. By the early 1970s, financial issues forced them to sell to Hardee's. After being revamped in the late 2000s, Bob's came back a little bit, and the chain now has multiple locations across California, Michigan, North Dakota, and Ohio. a local bar or two where everyone knew your name. To quote Queen Bey, who will run the world? By 1988, all the 90-plus Wag's stores had been sold to the Marriott. With over 37,000 restaurants worldwide, it's safe to say McDonald's isn't going anywhere. Arlington Hts. Googie's was one of the Upper East Side's best causal Italian spots and has been missed dearly since it closed in 2008. Mercari/Fabiola Garcia. America's most popular TV series featured Kramer waging war on Kenny Rogers Roasters for hanging a neon sign that keeps him up all night. Howard Johnson's. There is one Howard Johnson's restaurant left in the country, in New York's Lake George. } As one Baltimore reporter noted, "It was a favorite of mine as a kidso much so that I had a birthday dinner there once. Although it made it until 2000, the weakened economy that followed the 1970s gas crisis is thought to have sealed its destiny. If this sounds eerily familiar, its because White Tower came along only five years after the very similar and also Midwest-based, White Castle. When youre trying to keep a restaurant chain going, its rather counterproductive to experience an outbreak of hepatitis, which hit several Chi-Chis in western Pennsylvania in 2003. That was the end of Chi-Chi'sand rightfully so. However, after years of decline, White Towers fortress collapsed in 2004. In 1982, the company was sold to Marriott and used as a foothold to expand their chain, Roy Rogers. But come the '70s, their good luck failed to continue. Alas, since 2011 there are no more Kenny Rogers Roasters in the United States, but if you really, really want to, you can fly to Asia, where several franchises still exist. But after being bought and sold on repeat, the chain eventually closed in 1988. Like all the other themed restaurants you've read about here, Rainforest Cafe struggled to maintain its luster. Before Chipotle and Taco Bell, there was Chi-Chi's. Like several other closed buffet chains, though, its store count dwindled in recent years as fast-casual dining started to dominate. Chicago is famous for its hamburgers, be it at the original Billy Goat Tavern or Edzos Burger Shop. Prior to its troubles, the D.C.-, Maryland-, and Virginia-based chain was a hamburger shop with block construction and a castle design. Founded in Maryland, the company eventually expanded to six stores, with the Maryland location having crazy popularity. If you were lucky enough to still have a Roy Rogers near you in the 1990s, chances are high you were a serious devotee. High-profile fans were said to include even Sylvester Stallone. Launched in the 1970s by Marno McDermitt and NFL star Max McGee, Chi-Chi's quickly grew, introducing a rudimentary menu of Mexican-style food to many American towns. Now I have to find another restaurant. First opened: 1961. Unlike old TV shows, which seemingly live forever online, once restaurant chains disappear, theyre gone for good. Founded in 1978, there were more than 100 locations by 1985 but by 1987, it had sold 90 percent of its restaurants to Hardee's after ceasing to franchise in 1986 and filing for bankruptcy. By decades end, there was no more VIP list to be found. Far from it. Some of the buildings became Carl's Jr. or Apollo Burger restaurants. William Bresler started out in the late 1920s with a single creamery in Illinois, and the decades ahead were kind, as Breslers locations spread across the map. Did you see the recent documentary The Last Blockbuster about the sole outpost of the vaunted video rental chair still open in Oregon? The chain put on a brave face and tried to slug it out during COVID, but in October 2020, Country Cookin fell victim to the pandemic, too. Womp, womp. In the 1980s and 1990s, brothers Richard and Larry D'Amico were instrumental in creating a new era in Twin Cities area dining, with their Primavera, D'Amico Cucina, Campiello, Cafe Lurcat and this. Ever wonder how the movers and shakers of Wall Street spend their lunch breaks? The chains later owners soon bought Ruby Tuesday, which quickly outperformed Morrisons and thus led to its demise. The last original location shut down in 2006. Sign of the Dove is considered one of the lost gems of New York City after closing and eventually being demolished in 1998. Sorry, Kramer. In what is now regarded as a cautionary tale of slapping a famous name on a restaurant and calling it quite, Minnie Pearl's Chicken, named after the country singer Pearl, once had almost 500 locations in business. Little Tavern was a chain of charming, cottage-style restaurants that felt like a home away from home for many children of the '90s in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. area. Dixons. The film's cult following outlived the restaurants, and its final west coast location closed in 2010. Despite the lack of originality, Geri's grew in popularity in Illinois and Wisconsin and had quite the cult following. Founded in the early '80s, this chain specializes in a build-your-own salad bar, along with soup and pasta buffet options. Originally founded in 1977 as a fast food bakery chain, the company grew to 140 locations across the US. The restaurant became known for hosting celebrity clientele, walls adorned with caricatures, and the unique building, which was shaped like a bowler hat. Burger Chef spread across the United States faster than most restaurants. And even though our bellies are filled with Big Macs, Whoppers, Extra Crispy Chicken, and Crunchwrap Supremes, wed like to take a moment to honor the fast food joints that have closed their doors once and for all. Though the chain was popular enough to make it onto Seinfeld in the first place, ultimately, Kenny Rogers Roasters went bankrupt in 1998. You've hit your max! In the early 1990s, the . Just look to horse racing-themed chain Beefsteak Charlies. The club's iconic building was later demolished and turned into Paley Park. That said, it changed hands frequently and was bought by PepsiCo in 1982, and later bought by Mrs. Fields Original Cookies in 1987. Delish editors handpick every product we feature. But that reign ended pretty abruptly. Thus, he made a deal with cartoonist Hanna-Barbara for the use of a certain smarter than average bear and set about franchising the chicken operation throughout South Carolina. This is our formal thank you to DLites for being way ahead of its time. Charging by the person rather than by the item eventually caught up with Eatza Pizza, and after the company headquarters relocated to Connecticut in 2007, the number of restaurants was cut drastically. 11. Check the list. So, heres the deal: Carrols was fast food chain established back in the 1960s and had a yellow slug as their mascot. (1924-1961) Fair Oaks / 6500 North Ave. Chicago (owned by the Belushi Family) Big Freeze / 602 W.Northwest Hwy. 18 Blockbuster Restaurant Chains From the '90s That Are Gone or Hard to Find, 15 Classic American Desserts That Deserve a Comeback. A Malaysian company bought the chain restaurant and keeps Kenny Rogers Roasters alive and well in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, China, the Philippines, and Thailand, but there are no more Kenny Rogers Roasters in North America. Think: including operators of the restaurants owning their stores and not leasing from the corporation, and not being required to buy supplies from the corporation. However, the franchise was bought by South Park creators and Colorado natives, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, who have intentions of at least reviving the last casa in Lakewood. And yes, that includes the olive burger. "If a gorilla's arm stops working, we need someone right here who can fix it immediately." Pillsbury bought Steak and Ale in the '80s, Only 1990s Kids Will Remember These Restaurants. And we're not just talking about iconic '90s snacks like Dunkaroos and Fruit by the Foot. And it was for a while. Blockbuster VHS Tapes 'Twas a long and (re)winding road for video rental store Blockbuster. But in the end, he abandons his cause after becoming hooked on the delicious rotisserie chicken. RELATED: Sign up for our newsletter to get daily recipes and food news in your inbox! "It's an experience you don't want to leave because you may not get back there real soon." February 24, 2023 11:00 am. But as Hollywood exited the golden era, so did the Brown Derby, and by 1987 all four locations were closed. For 33 years, this New York City family-owned, cafeteria-style institution served as a rallying point for hopeful politicians (both JFK and Ed Koch campaigned here), as well as a favorite dining destination for locals. In the 1997 movie Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, the restaurant's mascotliterally, a big boywas launched into space. In 1975 the company was liquidated, but one Royal Castle still remains in Miami. 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