mexican restaurant chains 1980s

But it was already too late. But by the late '80s, most locations had been sold. > U.S. sales: $232 million Friday's, the chain fell behind. 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. Dam it was good Mexican food. I wish it was still here. 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). 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. Unfortunately, it didn't matter how good the chicken tastedthe business met its untimely end to the dismay of fans everywhere. "Bennigan's was the weakest of the major players," one analyst told the Associated Press at the time. day, 2022 Galvanized Media. That's what Bennigan's, an Irish-themed bar and grill, offered in the 1980s. In the early 1990s, Bennigan was sold to Metomedia's restaurant group. Chuys may not have as many locations as other Mexican chain restaurants (there are fewer than 100 of these restaurants across 17 states) but when it comes to amazing Tex-Mex, its one of the top contenders in America. Even though it's only been gone a short time, I miss the original Antone's on Taft. The original light showcase closed in 1983. with a character named "Family Sam," a friendly senior citizen chef. With increased competition and not enough to distinguish Bennigan's from the likes of Chili's and T.G.I. Dick Nager has had a story to help create successful catering chains. Here are 19 Old Happy Meal Toys That'll Bring You Back to Your Childhood. > Number of U.S. units: 743. 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)! They sold roast beef sandwiches, fried chicken, and milkshakes throughout America. Its chain, Wag's, had 91 restaurants, all open 24 hours, serving your standard Denny's-esque fare. The original Chuys appeared in 1982 in Austin, Texas. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, the chains locations are focused in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. Taco Viva started in 1968, but it was at its peak in the '80s, when it had around 80 locations across the country. The timing was . Taco Bell 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!) 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. 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). 23. quick serve. Missing those iconic kids' meals? The company sold most of its locations in the '90s, seeing this list might take you back to your childhood. And some fan favoriteslike Burger Chef, G.D. Ritzy's, and Howard Johnson'sfell by the wayside. Toledo was bestowed with Hardee's, Perkins Pancakes, a Mexican chain, and, in 1972, the arrival of two Bob Evans eateries. 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. Family Style. California has the most with 822. Not only is El Toritos extensive menu filled with Mexican favorites like beef enchiladas, flame-grilled fajitas and traditional burritos, but you also get the option of building your own plate made up of the restaurants most popular menu items. Similar restaurants that were more adaptable to the evolution of tastes have become ferocious competitors. A 1980 commercial famously featured many happy customers saying Chicken George was better than their wife's or mom's chicken. Mexican cuisine is the full package: flavorsome, filling and exciting without being overly complicated. Whether you are in their delicious skins of red potatoes or the iconic Irish tower O'Rings, Bennigan was a success in the 1980s. Although there is an independent restaurant of the same name in New York, the latest All-American All-American Burger on Sunset Boulevard has since closed. 11. 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. } ); 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. Rubios Coastal Grill Name Head office location Original location Year started Number of locations Notes Acapulco Mexican Restaurant and Cantina: Cypress, California In 2010, it became recognized as an official city landmark. Its fried chicken articulation quickly became one of the largest chains belonging to the country. Another Dallas-born chain, on the border launched in 1982, featuring mesquite-grilled meats, hand-pressed tortillas, and small-batch salsas. The full list includes restaurants I copied from the telephone directory (and which were listed as "Mexican restaurants" in the yellow pages). Restaurant Review: Southern Fried Goodness and More to Try at Tupelo Honey. Taco Bueno is a famous fast food restaurant chain situated in the southern United States. In 1982, Denny's offered the company about $12 million to buy out 35 VIP's locations. Was on 7th ave. Just south of Van Buren at the bottom just before going over the bridge. Chain founder Glen Bell ran two other small taco chains before opening the first Taco Bell in 1962 in Downey, California, near Los Angeles. Pappasitos Cantina is undoubtedly one of the best Tex-Mex chain restaurants in America. Possibly - with a lot of enthusiasm and tons of help Ziebarth has been able to open aNew rental of Naugles In 2017. 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. While not for everyone, Mexican chain restaurant dining is a popular dining destinations for families all across . In 1981. 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. Keep the place clean!" . One of the first major restaurant chains, it went public in 1961 with 605 . Eventuallywith a lot of enthusiasm and tons of helpZiebarth was able to open a new Naugles location in 2017. 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 And for more, check out these 108 most popular sodas ranked . The latest restaurant closed in 1989. In 1984, G.D. Ritzy's was taking in about $5.2 million just from ice cream sales. Credit: Visit Houston Texas. It now operates in almost every state, plus Washington, D.C. Customers build their own burritos, burrito bowls, taco salads, quesadillas, nachos, or tortilla soup variations. On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina Chains dont figure, for instance, in our list of the best Mexican restaurants in every state. 9. > Number of U.S. units: 484. 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. "Howard Johnson was the king of the road," said a former franchise led by eater. The five top chains, in fact, all exceeded the $10 billion-dollar mark (the others were Subway, Taco Bell, and Chick-fil-A). Lucia's Restaurant. According toYelp Examiners, it was going down. 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. Get the best food tips and diet > Number of U.S. units: 6,588. Chuys Tex-Mex Uncle Julios restaurants can be found in Wisconsin, Texas, Virginia, Oklahoma, Mayland, Missouri, New Jersey, Illinois, North Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee. According to Yelp reviewers, it was going downhill. 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. > Number of U.S. units: 170. 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 . Does this list bring back any memories? The monster of the Mexican chain business (though how Mexican it is may be argued), with sales more than twice those of second-place Chipotle, Taco Bell has outposts in all 50 states (though not, for some reason, Washington, D.C.) an average of 141 per state. 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Keep place clean!" 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. Chain restaurants are big business. But according to The Washington Post, Holmes "knew little about cash flow," despite the restaurant's great marketing. > Number of U.S. units: 204. ", Beefsteak Charlie's has been a part of New York pop culture since it became a chain in the mid-1970s. In 2010, he became recognized as aOfficial city. 11. 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. But the chain got an extra boost in the 1980s, thanks to its spokesman,O.J. advice every day. It quickly expanded 225 points of sale by 1986. Qdoba comes out of Denver, where its ancestor, called Zuma Fresh Mexican Grill, opened in 1995. But in 1970, he left this company to build his own Mexican style chain: Naugles in the south of California. Taco Bell, as noted, is in the top five, and there are four other Mexican-inspired chains in the top 100. In addition to fish and other tacos, the menu includes chicken tortilla soup and a Baja chopped bowl. 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. In 1977, Mr. Paul purchased the steakhouse. Reduced-calorie dishes included hamburgers made with lean beef, high-fiber buns, and low-calorie cheese. After a booming start in the late 1970s and a growth spurt in the early 1980s, Chi-Chi's sales and store count declined. In 1956, the Taco puppy started engraving roads in southern California. The first On the Border location was in Dallas, so the choice of name goes beyond the style of cuisine served at this restaurant. 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. 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). Winsight is a leading B2B information services company focused on the food and beverage industry, providing insight and market intelligence to business leaders in every channel consumers buy food and beverage - convenience stores, grocery retailing, restaurants and noncommercial foodservice - through media, events, data products, advisory . > Number of U.S. units: 100. It's risky ranking Chipotle at the bottom of a Mexican-American food roundup, considering the sheer size and ferocity of Chipotle's die-hard fan club. 22. Cafe Rio Mexican Grill Family Style. Franchises dominate in this market, with Taco Bell having more than twice as many restaurants as its nearest non-franchised competitor, and Qdoba and Moe's taking third and fourth place in the list of . 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. At the start of the decade, you could get the "Chicken in the Basket" special for just 59 cents. to promote fast food franchises serving pita sandwiches.