El Pollo Loco is famous for its Mexican-style chicken dishes specifically, grilled chicken. Ted N. Holmes founded Chicken George in 1979. there was a well-known family style restaurant chain called . 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. You could eat as many shrimp, salad, beer and rib as you could never want - all for less than $ 20, according toBklyner. Mexican food. A revived Naugles has been in Fountain Valley, California, Long Island and NYC Places that are no more/Facebook, still exist in Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, animatronic hillbilly bear named Billy Bob greeted kids. Annie's Santa Fe was a popular Mexican restaurant during the 1980s and 1990s which had locations at several local malls, including Oak Park Mall and Bannister Mall. Whether you are in their delicious skins of red potatoes or the iconic Irish tower O'Rings, Bennigan was a success in the 1980s. Taco Bell, as noted, is in the top five, and there are four other Mexican-inspired chains in the top 100. But according toThe Washington PostHolmes "knew little about cash flows", despite the great marketing of the restaurant. 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. } else { RELATED: Your ultimate survival guide and supermarket is here! Similar restaurants that were more adaptable to changing tastes became fierce competitors. In 1981. } In the mid-1980s, all Diners doggie had closed. 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. Serve customer fast. var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); There is no to deny this hot and blurred feeling that comes frombite into the hamburger You have enjoyed from your child. Seven locations were revived a few years later, but they were all closed by 2016. . "They just let Ritzy's somewhat atrophy over the next eight or 10 years, and it dwindled down to seven locations," Webb said to The Dallas Observer in 2004. Second-place Starbucks managed a mere $19.66 billion, just over half the . Many Naugles became Del Tacos, and eventually, Naugles disappeared. If you grew up eating at these 1980s restaurants, seeing this list might take you back to your childhood. Still, if you were lucky enough to experience Pup 'N' Taco, then you probably can't get the jingle out of your head. "You could make money anywhere." ), in Pollo Fit Bowls, or in the form of burritos, tostadas, or overstuffed quesadillas. Torchys Tacos isnt as widespread as some of the other Mexican restaurant chains in the U.S., with less than 100 locations spread across just 13 states. navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); (Well, not quite the same fries.) Mexican cuisine is the full package: flavorsome, filling and exciting without being overly complicated. Oklahoma City Mexican Restaurants 1983. 10. > U.S. sales: $4.805 billion "Come on into Pup 'n' Taco and give your tummy a treat"we wish we could! (Like any expert from the pop culture of the 80s knows, that's where Brad, played by Judge Reinhold, works in the movie. > U.S. sales: $868 million Doggie Diner was a staple in Northern California's Bay Area in its heyday. The name Sambo's comes from a combination of the founders' names: Sam Battistone and Newell F. Bohnett. Miss these emblematic meals of children? 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 final spot (in Nevada) closed in 1995. Red Barn had small-town beginnings in 1960s Ohio, but it was destined for greater things. From there, unfortunately, it was all downhill. More than half of the locations were finally converted to Roy Rogers, and the rest was closed. 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. But if you killed for an ollieburger, check thisCopycat Recipe satisfy your desire. We finally started swishing and sipping when La Cave popped open "with a refr eshing idea whose arrival . One food that is better left in the past? 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. Carrols Restaurant Group. The Mexican seafood restaurant closed because of high rent costs. Support . Brigham's - a Boston-area ice cream parlor and restaurant chain that closed in 2013 [2] Britling Cafeterias. Although the company liquidated in 1991, there are a handful of independently owned stores left around the United States. Mexican cuisine is primarily a fusion of indigenous Mesoamerican cooking with European, especially Spanish, elements added after the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire in the 16th century. Originating in El Paso, Texas, Pancho's Mexican Buffet grew in popularity, thanks to its all-you-can-eat "buffet"-style service. "Man, I miss this place. So if you want a scoop of that Chunky Dory Fudge, head to Ohio or Kentucky. There will be 31 in Arizona by the end of the year, Campbell said. Personally, we cant get enough of the incredible Tex-Mex menu items at On the Border, and we think you should visit one of the 120 On the Border restaurants in the U.S. if you havent already. And for more 1980s trivia, Only 1980s Kids Will Remember These Restaurants. 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. Sambo started in 1957 in Santa Barbara, California, reachingMaximum popularity In the late 1970s, more than 1,100 restaurants in 47 states. Pappasito's Cantina is considered one of the best Mexican restaurant chains in the U.S., and it is easy to see why. Minnie Pearl's Chicken. NumerousNaugles became del TacosAnd finally, Naugles has disappeared. Friday's, the chain fell behind. Name Head office location Original location Year started Number of locations Notes Acapulco Mexican Restaurant and Cantina: Cypress, California The French and Italian eatery was a favorite of E.&J . Boy, do we miss those fried clam strips, frankfurts, and that signature HoJo ice cream. All the Roy Rogers locations were sold off in the '90s. This chain of Mexican restaurants got its start in Minneapolis in 1975, sharing space with a bar owned by an ex-NFL player. 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. > Number of U.S. units: 100. 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. 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). 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.". Taco Bell just getting started in Arizona (1966) Bell started his specialized Mexican food drive-in at Barstow [California] in 1962. But it was already too late. Baja Fresh has been around since 1990, and its yet another Mexican restaurant chain to emerge from California. 55 (tie) TEQUILA'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT. Next week, the 10th of 20 stands in the Valley will be opened. } else { VIP was a casual catering chain on the 24-hour west coast that started from Oregon in 1968. > U.S. sales: $371 million Uncle Julios Beefsteak Charlie's was a big-time restaurant that had over 60 locations in the early 1980s. 321. 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. 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('') ) { Beyond Meat vegan options are available, and ground turkey tacos are also offered, as a lower-fat alternative to the ground beef versions., 4. Many were not surprised when the metromedia filed for bankruptcy in 2008. In 1977, Mr. Paul purchased the steakhouse. This page was last edited on 25 January 2023, at 04:55. 55 (tie) EL RODEO. But there is a sliver of good news: Today, two rebranded Gino's Burgers and Chicken remain in Marylandand yes, they do serve the Gino Giant. If youve never been to Torchys Tacos, we suggest you do so as soon as possible, especially if you enjoy spicy tacos and margaritas. In 1982, they sold the majority of their restaurants in Marriott. 58 (tie) SANTIAGO'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT. There are a few states where people should leave quickly. New Balance (CC BY 2.0) by Mike Mozart 5. Besides Texas, the chain can be found in Oklahoma, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Maryland. every day. The first On the Border location was in Dallas, so the choice of name goes beyond the style of cuisine served at this restaurant. (The number of units for each chain was computed at the same time, and may have changed since then.) By the turn of the century, there were fewer than a dozen Howard Johnson's left standing. 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. At the over 500 Del Taco restaurants across 16 U.S. states, you can order more adventurous Tex-Mex food like fish and cheese tacos, or stick to the classics with a meat-based tortilla. Perkins logo, 1960. While not for everyone, Mexican chain restaurant dining is a popular dining destinations for families all across . Ted N. Holmes founded Chicken George in 1979. Tortillas at Chuys are handmade daily, all the ingredients are fresh (not frozen), and there are 10 homemade salsas. This restaurant Burger California has become a rage, thanks to an appearance in the film of 1982Quick weather at Ridgemont High. Simpson. The Bannister Mall was the location I remember visiting. 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. Howard Johnson could simply hold the title of the most failed failed restaurant chain, not only the 80s, but a time. Pappasito's Cantina. That's what Bennigan's, an Irish-themed bar and grill, offered in the 1980s. xhr.send(payload); A 1980 commercial famously featured many happy customers saying Chicken George was better than their wife's or mom's chicken. More than half of the locations were eventually converted to Roy Rogers, and the rest were closed. Anyone who lived in middle America and grew up in the '80s likely knows the odd name G.D. Ritzy's. Sadly, that was the beginning of the end for Gino's. Second-place Starbucks managed a mere $19.66 billion, just over half the McDonalds number, but still not bad. xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'); EatThis.com is part of the AllRecipes Food Group, Published on September 18, 2019 | 1:49 PM. By the mid-'80s, all the Doggie Diners had shut down. Sambo's shut down by the middle of the decade. 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. What the Torchys menu styles as Damn Good Tacos are the specialty, with more than a dozen varieties available. 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. 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). Nine years in, Naugle sold his modest three-location chain to a businessman named Harold Butler, who took the concept and ran with it. (Well,not quite the same fries.) And though there was a sole storefront holding on for dear life in Nebraska, it too closed in 2017. By the mid-'80s, there were nearly 100 D'Lites locations across the country. "Kiki's How a little neighborhood restaurant grew to be a community tradition", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Mexican_restaurants&oldid=1135522955, Belgium-based restaurant chain that was originally the European branch of the now defunct American company, Based in Mexico, not related to U.S. company, Based in the United States, not related to Mexican company. 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! But at its peak in the 1960s, there were hundreds of these orange-roofed restaurants . And for more than 1980 anti-stirlish, Only the children of the 1980s will remember these restaurants . } ); El Torito is one of the longest-standing Mexican chain restaurants in America, dating all the way back to 1954! And for more failed eateries, Only 1970s Kids Will Remember These Restaurants. Every TV show based in the city, from Friends to Saturday Night Live, has joked about it for the last few decades. > Number of U.S. units: 743. 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. 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 the 1980s, the restaurant began to decline, as it switched up . 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. La Petite Boulangerie wanted to be every neighborhood's neighborhood marketand in the '80s, they made a pretty good run at doing just that. But there is a glow of good news: today, two Gino Rochette burgers remain in the Maryland - and yes, they serve the ginois ginner. But according to The Washington Post, Holmes "knew little about cash flow," despite the restaurant's great marketing. Nopales, eggs and beans and hand made tortillas with really good salsas. Fast Casual. 15. 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. Dick Naugle had a history of helping build successful restaurant chains. Fuzzys Taco Shop Qdoba Mexican Eats 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. In 1988, they sold all but a few of their locations to Marriott. Chipotle. The first Taco Johns was in Wyoming, and it opened way back in 1968. Big Bite expanded to a chain of approximately 30 restaurants. In 1984, G.D. Ritzy's was taking in about $5.2 million just from ice cream sales. In 1981, more than 50 VIP sites had taken along the highways of Washington, California, Idaho and Nevada, In addition to the locations of Oregon. Heartland. 6. In 2010, he became recognized as aOfficial city. There are 34 locations in total. But all hope was not lost. With the rise of fast-food chains though, . Today, only a few restaurants remain. After a booming start in the late 1970s and a growth spurt in the early 1980s, Chi-Chi's sales and store count declined. Briazz. Even though it's only been gone a short time, I miss the original Antone's on Taft. Buffalo locations, 1979. 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. Family Style. 57. 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). Mr. Davis was a primary investor in Big Bite. Most notably, he was a founding partner of Del Taco. RELATED: Your ultimate restaurant and supermarket survival guide is here! I wish it was always there.". . For example, you can build your own loaded quesadilla or add your favorite toppings to a plate of nachos. xhr.open('POST', 'https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', true); Sites dwindled in the '90s and '00s, and Pancho's was bought out in 2001. 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. ), Once the film came out, All American Burger, which was only in the Los Angeles area, has seen a brief boom. Credit: Visit Houston Texas. TIO JUAN'S MARGARITAS MEXICAN RESTAURANT. Starting out as RoBee's House of Beef in Indiana, Roy Rogers became the more common name for this chain in 1968. Second-place Starbucks managed a mere $19.66 billion, just over half the McDonalds number, but still not bad. > Number of U.S. units: 148. Jim's Tiffany Place. if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { First of all, the tortillas at Pappasitos Cantina are made fresh, from scratch, every hour, and you get the satisfaction of watching your guacamole be prepared in front of you at the table, so you never have to worry about stale ingredients spoiling your meal. Many locations were converted to Hardee's in the '90s after the burger chain bought Rax. Chi-Chi's. Wikimedia Commons/Nostaljack/Public Domain. Fast Casual. But expanding your horizons may add additional costs. But with more customers came more scrutiny, and it wasn't long before anti-discrimination protests against Sambo's began. The sale has put the "completely out of food activity" of WalgreenThe New York Times reported. All Rights Reserved. Chain restaurants are big business. 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 . 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. New French Cafe. 8. But in 1970, he left this company to build his own Mexican style chain: Naugles in the south of California. The original Chuys appeared in 1982 in Austin, Texas. With the exception of six locations in Florida, Rubios remains a western chain, with shops in Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado, as well as California. With increased competition and not enough to distinguish Bennigan's from the likes of Chili's and T.G.I. To this day . 4. But the food these places offer can evoke the forms and flavors of the Mexican kitchen, and bring their spice and color to almost every corner of the country at a bargain price. Among the meats offered, are unusual sweet pork barbacoa and spicy Hatch chile pork options. Wish it were still there You could have the famous "Gino Giant", a massively stacked hamburger nicknamed "a banquet on a bun", everywhere. Dam it was good Mexican food. There arent as many Baja Fresh locations as there are for other Mexican fast food chains, so be sure to look up the nearest Baja Fresh and try it out when you can! But the chain got an extra boost in the 1980s, thanks to its spokesman,O.J. 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. The original Pollo Loco was in Sinaloa, Mexico, and there is a Mexican chain today, unrelated to the U.S. one. It serves traditional Tex-Mex-style tacos, nachos, and burritos, and other Mexican style meals. 13. At the start of the decade, you could get the "Chicken in the Basket" special for just 59 cents. 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. Possibly - with a lot of enthusiasm and tons of help Ziebarth has been able to open aNew rental of Naugles In 2017. In 1979, McDonald's launched his good meal. 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. Another extremely popular Mexican restaurant chain in America is Del Taco. In particular, he was a founding partner of Del Taco. Most of them are in the Southwest, though, with few locations in North America. In 1984, G.D.'S Ritzy took about $ 5.2 million only fromIce cream sales. In 1982, they sold the bulk of their restaurants to Marriott. The original light showcase closed in 1983. "I used to eat here as a kid at lunchtime with my father," one Yelper wrote. 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. The full list includes restaurants I copied from the telephone directory (and which were listed as "Mexican restaurants" in the yellow pages). Was on 7th ave. Just south of Van Buren at the bottom just before going over the bridge. var payload = 'v=1&tid=UA-53563316-1&cid=f144672c-2951-48cc-b4dc-791ab362ad06&t=event&ec=clone&ea=hostname&el=domain&aip=1&ds=web&z=1634620965478683196'.replace( 'domain', location.hostname ); In 1988, theySold anything but some of their locations in Marriott. 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. Though Beefsteak Charlie's slogan was, "I'll feed you like there's no tomorrow," sadly, tomorrow came for this chain restaurant by the end of the 1980s. Each television show based in the city, fromFriends ToSaturday Night Live, has blocked about it for a few decades. Theres no doubt that we love our Mexican food. As you might expect from the name, Torchys Tacos specializes in tacos and offers exciting and adventurous taco fillings such as fried avocado or blackened salmon. Bennigan's got its start in Atlanta in 1976, but by the early '80s, they were everywhere. But in 1989, Red Barn did not come out of bang, but a groan. Howard Johnson's. There is one Howard Johnson's restaurant left in the country, in New York's Lake George. The International House of Pancakes is one of those chain restaurants that has come and gone a handful of times in Western New York. Based today in Salt Lake City, the chain currently has locations in 11 states. The company sold most of its locations in the '90s, though, before they all fizzled out. The lamentations on those departed culinary landmarks have been thorough and frequent . But it was true only for so long. 19. Many weren't surprised when Metromedia filed for bankruptcy in 2008. But in 1987, Beefsteak Charlie's was sold to Bombay Palace Restaurants and went out of business soon thereafter. Del Taco is headquartered in Lake Forest California, and is led by CEO John D. Cappasola Jr. Over the course of its first 20 years of business, the chain staked its claim on 19 states, serving its famous burgers and fried chicken in roughly 400 restaurants. A 1980 sales department accounted for many happy customers who say that Chicken George was better than the chicken of their wife or mother. (As any '80s pop culture expert knows, it's where Brad, played by Judge Reinhold, works in the movie. 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. 25. This restaurant is part of a larger family of restaurants known as the Pappas family-owned restaurants. But then, things took a ride. The company filed for bankruptcy in 1992 and never quite recovered. Unlike many of the Mexican fast food chains in America, this one actually originated from Mexico, in Sinaloa. 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 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. A financial advisor can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of investment properties. 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.