Remember These 70s Restaurants That Are Gone Now

Additional Coverage:

Classic 70’s Dining Spots That Sadly No Longer Exist (momswhothink.com)

A Blast From the Past: Remembering the Iconic 1970s Restaurants We Loved and Lost

The 1970s were a wild ride, a decade of bell-bottoms, platform shoes, and groundbreaking tech like cell phones and video games. It was also a time of significant social and political upheaval, from Watergate to the Civil Rights movement. But amidst all that change, one thing remained constant: the joy of a good meal out!

The ’70s saw a boom in new restaurants, making it easy to find your favorite comfort food just around the corner. While many of these eateries were incredibly popular, not all of them stood the test of time. Join us on a nostalgic trip down memory lane as we revisit some of the classic dining spots from the 1970s that have largely faded into history.

Howard Johnson’s: The Orange-Roofed Empire

For a long time, the distinctive orange roof of Howard Johnson’s was a beacon for hungry travelers across the country. With over 1,000 locations, this ubiquitous restaurant offered a vast menu, including their famous fried clams and a whopping 28 ice cream flavors.

Sadly, this ’70s icon met its end in 1979 when Marriott acquired the company and systematically closed all corporate-owned locations. Franchisees soon followed suit, and a piece of Americana became history.

(Though it did get a second life on “Mad Men”!)

Burger Chef: The Other Big Burger Joint

If Burger Chef sounds a little like a certain golden-arched giant, you’re on the right track! In its prime, Burger Chef was the second most popular fast-food chain in the U.S., right behind McDonald’s.

Their claim to fame was the “Big Shef,” a double cheeseburger slathered in a special sauce. After being bought out by the company behind Hardee’s, the chain gradually declined, with the last Burger Chef closing its doors in 1996.

Sambo’s: A Name That Didn’t Age Well

Sambo’s is one ’70s restaurant that’s largely gone for a very specific reason: its name and theme. Based on the controversial children’s book “The Story of Little Sambo,” the restaurant’s decor, filled with Sambo artwork, was widely considered racist.

Despite having over 1,000 locations by 1979, the problematic imagery eventually caught up with them. The company filed for bankruptcy in 1981, and all locations closed.

While one still exists, it’s undergoing a name change, effectively marking the official end of Sambo’s.

Taco Viva: Pre-Bell Mexican Bites

Before Taco Bell dominated the quick-service Mexican food scene, there was Taco Viva. This franchise steadily grew throughout the ’70s and ’80s, eventually boasting 85 restaurants across 11 states.

Like its eventual successor, Taco Viva had a recognizable sign and building, making it a popular spot for a quick taco fix. However, like many other fast-food taco joints of the era, it eventually faded away.

Lum’s: From Hot Dog Stand to Hot Spot

It’s incredible to think that Lum’s, with its 400 franchises nationwide, started as a single hot dog stand in Florida. Their unique offerings included frosted glass beers, fried seafood, and their signature beer-steamed hot dogs.

Despite thriving in the ’70s, the company was sold off late in the decade. By 1983, all but one location had closed, with the very last one finally shutting down in 2017.

Gino’s Hamburgers: A Marriott Makeover

Marriott was clearly on a shopping spree in the ’70s! After acquiring Howard Johnson’s, they also snapped up Gino’s Hamburgers, founded by NFL players in Baltimore.

Gino’s was a meat-lover’s paradise, famous for its “Sirloiner” burger – a thick sirloin steak between two buns. Dominating the East Coast, the chain was expanding westward when Marriott bought it and converted all locations into Roy Rogers restaurants.

While the original chain is mostly gone, two Gino’s Burgers locations still operate in Maryland as of 2024.

Naugles: The Del Taco Takeover

Another popular Mexican food chain that emerged in the ’70s was Naugles. Starting in Riverside, California, Naugles quickly expanded across several states.

However, its journey came to an end when it merged with Del Taco. By 1995, all Naugles locations had been rebranded as Del Taco, bringing an end to the beloved chain.

Steak and Ale: Where Steak Met Salad Bar

Steak and Ale was a true ’70s gem, offering an old-school ambiance, affordable steaks, and an unlimited salad bar. Their herb-roasted prime rib was a particular favorite.

After merging with another restaurant in 1976, the chain grew to over 100 locations. However, the ’80s brought multiple changes in ownership, a common downfall for many businesses.

While no Steak and Ale restaurants remain today, the dream of reviving the chain lives on – you can still purchase a franchise!

Burger Queen: Reigning Before Druther’s

Looking for inspiration, Burger Queen started in Florida in 1956, aiming to be a hybrid of Dairy Queen and Burger King. Serving up burgers, shakes, and fries, Burger Queen enjoyed a solid run through the ’50s and ’70s.

Then, in 1981, they rebranded as Druther’s, expanding their menu to include salads and fried chicken. With around 170 restaurants, they eventually sold out to Dairy Queen, converting their locations and ending the Burger Queen era.

Rax Roast Beef: A Pre-Arby’s Roast Beef Giant

Before Arby’s became the go-to for roast beef sandwiches, there was Rax Roast Beef. Originating in Ohio in 1967, Rax quickly gained a reputation for its quality roast beef.

The chain expanded to over 500 restaurants in 38 states. While largely gone, Rax hasn’t completely vanished; a handful of locations still exist today.

Wags: Walgreens’ Unexpected Eatery

The ’70s were a wild time for business, and one of the more unusual ventures was Walgreens’ foray into the restaurant world. Wags, a 24-hour eatery, aimed to offer families a place to eat at any time, with the added convenience of being connected to a drugstore for some late-night shopping.

But once again, Marriott stepped in, buying the restaurants. When Marriott eventually exited the restaurant business, Wags, unable to find a new owner, simply disappeared.

Pup ‘N’ Taco: California’s Eclectic Fast Food

If you grew up in California in the ’70s, chances are you visited a Pup ‘N’ Taco. This eclectic spot offered everything from tacos and tostadas to pastrami sandwiches and a wide variety of hot dogs.

Starting in 1956, the chain boasted over 100 locations by the ’80s. However, the rise of Taco Bell proved too much to compete with, and Taco Bell eventually acquired all Pup ‘N’ Taco locations in 1984.

Red Barn: The Barn-Shaped Burger Joint

You couldn’t miss a Red Barn restaurant in the ’60s and ’70s – they literally looked like red barns! Starting modestly in Ohio, the chain rapidly expanded, reaching over 400 locations in 22 states during the ’70s.

Their “Barnbuster” and “Big Barney” burgers were popular choices. Like many others, Red Barn fell victim to a series of ownership changes in the late ’70s and early ’80s, leading to the closure of all its locations.