Remember These 11 Old Restaurant Chains?

Additional Coverage:

11 Popular Restaurant Chains From the Past That Gen X Wants Back (financebuzz.com)

Remember These? Gen X’s Favorite Restaurants That Disappeared (Mostly)

For those who came of age during the 80s and 90s, dining out wasn’t just a treat; it was an affordable staple. Before the era of budgeting hacks and meal prepping, families could enjoy a night out without breaking the bank.

While many of those beloved establishments have vanished, the nostalgia for these bygone eateries remains strong among Generation X. Get ready for a trip down memory lane as we revisit the restaurants that left a food-shaped hole in their hearts.

1. ShowBiz Pizza Place

Before Chuck E. Cheese became the ubiquitous children’s entertainment complex, there was ShowBiz Pizza Place. This was the undisputed king of birthday parties for Gen X kids, offering a winning combination of dinner, games, rides, and a truly unforgettable show.

The main event? The Rock-afire Explosion, an animatronic band of anthropomorphic animals that belted out classic rock, pop, and country tunes.

Their performances provided the perfect soundtrack for children fueled by enough sugar and caffeine to rival a pack of wild raccoons. Gen Xers will likely never forgive Chuck E.

Cheese for absorbing ShowBiz Pizza and delivering a decidedly inferior experience.

2. Ponderosa and Bonanza Steakhouse

Named after the iconic TV show Bonanza, these steakhouses were often a Gen Xer’s first foray into a “fancy” dinner. They were the go-to spot for family celebrations, known for their all-you-can-eat buffet. The highlight for many young diners was undoubtedly the soft-serve ice cream bar, where a respectable dessert could quickly transform into a towering, topping-laden masterpiece.

While not entirely extinct, these restaurants are critically endangered. As of December 2024, only about 15 locations remain, a stark contrast to the 700 operating in 1989. This dramatic reduction has led many to believe they’ve disappeared completely.

3. Chi-Chi’s

When Gen X craved Mexican food, Chi-Chi’s was often the answer – at least until the North American owner declared bankruptcy in 2004. Just the mention of this fast-casual Mexican restaurant is enough to make many of a certain age salivate for that legendary fried ice cream with chocolate drizzle.

But wait, there’s good news! The dormant chain might be making a comeback, with two locations slated to open in Minnesota before the year is out.

4. Steak and Ale

Steak and Ale was a pioneer in the fast-casual steakhouse concept. They were among the first to offer an unlimited salad bar with every entree, normalize free drink refills, and serve complimentary honey wheat bread. Sadly, the iconic chain filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2008.

After several teaser revivals between 2013 and 2020, the famous chain was finally reborn in 2024, with its first (and currently only) location in Burnsville, Minnesota.

5. Howard Johnson’s

Affectionately known as HoJo’s, this hotel brand also boasted the largest restaurant chain in the U.S. at one point, with over 1,000 locations. Their bright orange roofs beckoned roadside travelers, inviting them to enjoy the “wonderful world of 28 flavors” of ice cream.

HoJo’s restaurants weathered the 1929 stock market crash and World War II, even supporting the LGBTQ+ community when New York liquor laws restricted service to gay customers. What ultimately led to their demise was being sold to Wyndham Hotels and Resorts. While the hotels survived a rebrand, the restaurants struggled to maintain operations and slowly faded, with the last one closing in 2022.

6. Ground Round

Another creation of Howard Johnson, Ground Round was initially intended as an upgrade for his underperforming dining locations. Unlike HoJo’s focus on travelers, Ground Round targeted local residents, aiming for a pub-like atmosphere. It distinguished itself by playing silent movies, cartoons, and other popular media on a big screen.

Another nostalgic touch was Ground Round’s policy of handing out peanuts, with shells unceremoniously tossed on the floor, much like Thor disposing of empty beer glasses. Unfortunately, Ground Round suffered from constant changes in ownership and increased debt, ultimately filing for bankruptcy in 2004. Today, only four locations remain in the U.S.

7. Bob’s Big Boy

The Big Boy Burger, the first double-decker hamburger, was invented by founder Bob Wian in 1936. The fast-food chain remained popular until the 90s when it was sold, and most locations were rebranded away from the Big Boy name.

As of 2020, only four locations remain, all in the Los Angeles, CA area. Even those who never dined at Big Boy’s will recognize the iconic Big Boy logo, inspiring giant statues, some as tall as 16 feet, with his classic checkered overalls and swooping pompadour.

8. Roy Rogers

Before Arby’s became synonymous with roast beef sandwiches, Gen X had Roy Rogers. This chain emerged from Marriott Corporation’s acquisition of RoBee’s House of Beef. The competition was so fierce that Arby’s even sued RoBee’s for a name change, leading the company to license the name of “King of Cowboys,” Roy Rogers, while continuing to sell their famous roast beef.

In the 90s, Hardee’s acquired the chain, a move that proved unpopular with customers. Even reverting to Roy Rogers branding couldn’t salvage the situation, as they continued to implement Hardee’s policies. Most locations were eventually sold off to fast-food giants like McDonald’s and Wendy’s.

Currently, two Roy Rogers locations remain, with a third planned to open this year in Leesburg, VA, promising the return of the beloved Fixin’s Bar.

9. Bennigan’s

Casual dining as we know it was practically invented by Bennigan’s, an Irish pub-themed restaurant created by the same founder as Steak and Ale. It met a similar fate, with U.S. locations shutting down when its parent company declared bankruptcy in 2008.

While 21 locations still operate in the U.S. as of 2025, expansion is now focused on international development, meaning a major American comeback isn’t on the horizon anytime soon.

10. Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour

Gen Xers know that the tradition of restaurants giving kids a free birthday ice cream sundae started with Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour. This ice creamery embraced an early 1900s theme, complete with costumed employees, a player piano at every location, and menus printed as tabloid-style newspapers.

While they served a variety of sundaes, the “Zoo” sundae, intended for a group to share, holds a special place in Gen X hearts. Employees in full garb would carry out this enormous treat on a stretcher, accompanied by the sound of ambulance sirens throughout the establishment.

11. Shakey’s Pizza Parlor

It’s hard to imagine a time before every city offered piping hot pizza, but the first American pizza chain didn’t appear until 1954. Shakey’s Pizza was where Gen X teams celebrated after youth sports, often watching their pizzas being made through large kitchen windows.

Founded by Sherwood Johnson, who earned the nickname “Shakey” after battling malaria during World War II, his business strategy was to open parlors wherever Kinney Shoes opened new stores. A few Shakey’s Pizzas still operate in California.

The Bottom Line

Much like today’s restaurant landscape, many of these cherished nostalgic chains went out of business after being sold to larger companies that viewed properties as interchangeable parts. Today’s economic situation is arguably more dire, with families tightening their belts and seeking ways to save on groceries as dining out becomes less feasible. It’s likely that the youth of today will look back on our current popular restaurant chains with the same nostalgia, wondering what happened to them all.