Dick Naugle had a history of helping build successful restaurant chains. There were 225 locations by the mid-'80s, but Naugles merged with Del Taco, and locations slowly converted. First founded in Ohio in 1980, the 1950s-style restaurant grew quickly, with about 100 locations at its peak. > Number of U.S. units: 100. In 2006, however, food bloggerChristian Ziebarth Posted About NautglesAnd the answer was across the roof. 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. 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. But in 1970, he left this company to build his own Mexican style chain: Naugles in the south of California. The original Lum's storefront closed its doors in 1983. If you love tacos as much as we do, this is one Mexican restaurant experience you wont want to miss out on! All Rights Reserved. Now that's what you call living out your childhood dream. "I used to eat here as a child at lunch time with my father," wrote a Yelper. March 2, 2023 11:00 am. On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina Bankrupcty. All the Roy Rogers locations were sold off in the '90s. Starting in the 1980s, Mighty Casey's began popping up in Atlanta, Georgia, serving your . (Like any expert from the pop culture of the 80s knows, that's where Brad, played by Judge Reinhold, works in the movie. But the name was re-franchised in 2003, and there are still some Roy Rogers in Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. 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. The chain has locations in 15 states today, focusing on California, Oregon, and Washington (though Las Vegas has more Del Tacos than any other city). The original light showcase closed in 1983. 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. While not for everyone, Mexican chain restaurant dining is a popular dining destinations for families all across . 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. "Howard Johnson's was the king of the road," one former franchise owner told Eater. The original pioneering chicken opened in 1961 next to a pioneering market, a grocery chain in Los Angeles. New Balance > Decline alone for the industry leader, McDonalds, exceeded $38 billion in 2018. xhr.send(payload); 15. > Number of U.S. units: 35. Rubios Coastal Grill (Well,not quite the same fries.) > Number of U.S. units: 118. Second-place Starbucks managed a mere $19.66 billion, just over half the . In 1956, the Taco puppy started engraving roads in southern California. But as a child of the 70s or 80s knows, Walgreen has also had full restaurants. Beefsteak Charlie's was a Manhattan stalwart from the early 20th century to the late '80s. The menu at G.D. Ritzy's stood out for all the ways that you could customize your burgers, drinks, and ice cream. In addition to hot dogs, the menu included tacos. Pappasito's Cantina. Serve customer fast. Bennigan's got its start in Atlanta in 1976, but by the early '80s, they were everywhere. Alberto Lombardi was the king of Dallas Italian food. But plenty of people are still nostalgic for this restaurant chain. I wish it was still here. 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. Bennigan was becoming one of the most efficient mid-range casual catering chains in America. 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). 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. The name Sambo comes from a combination of the names of the founders: Sam Battistone and Newell F. Bohnett. Red Barn had small-town beginnings in 1960s Ohio, but it was destined for greater things. 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. Forsaken Fotos / Flickr. But the chain got an extra boost in the 1980s, thanks to its spokesman,O.J. "The love affair with Burger Chef remains strong," a Hardee's marketing executive said in 2007when Hardee's brought back Burger Chef's iconic Big Shef. And for more restaurants that didn't stand the test of time, Only 1990s Kids Will Remember These 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. The original Del Taco opened in the Mojave Desert town of Yermo, California, in 1964. El Pollo Loco first opened in 1975. But with more customers came more control and it has not been long before the anti-discrimination protests against Sambo started. The basic staples remain native foods such as corn, beans and chili peppers, but the Europeans introduced many other foods, the most important of which were meat from domesticated animals (beef, pork, chicken, goat and sheep), dairy products (especially cheese) and various herbs and many spices. 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! California has the most with 822. 1. Doggie Diner was a staple in Northern California's Bay Area in its heyday. Your ultimate survival guide and supermarket is here! 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. Restaurant Review: Southern Fried Goodness and More to Try at Tupelo Honey. In the early 1990s, Bennigan was sold to Metomedia's restaurant group. Location:Southern North America, United States, Texas, H-Town, Montrose, Lower Westheimer. Similar restaurants that were more adaptable to changing tastes became fierce competitors. Simpson. Bennigan's got its start in Atlanta in 1976, but by the early '80s, they were everywhere. In business in 47 states and the nations capital (as well as Canada, the U.K., France, and Germany), Chipotle has been one of the great fast-food success stories of the late 20th and early 21st century despite repeated problems, apparently now solved, with food safety, leading to hundreds of cases of food poisoning. There are a few states where people should leave quickly. New Balance (CC BY 2.0) by Mike Mozart 5. Only 1980s Kids Will Remember These Restaurants. Friday, the chain fell behind. With the exception of six locations in Florida, Rubios remains a western chain, with shops in Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado, as well as California. But in 1989, Red Barn went out not with a bang, but a whimper. In 1979, new owners purchased the business for real estate purposes. Star ratings are for the ones I visited. Most notably, he was a founding partner of Del Taco. 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. Fast . Arro - closed February . Support . 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. Today onlySome restaurants remain. The timing was perfect, with Mexican food a trendy choice for diners at that time. November 15, 2005. Launched by a former Del Taco partner in 1970, Naugles featured simple Cal-Mex food like basic cheese burritos or ground beef crispy tacos. The five top chains, in fact, all exceeded the $10 billion-dollar mark (the others were Subway, Taco Bell, and Chick-fil-A). 1983 The Food Marketing Institute reports that 2/3 of all fish consumed in the U.S. is eaten in restaurants. Lots of Transients ate there. That is, until 2008 when Bennigan's went bankrupt. Walgreen's has a penchant to bring back beyond your traditional pharmacy products - some even sell beer and wine these days. The Earles were on the cusp of the growing appetite for Mexican food, and it was prepared with care and flavor in both locations. Get the best food tips and diet advice every single day, Now, you'll have the best and latest food and healthy eating news right in your inboxevery A New York-based freelance journalist, Dalene Rovenstine often writes about
Chipotle. And for more than 1980 anti-stirlish, Only the children of the 1980s will remember these restaurants . We won't fault you for getting misty-eyed over these failed fast-food chain restaurants from the 1980s. (The number of units for each chain was computed at the same time, and may have changed since then.) It was the kind of offer they couldn't refuse, but it was also the beginning of the end for VIP's. 13. Most of them are in the Southwest, though, with few locations in North America. Credit: Visit Houston Texas. Besides Texas, the chain can be found in Oklahoma, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Maryland. And some fan of Fan Favorites - like Burger Chef, G.D.'S Ritzy and Howard Johnson have not fallen by the road. However, it's also a derogatory term used to refer to Black Americans, which was part of the reason this chain restaurant eventually failed. Unfortunately, it didn't matter how good the chicken tastedthe business met its untimely end to the dismay of fans everywhere. 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. At its height, there were nearly 100 restaurants nationally, which was quite the coup for founder Graydon D. Webb. Dick Nager has had a story to help create successful catering chains. Taco Cabana What started as a hobby in college quickly turned into a passion with which I surrounded my life. At its height in 1984, there were 102 Pup 'N' Taco locations across California and New Mexico. Possibly - with a lot of enthusiasm and tons of help Ziebarth has been able to open aNew rental of Naugles In 2017. The original Pioneer Chicken opened in 1961 next to a Pioneer Market, a grocery store chain in Los Angeles. TIO JUAN'S MARGARITAS MEXICAN RESTAURANT. 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!) With that being said, Taco Bells menu has expanded and evolved a lot in recent years, including some exciting and creative options such as the Mexican Pizza and the Cheesy Gordita Crunch. If you were a kid in the '80s, there's a good chance you had a birthday party or two at Showbiz Pizza Place. 321. Today, it has 60-plus locations in Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, as well as its native state of Texas. It quickly expanded 225 points of sale by 1986. Lucia's Restaurant. Theres no doubt that we love our Mexican food. One of the first major restaurant chains, it went public in 1961 with 605 . 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. You can almost taste burgers, hot dogs and fries that look at him. By 1981, more than 50 VIP's locations had sprung up along freeways throughout Washington, California, Idaho, and Nevada, in addition to the Oregon locations. ", Beefsteak Charlie's has been a part of New York pop culture since it became a chain in the mid-1970s. } ); Get the best food tips and diet advice Sam Battistone and Newell F. Bohnet opened the first Sambo's restaurant in 1957. By the 1980s, there were more than 350 Gino's locations throughout the East Coast. There are now only 18 international locations and 15 in the United States. A couple of years later, things came full-circle when Butler sold to Collins Food International, who decided to merge Naugles with none other than Del Taco in 1988. 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. Taco Bell Walgreen's has a penchant for branching out beyond your traditional pharmacy goodssome even sell beer and wine these days. there was a well-known family style restaurant chain called . Baja Fresh has been around since 1990, and its yet another Mexican restaurant chain to emerge from California. > Number of U.S. units: 170. The easy way to make healthier comfort foods. 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. Mexican food may seem like a Southwestern specialty, but that hasn't stopped this Pennsylvania chain from becoming a local institution. Boy, let's miss these clam tapes, Frankfurts and this Signature Hojo ice cream. Pizza with Duck Sausage wins quick stardom. And any New York kid in the 1980s grew up loving this chain, thanks to its unlimited portions. 58 (tie) EL TACO TOTE. 5. But if you'd kill for an Ollieburger, check out this copycat recipe to satisfy your craving. Keep place clean!" navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); Many locations were converted to Hardee's in the '90s after the burger chain bought Rax. Del Taco Finally, if youre looking for really high-quality, rustic-inspired Tex-Mex, theres nowhere better than Uncle Julios. This family includes Pappas Burger, Pappas Bar-B-Q and Pappas Bros Steakhouse to name just a few (see also The Best Menu Items At LongHorn Steakhouse). Vegan-friendly Beyond Meat tacos, nachos, and bowls are available, too. At its pinnacle in the 1970s, Burger Chef had 1,200 locations and was a thriving competitor of McDonald's. The chain was sold 630 million dollars in 1979 and heading towards the 80s, Hojo became avictim of his own success. Quesadillas, burritos and burrito bowls, and nachos are among the other offerings. Now Holidays Restaurant. } ); Posted on March 19, 2016. Jolly Tiger 2080 W. Stadium Blvd. In 1984, G.D.'S Ritzy took about $ 5.2 million only fromIce cream sales. I only ate there once but I really liked it. "You could make money anywhere." Just some of the delicious Tex-Mex options on the menu at this restaurant include slow-smoked ribs, enchiladas, quesadillas, fajitas, and tacos. And for more failed restaurants,Only the children of the 1970s will remember these restaurants. 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. After starting as a small operation in Colorado Springs, the chain eventually grew to over 200 restaurants in the U.S. and Canada. In addition to fish and other tacos, the menu includes chicken tortilla soup and a Baja chopped bowl. Gino's Hamburgers. The food is top-notch, and the family-style dining experience is second to none. Winsight is a leading B2B information services company focused on the food and beverage industry, providing insight and market intelligence to business leaders in every channel consumers buy food and beverage - convenience stores, grocery retailing, restaurants and noncommercial foodservice - through media, events, data products, advisory . Friday's and Applebee's, serving up similar menus of standard bar fare and ambiance. If youre looking for something fresh and new, you can also choose to order the Taco of the Month, which never fails to impress. Youve heard plenty about Tex-Mex throughout this article so far, but have you ever heard of West-Mex? 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. That's what Bennigan's, an Irish-themed bar and grill, offered in the 1980s. In 1984, G.D. Ritzy's was taking in about $5.2 million just from ice cream sales. 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. A 1980 commercial famously featured many happy customers saying Chicken George was better than their wife's or mom's chicken. The chain closed down around 1983, after a decade of dealing with growing national fast food chains. 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%. Cote D'Oro: In 1980, Holiday Magazine named this distinctive, turreted Yosemite Boulevard restaurant one of the Top 100 in the United States. 14. In the early 1980s he sold the chain to the Marriott hotel chain, which quickly converted all the Gino's into Roy Rogers. with a character named "Family Sam," a friendly senior citizen chef. 2. If youve never been to Torchys Tacos, we suggest you do so as soon as possible, especially if you enjoy spicy tacos and margaritas. 12. Originally part of the Pillsbury Corp., the restaurant was founded in 1976. 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. 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. Another famous item on the Taco Cabana menu is the queso, which many lovers of Tex-Mex have labeled the best queso at any of Americas Mexican fast food restaurants. 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)! Heartland. There were at least 300 Rax locations by the mid-'80s; there were even locations in Guatemala and Canada. There are 34 locations in total. Minnie Pearl's Chicken. Howard Johnson's might just hold the title for most sorely-missed failed restaurant chain of not just the '80s, but any era. 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. Whether you are in their delicious skins of red potatoes or the iconic Irish tower O'Rings, Bennigan was a success in the 1980s. Click here for the top 15 Mexican chains in America. But then, things took a turn. We finally started swishing and sipping when La Cave popped open "with a refr eshing idea whose arrival . Briazz. One of the reasons Taco Cabana is so popular is that it offers 24-hour service, so when college starts in the fall, you can expect to see a lot of students here in the early hours of the morning! After a booming start in the late 1970s and a growth spurt in the early 1980s, Chi-Chi's sales and store count declined. EatThis.com is part of the AllRecipes Food Group, Published on September 18, 2019 | 1:49 PM. If you come from this wooden neck, you probably remember that the rotating dachshunds of the seven feet chain and turn in chef's hats and chef's ardes coffers that stood outside each of the restaurants. It now operates in almost every state, plus Washington, D.C. Customers build their own burritos, burrito bowls, taco salads, quesadillas, nachos, or tortilla soup variations. A Mexican fast-food establishment with locations all over the United States, its charming motto was, "Prepare food fresh. 57. 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. Menu items have fanciful names like Homewrecker (an overstuffed burrito ), John Coctostan (a Southwest-style quesadilla), and Alright Alright Alright (nachos with queso). Although the company liquidated in 1991, there are a handful of independently owned stores left around the United States. 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. Really good, not expensive home cooked food. 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. Chain restaurants are big business. Taco Bell, as noted, is in the top five, and there are four other Mexican-inspired chains in the top 100. 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. Next time you have a craving for Mexican food or Tex-Mex, we challenge you to try out a new Mexican chain restaurant with friends or family (see also 17 American BBQ Chain Restaurants You Need To Visit). 25. 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. You could eat as much shrimp, salad, beer, and ribs as you ever could have wantedall for under $20, according to Bklyner. Second-place Starbucks managed a mere $19.66 billion, just over half the McDonalds number, but still not bad. > U.S. sales: $398 million But in 1970, he left that company to build his own Mexican-style chain: Naugles in Southern California. 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. Toledo was bestowed with Hardee's, Perkins Pancakes, a Mexican chain, and, in 1972, the arrival of two Bob Evans eateries. 58 (tie) SANTIAGO'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT. 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. 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. 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. Rip Vip's. Many were not surprised when the metromedia filed for bankruptcy in 2008. Ted N. Holmes founded Chicken George in 1979. Full Member. Perkins logo, 1960. If youre ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now. 167). A 1980 sales department accounted for many happy customers who say that Chicken George was better than the chicken of their wife or mother. If you like to be sure that the ingredients in your food are all-natural and that any meat is raised responsibly in accordance with animal welfare standards, Chipotle is one of the best fast food restaurants you can go to. Unlike many of the Mexican fast food chains in America, this one actually originated from Mexico, in Sinaloa. The first On the Border location was in Dallas, so the choice of name goes beyond the style of cuisine served at this restaurant. > U.S. sales: $739 million . These 1980s restaurants aren't still standing todayand if they are, it's in reduced form. Miss these emblematic meals of children? While the chain had a rocky financial status through the '70s, there were over 300 chains in operation by the '80s. So, if youre an ethically-conscious fan of Mexican cuisine, you should definitely check out Chipotle if you havent already! By 1982 or 1983. The original Cafe Rio was a stand-alone restaurant in St. George, Utah, opened in 1997. But in 1989, Red Barn did not come out of bang, but a groan. VIP was a casual catering chain on the 24-hour west coast that started from Oregon in 1968. Not only does On The Border deliver excellent value for money due to its impressive portion sizes, but many of the signature dishes on the menu at this restaurant are cooked on mesquite wooden grills, which enhances the flavor and makes the Mexican food at On The Border some of the best in America. I wish it was always there.". 8. 24. document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { The sale put Walgreen's "completely out of the food business," The New York Times reported. This page was last edited on 25 January 2023, at 04:55. Of course the sections most of us will head to immediately are . > U.S. sales: $10.410 billion Chipotle specializes in Mexican food favorites such as burritos, but it has an extensive menu ranging from burrito bowls to tacos and fajitas. Beefsteak Charlie's was a big-time restaurant that had over 60 locations in the early 1980s. 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). } Red barn Had a small town debut in the Ohio of the 1960s, but it was destined for greater things. In the late 1980s, if you lived . And although there was a unique showcase holding a dear life life in Nebraska, toofirm In 2017. There is no to deny this hot and blurred feeling that comes frombite into the hamburger You have enjoyed from your child. every day. 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. Seven locations were revived a few years later, but they were all closed by 2016. . 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. 6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e. But it was true only for so long. First called JAX Roast Beef, then RIX Roast Beef, Rax Roast Beef was popular for its roast beef sandwiches, baked potatoes, and salad bars. When similar style pizza place Chuck E. Cheese went bankrupt in 1984, ShowBiz purchased it. We promise this Tex-Mex chain restaurant will quickly become a family favorite! (Now owned by Yum! The G.D. Ritzy's menu stood out for all the ways you could customize your hamburgers, drinks and ice cream. 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. About 25 Chicken Delights are operating today, in central Canada and the New York City area. 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. 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. With increased competition and not enough to distinguish the Bennigan tastes of Chile and T.G.I. The latest edition uses the most recent U.S. sales figures, from 2018, to rank the chains.
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