mexican restaurant chains 1980s

5. Top Mexican Restaurant Chains in The United States of America (USA) Simpson. Many Tex-Mex lovers will tell you that Taco Bueno is the best place to go for American-style Mexican food. } ); You can almost taste the burgers, hot dogs, and fries just looking at it. 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. 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. > Number of U.S. units: 6,588. xhr.send(payload); It was the kind of offer they could not refuse, but it was also the beginning of the end for VIP. Ever wonder if your favorite is actually the most popular? The G.D. Ritzy's menu stood out for all the ways you could customize your hamburgers, drinks and ice cream. Kansas City-area restaurants you'll never eat at again, part 1 When the chainfiled for bankruptcy in 1988 There were 300 pioneering chickens throughout the country. SmartAssets free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. 13. However, it's also a derogatory term used to refer to Black Americans, which was part of the reason this chain restaurant eventually failed. 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. According toYelp Examiners, it was going down. 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. Most of them are in the Southwest, though, with few locations in North America. Bennigan's. This fast food chain was one of America's first casual dining and sports bar chain. While Qdoba mainly sticks to traditional Mexican menu items and flavor combinations for the sake of authenticity, you can still pick from a variety of customizable menu options that allow you to exercise creative freedom and bring your own preferences to the table. The menu at Del Taco goes to show that Mexican chain restaurants in the U.S. are capable of delivering both authentic Mexican food as well as American variations. 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 ); Simpson. In 2010, it became recognized as an official city landmark. The largest Mexican chains in the U.S. - Restaurant Business Originating in El Paso, Texas, Pancho's Mexican Buffet grew in popularity, thanks to its all-you-can-eat "buffet"-style service. 8 of America's Most Beloved Mexican Chains | FSR magazine We finally started swishing and sipping when La Cave popped open "with a refr eshing idea whose arrival . And for more 1980s trivia, Only 1980s Kids Will Remember These Restaurants. Del Taco Every TV show based in the city, from Friends to Saturday Night Live, has joked about it for the last few decades. 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! November 15, 2005. 31 once-beloved chains that no longer exist in the Lehigh Valley and At the turn of the century, there was less than a dozen the left position of Howard Johnson. Classic Restaurant Chains: Where Are They Now? | Kiplinger is the restaurants focus on fresh, non-processed ingredients. } 10 most popular Mexican chain restaurants in the United States 55 (tie) EL RODEO. ), in Pollo Fit Bowls, or in the form of burritos, tostadas, or overstuffed quesadillas. Today, only a few restaurants remain. If youve never been to Torchys Tacos, we suggest you do so as soon as possible, especially if you enjoy spicy tacos and margaritas. RELATED: Your ultimate survival guide and supermarket is here! > Number of U.S. units: 63. Unfortunately, it didn't matter how good the chicken tastedthe business met its untimely end to the dismay of fans everywhere. Unfortunately, it was the beginning of the end for Gino. 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. "You could make money anywhere." And for more nostalgia, don't miss these 17 Failed Chain Restaurants From the 1990s. And for more restaurants that didn't stand the test of time, Only 1990s Kids Will Remember These Restaurants. } The company sold most of its locations in the '90s, though, before they all fizzled out. U.S. sales alone for the industry leader, McDonald's, exceeded $38 billion in 2018. First opened a half-century ago in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and still based there, Taco Johns calls its fare West-Mex. Now operating in 22 states, the chain offers some unusual additions to the usual Mexican chain menu for instance, a meat and potato burrito, stuffed grilled tacos, and flauta-like Mexi Rolls, served with a choice of dipping sauces. Bombay Bicycle Club. 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. At the end of the 1980s, the restaurant was bought out by Foodmaker Inc., but ultimately they continued to experience store closures in the U.S. . The Mexican Restaurants of New York City - ArcGIS StoryMaps But the chain got an extra boost in the 1980s, thanks to its spokesperson, O.J. THE 10 BEST Mexican Restaurants in Los Angeles (Updated 2023) - Tripadvisor Jessica McGowan. > U.S. sales: $214 million (est.) And some fan favoriteslike Burger Chef, G.D. Ritzy's, and Howard Johnson'sfell by the wayside. The Mexican seafood restaurant closed because of high rent costs. Bennigan's got its start in Atlanta in 1976, but by the early '80s, they were everywhere. Beefsteak Charlie's is part of New York's pop culture because it has become a chain in the mid-1970s. Bankrupcty. The Lone Star State is now one of the 19 in which there are Chuys units. 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. The five top chains, in fact, all exceeded the $10 billion-dollar mark (the others were Subway, Taco Bell, and Chick-fil-A). But at its peak in the 1960s, there were hundreds of these orange-roofed restaurants . Quesadillas, burritos and burrito bowls, and nachos are among the other offerings. This California burger restaurant became all the rage, thanks to an appearance in the 1982 film Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Inc. (Big Bite). First started in 1968 in Los Angeles, the chain's last location closed in 2010. Who doesn't love a restaurant with good food and a great happy hour? 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. Don Pablo's is another Mexican-inspired chain . > Number of U.S. units: 727. Unfortunately, Webb could only put on the Ritz for so long. Del Taco is headquartered in Lake Forest California, and is led by CEO John D. Cappasola Jr. "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. 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. That is, until 2008 when Bennigan's went bankrupt. Many Naugles became Del Tacos, and eventually, Naugles disappeared. The chain was sold for $630 million in 1979, and heading into the '80s, HoJo's became a victim of its own success. 26. Dont forget to try one of El Toritos frozen margaritas while you have the chance! if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { From authentic Mexican food to Mexican-American fusions like Tex-Mex and West-Mex, theres so much variety in these top 16 restaurants. The sale put Walgreen's "completely out of the food business," The New York Times reported. "I used to eat here as a child at lunch time with my father," wrote a Yelper. > U.S. sales: $10.410 billion 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. In 1982, a few years after being bought by a Swiss holding company, the chain overextended in its franchising efforts and filed for bankruptcy. 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. (Like any expert from the pop culture of the 80s knows, that's where Brad, played by Judge Reinhold, works in the movie. 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). Fuzzys Taco Shop But in 1970, he left this company to build his own Mexican style chain: Naugles in the south of California. VIP was a casual catering chain on the 24-hour west coast that started from Oregon in 1968. Translating to the crazy chicken in Spanish, El Pollo Loco is one of the most famous Mexican-style chain restaurants in the United States, and definitely the winner of the funniest name contest! That's what Bennigan's, an Irish-themed bar and grill, offered in the 1980s. document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { 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. 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. Remembering restaurants that are no longer | Phoenix - Yelp Rip Vip's. Uncle Julios Unfortunately, to the consternation of fans across the country, Burger Chef has not continued to follow and finally sold to the owner of Hardee's in the early 1980s. 24. } But, much like the madness of the mall and a washed jeans with acid, all the channels of your youth have not survived, and there are many fast food restaurants that came. 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! 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. Qdoba comes out of Denver, where its ancestor, called Zuma Fresh Mexican Grill, opened in 1995. Finally, if youre looking for really high-quality, rustic-inspired Tex-Mex, theres nowhere better than Uncle Julios. 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. Each television show based in the city, fromFriends ToSaturday Night Live, has blocked about it for a few decades. In 1967, the chain was established in Abilene, Texas, by Bill R. Waugh, an art graduate from Abilene Christian University. 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. NJ restaurants: Do you remember these 10 forgotten restaurants? But all hope wasn't lost. So, if you want a spoon of this Dory Chunky fudge, head toOhio WhereKentucky. Chi-Chi's Inc. -- Company History Not only does Chuys serve some examples of classic Mexican food, but youll also find menu items inspired by Southern Texan cuisine and the Rio Grande Valley. Celebrating Denver's Lost Restaurants - Denver Public Library History 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. var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); Mexican Restaurant Chains | List of Best Mexican Food in US - Ranker And for more than 1980 anti-stirlish, Only the children of the 1980s will remember these restaurants . Besides Texas, the chain can be found in Oklahoma, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Maryland. Red Barn had small-town beginnings in 1960s Ohio, but it was destined for greater things. Menu items have fanciful names like Homewrecker (an overstuffed burrito ), John Coctostan (a Southwest-style quesadilla), and Alright Alright Alright (nachos with queso). Chains dont figure, for instance, in our list of, the best Mexican restaurants in every state, Source: Keithready / Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons, Source: Photo taken by Bobak Ha'Eri. In 1982,Denny's offered the company About $ 12 million to buy 35 VIP locations. Qdoba Mexican Eats The food is top-notch, and the family-style dining experience is second to none. Gd the first open Ritzy opened in 1980, but when you entered one, you were instantly transported to the classic ambience of the 1950s dinner. 11. Here are 19 Old Happy Meal Toys That'll Bring You Back to Your Childhood. Reduced-calorie dishes included hamburgers made with lean beef, high-fiber buns, and low-calorie cheese. 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. In 1928, she opened a neighborhood restaurant, which her family expanded in the 1950s into the El Chico Tex-Mex restaurant chain. But all hope was not lost. Keep the place clean!" . The original Pollo Loco was in Sinaloa, Mexico, and there is a Mexican chain today, unrelated to the U.S. one. "Howard Johnson's was the king of the road," one former franchise owner told Eater. 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. . } else { > U.S. sales: $371 million Del Taco restaurant, Inc. is an American fast food chain that specializes Mexican and American cuisine. Mexican Fast Food Chains, Ranked From Worst To Best - Mashed.com 1. Carrols Restaurant Group. That is, until 2008 when Bennigan's went bankrupt. Chuys Tex-Mex Today, one of the dachshunds still rotates near the San Francisco Zoo. Mexican food is one of the most popular global cuisines in America, and theres no mystery as to why. Toledo was bestowed with Hardee's, Perkins Pancakes, a Mexican chain, and, in 1972, the arrival of two Bob Evans eateries. Similar restaurants that were more adaptable to changing tastes became fierce competitors. "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. Pizza with Duck Sausage wins quick stardom. The final restaurant closed in 1989. Pappasito's Cantina. Fast-food tacos, burritos, tostadas, and quesadillas make up much of the menu, though there are also American-style burgers. Taco Viva started in 1968, but it was at its peak in the '80s, when it had around 80 locations across the country. Nine years, Naugle sold its modest three-locate chain to a businessman named Harold Butler, who took the concept and ran with her. 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. I wish it was still here. "The love affair with chief burger remains strong," aThe Hardee Marketing Officer announced in 2007 When the herdee brought the iconic Burger Big Shef. But the name was re-franchised in 2003, and there are still some Roy Rogers in Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. topics. There are five shrimp or fish tacos on the menu as well as meat versions and a grilled vegetable version. Jolly Tiger 2080 W. Stadium Blvd. > Number of U.S. units: 118. 24 Forgotten Fast-Food Restaurants - Yahoo! But then, things took a turn. > U.S. sales: $232 million Rubios Coastal Grill While the chain had a rocky financial status through the '70s, there were over 300 chains in operation by the '80s. 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)! If youre ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now. if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { Vintage Restaurants/ Fast Food Chains of the 1980s Fast Casual. here is19 old joyful toys that will bring you back to your childhood. Del Taco was founded in 1964, in California. But plenty of people are still nostalgic for this restaurant chain. 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. It was the kind of offer they couldn't refuse, but it was also the beginning of the end for VIP's. We hope that this guide to the best Mexican restaurant chains in America (see also Ranking The Top 18 Pizza Chains In America) has shown you that there are plenty more Mexican food options than Chipotle and Taco Bell although these two have more than earned their popularity! The fortress ofMcDonalds,Pizza hut,Burger KingAnd other giants from the 80s made the competition steep. Beyond Meat vegan options are available, and ground turkey tacos are also offered, as a lower-fat alternative to the ground beef versions., 4. 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. Sites dwindled in the '90s and '00s, and Pancho's was bought out in 2001. Second-place Starbucks managed a mere $19.66 billion, just over half the McDonalds number, but still not bad. All Rights Reserved. Still, if you were lucky enough to experience Pup 'N' Taco, then you probably can't get the jingle out of your head. navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); 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. > Number of U.S. units: 143. Bennigan's was fast becoming one of the most successful mid-range casual dining chains in America. Its one of the biggest Mexican food chains worldwide, but its especially well-loved in the U.S., where more than 3,000 Chipotle restaurants have opened in total since 1993. Fast-food chains continued to grow, with the number of companies increasing by about two-thirds. The company sold most of its locations in the '90s, seeing this list might take you back to your childhood. Bombay Bicycle Club was a hugely popular restaurant and bar in the 1980s. 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). Today, it has 60-plus locations in Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, as well as its native state of Texas. 1977: Fine Wine and Italian Style. xhr.send(payload); If you grew up in the '80s, there's a good chance you went to at least one of these restaurants. > U.S. sales: $214 million (est.) ), Once the film came out, All American Burger, which was only in the Los Angeles area, has seen a brief boom. U.S. sales alone for the industry leader, McDonalds, exceeded $38 billion in 2018. Brigham's - a Boston-area ice cream parlor and restaurant chain that closed in 2013 [2] Britling Cafeterias. 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! Taco Johns A food that is better left in the past?The 80's snack that you should never eat again, says science. Who knows, maybe youll find a new favorite! Bennigan had its start in Atlanta in 1976, but in the early 1980s they were everywhere. 25. In 2010, he became recognized as aOfficial city. Fast . Anyone who lived in middle America and grew up in the '80s likely knows the odd name G.D. Ritzy's. According to Eater, during the height of its popularity in the 1960s, Howard Johnson's served "more meals outside of the home than any entity in America, except for the U.S. Another Dallas-born chain, on the border launched in 1982, featuring mesquite-grilled meats, hand-pressed tortillas, and small-batch salsas. 6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e. Minnie Pearl's Chicken. Now Holidays Restaurant. Howard Johnson's might just hold the title for most sorely-missed failed restaurant chain of not just the '80s, but any era. Its channel, Wag's had 91 restaurants, all open 24 hours a day, serving your standard rate of Denny'Sque.