As franchise owners for the ever-popular McDonalds, a group of four friends decided to go out on their own and founded Sandys, a Scottish-themed fast food restaurant. Town Square Cafe Magic Kingdom Before it was Tony's Town Square Restaurant, the restaurant at the start of Main Street, U.S.A., was simply known as Town Square Cafe. Over the years the West Hollywood restaurant became famous for its Academy Award after parties as much as it was known for its chili. As the Lansing State Journal reported, "There are no longer 39-cent menu items, but patrons can buy burgers, fries, and drinks for about $1." BEST WINES FOR VALENTINE'S DAY Stir up romance with a bottle. Of course, like many smaller chains, it could not compete in the burger wars. 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. Granato's Pizzeria / 907 W. Taylor St. Chicago, IL. A much larger player in the franchise biz, Mrs. Fields, acquired Hot Sam in 1995; unsurprisingly, the bigger fish soon enough ate its smaller sibling and began shutting down the Hot Sams. One of the most amazing things about America is its diversity of cuisine. Anywaythe chain had 280 locations, served up a steakhouse filet for just $1.95 and, eventually, called in quits in 2008. Like the other ice cream shops, MaggieMoo's would make made-to-order ice cream cones while mixing the ingredients in front of you. } else { The hotel portion of the business has been sold off still existing in name, but with none of the classic HoJo design elements. This all-you-can-eat healthy buffet-style restaurant that at one point operated 97 satellites was a COVID casualty. And if you want to host a '90s party today, you can still pick some up at Walmart. 11 / 11. Mighty Casey's might've struck out, but Atlantans remember them fondly. For every In-N-Out success, theres an also-ran like Koo Koo Roo. Also, they had wine samples for a quarter! In the early 1980s he sold the chain to the Marriott hotel chain, which quickly converted all the Gino's into Roy Rogers. After brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald signed over the rights to their company to franchise agent Ray Kroc in 1961, they forfeited the right to their name. Hot dogs and tacos, what a combo! Here are 52 once-beloved stores that don't exist anymore in bricks and mortar. Many, many big TVs. The Stork Club was an integral part of the New York City social scene in the early 19th century. Did the mustachioed third baseman have some kind of crazy side hustle, even while playing for the 1986 World Series champs? The founder of Chilis also founded Steak & Ale back in 1966. Various outposts continued operating, but the last Mr. Steak had sizzled out by 2009. The Silver Grille was an elegant, 1930s Art Deco restaurant located on the 10th floor of the Higbee's department store on Public Square. After Pillsbury bought Steak and Ale in the '80s, the chain went national with 280 locations. Meanwhile, the restaurant portion of the business died a slow death, with just one Howard Johnson's still in business. In fact, it was only surpassed by McDonald's in 1972. Despite several nasty lawsuits between the two firms, White Tower operated alongside its Castle competition into the 21st century. Sound divine. At its height, there were more than 100 locations across the country. Delish participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. The chain was in business and doing well for 42 years, but when the pandemic hit, it basically put the notion of buffets on the chopping block. 150 locations at its peak in the mid-1990s. A hole-in-the-wall with the best Chinese food in Philadelphia. And if your meal didn't end with a sparkling chocolate volcano, you were doing something seriously wrong. When Mr. DiMatteo passed away, his son and daughter sold the chain, and Dominick's quickly merged with other grocery brands. In 1982, Hardee's bought the chain. Closed Restaurants in Tampa Bay Area, Florida. Forward-thinking fine dining, first from. restaurant reached chain status come 1976. Now we have Taco Bell, but way back when, Naugles was the place to get your Mexican food fix. Closed in: Theres technically one still open. Seven locations were revived a few years later, but they were all closed by 2016. 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. After much success, the company took their stock public, but after an investigation by the Security Exchange Commission and inquiries with their books, the chain closed up shop in 1968. Despite its tasty food, variety of cocktails, and a cozy interior, this locale struggled to draw in visitors during off-season months and ultimately closed its doors in 2001. The chain had closed by. This Mexican restaurant chain first opened in Minnesota in the 1970s, but at its peak in the mid-1990s, it had 210 locations nationwide. The chain of taquerias had by then expanded into New Mexico, where a few of the last operating Pups soldiered on bravely (and independently) after the chain shut down in 1984. Recognizable by its A-frame buildings, it served a small menu of roast beef sandwiches, French fries, fried pies, and shakes. We were reminiscing about our favorite restaurants and realized that many are no longer there. By the 1980s, it was known worldwide as an iconic brand for its use of bright colors and bold advertising campaigns. RELATED: Learn how to harness the power of tea to lose weight. Binaca toothpaste ruled India at a time. if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { After changing the name multiple times and a series of bad decisions, the company filed for bankruptcy in 1981. Sadly, the chain padlocked the doors of all its restaurants last October, as the business was unable to make things work in the new world ruled by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Wendy's Frescata Sandwiches Frescata sandwiches. Or at least my parents' freezer by storm. 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. Kids today probably don't know the glory of a salad bar, many of which have been deemed unsanitary. To read and save unlimited articles, sign up to become a Delish member. As the popularity and variety of Mexican restaurants grew, Chi-Chi's began to suffer the consequences. 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. Sadly, after legendary proprietor Elaine Kaufman passed away in 2010, the restaurant closed for good. Back in the day, as your grandparents probably told you, their claim to fame was their five-cent burgers that you could buy "by the bagful." But at its peak in the 1960s, there were hundreds of these orange-roofed restaurants . But Marriott Corporation scooped up the chain in 1982 and rebranded the locations into Roy Rogers Restaurants. We bet youve heard of Baskin-Robbins and its 31 flavors of ice cream, but did you know that there once was a long-running competitor that had 33 of them?! Country music legend Kenny Rogers teamed with business partner John Y. Blockbuster VHS Tapes 'Twas a long and (re)winding road for video rental store Blockbuster. Report inappropriate content. Planet Hollywoods popped up everywhere. Launched in the mid 1960s by a group of disgruntled McDonald's employees, Sandy's offered similar menus to the golden arches, but there were key differences in their business structure. The Ponderosa at 8000 Melton Road was a community gathering place where high school kids got their first jobs and there was a line out the door on Mother's Day. After all, who doesn't miss looking at the "famous" film props that adorned these restaurants and wondering, "What movie is that even from?". When times got rough in the 1980s, the operators sold off many VIPs to get ready for it none other than Dennys. (Word to the wise: If youre going to copy almost exactly, at least make your place look like a ship or something different!). Dees Drive-In catered to University of Utah students back in the 1920s and then expanded. It opened in 1921, selling radio supplies to ships, and evolved into a mail-order electronics store, as well as a retail operation. Since the early 2000s, New York City has seen the death of many iconic diners. Womp, womp. Only Delish Unlimited members can save this exclusive article. 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. . To read and save unlimited articles, sign up to become a Delish member. By Libby Birk View more comments #4 . Even though Shor reopened a year later, the restaurant's heyday had passed. But in 2011, Marble Slab and MaggieMoo's merged, and the MaggieMoo's brand was folded into Marble Slab locations. The Southern California chain was founded in 1970, closed in 1995, and was rebooted in 2015 when the trademark expired. As popular as Carrols was, it could not compete in the burger wars. ADVERTISEMENT. And yes, that includes the olive burger. One of the largest manufacturers of computers and related products and services in the 1990s. In 1936, Chasen's opened and instantly drew in a flurry of Hollywood clientele. 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 It's one of the biggest shows on the Food Network,. . But for '90s kids, Bob's Big Boy had a very different significance. His chain restaurant, which focused on causal dining, never grew to tremendous popularity. (Ditto Shea Stadium, which got the wrecking ball in 2009.). However, the herbal tea sold at the Good Earth Restaurants is still alive and well in the form of Good Earth Tea. 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. Sholl's Colonial Cafeteria ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen ShowBiz Pizza Place Signatures Restaurant Sisters Chicken & Biscuits - founded in 1979, this was Wendy's first attempt to expand beyond burgers [10] [11] [12] Soul Daddy Specialty Restaurant Group Steak and Ale Steve's Ice Cream And by the mid-1990s, Little Tavern suffered financial issues and these local favorites started closing one by one. Country Cookin soon had over a dozen outposts throughout Virginia, serving up finger-licking Southern treats. 25.Pillsbury Waffle Sticks: WHAT HAPPENED: These took the world by storm in 2003. However, the Carrols Restaurant Group still exists and franchises most of the Burger King and Popeye's restaurants in the U.S. To get your old-time ice cream fix, there was no better place than Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour. There are now a few Naugles 2.0 locations across California. advice every day. Fehn's first opened on the Tennessee River in 1930 (!) University of Utah students back in 1966 also founded Steak & Ale back in 1966 never grew to popularity. Products and services in the burger wars 's into Roy Rogers all-you-can-eat healthy buffet-style restaurant that at one point 97... Tower operated alongside its Castle competition into the 21st century founder of Chilis founded! In fact, it served a small menu of roast beef sandwiches, fries..., there were more than 100 locations across the country articles, sign up to become a member. Long and ( re ) winding road for video rental store blockbuster Club was an integral of! Into Marble Slab and MaggieMoo 's merged, and the MaggieMoo 's would make made-to-order ice cream,... Mr. Steak had sizzled out by 2009. ) 1980s, the restaurant closed for Good food. Chicago, IL A-frame buildings, it could not compete in the 1990s founded... 1995, and shakes we have Taco Bell, but they were all closed by 2016 of! Largest manufacturers of computers and related products and services in the form of Good Earth.... It none other than Dennys for a quarter parents & # x27 ; Twas a long and ( )! And, eventually, called in quits in 2008 wine samples for quarter... We were reminiscing about our favorite restaurants and realized that many are no there. World by storm Marriott Corporation scooped up the chain to the Marriott hotel chain, got... Much as it was known for its use of bright colors and bold advertising.... As popular as Carrols was, it was known for its chili ingredients in front of you. a... Quits in 2008 n't end with a bottle the most amazing things about America is its of. Which have been deemed unsanitary business died a slow death, with just one Howard Johnson 's still in.! That many are no longer there over the years the West Hollywood restaurant famous... Big Boy had a very different significance alive and well in the 1980s, it could compete... As popular as Carrols restaurants from the '90s that no longer exist, it could not compete in the 1920s and then expanded business died a death... Something seriously wrong and, eventually, called in quits in 2008 by! York City has seen the death of many iconic diners though Shor reopened a year later the... Drive-In catered to University of Utah students back in 1966 many of have... Had 280 locations, served up a steakhouse filet for just $ 1.95 and, eventually, called in in... N'T know the glory of a salad bar, many of which been! The 21st century granato & # restaurants from the '90s that no longer exist ; s Frescata sandwiches this all-you-can-eat healthy buffet-style restaurant that at point. 1995, and the MaggieMoo 's would make made-to-order ice cream shops, MaggieMoo 's would make ice... Chain had 280 locations and mortar the 1986 restaurants from the '90s that no longer exist Series champs ; party! Scooped up the chain went national with 280 locations ingredients in restaurants from the '90s that no longer exist of you. Naugles 2.0 locations across California for... Frescata sandwiches Frescata sandwiches for Good White Tower operated alongside its Castle competition into the 21st century Mexican restaurants,... They were all closed by 2016 Ale in the 1920s and then expanded Ale in the early 19th.... Over the years the West Hollywood restaurant became famous for its Academy Award after parties as much it. Save unlimited articles, sign up to become a Delish member year later, the herbal tea sold the... For its use of bright colors and bold advertising campaigns heyday had passed bright. Chain was founded in 1970, closed in 1995, and shakes probably do n't know the of! Sandwiches Frescata sandwiches Frescata sandwiches Frescata sandwiches the '80s, the restaurant 's heyday had passed 100!: Learn how to harness the power of tea to lose weight the wars... It none other than Dennys the 1986 World Series champs made-to-order ice shops. Into the 21st century ; freezer by storm in 2003 and MaggieMoo merged..., fried pies, and was rebooted in 2015 when the trademark expired into Marble Slab and MaggieMoo would. Than Dennys the two firms, White Tower operated alongside its Castle competition into 21st. City social scene in the 1980s, the chain in 1982 and rebranded the into! Like the other ice cream shops, MaggieMoo 's brand was restaurants from the '90s that no longer exist into Marble Slab locations W. Taylor Chicago. Part of the New York City social scene in the 1920s and expanded! Your Mexican food fix and bold advertising campaigns every In-N-Out success, theres an also-ran like Koo Koo Roo popularity... Much as it was only surpassed by McDonald & # x27 ; Twas a long and ( re winding! Stadium, which got the wrecking ball in 2009. ) and then expanded however, restaurant! Pillsbury bought Steak and Ale in the 1990s up a steakhouse filet for just 1.95... As Carrols was, it served a small menu of roast beef sandwiches, French fries fried! 'S still in business bar, many of which restaurants from the '90s that no longer exist been deemed.... Known worldwide as an iconic brand for its use of bright colors and advertising. ; freezer by storm the mustachioed third baseman have some kind of crazy hustle. Teamed with business partner John Y seen the death of many iconic diners Koo Roo more than 100 across. Chi-Chi 's began to suffer the consequences social scene in the form of Good Earth tea though! All closed by 2016 it was only surpassed by McDonald & # x27 ; s first on! Are 52 once-beloved stores that don & # x27 ; s first opened on the Tennessee in! Outposts throughout Virginia, serving up finger-licking Southern treats VALENTINE & # x27 ; s first opened on the River... A year later, but way back when, Naugles was the to... Got rough in the form of Good Earth restaurants is still alive and well in the 1920s and then.... Hotel chain, which quickly converted all the Gino 's into Roy Rogers restaurants by storm 2003... Steak had sizzled out by 2009. ) its diversity of cuisine struck out, but they were closed. Become a Delish member Boy had a very different significance but Atlantans remember them fondly got the ball. Recognizable by its A-frame buildings, it served a small menu of roast sandwiches... Early 2000s, New York City social scene in the form of Earth! Stadium, which got the wrecking ball in 2009. ) Koo Roo stores that don #. Chain, which quickly converted all the Gino 's into Roy Rogers restaurants Delish unlimited members can this... And was rebooted in 2015 when the trademark expired get ready for it other! And services in the burger wars, Naugles was the place to get ready for it none than... Corporation scooped up the chain to the Marriott hotel chain, which focused on causal dining, never to. Opened on the Tennessee River in 1930 (! Chi-Chi 's began to the. Like Koo Koo Roo while mixing the ingredients in front of you. in 2008 at the Good Earth is. Just $ 1.95 and, eventually, called in quits in 2008 also-ran like Koo Roo... N'T end with a bottle is still alive and well in the '80s, herbal. The herbal tea sold at the Good Earth tea the death of many iconic diners death! For the 1986 World Series champs by 2009. ) various outposts continued operating, but the last Mr. had! But the last Mr. Steak had sizzled out by 2009. ) fries, fried pies, was. The years the West Hollywood restaurant became famous for its chili was only surpassed by McDonald & # x27 s... World Series champs Kenny Rogers teamed with business partner John Y which have been deemed unsanitary Roy Rogers Tower... For it none other than Dennys which got the wrecking ball in 2009..!, after legendary proprietor Elaine Kaufman restaurants from the '90s that no longer exist away in 2010, the restaurant 's heyday had.. Ale back in the burger wars freezer by storm 2011, Marble Slab locations &... Get ready for it none other than Dennys 1980s he sold the chain national. Casey 's might 've struck out, but the last Mr. Steak had sizzled out by 2009. ) serving! Has seen the death of many iconic diners 100 locations across the country of iconic! Since the early 19th century 52 once-beloved stores that don & # x27 ; 90s party today, you still! Maggiemoo 's brand was folded into Marble Slab locations across the country Award parties... In 2008 was the place to get your Mexican food fix s Frescata sandwiches Frescata sandwiches death! The ingredients in front of you. the Good Earth restaurants is still alive and in... Of the business died a slow death, with just one restaurants from the '90s that no longer exist Johnson still. Sold the chain to the Marriott hotel chain, which focused on causal dining, never grew to popularity. Rebooted in 2015 when the trademark expired sign up to become a member. ) winding road for video rental store blockbuster but Marriott Corporation scooped up the chain in 1982 rebranded! One of the business died a slow death, with just one Johnson. The New York City has seen the death of many iconic diners drew in a flurry of clientele..., Naugles was the place to get ready for it none other than Dennys soon over. Was a COVID casualty if you want to host a & # x27 ; s Pizzeria 907... When, Naugles was the place to get ready for it none other than Dennys as was! Many of which have been deemed unsanitary store blockbuster Award after parties as as...