Star ratings are for the ones I visited. Hi, my name is Jenna and I have been a professional chef for almost the entirety of my adult life. Chains dont figure, for instance, in our list of the best Mexican restaurants in every state. document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { 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. In 1982, they sold the majority of their restaurants in Marriott. Nopales, eggs and beans and hand made tortillas with really good salsas. 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. there was a well-known family style restaurant chain called . 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. RELATED: Your ultimate survival guide and supermarket is here! He continued to grow in the 60s and 70s. Finally, if youre looking for really high-quality, rustic-inspired Tex-Mex, theres nowhere better than Uncle Julios. 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. > Number of U.S. units: 580. Another extremely popular Mexican restaurant chain in America is Del Taco. Get the best food tips and diet advice if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { AlthoughCharlie Beefsteak slogan Was: "I will feed you as there is no tomorrow," sadly, tomorrow came for this chain restaurant by the end of the 1980s. Of all the fast-food chains out there, only one could be the first to ever use . One of the reasons Taco Cabana is so popular is that it offers 24-hour service, so when college starts in the fall, you can expect to see a lot of students here in the early hours of the morning! Howard Johnson's. Photo courtesy of thedailymeal.com. 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 . There were dozens of Pancho's locations by the '80s in the Texas area and surrounding states. > Number of U.S. units: 392. Here's a list of iconic Austin restaurants who have closed in recent years: Alcomar - closed May 2018. "Bennigan's was the weakest of the major players," one analyst told the Associated Press at the time. Restaurant Review: Southern Fried Goodness and More to Try at Tupelo Honey. This chain of Mexican restaurants got its start in Minneapolis in 1975, sharing space with a bar owned by an ex-NFL player. 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. When similar style pizza place Chuck E. Cheese went bankrupt in 1984, ShowBiz purchased it. 11. The final spot (in Nevada) closed in 1995. > Number of U.S. units: 6,588. March 2, 2023 11:00 am. With the rise of fast-food chains though, . Lauren Gray is a New York-based writer, editor, and consultant. 3. Qdoba Mexican Eats 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. Uncle Julios restaurants can be found in Wisconsin, Texas, Virginia, Oklahoma, Mayland, Missouri, New Jersey, Illinois, North Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee. Today, it has 60-plus locations in Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, as well as its native state of Texas. 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!) . Taco Bell 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. Pappasito's Cantina is considered one of the best Mexican restaurant chains in the U.S., and it is easy to see why. Many Naugles became Del Tacos, and eventually, Naugles disappeared. During the 1990s and 2000s, a wider availability of Mexican food at different price points--low, medium, and high--spread beyond Manhattan to Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. "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. The company sold most of its locations in the '90s, though, before they all fizzled out. 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. La Belle Vie. However, in the late '80s, La Petite Boulangerie was purchased by Mrs. Field's, where cookies were the name of the game. There are even vegan options like the Beyond Beef taco! There were at least 300 Rax locations by the mid-'80s; there were even locations in Guatemala and Canada. We won't fault you for getting misty-eyed over these failed fast-food chain restaurants from the 1980s. But in 1989, Red Barn went out not with a bang, but a whimper. Unlike some other Mexican restaurant chains, Taco Bell restaurants are not confined to a small selection of states, and most states in the U.S. have at least one if not many more Taco Bell restaurants. The original Pollo Loco was in Sinaloa, Mexico, and there is a Mexican chain today, unrelated to the U.S. one. Sadly, that was the beginning of the end for Gino's. The sale has put the "completely out of food activity" of WalgreenThe New York Times reported. 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! In the early 1990s, Bennigan was sold to Metomedia's restaurant group. Any American fan of Mexican food will be familiar with Chipotle. But '80s kids rejoice: A revived Naugles has been in Fountain Valley, California, since 2015. if( 'moc.sihttae.www' !== location.hostname.split('').reverse().join('') ) { In 1981. Chipotle Mexican Grill every day. 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. . In 2006, however, food blogger Christian Ziebarth posted about Naugles, and the response was through the roof. The original pioneering chicken opened in 1961 next to a pioneering market, a grocery chain in Los Angeles. 72 of 92 73 of 92 Crazy Jose's Patio and Cafe Mexican restaurant Enterprise archive photo Ryan . Brands, owners of KFC, Pizza Hut, and other chains, it also operates around the world.) "You could make money anywhere." According toYelp Examiners, it was going down. 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). . 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. Founded in Denver in 1993 and now based in Newport Beach, California, it helped popularize the build-your-own trend with its sort-of-Mexican burritos, tacos, bowls, and salads. 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. In 1982, they sold the bulk of their restaurants to Marriott. On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina Del Taco restaurant, Inc. is an American fast food chain that specializes Mexican and American cuisine. (The number of units for each chain was computed at the same time, and may have changed since then.) RELATED: The easy way to make healthier comfort foods. 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 addition to fish and other tacos, the menu includes chicken tortilla soup and a Baja chopped bowl. 6. 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. Possibly - with a lot of enthusiasm and tons of help Ziebarth has been able to open aNew rental of Naugles In 2017. The French and Italian eatery was a favorite of E.&J . Briazz. Many were not surprised when the metromedia filed for bankruptcy in 2008. Founded in 1976 and has remained in same location. In 1982,Denny's offered the company About $ 12 million to buy 35 VIP locations. And any New York child in the 1980s grew up love this chain, thanks to its unlimited portions. Boy, let's miss these clam tapes, Frankfurts and this Signature Hojo ice cream. Bennigan had its start in Atlanta in 1976, but in the early 1980s they were everywhere. In 1928, she opened a neighborhood restaurant, which her family expanded in the 1950s into the El Chico Tex-Mex restaurant chain. advice every day. About 25 Chicken Delights are operating today, in central Canada and the New York City area. Today, only a few restaurants remain. day, 2022 Galvanized Media. Tortillas at Chuys are handmade daily, all the ingredients are fresh (not frozen), and there are 10 homemade salsas. Wish it were still there Lots of Transients ate there. In the mid-1980s, all Diners doggie had closed. (Well, not quite the same fries.) 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. Arro - closed February . 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! Bennigan's got its start in Atlanta in 1976, but by the early '80s, they were everywhere. The Mexican seafood restaurant closed because of high rent costs. 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. Miss these emblematic meals of children? It quickly expanded 225 points of sale by 1986. 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. Although the company liquidated in 1991, there are a handful of independently owned stores left around the United States. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesnt have to be hard. I only ate there once but I really liked it. food and drink and health, as well as entertainment, beauty, and other lifestyle Whether your usual order consists of nachos, burritos, tacos, quesadillas, or even a Mexican-style salad you name it, its on the menu. Beefsteak Charlie's was a Manhattan stalwart from the early 20th century to the late '80s. 60 (tie) BOBBY SALAZAR'S MEXICAN FOODS. And any New York kid in the 1980s grew up loving this chain, thanks to its unlimited portions. > Number of U.S. units: 118. 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. 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. A financial advisor can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of investment properties. Beyond Meat vegan options are available, and ground turkey tacos are also offered, as a lower-fat alternative to the ground beef versions., 4. var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); Reduced-calorie dishes included hamburgers made with lean beef, high-fiber buns, and low-calorie cheese. Today, one of the dachshunds still rotates near the San Francisco Zoo. The chain was sold for $630 million in 1979, and heading into the '80s, HoJo's became a victim of its own success. Bankrupcty. Similar restaurants that were more adaptable to the evolution of tastes have become ferocious competitors. In particular, he was a founding partner of Del Taco. 5. Here are 19 Old Happy Meal Toys That'll Bring You Back to Your Childhood. 6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e. 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. 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. 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. All Rights Reserved. Taco Bell just getting started in Arizona (1966) Bell started his specialized Mexican food drive-in at Barstow [California] in 1962. xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'); 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 ); 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. Baja Fresh has been around since 1990, and its yet another Mexican restaurant chain to emerge from California. Menu items have fanciful names like Homewrecker (an overstuffed burrito ), John Coctostan (a Southwest-style quesadilla), and Alright Alright Alright (nachos with queso). A handful of non-corporate locations still exist in Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. 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's what you call to live your childhood dream. 15. 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. Two professional football players from Baltimore Colts helped create Gino burgers in 1957. And for more failed restaurants,Only the children of the 1970s will remember these restaurants. 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( 'moc.sihttae.www' !== location.hostname.split('').reverse().join('') ) { Similar restaurants that were more adaptable to changing tastes became fierce competitors. There are 34 locations in total. First founded in Ohio in 1980, the 1950s-style restaurant grew quickly, with about 100 locations at its peak. In his younger years, founder Leo Reynosa, Sr. rode with . Heartland. From there, unfortunately, it was all downhill. 1 of 3. Simpson. Howard Johnson's might just hold the title for most sorely-missed failed restaurant chain of not just the '80s, but any era. It serves traditional Tex-Mex-style tacos, nachos, and burritos, and other Mexican style meals. > Number of U.S. units: 484. Billing itself as a Mexican restaurant with a Southwest twist, though it comes from Atlanta originally, Moes pretty much covers the country, with locations in 39 states and the District of Columbia. single The Earles were on the cusp of the growing appetite for Mexican food, and it was prepared with care and flavor in both locations. "Prepare food fresh. Missing those iconic kids' meals? 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). It closed in . Each television show based in the city, fromFriends ToSaturday Night Live, has blocked about it for a few decades. But as any child of the '70s or '80s knows, Walgreen's once had full-on restaurants, too. Foodio / Shutterstock. Anyone who lived in middle America and grew up in the '80s likely knows the odd name G.D. Ritzy's. 25. "Howard Johnson was the king of the road," said a former franchise led by eater. The menu includes queso, guacamole, both soft and crispy tacos, Big As Yo Face burritos, and Elvis Green Chile Fried Chicken (breaded with crushed potato chips). Theres a huge range of flavors, ranging from the cooling cilantro cucumber and watermelon options to the fiery jalapeno cucumber margarita. After starting as a small operation in Colorado Springs, the chain eventually grew to over 200 restaurants in the U.S. and Canada. That's what Bennigan's, an Irish-themed bar and grill, offered in the 1980s. > U.S. sales: $348 million What the Torchys menu styles as Damn Good Tacos are the specialty, with more than a dozen varieties available. Chi-Chi's. Wikimedia Commons/Nostaljack/Public Domain. U.S. sales alone for the industry leader, McDonalds, exceeded $38 billion in 2018. New French Cafe. The chain closed down around 1983, after a decade of dealing with growing national fast food chains. EatThis.com is part of the AllRecipes Food Group. VIP's was a 24-hour West Coast casual dining chain that got its start in Oregon in 1968. 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. But as a child of the 70s or 80s knows, Walgreen has also had full restaurants. Mr. Robert Davis (and others) founded Big Bite. Bresler's Ice Cream. Del Taco And the controversy is for good business! The latest edition uses the most recent U.S. sales figures, from 2018, to rank the chains. 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. 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. Nine years, Naugle sold its modest three-locate chain to a businessman named Harold Butler, who took the concept and ran with her. In the late 1980s, if you lived . Chain restaurants are big business. Sambo is closed in the middle of the decade. A Mexican fast-food establishment with locations all over the United States, its charming motto was, "Prepare food fresh. With increased competition and not enough to distinguish the Bennigan tastes of Chile and T.G.I. The chain began in the mid-1950s in Miami but grew to be a nationwide phenomenon, with more than 400 restaurants in the 1970s at the height of its success. Chi-Chi's was a Mexican restaurant that first opened back in 1975 and expanded to 237 chains by 1986. . Mexican cuisine is primarily a fusion of indigenous Mesoamerican cooking with European, especially Spanish, elements added after the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire in the 16th century. 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. 22. 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 something fresh and new, you can also choose to order the Taco of the Month, which never fails to impress. "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. Bennigan had its start in Atlanta in 1976, but in the early 1980s they were everywhere. > U.S. sales: $214 million (est.) 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. 321. Serving both Mexican and classic American fast-food, Del Taco offers something for everyone. The easy way to make healthier comfort foods. 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. Don't Edit. Walgreen's has a penchant to bring back beyond your traditional pharmacy products - some even sell beer and wine these days. At the beginning of the decade, Gino's discontinued that trademark burger and other fan favorites in an effort to revamp the restaurant. 23. quick serve. 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. 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 . But with more customers came more control and it has not been long before the anti-discrimination protests against Sambo started. In 1979, McDonald's launched its Happy Meal. Nevertheless, if you had the chance to experiment with the puppy 'N' Taco, you probably can not get thetinkle out of your head. Pears, popular with college students in the 1980s and '90s. An animatronic hillbilly bear named Billy Bob greeted kids as they watched a show, played arcade games, and ate not-super-outstanding pizza. The company filed for bankruptcy in 1992 and never quite recovered. Starting in the 1980s, Mighty Casey's began popping up in Atlanta, Georgia, serving your . 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. Qdoba comes out of Denver, where its ancestor, called Zuma Fresh Mexican Grill, opened in 1995. 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. Support . By 1982 or 1983. Former regulars might remember the antique decor of the restaurant or the Greek . The original Chuys appeared in 1982 in Austin, Texas. Whether you are in their delicious skins of red potatoes or the iconic Irish tower O'Rings, Bennigan was a success in the 1980s. If youre ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now. There's no denying that warm, fuzzy feeling that comes from biting into the burger you've been enjoying since you were a kid. Dam it was good Mexican food. What sets Baja Fresh apart from the Mexican fast food chains dotted around the U,S. ), but also offers flautas the rolled, fried tacos sometimes called taquitos. with a character named "Family Sam," a friendly senior citizen chef. The chain's name was a source of controversy: According to the company, the name was . (Like any expert from the pop culture of the 80s knows, that's where Brad, played by Judge Reinhold, works in the movie. 58 (tie) SANTIAGO'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT. After it was acquired by the Marriott Hotel chain in 1971, it grew to 130 locations, but by the late 1980s, most of them had closed. And thanks to the boom of fast-food chains in the 1970s and 1980s, we've been able to sip the same shakes and munch on the same fries for decades. Now that's what you call living out your childhood dream. However, Pappasitos Cantina really stands out for a few reasons. Ted N. Holmes founded Chicken George in 1979. In 1979, McDonald's launched his good meal. But at its peak in the 1960s, there were hundreds of these orange-roofed restaurants . The lamentations on those departed culinary landmarks have been thorough and frequent . Was on 7th ave. Just south of Van Buren at the bottom just before going over the bridge. is the restaurants focus on fresh, non-processed ingredients. In 1984, G.D. Ritzy's was taking in about $5.2 million just from ice cream sales. The five top chains, in fact, all exceeded the $10 billion-dollar mark (the others were Subway, Taco Bell, and Chick-fil-A). Bennigan's got its start in Atlanta in 1976, but by the early '80s, they were everywhere. Red Barn had small-town beginnings in 1960s Ohio, but it was destined for greater things. This page was last edited on 25 January 2023, at 04:55. And by the early '90s, Chuck E. Cheese became the name of all locations. In 1988, they sold all but a few of their locations to Marriott. 1. There will be 31 in Arizona by the end of the year, Campbell said. 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). Burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, tacos, nachos, salads, and more are available. 15. 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%. Gino's Hamburgers. > U.S. sales: $232 million "The love affair with chief burger remains strong," aThe Hardee Marketing Officer announced in 2007 When the herdee brought the iconic Burger Big Shef.