Ralph Rubio can make a fair claim to having introduced Baja-style fish tacos to America and his fresh Mex chain, based in San Diego, certainly popularized them. El Pollo Loco first opened in 1975. It was such a success for founders Max . 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. Uncle Julios restaurants can be found in Wisconsin, Texas, Virginia, Oklahoma, Mayland, Missouri, New Jersey, Illinois, North Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee. In 1982, they sold the bulk of their restaurants to Marriott. In the late 1980s, if you lived . 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). A handful of non-corporate locations still exist in Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. We promise this Tex-Mex chain restaurant will quickly become a family favorite! 23. quick serve. So, if youre an ethically-conscious fan of Mexican cuisine, you should definitely check out Chipotle if you havent already! 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! But plenty of people are still nostalgic for this restaurant chain. By the mid-'80s, there were nearly 100 D'Lites locations across the country. Bennigan had its start in Atlanta in 1976, but in the early 1980s they were everywhere. 23. Doggie diner Was a basis in the Northern Bay region of California at its peak. The timing was perfect, with Mexican food a trendy choice for diners at that time. In 1979, new owners bought the company for real estate purposes. "You could make money anywhere." Click here for the top 15 Mexican chains in America. And for more restaurants that didn't stand the test of time, Only 1990s Kids Will Remember These Restaurants. 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. This California burger restaurant became all the rage, thanks to an appearance in the 1982 film Fast Times at Ridgemont High. But as any child of the '70s or '80s knows, Walgreen's once had full-on restaurants, too. Serving both Mexican and classic American fast-food, Del Taco offers something for everyone. And though there was a sole storefront holding on for dear life in Nebraska, it too closed in 2017. If youre an investor looking to minimize expenses, consider checking out online brokerages. every day. Hi, my name is Jenna and I have been a professional chef for almost the entirety of my adult life. Refuge. 2. Inc. (Big Bite). 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. Big Bite expanded to a chain of approximately 30 restaurants. Its chain, Wag's, had 91 restaurants, all open 24 hours, serving your standard Denny's-esque fare. } else { The International House of Pancakes is one of those chain restaurants that has come and gone a handful of times in Western New York. But then, things took a turn. Chain founder Glen Bell ran two other small taco chains before opening the first Taco Bell in 1962 in Downey, California, near Los Angeles. Nopales, eggs and beans and hand made tortillas with really good salsas. 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. The food is top-notch, and the family-style dining experience is second to none. Chipotle. Family Style. A New York-based freelance journalist, Dalene Rovenstine often writes about
LIME FRESH MEXICAN GRILL. The original Pioneer Chicken opened in 1961 next to a Pioneer Market, a grocery store chain in Los Angeles. Impossible brand plant-based protein is an option. If youre ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now. } ); > Number of U.S. units: 727. It closed in . 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. every day. 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. In 1982, a few years after being bought by a Swiss holding company, the chain overextended in its franchising efforts and filed for bankruptcy. That's what Bennigan's, an Irish-themed bar and grill, offered in the 1980s. "Man, I miss this place. And the controversy is for good business! It was the kind of offer they couldn't refuse, but it was also the beginning of the end for VIP's. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesnt have to be hard. There were 60 locations in the New York metropolitan area by 1984. Growth was especially strong in the Midwest which was targeted as a region susceptible to their appeal. Alberto Lombardi was the king of Dallas Italian food. All Rights Reserved. The name Sambo's comes from a combination of the founders' names: Sam Battistone and Newell F. Bohnett. The US Mexican restaurant industry has seen good growth over most of the past decade, reaching a market size of around $79.4 billion in 2023. 2. U.S. sales alone for the industry leader, McDonalds, exceeded $38 billion in 2018. See more ideas about denver history, denver, childhood memories. In addition to fish and other tacos, the menu includes chicken tortilla soup and a Baja chopped bowl. Del Taco was founded in 1964, in California. But the children of the 80s probably do not experience experience. Jessica McGowan. Most notably, he was a founding partner of Del Taco. In the early 1990s, Bennigan was sold to Metomedia's restaurant group. Now Holidays Restaurant. But eventually, they fail to keep in pace with restaurants like Applebee's and Friday's. Bennigan's was sold several times through the years before filing for bankruptcy in 2008. . Fast-food tacos, burritos, tostadas, and quesadillas make up much of the menu, though there are also American-style burgers. 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). topics. The sale has put the "completely out of food activity" of WalgreenThe New York Times reported. with a character named "Family Sam," a friendly senior citizen chef. Whether you were into their delicious cheesy potato skins or the iconic Irish Tower O'Rings, Bennigan's was a hit in the 1980s. > U.S. sales: $371 million > Number of U.S. units: 63. Ted N. Holmes founded Chicken George in 1979. Cote D'Oro: In 1980, Holiday Magazine named this distinctive, turreted Yosemite Boulevard restaurant one of the Top 100 in the United States. But in 1970, he left this company to build his own Mexican style chain: Naugles in the south of California. ", Beefsteak Charlie's has been a part of New York pop culture since it became a chain in the mid-1970s. 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. Menu items have fanciful names like Homewrecker (an overstuffed burrito ), John Coctostan (a Southwest-style quesadilla), and Alright Alright Alright (nachos with queso). In 1967, the chain was established in Abilene, Texas, by Bill R. Waugh, an art graduate from Abilene Christian University. Family Style. 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. 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.) It might not be very widespread, but this family-owned restaurants 25 locations across Texas and Georgia never fail to keep customers coming back for more. if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { TIO JUAN'S MARGARITAS MEXICAN RESTAURANT. La Petite Boulangerie wanted to be every neighborhood's neighborhood marketand in the '80s, they made a pretty good run at doing just that. This fast food chain was founded by Ed Hackbarth and David Jameson in Barstow, California on September 16, 1964. The first Chi-Chi's Mexican Restaurant opened in downtown Minneapolis in 1975 and was one of the breakout restaurants of the year; by 1986 a whopping 237 locations had been opened, with 42 opening in 1985 alone. And for more nostalgia, do not miss these17 chain restaurants in the 90s. Full Member. 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! But increased competition and a slew of unfortunate events . 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. In 1979, McDonald's launched his good meal. March 2, 2023 11:00 am. Chicken George was a character in the 1977 ABC miniseries "Roots," which was based on a novel about slavery by Alex Haley. Of all the fast-food chains out there, only one could be the first to ever use . In 1988, they sold all but a few of their locations to Marriott. It was known for its burgers, hot dogs, and milkshakes. advice every day. To determine the famous restaurant chains that are now hard to find, 24/7 Wall St. identified brands that, according to Technomic, had hundreds of U.S. locations at their peak between the 1980s . U.S. sales alone for the industry leader, McDonald's, exceeded $38 billion in 2018. } ); Taco Bueno combines Mexican cuisine with American fast food culture with its meal combos. Pears, popular with college students in the 1980s and '90s. Beefsteak Charlie's is part of New York's pop culture because it has become a chain in the mid-1970s. Since then, nearly 400 other Taco Johns venues have opened in the Midwest as well as in some of the Mountain states, so its clear that the combination of Midwest and Mexican cuisine has been a hit. 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. Originally part of the Pillsbury Corp., the restaurant was founded in 1976. But expanding your horizons may add additional costs. 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 Lone Star State is now one of the 19 in which there are Chuys units. 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. Moes Southwest Grill 1982 Having introduced nouvelle cuisine at Ma Maison in Los Angeles, Chef Wolfgang Puck presents "California cuisine" to patrons of his new chic-casual Sunset Strip restaurant, Spago. Today, one of the dachshunds still rotates near the San Francisco Zoo. Damon . 58 (tie) SANTIAGO'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT. But in 1989, Red Barn did not come out of bang, but a groan. It was launched by Howard Johnson himself in the 1920s as a soda fountain and lunch counter, and by 1954 there were 400 outposts in 32 states. } It continued to grow throughout the '60s and '70s. The original pioneering chicken opened in 1961 next to a pioneering market, a grocery chain in Los Angeles. In 2010, he became recognized as aOfficial city. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, the chains locations are focused in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. single 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). He continued to grow in the 60s and 70s. There are five shrimp or fish tacos on the menu as well as meat versions and a grilled vegetable version. 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. "You could make money anywhere." You could eat as many shrimp, salad, beer and rib as you could never want - all for less than $ 20, according toBklyner. xhr.open('POST', 'https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', true); 55 (tie) TEQUILA'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT. All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. There are 34 locations in total. Many locations were converted to Hardee's in the '90s after the burger chain bought Rax. day, 2022 Galvanized Media. Whether your usual order consists of nachos, burritos, tacos, quesadillas, or even a Mexican-style salad you name it, its on the menu. One of the first major restaurant chains, it went public in 1961 with 605 . He rapidly expanded to 225 outlets by 1986. Today, only a few restaurants remain. Mexican food. 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. Fast . 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. Posted on March 19, 2016. Mexican food may seem like a Southwestern specialty, but that hasn't stopped this Pennsylvania chain from becoming a local institution. food and drink and health, as well as entertainment, beauty, and other lifestyle
Rip Vip's. Based today in Salt Lake City, the chain currently has locations in 11 states. 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! In addition to its tacos, enchiladas, burritos, chimichangas, and the like, On the Border offers such specialties as grilled queso chicken, Caribbean mango grilled fish, and carne asada at its locations in 17 states. From authentic Mexican food to Mexican-American fusions like Tex-Mex and West-Mex, theres so much variety in these top 16 restaurants. El Torito is one of the longest-standing Mexican chain restaurants in America, dating all the way back to 1954! ), in Pollo Fit Bowls, or in the form of burritos, tostadas, or overstuffed quesadillas. 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. In 1977, Mr. Paul purchased the steakhouse. Theres no doubt that we love our Mexican food. Leo's Mexican Restaurant In 2001 Leo's Mexican Restaurant closed its doors, to the chagrin of Tex-Mex connoisseurs and ZZ Top fans. We finally started swishing and sipping when La Cave popped open "with a refr eshing idea whose arrival . (As any '80s pop culture expert knows, it's where Brad, played by Judge Reinhold, works in the movie. The original Del Taco opened in the Mojave Desert town of Yermo, California, in 1964. Boy, do we miss those fried clam strips, frankfurts, and that signature HoJo ice cream. But with more customers came more control and it has not been long before the anti-discrimination protests against Sambo started. Was on 7th ave. Just south of Van Buren at the bottom just before going over the bridge. But in 1987, Beefsteak Charlie's was sold in Bombay Palace Restaurants and came out of business soon. Don Pablo's is another Mexican-inspired chain . By the mid-'80s, all the Doggie Diners had shut down. Get the best food tips and diet advice Torchys grew out of a food truck in Austin. While not for everyone, Mexican chain restaurant dining is a popular dining destinations for families all across . Red barn Had a small town debut in the Ohio of the 1960s, but it was destined for greater things. That's what you call to live your childhood dream. The chain's name was a source of controversy: According to the company, the name was . Scott Mercer (left) was helped by Bob Scura and Kurt Cameron of Grand American Fare chain in assembling dcor for P.O. Chain restaurants are big business. document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { If youve never been to Torchys Tacos, we suggest you do so as soon as possible, especially if you enjoy spicy tacos and margaritas. Friday's and Applebee's, serving up similar menus of standard bar fare and ambiance. In 1982, Denny's offered the company about $12 million to buy out 35 VIP's locations. Unfortunately, it was the beginning of the end for Gino. 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 ); The extensive menu featured foods from around the world: potato skins and fried veggies, chicken . El Torito. The latest edition uses the most recent U.S. sales figures, from 2018, to rank the chains. "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. When the chainfiled for bankruptcy in 1988 There were 300 pioneering chickens throughout the country. In the mid-1980s, all Diners doggie had closed. And for another trip in memory memory, check these15 classical American desserts that deserve a return. > Number of U.S. units: 143. Possibly theyrenamed several places At no place like Sam's or Jolly Tiger instead. 13. single But it was already too late. Interestingly, the chain was founded by a Greek family. Without this bright orange chicken, Monday night football has never been the same. And for more, check out these 108 most popular sodas ranked . Each television show based in the city, fromFriends ToSaturday Night Live, has blocked about it for a few decades. navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); The latest edition uses the most recent U.S. sales figures, from 2018, to rank the chains. The easy way to make healthier comfort foods. The menu at G.D. Ritzy's stood out for all the ways that you could customize your burgers, drinks, and ice cream. Taco Bell, as noted, is in the top five, and there are four other Mexican-inspired chains in the top 100. day, 2022 Galvanized Media. Toledo was bestowed with Hardee's, Perkins Pancakes, a Mexican chain, and, in 1972, the arrival of two Bob Evans eateries. RELATED: The easy way to make healthier comfort foods. If you were around the early 80's, you may remember Lum for his hot dogs with signature beer steam, and if you were not a hot-dog person, there was always the beloved Ollieburger. Seven locations were revived a few years later, but they were all closed by 2016. . "Howard Johnson's was the king of the road," one former franchise owner told Eater. In 1956, the Taco puppy started engraving roads in southern California. Howard Johnson's. Photo courtesy of thedailymeal.com. Another extremely popular Mexican restaurant chain in America is Del Taco. Second-place Starbucks managed a mere $19.66 billion, just over half the . A 1980 sales department accounted for many happy customers who say that Chicken George was better than the chicken of their wife or mother. El Pollo Loco Chipotle specializes in Mexican food favorites such as burritos, but it has an extensive menu ranging from burrito bowls to tacos and fajitas. Whether you are in their delicious skins of red potatoes or the iconic Irish tower O'Rings, Bennigan was a success in the 1980s. About 25 Chicken Delights are operating today, in central Canada and the New York City area. You can almost taste burgers, hot dogs and fries that look at him. Walgreen's has a penchant for branching out beyond your traditional pharmacy goodssome even sell beer and wine these days. What the Torchys menu styles as Damn Good Tacos are the specialty, with more than a dozen varieties available. > Number of U.S. units: 580. To his pinnacle in the 1970s,Burger chef EU 1,200 locations and was a flourishing competitor of McDonald's. With the rise of fast-food chains though, . Torchys Tacos Jim's Tiffany Place. 60 (tie) BOBBY SALAZAR'S MEXICAN FOODS. In fact, Moes is actually an acronym that stands for Musicians, Outlaws, and Entertainers. Taco Bueno. Sadly, there are no more D'Lites today. After starting as a small operation in Colorado Springs, the chain eventually grew to over 200 restaurants in the U.S. and Canada. So, if youre in the mood for some Mexican flavors with an American twist at a reasonable price and an accessible location, Taco Bell is an excellent choice! 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. > U.S. sales: $835 million 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). Finally, if youre looking for really high-quality, rustic-inspired Tex-Mex, theres nowhere better than Uncle Julios. The stronghold of McDonald's, Pizza Hut,Burger King, and other giants of the '80s made the competition stiff. Unlike many of the Mexican fast food chains in America, this one actually originated from Mexico, in Sinaloa. Mr. Robert Davis (and others) founded Big Bite. Second-place Starbucks managed a mere $19.66 billion, just over half the McDonalds number, but still not bad. Cheeseburger in Paradise. At its height, there were nearly 100 restaurants nationally, which was quite the coup for founder Graydon D. Webb. Though there's an unrelated restaurant of the same name in New York, the last real All-American Burger on Sunset Boulevard has since closed. Foodio / Shutterstock. November 15, 2005. 22 20 Best Mexican Chain Restaurants in America - Shopfood.com; 23 8 of America's Most Beloved Mexican Chains | FSR magazine; 24 The 20 Restaurant Chains That No Longer Exist - PopCulture.com; 25 Top Mexican Restaurant Chains in The United States of America; 26 Mexican Restaurant Chains That Closed Recipes - TfRecipes