The five top chains, in fact, all exceeded the $10 billion-dollar mark (the others were Subway, Taco Bell, and Chick-fil-A). 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! But according to The Washington Post, Holmes "knew little about cash flow," despite the restaurant's great marketing. VIP was a casual catering chain on the 24-hour west coast that started from Oregon in 1968. The company filed for bankruptcy in 1992 and never quite recovered. 1. Rubios Coastal Grill 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. Friday, the chain fell behind. Taco Bueno is a famous fast food restaurant chain situated in the southern United States. every day. 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 . The first one was opened by Campbell in Arizona last February. 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. Mexican food. Del Taco is headquartered in Lake Forest California, and is led by CEO John D. Cappasola Jr. During its first 20 years of activity, the chain plunged its claims on 19 states, serving its famous burgers and fries in about 400 restaurants. This restaurant Burger California has become a rage, thanks to an appearance in the film of 1982Quick weather at Ridgemont High. 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. 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, they sold all but a few of their locations to Marriott. Bombay Bicycle Club was a hugely popular restaurant and bar in the 1980s. 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 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. The chain's name was a source of controversy: According to the company, the name was . Taco Bueno. Miss these emblematic meals of children? 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. Lucia's Restaurant. 6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e. Based today in Salt Lake City, the chain currently has locations in 11 states. In 1979, new owners bought the company for real estate purposes. El Pollo Loco is famous for its Mexican-style chicken dishes specifically, grilled chicken. 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). Whether you are in their delicious skins of red potatoes or the iconic Irish tower O'Rings, Bennigan was a success in the 1980s. 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. 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. Unlike many of the Mexican fast food chains in America, this one actually originated from Mexico, in Sinaloa. According to Yelp reviewers, it was going downhill. 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. Does this list bring back any memories? } else { 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! 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 72 of 92 73 of 92 Crazy Jose's Patio and Cafe Mexican restaurant Enterprise archive photo Ryan . But the chain got an extra boost in the 1980s, thanks to its spokesman,O.J. But all hope was not lost. Get the best food tips and diet Cote D'Oro: In 1980, Holiday Magazine named this distinctive, turreted Yosemite Boulevard restaurant one of the Top 100 in the United States. 14. The full list includes restaurants I copied from the telephone directory (and which were listed as "Mexican restaurants" in the yellow pages). RELATED: Your ultimate survival guide and supermarket is here! 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Similar restaurants that were more adaptable to changing tastes became fierce competitors. Pizza with Duck Sausage wins quick stardom. advice every day. Unfortunately, it was the beginning of the end for Gino. Nine years in, Naugle sold his modest three-location chain to a businessman named Harold Butler, who took the concept and ran with it. 167). Marchetti returned to the restaurant business in 2010, opening up a new Gino's location. Whether your usual order consists of nachos, burritos, tacos, quesadillas, or even a Mexican-style salad you name it, its on the menu. This fast food chain was founded by Ed Hackbarth and David Jameson in Barstow, California on September 16, 1964. It opened its first U.S. venue in Los Angeles in 1980, and since then, nearly 500 El Pollo Loco restaurants have been established. To his pinnacle in the 1970s,Burger chef EU 1,200 locations and was a flourishing competitor of McDonald's. It continued to grow throughout the '60s and '70s. } else { Chains dont figure, for instance, in our list of the best Mexican restaurants in every state. Launched by a former Del Taco partner in 1970, Naugles featured simple Cal-Mex food like basic cheese burritos or ground beef crispy tacos. With increased competition and not enough to distinguish Bennigan's from the likes of Chili's and T.G.I. "You could make money anywhere." But there is a glow of good news: today, two Gino Rochette burgers remain in the Maryland - and yes, they serve the ginois ginner. The original Pioneer Chicken opened in 1961 next to a Pioneer Market, a grocery store chain in Los Angeles. 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. > U.S. sales: $817 million (The number of units for each chain was computed at the same time, and may have changed since then.) But it was true only for so long. The name Sambo comes from a combination of the names of the founders: Sam Battistone and Newell F. Bohnett. > U.S. sales: $213 million (est.) He rapidly expanded to 225 outlets by 1986. Second-place Starbucks managed a mere $19.66 billion, just over half the McDonalds number, but still not bad. Without that bright orange chicken, Monday Night Football was never the same. In the 1980s, the restaurant began to decline, as it switched up . In the mid-1980's. Cobb Lane Restaurant. The chain was sold for $630 million in 1979, and heading into the '80s, HoJo's became a victim of its own success. The Blue Horse, the Nankin, the Lincoln Del. 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. Impossible brand plant-based protein is an option. xhr.open('POST', 'https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', true); La Petite Boulangerie wanted to be every neighborhood's neighborhood marketand in the '80s, they made a pretty good run at doing just that. Oklahoma City Mexican Restaurants 1983. It quickly expanded 225 points of sale by 1986. Second-place Starbucks managed a mere $19.66 billion, just over half the McDonalds number, but still not bad. > Number of U.S. units: 580. > U.S. sales: $236 million (est.) . 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. 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. 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. Lauren Gray is a New York-based writer, editor, and consultant. is the restaurants focus on fresh, non-processed ingredients. TIO JUAN'S MARGARITAS MEXICAN RESTAURANT. Walgreen's has a penchant to bring back beyond your traditional pharmacy products - some even sell beer and wine these days. > U.S. sales: $214 million (est.) By the 1980s, there were more than 350 Gino's locations throughout the East Coast. Anyone who lived in middle America and grew up in the '80s likely knows the odd name G.D. Ritzy's. Menu items have fanciful names like Homewrecker (an overstuffed burrito ), John Coctostan (a Southwest-style quesadilla), and Alright Alright Alright (nachos with queso). 11. 55 (tie) TEQUILA'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT. But it was already too late. You could eat as many shrimp, salad, beer and rib as you could never want - all for less than $ 20, according toBklyner. . After a booming start in the late 1970s and a growth spurt in the early 1980s, Chi-Chi's sales and store count declined. Carrols Restaurant Group. The Lone Star State is now one of the 19 in which there are Chuys units. But in 1987, Beefsteak Charlie's was sold to Bombay Palace Restaurants and went out of business soon thereafter. La Belle Vie. Del Taco It took on the rest of the East Coast in the '70s, too. 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. Taco Cabana 10. > Number of U.S. units: 392. Ever wonder if your favorite is actually the most popular? March 1, 2023 1:10 pm. According toYelp Examiners, it was going down. Bennigan's got its start in Atlanta in 1976, but by the early '80s, they were everywhere. In 1983. he was elected to Big Bite's board of directors. 15. 23. At its peak popularity, Doggie Diner had 30 locations in the Golden State, but unfortunately, competing with larger chains like McDonald's lead to this chain's unraveling. First founded in Ohio in 1980, the 1950s-style restaurant grew quickly, with about 100 locations at its peak. > Number of U.S. units: 727. But not all of them have survived over the years. One of the first major restaurant chains, it went public in 1961 with 605 . You could get the famous "Gino Giant," a massively stacked hamburger aptly nicknamed "a banquet on a bun," all over the place. > U.S. sales: $835 million And some fan favoriteslike Burger Chef, G.D. Ritzy's, and Howard Johnson'sfell by the wayside. Pappasito's Cantina. 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. 2. / Wikimedia Commons, ALSO READ: The 15 Most Popular Food Orders in America, ALSO READ: These Are the Top 15 Foods on the Rise for 2020. In 1982, Denny's offered the company about $12 million to buy out 35 VIP's locations. 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. var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); Two professional football players from Baltimore Colts helped create Gino burgers in 1957. D'Lites (1978-1987) Norcross, GA. More than 100. By the mid-'80s, there were nearly 100 D'Lites locations across the country. There are also salads on Moes menu if youre in the mood for something light and healthy which, in addition to the customizability of the menu, means that Moes is the perfect Mexican restaurant for everyone regardless of tastes or preferences. At its height in 1984, there were 102 Pup 'N' Taco locations across California and New Mexico. 200 Bennigan National Locationsscreened their doors A decade ago, but the new owners now manage a much smaller operation of Dallas, Texas and the menu includes Irish items inspired by the pub that you liked in the 1980s. Any classic Mexican fast food you can think of, you can order at Taco Bueno. } 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. That is, until 2008 when Bennigan's went bankrupt. Originating in El Paso, Texas, Pancho's Mexican Buffet grew in popularity, thanks to its all-you-can-eat "buffet"-style service. Investing in real estate can diversify your portfolio. But its flame burned short and bright: By the late '80s, the owners filed for bankruptcy, and all of the locations had closed by the 2000s. > Number of U.S. units: 100. 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. > Number of U.S. units: 118. Check out the top 10 Mexican chains in the United States according to Restaurant Business based on sales: In the mid-1980s, all Diners doggie had closed. The Tex-Mex Invasion. In 1982, they sold the majority of their restaurants in Marriott. At the start of the decade, you could get the "Chicken in the Basket" special for just 59 cents. And for more, check out these 108 most popular sodas ranked . California has the most with 822. Howard Johnson's might just hold the title for most sorely-missed failed restaurant chain of not just the '80s, but any era. 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. "They just leave that Ritzy is a little atrophy of Ritzy over the next eight or ten years, and he decreased at seven locations"Webb saidThe observer of Dallas in 2004. That's what Bennigan's, an Irish-themed bar and grill, offered in the 1980s. However, in the late '80s, La Petite Boulangerie was purchased by Mrs. Field's, where cookies were the name of the game. And for kids, in particular, Burger Chef was the top choice: It was the first fast-food chain to include toys with its kids' meals. 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 then, things took a ride. 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. However, it's also a derogatory term used to refer to Black Americans, which was part of the reason this chain restaurant eventually failed. Every TV show based in the city, from Friends to Saturday Night Live, has joked about it for the last few decades. 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. 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. Mexican cuisine is the full package: flavorsome, filling and exciting without being overly complicated. 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). He continued to grow in the 60s and 70s. Pappasitos Cantina is undoubtedly one of the best Tex-Mex chain restaurants in America. Bennigan was becoming one of the most efficient mid-range casual catering chains in America. The Bannister Mall was the location I remember visiting. 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. If youre an investor looking to minimize expenses, consider checking out online brokerages. Whether you were into their delicious cheesy potato skins or the iconic Irish Tower O'Rings, Bennigan's was a hit in the 1980s. Sadly, there are no more D'Lites today. "Man, I miss this place. Jim's Tiffany Place. If youve never been to Torchys Tacos, we suggest you do so as soon as possible, especially if you enjoy spicy tacos and margaritas. 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. If youre ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now. But the name was re-franchised in 2003, and there are still some Roy Rogers in Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Boy, do we miss those fried clam strips, frankfurts, and that signature HoJo ice cream. Originally part of the Pillsbury Corp., the restaurant was founded in 1976. 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! It was the kind of offer they couldn't refuse, but it was also the beginning of the end for VIP's. That pitfall sadly brought Chicken George down in 1986, when Holmes filed for liquidation after falling into over $1.4 million in debt to private creditors and the IRS. Growth was especially strong in the Midwest which was targeted as a region susceptible to their appeal. A 1980 commercial famously featured many happy customers saying Chicken George was better than their wife's or mom's chicken. The original Chuys appeared in 1982 in Austin, Texas. 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. Between 2001 and 2011, Country Kitchen closed almost 200 locations, with the total number of restaurants falling from 249 to 52, as sales declined by more than 80% during the same period. 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. Not only can you order classic Mexican food items like quesadillas, burritos, nachos, and tacos from Moes Southwest Grill, but you get the opportunity to customize your own dishes, adding your choice of ingredients to your burrito, burrito bowl, taco, quesadillas, or nachos. Similar restaurants that were more adaptable to the evolution of tastes have become ferocious competitors. Howard Johnson could simply hold the title of the most failed failed restaurant chain, not only the 80s, but a time. Howard Johnson's. There is one Howard Johnson's restaurant left in the country, in New York's Lake George. This California burger restaurant became all the rage, thanks to an appearance in the 1982 film Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Taco Bell just getting started in Arizona (1966) Bell started his specialized Mexican food drive-in at Barstow [California] in 1962. Bennigan was becoming one of the most efficient mid-range casual catering chains in America. Many weren't surprised when Metromedia filed for bankruptcy in 2008. And for more restaurants that didn't stand the test of time, Only 1990s Kids Will Remember These Restaurants. Qdoba Mexican Eats is a solid example of a great Mexican chain restaurant, and we highly recommend it next time youre in the mood for Mexican food! A financial advisor can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of investment properties. 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).
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