mexican restaurant chains 1980s

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. Howard Johnson's might just hold the title for most sorely-missed failed restaurant chain of not just the '80s, but any era. Fast-food chains aren't necessarily known for their healthy options (especially in 1980s America), but that's what D'Lites sought to do with its menu. Bennigan's. This fast food chain was one of America's first casual dining and sports bar chain. Red barn Had a small town debut in the Ohio of the 1960s, but it was destined for greater things. The five top chains, in fact, all exceeded the $10 billion-dollar mark (the others were Subway, Taco Bell, and Chick-fil-A). 1. Chipotle Mexican Grill If you come from this wooden neck, you probably remember that the rotating dachshunds of the seven feet chain and turn in chef's hats and chef's ardes coffers that stood outside each of the restaurants. Interestingly, the chain was founded by a Greek family. The timing was perfect, with Mexican food a trendy choice for diners at that time. Qdoba Mexican Eats 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. By 1982 or 1983. Jim's Tiffany Place originally opened in Lansing in 1937 and served customers until 1993. 1 of 3. Sambo's shut down by the middle of the decade. But if you killed for an ollieburger, check thisCopycat Recipe satisfy your desire. 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. 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). Many locations were converted to Hardee's in the '90s after the burger chain bought Rax. 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. And if not, well, you were probably missing out. if( 'moc.sihttae.www' !== location.hostname.split('').reverse().join('') ) { But '80s kids probably didn't get to experience much of it. (The number of units for each chain was computed at the same time, and may have changed since then.) The International House of Pancakes is one of those chain restaurants that has come and gone a handful of times in Western New York. var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); Regardless, Mexican food and chains, in particular, have become increasingly popular in the United States over the years. Foodio / Shutterstock. Besides chicken, the chain served gumbo, fish and chips, greens, biscuits and other soul foods. Bennigan was becoming one of the most efficient mid-range casual catering chains in America. 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. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, the chains locations are focused in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. Mex which it defines as SoCal lifestyle meets Mexican heritage. Fire-grilled chicken is the thing here, by itself (or with beans and rice, fries, etc. 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. 321. This list is a transcription of notes I took about Mexican restaurants in Oklahoma City in 1983. Now Holidays Restaurant. Check out the top 10 Mexican chains in the United States according to Restaurant Business based on sales: "Howard Johnson's was the king of the road," one former franchise owner told Eater. 5. From there, unfortunately, it was all downhill. 19. In 1979, new owners purchased the business for real estate purposes. Next week, the 10th of 20 stands in the Valley will be opened. "I used to eat here as a child at lunch time with my father," wrote a Yelper. 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. Taco Bueno combines Mexican cuisine with American fast food culture with its meal combos. The basic staples remain native foods such as corn, beans and chili peppers, but the Europeans introduced many other foods, the most important of which were meat from domesticated animals (beef, pork, chicken, goat and sheep), dairy products (especially cheese) and various herbs and many spices. Possibly theyrenamed several places At no place like Sam's or Jolly Tiger instead. March 2, 2023 11:00 am. Lots of Transients ate there. Youve heard plenty about Tex-Mex throughout this article so far, but have you ever heard of West-Mex? Carrols Restaurant Group. This Mexican restaurant chain first opened in Minnesota in the 1970s, but at its peak in the mid-1990s, . Today onlySome restaurants remain. Many Naugles became Del Tacos, and eventually, Naugles disappeared. There are now only 18 international locations and 15 in the United States. Alberto Lombardi was the king of Dallas Italian food. Possibly - with a lot of enthusiasm and tons of help Ziebarth has been able to open aNew rental of Naugles In 2017. According to Yelp reviewers, it was going downhill. EatThis.com is part of the AllRecipes Food Group. 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. A few years later, things came to the complete circle when Butler sold in Collins Food International, who decided to merge Naugles without other than Del Taco in 1988. day, 2022 Galvanized Media. 26. Many Tex-Mex lovers will tell you that Taco Bueno is the best place to go for American-style Mexican food. 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. 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 . Whether you were into their delicious cheesy potato skins or the iconic Irish Tower O'Rings, Bennigan's was a hit in the 1980s. Chipotle. Really good, not expensive home cooked food. Casa Gallardo went up against two other chains, Southern California-based El Torito and Minnesota's Chi-Chi's, during the late 1970s and early 1980s in the fight for America's Mexican-food obsession. We finally started swishing and sipping when La Cave popped open "with a refr eshing idea whose arrival . Another Dallas-born chain, on the border launched in 1982, featuring mesquite-grilled meats, hand-pressed tortillas, and small-batch salsas. Del Taco was founded in 1964, in California. 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. Chuys sets itself apart from much of the competition in the Mexican restaurant industry by rolling their tortillas by hand and serving only fresh ingredients. Unfortunately, Webb could only put on the Ritz for so long. VIP's was a 24-hour West Coast casual dining chain that got its start in Oregon in 1968. EatThis.com is part of the AllRecipes Food Group, Published on September 18, 2019 | 1:49 PM. Founded in 1976 and has remained in same location. In 1981. Bennigan was becoming one of the most efficient mid-range casual catering chains in America. 3. Sambo started in 1957 in Santa Barbara, California, reachingMaximum popularity In the late 1970s, more than 1,100 restaurants in 47 states. Pizza with Duck Sausage wins quick stardom. Another Texas-born chain, this one from Fort Worth, Fuzzys has units around the country, all over Texas and also in Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Ohio, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, and North and South Carolina. Dick Nager has had a story to help create successful catering chains. 57. 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. 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. } Name Head office location Original location Year started Number of locations Notes Acapulco Mexican Restaurant and Cantina: Cypress, California 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. 33 Must-Try Gnocchi Recipes For The Ultimate Taste Of Italy, 36 Must-Try Steak Recipes For The Whole Family, 14 Best Southern American Fast-Food Chains, 50 Fun And Fulfilling 4th Of July Desserts, 75 Insanely Delicious And Fun New Years Eve Desserts, The 33 Best Simple And Easy Mexican Chicken Recipes, 55 Of The Best Tantalizing Tailgating Recipes, 23 Most Popular Chain Restaurants In The United States, Mexican Eats is a solid example of a great Mexican chain restaurant, The Best Menu Items At LongHorn Steakhouse, Ranking The Top 18 Pizza Chains In America, 17 American BBQ Chain Restaurants You Need To Visit, 28 Harry Potter-Themed Cocktails To Inject Some Magic Into Your Drinks, 25 Easy Pizza-Based Appetizers You HAVE To Try, 20 Easy Pitcher Cocktails That Are Perfect for Summer, 20 Tasty And Traditional Italian Christmas Desserts, 28 Delicious Summer Pie Recipes You HAVE To Try, 18 Desserts With Dulce De Leche You Will Love, 13 Starfruit Recipes You Will Love Making, 24 Tasty Asian Breakfast Dishes To Start The Day Right, What To Serve With Empanadas (15 Easy Ideas), 13 Delicious Recipes That Call For Powdered Sugar. ), but also offers flautas the rolled, fried tacos sometimes called taquitos. Only 1980s Kids Will Remember These Restaurants. 9. 2. Doggie Diner was a staple in Northern California's Bay Area in its heyday. single document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { RELATED: Your ultimate restaurant and supermarket survival guide is here! If youre ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now. There are 34 locations in total. Lucia's Restaurant. Baja Fresh has been around since 1990, and its yet another Mexican restaurant chain to emerge from California. 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. Among the meats offered, are unusual sweet pork barbacoa and spicy Hatch chile pork options. In addition to fish and other tacos, the menu includes chicken tortilla soup and a Baja chopped bowl. That is, until 2008 when Bennigan's went bankrupt. Whether you were into their delicious cheesy potato skins or the iconic Irish Tower O'Rings, Bennigan's was a hit in the 1980s. There are five shrimp or fish tacos on the menu as well as meat versions and a grilled vegetable version. The chain marketed an all-you-can-eat salad bar plus unlimited beer, wine, and sangria. Buffalo locations, 1979. 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). And for more nostalgia, don't miss these 17 Failed Chain Restaurants From the 1990s. Bennigan's was fast becoming one of the most successful mid-range casual dining chains in America. Branded Burgers, chain restaurant, open 1960s-1980s in Athens, Hartselle and Cullman. Brigham's - a Boston-area ice cream parlor and restaurant chain that closed in 2013 [2] Britling Cafeterias. Brands, owners of KFC, Pizza Hut, and other chains, it also operates around the world.) If youre looking for something fresh and new, you can also choose to order the Taco of the Month, which never fails to impress. These are fans who didn't think twice after . "Go to Chick 'N' Taco and give your belly a treatment" -We want us to be able! La Petite Boulangerie wanted to be every neighborhood's neighborhood marketand in the '80s, they made a pretty good run at doing just that. 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. > U.S. sales: $232 million By 1981, more than 50 VIP's locations had sprung up along freeways throughout Washington, California, Idaho, and Nevada, in addition to the Oregon locations. 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. Jim's Tiffany Place. Nevertheless, if you had the chance to experiment with the puppy 'N' Taco, you probably can not get thetinkle out of your head. 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. The latest edition uses the most recent U.S. sales figures, from 2018, to rank the chains. "Come on into Pup 'n' Taco and give your tummy a treat"we wish we could! 2. Del Taco restaurant, Inc. is an American fast food chain that specializes Mexican and American cuisine. He worked management jobs at Del Taco, and in the 1980s, struck by the quality and efficiency of El Pollo Loco, he started his own chain of Mexican-style broiled chicken, Juan Pollo, which still . We promise this Tex-Mex chain restaurant will quickly become a family favorite! In the 1980s, the restaurant began to decline, as it switched up . Friday's, the chain fell behind. > U.S. sales: $371 million } Launched by a former Del Taco partner in 1970, Naugles featured simple Cal-Mex food like basic cheese burritos or ground beef crispy tacos. 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. > U.S. sales: $214 million (est.) Children of the 1980s certainly remember savoring their last spoonful of HoJos ice cream. Get the best food tips and diet advice I wish it was always there.". Vegan-friendly Beyond Meat tacos, nachos, and bowls are available, too. Jessica McGowan. Inc. (Big Bite). 6. In addition to hot dogs, the menu included tacos. More than half of the locations were finally converted to Roy Rogers, and the rest was closed. Family Style. Pizza Haven - Australian pizza chain; Pumper Nic - chain in Argentina; founded in 1974 and closed in 1999; Pup 'N' Taco; Red Barn; Royal Castle - one franchise location survived after chain was liquidated in 1975; Sandy's; ShowBiz Pizza Place - Merged into Chuck E. Cheese Support . 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). Toledo was bestowed with Hardee's, Perkins Pancakes, a Mexican chain, and, in 1972, the arrival of two Bob Evans eateries. Posted on March 19, 2016. 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. . Qdoba comes out of Denver, where its ancestor, called Zuma Fresh Mexican Grill, opened in 1995. We won't fault you for getting misty-eyed over these failed fast-food chain restaurants from the 1980s. Still another Texan, founded in Dallas in 1986, Uncle Julios features mesquite-grilled fajitas, guacamole made tableside, and chocolate piatas for dessert. The G.D. Ritzy's menu stood out for all the ways you could customize your hamburgers, drinks and ice cream. At the turn of the century, there was less than a dozen the left position of Howard Johnson. There were 225 locations by the mid-'80s, but Naugles merged with Del Taco, and locations slowly converted. Chuys Tex-Mex "Man, I miss him. > U.S. sales: $324 million Among these are the Democrat (barbacoa, avocado, and cotija cheese on corn tortillas) and the Republican (grilled jalapeo sausage, pico de gallo, and cheddar jack on a flour tortilla). The sale has put the "completely out of food activity" of WalgreenThe New York Times reported. Sites dwindled in the '90s and '00s, and Pancho's was bought out in 2001. Sadly, the opposite of the Wag's jingle is true today: It's no longer "a great day for Wag's," which is nowhere to be found in the world. 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. That's what Bennigan's, an Irish-themed bar and grill, offered in the 1980s. In 1985, Beefsteak Charlies, Inc, changed its name to Lifestyle Restaurants and then merged with . VIP was a casual catering chain on the 24-hour west coast that started from Oregon in 1968. By the 1990s, the Cuellars owned more than 100 El Chico . The trade publication Restaurant Business releases an annual ranking of the nations top 250 restaurant chains. But it was already too late. Impossible brand plant-based protein is an option. Now that's what you call living out your childhood dream. 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 Founder Russ Wendell's vision was, at the time, fairly unique: hot dogs served alongside a less common quick-service option for the eratacos. Location:Southern North America, United States, Texas, H-Town, Montrose, Lower Westheimer. Serve customer fast. > U.S. sales: $10.410 billion 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! The first Taco Johns was in Wyoming, and it opened way back in 1968. At the beginning of the decade, you could get the "chicken in the cart" special for only 59 cents. 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! But then, things took a turn. The timing was . Del Taco Because Mexican food is so beloved throughout the United States, there are many chain restaurants that either specialize in or exclusively serve Mexican food. While the chain had a rocky financial status through the '70s, there were over 300 chains in operation by the '80s. In 1982,Denny's offered the company About $ 12 million to buy 35 VIP locations. When the chainfiled for bankruptcy in 1988 There were 300 pioneering chickens throughout the country. navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); . "Bennigan was the lowest of the main stakeholders," said an analyst at theAssociated pressat the time. And for more, check out these 108 most popular sodas ranked . here is19 old joyful toys that will bring you back to your childhood. So, if you want a spoon of this Dory Chunky fudge, head toOhio WhereKentucky. After her family migrated from Mexico to Texas in the 1890s, Adelaida Cuellar began selling her handmade tamales at her county fair. Howard Johnson's. There is one Howard Johnson's restaurant left in the country, in New York's Lake George. 20+ New & Recently-Opened Restaurants in Columbus in 2023. Nine years, Naugle sold its modest three-locate chain to a businessman named Harold Butler, who took the concept and ran with her. Reduced-calorie dishes included hamburgers made with lean beef, high-fiber buns, and low-calorie cheese. We will not challenge yourself to have elapsed youFairy Failed Restaurants Failed. Pappasitos Cantina is undoubtedly one of the best Tex-Mex chain restaurants in America. 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. The Lone Star State is now one of the 19 in which there are Chuys units. With the rise of fast-food chains though, . The original Cafe Rio was a stand-alone restaurant in St. George, Utah, opened in 1997. Sadly, that was the beginning of the end for Gino's. And although there was a unique showcase holding a dear life life in Nebraska, toofirm In 2017. Starting in the 1980s, Mighty Casey's began popping up in Atlanta, Georgia, serving your . / 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. On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina 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. 6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e. About 25 Chicken Delights are operating today, in central Canada and the New York City area. The sale put Walgreen's "completely out of the food business," The New York Times reported. Damon . The Tex-Mex Invasion. And though there was a sole storefront holding on for dear life in Nebraska, it too closed in 2017. It was known for its burgers, hot dogs, and milkshakes. At the time, the addition of tacos was a game changer, as opposed to the integral part of the fast food lexicon it is today. Taco Cabana But then, things took a ride. Beefsteak Charlie's was a big-time restaurant that had over 60 locations in the early 1980s. Each television show based in the city, fromFriends ToSaturday Night Live, has blocked about it for a few decades. Still, if you were lucky enough to experience Pup 'N' Taco, then you probably can't get the jingle out of your head. 17 Failed Chain Restaurants From the 1990s, Only 1990s Kids Will Remember These Restaurants, Long Island and NYC Places that are no more/Facebook, The One '80s Snack You Should Never Eat Again, Says Science, Only 1970s Kids Will Remember These Restaurants, Only 1980s Kids Will Remember These Restaurants. 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. 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. In business in 47 states and the nations capital (as well as Canada, the U.K., France, and Germany), Chipotle has been one of the great fast-food success stories of the late 20th and early 21st century despite repeated problems, apparently now solved, with food safety, leading to hundreds of cases of food poisoning. But all hope was not lost. 11. 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 you grew up eating at these 1980s restaurants, seeing this list might take you back to your childhood. He continued to grow in the 60s and 70s. The first one was opened by Campbell in Arizona last February. All Rights Reserved. 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. if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { However, it's also a derogatory term used to refer to Black Americans, which was part of the reason this chain restaurant eventually failed. Chi-Chi's was a Mexican restaurant that first opened back in 1975 and expanded to 237 chains by 1986. . Taco Bell just getting started in Arizona (1966) Bell started his specialized Mexican food drive-in at Barstow [California] in 1962. New French Cafe. The first On the Border location was in Dallas, so the choice of name goes beyond the style of cuisine served at this restaurant. We love that Moes Southwest Grill strives to provide an entertaining and unique Mexican dining experience by combining traditional Mexican fast food with a playlist of game-changing musical artists. By the turn of the century, there were fewer than a dozen Howard Johnson's left standing. With increased competition and not enough to distinguish the Bennigan tastes of Chile and T.G.I. The Earles were on the cusp of the growing appetite for Mexican food, and it was prepared with care and flavor in both locations. Investing in real estate can diversify your portfolio. Whether your usual order consists of nachos, burritos, tacos, quesadillas, or even a Mexican-style salad you name it, its on the menu. 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. 25. 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. A food that is better left in the past?The 80's snack that you should never eat again, says science. Most notably, he was a founding partner of Del Taco. 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. Bennigan had its start in Atlanta in 1976, but in the early 1980s they were everywhere. Originally Sambo's Restaurant (chain) in the 1960's, then rebranded as Jolly Tiger in the early 1970's. Oddly, it was changed back to Sambo's in the early 1980's rebranded (again!) After starting as a small operation in Colorado Springs, the chain eventually grew to over 200 restaurants in the U.S. and Canada. 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. 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. Howard Johnson could simply hold the title of the most failed failed restaurant chain, not only the 80s, but a time. 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. 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. Mexican cuisine is the full package: flavorsome, filling and exciting without being overly complicated. Second-place Starbucks managed a mere $19.66 billion, just over half the McDonalds number, but still not bad. If youre an investor looking to minimize expenses, consider checking out online brokerages. The stronghold of McDonald's, Pizza Hut,Burger King, and other giants of the '80s made the competition stiff. 23. This California burger restaurant became all the rage, thanks to an appearance in the 1982 film Fast Times at Ridgemont High. 6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e. In the early 1990s, Bennigan was sold to Metomedia's restaurant group. They often offer low investment fees, helping you maximize your profit. 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. The final restaurant closed in 1989. In the early 1990s, Bennigan's was sold to Metromedia Restaurant Group. 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. 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. to promote fast food franchises serving pita sandwiches. ), After the movie came out, All-American Burger, which was only in the Los Angeles area, experienced a brief boom. Second-place Starbucks managed a mere $19.66 billion, just over half the . > U.S. sales: $739 million Sambo is closed in the middle of the decade. You could get the famous "Gino Giant," a massively stacked hamburger aptly nicknamed "a banquet on a bun," all over the place. 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. In his younger years, founder Leo Reynosa, Sr. rode with . Anyone who lived in middle America and grew up in the '80s likely knows the odd name G.D. Ritzy's. The British-based market research and data analytics company, determined recently that some 86% of Americans who had tried Mexican food liked it; the only cuisine scoring higher was Italian, at 88%. 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! Posted September 13, 2004. 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. Here, we've ranked some of the very worst and very best Mexican, Mexican-inspired, Mexican-ish, and Tex-Mex fast-food chains in the U.S. 10.

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