- 13 minutes ago
Travel back in time as we revisit some of the most beloved fast-food chains that have vanished from the dining scene. From iconic burger spots to unique eateries with loyal followings, these fan-favorites scaled back or closed down due to shifting tastes, fierce competition, or unexpected challenges. Rediscover the stories behind Howard Johnson’s, Burger Chef, Lum’s, Red Barn, Wag’s, and many more that fed generations but now live on only in memories.
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00:06Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the fan-favorite entries
00:11that have either scaled back tremendously, or bitten the dust altogether.
00:24Number 50. Smokey Bones
00:27Where there's smoke, there's fire. And where there's fire, there's usually a floundering
00:32business. Founded by Darden Restaurants in 1999, the barbecue-focused chain expanded rapidly
00:39to more than 130 locations.
00:49It seemed like the Mountain Lodge aesthetic and meat-heavy menu were destined for greatness.
00:54However, Darden struggled to make the concept profitable, and sold the brand in 2007. From
01:01there, Smokey Bones significantly reduced its footprint. But despite all of their best efforts,
01:06they just couldn't hold on any longer, and ended up smoking their last meal in April
01:11of 2026.
01:12They were like, well, it's been nice, but an hour shut down, and I thought it was a joke
01:17at first.
01:17No joke here, or across the country. According to its website, all Smokey Bones locations are
01:23now closed.
01:25Number 49. All-American Burger
01:37It may be immortalized on screen in a classic 80s comedy, but nostalgia doesn't pay the bills.
01:45The cultural cash did earn it a respectable run, though. All-American Burger spent decades
01:50riding its brand recognition with fries, burgers, and all things greasy and good. But expanding is
01:56difficult, and eventually, the place couldn't fight against the national chains anymore.
02:00All-American Burger's iconic placement in fast times at Ridgemont High makes it one of the sadder
02:07casualties of restaurant history. Now every time you go back to watch that classic teen film,
02:12you're reminded that what they're eating doesn't exist anymore.
02:19Number 48. Heap Big Beef
02:22I seem to have misplaced a roast beef sandwich. You didn't happen to find one, did you?
02:28No. Sorry.
02:30Riding a brief, highly specific wave of fast food trends in the swingin' 60s wasn't enough to secure
02:36long-term survival. Long before modern giants completely dominated the market, this franchise
02:42offered a fiercely competitive menu, centered almost entirely around freshly sliced roast beef sandwiches.
02:48The brand expanded enthusiastically, capitalizing on a moment when the public wanted a break from
02:53standard hamburgers. However, as the 70s rolled in, changing tastes and aggressive competition
03:00completely stalled their momentum, causing the entire franchise to quietly fold before the decade was
03:05even over. Gone, but definitely not forgotten.
03:08Come on.
03:08What?
03:09No! We have to sit down and process this!
03:14Preferably with the roast beef sandwich I'm suddenly craving.
03:17Number 47.
03:18Topps Drive-In
03:19Before the drive-thru became king, there was Topps, established in Arlington, Virginia in 1953.
03:26The chain expanded to 18 locations throughout Washington, D.C., and became a local favorite
03:32for burgers, fries, and curbside service. Back then, that was enough for a popular chain.
03:37But consolidation swept through the fast food industry during the 1960s. After merging with
03:43Gino's Hamburgers in 1967, Topps locations were gradually rebranded or sold off entirely.
03:50Today, the chain survives mainly through local memories. Though there's definitely still a place
03:55for curbside service if they ever want to mount a comeback.
03:58You've got to be kidding.
04:00No, would I kid you about a thing like that?
04:02Number 46. Soup Plantation and Sweet Tomatoes
04:05Restaurants were hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, but none more so than self-service buffets.
04:11Known as Soup Plantation in Southern California and Sweet Tomatoes elsewhere,
04:16the chain built a loyal following around unlimited salads, soups, pasta, and baked goods.
04:23Carol? Power move, yes.
04:27Sweet Potato Sunday? You've earned it. Create what you crave.
04:31At its peak, more than 120 locations operated across the United States.
04:36But when health restrictions made buffet-style service nearly impossible,
04:40the company faced an insurmountable challenge. In 2020, all locations closed permanently.
04:46It's another business casualty of the coronavirus pandemic closing all of its restaurants forever.
04:53The buffet-style eatery has 97 restaurants. It means lost jobs for 4,400 people. The company's CEO
04:59said there was no way the restaurant's long-time self-serve concept could survive in the COVID-19 area.
05:05Although a handful of independent revivals have since emerged,
05:09the original chain remains one of the most notable dining losses during the pandemic.
05:13A room full of all-you-can-eat food. Soup, salad, pizza, pasta, chicken wings,
05:18ice cream, rainbow sprinkles. How did I not know about the rainbow sprinkles?
05:21Number 45. Carol's
05:32If you don't recognize this name, that's okay. You definitely know its legacy – Burger King.
05:38Under the watchful eye of its iconic mascot, Carol's Boy, this fast food served their
05:44signature club burgers to raging success in the 60s. But there was a catch. It was operating
06:03independently, which simply wasn't feasible with their demand. So, they put their business caps on,
06:09and pivoted into franchising. Carol's was no more, but its infrastructure paved the way for Burger King
06:15to explode onto the scene. You can't order a Carol's Club burger anymore, but a Whopper is close enough.
06:29Number 44. Valley's Steakhouse
06:40It may not be fast food in the traditional sense, but despite its high-end menu, Valley's aims to
06:46have customers in and out as fast as any old burger joint. And yet the entire franchise was
06:51built upon quality control. They literally owned their own cattle ranches, ensuring every single
06:57cut of meat was perfectly fresh, before hitting the table. Now there are Valley's restaurants from
07:02Maine to Florida, with lots of other good things on our menu. But steak is still something special at
07:07Valleys, and you can still afford it. Our three-quarter pound steak dinner, just $7.95, and one pound
07:13sirloin steak dinner, only $8.95. At its peak, the restaurants were legendary for their massive
07:18banquet halls and incredible value. Sadly, the economic downturn of the late 70s, combined with the
07:24extreme overhead costs of running such an immense self-sustaining operation, forced the iconic chain
07:30into a decline. Number 43. Chook's Fresh and Tasty
07:41Australia's fast food market is fiercely competitive, and Chook's Fresh and Tasty discovered that the
07:47hard way. Known for its rotisserie chicken, burgers and family-friendly menu, the chain developed a loyal
07:53following throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. Customers appreciated its emphasis on fresh
08:06ingredients and convenient meals. However, maintaining that momentum became increasingly
08:11difficult as major competitors expanded their reach. Many Chook's locations were eventually
08:17converted into Red Rooster restaurants, and the brand quietly disappeared. These days,
08:22the specific identity that made Chook's stand out is basically nowhere to be seen.
08:27Do not punch him, do not punch him, do not pull his clothes down, and he doesn't talk.
08:34Number 42. Verts, or Noon Mediterranean. Explosive success is great on paper, but the higher the
08:42stakes, the steeper the fall. Look at this chain. This national chain, with roots in Austin, Texas,
08:49is bringing healthy choices to Boston, with an ever-expanding lineup of locations, including this
08:54one on Boylston Street. Starting as a meager food truck, the quality, customizable Mediterranean bowls
09:00made Verts an underground sensation. They rapidly scaled up, earned raves, and springboarded it all into
09:0720 restaurants. You can either choose from one of our chef-created options, or you can come down and
09:13choose your own toppings, however you'd like to design your own bowl. Just the way that those flavors
09:18and foods come together is really an experience for the senses. But eventually, the hype died down,
09:24and all they were left with was a lot of underperforming locations. Following a frantic rebranding effort
09:30to Noon Mediterranean, the company went bankrupt in August 2018, was briefly absorbed by Daphne's Greek
09:37Cafe, and saw its remaining storefronts shuttered entirely by July 2019. Maybe the food truck wasn't
09:44such a bad gig. Follow people throughout the day, rather than staying at a certain location that,
09:49for restaurants, doesn't have demand all day. So we had the idea just to follow the people where they go.
09:55Number 41. Clock. For years, Sweden had its own homegrown burger giant. And we mean giant. Bright red and
10:04yellow signs, 70s optimism, and burgers you ate in a parka while it snowed sideways. Born in the mid-70s,
10:12it spread through the 80s and early 90s as the Swedish state-backed fast food chain. The signature
10:19was the Big Clock. At one point, Clock was one of the country's largest fast food chains,
10:24delivering milkshakes, fries, and burgers to generations. Unfortunately, once McDonald's, Burger King,
10:31and other American chains crossed the pond, Clock found itself a small fish in a large pond.
10:37They hung on for a while, but, inevitably, they couldn't keep their market share. By the early
10:422000s, the once iconic chain was off the map, with the Swedish having to accept they'll be getting their
10:48fast food elsewhere. Number 40. Beefsteak Charlie's. Unlimited shrimp, an unlimited salad bar,
11:02and unlimited beer, wine, and sangria? It's no wonder Beefsteak Charlie's became a sensation.
11:21Having been around since 1910, the chain reinvented itself during the 1970s as a value-focused dining
11:28destination. The all-you-can-eat concept fueled rapid growth throughout the Northeast, and made the brand
11:34a household name. But, changing consumer preferences and increased competition eventually caught up
11:40with the company. After multiple ownership changes and years of decline, the last company-owned
11:53locations closed in 2009, ending one of the restaurant industry's most memorable promotions.
11:59We'll never forget you, Charlie. Charlie's, we won't stop giving until you say, Uncle! Uncle! Uncle! Uncle!
12:07Number 39. York Steakhouse. Remember when malls had steakhouses? No? That's because it was only a big
12:15deal in the 60s, when York Steakhouse brought affordable sirloin dinners to shopping centers across America.
12:21You'll get a lot more food for a lot less than you thought the price would be.
12:27Come to York and get a lot more lunch for a lot less money.
12:31They eventually expanded to more than 180 locations. Its cafeteria-style service made it
12:36a popular choice for families looking for a quick meal during a day of shopping. But as malls declined
12:42and consumer habits changed, York's profits shrank dramatically. Today, just one independently
12:49operated location remains in Columbus, Ohio, preserving the chain's classic decor and signature format.
12:55Though to be fair, it's less a restaurant now and more a time capsule of a bygone era.
13:01Some of the favorites, obviously, that people remember are the mushroom gravy.
13:05That's always a favorite. And of course, the whole buttered mushrooms people remember real well.
13:11Sauteed onions. Gotta have the sauteed onions. And further down the line, we have the honey glazed chicken.
13:15Number 38. Casa Bonita Talk about dinner and a show.
13:27Not only was Casa Bonita the spot to be for cheap and easy Tex-Mex cuisine, but meals came with
13:33all
13:33sorts of other activities. Ever wanted to eat with a mariachi band? Or play in an arcade after?
13:39You could do that here. Sadly, people don't appreciate nice things.
13:44It's a pay-in-advance, no-tipping restaurant, but we paid an extra $5 per person to get cliffside
13:49dining. That gives us table service on seats right next to the cliff diving pool right in the middle
13:56of the restaurant. The higher-than-average operating costs slowly shrunk Casa Bonita's business model
14:02until it nearly shuttered for good. The pandemic was almost the last straw, but thanks to a last-minute
14:08save from the creators of South Park, of all people, there is still technically one Casa Bonita
14:13still operating. Barely, but still.
14:17I feel like Cartman a lot here, you know, just going, and we could do this, and we could do
14:20that,
14:20you know, we could do that. It really is. Watching Trey walk around and get, well,
14:24the emotional roller coaster of doing this, you know, he's feeling it as much as Cartman would.
14:29Number 37. Milligan's Beefy Burgers. Being the first true drive-through in the Sunshine State
14:35wasn't enough to protect this local favorite from heavily armed corporate giants.
14:39Do you know anyone who could cater the after funeral? Milligan's is pretty good.
14:46Milligan's it is. Milligan's Beefy Burgers popularized the grab-and-go burger format
14:51long before it became an industry standard. At its absolute peak, the company boasted 10 incredibly
14:57busy locations, feeding legions of devoted loyal locals. However, by 1974, the aggressive, unstoppable
15:05expansion of massive competitors like McDonald's and Burger King completely choked out the market.
15:10Is there an echo in here?
15:20Jokes aside, as sad as it is to say, in this case, Goliath squashed David.
15:27Number 36. Taco Viva.
15:29Before corporate musical chairs tore it apart, this vibrant drive-through alternative was making quite the
15:35splash in the Mexican scene. So much so, it spread all across America, operating around 85 locations
15:42in 11 different states. The formula was simple. Big portions, quality ingredients, and name brand
15:48recognition to stand apart in the crowded taco market. Unfortunately, the aforementioned corporate
16:01shuffling wore Taco Viva down. After being repeatedly bought and sold by various indifferent parent
16:07companies, the brand completely lost its identity and quality control, leading to a quiet, unceremonious
16:14death in 2005. Number 35. Amici's Drive-In. It's hard to stand out in the competitive fast-food market.
16:29However, if you have the trademark of legendary football star Alan Amici, it becomes a bit easier.
16:35They call him the horse, high-stepping like a rodeo bronco. He thrives on rugged going, is a bear on
16:41defense too.
16:42Boasting no-charge carryout, signature powerhouse burgers, and a retro car-hop aesthetic, this drive-in was
16:49an overnight success story. Allegedly, they even had the secret sauce in grocery stores. However,
16:56like a real celebrity, their relevance dulled over the years. And without the original novelty of going to a
17:02football star's restaurant, Amici's lacked a strong look to entice repeat customers. Once drive-throughs became
17:08the norm, the drive-in began its final curtain call.
17:12This, uh, historic designation isn't going to be a problem.
17:16Oh, no. No, no, no. State and local governments set the rules, but it's different everywhere.
17:21Here, being registered historic doesn't mean that it can't be sold or even torn down.
17:26Number 34. Crumb's Bake Shop. At the height of the cupcake craze,
17:30no one was raking it in like crumbs. Oversized gourmet cupcakes in dozens of gourmet flavors,
17:36the quick, convenient style made it a total fad.
17:41They stand outside our windows with their face pressed up to the glass, looking at our case.
17:45They're smiling before they even come in. It paid off fast and fell off just as quick.
17:50Like most trends, the overpriced cupcakes lost their wow factor after a bit, leaving crumbs deep in the
17:56red. In just a few short years, the company went from the talk of the town to writing off major
18:01losses.
18:02This is the classic case of the one-hit wonder. This is a company that built its entire business
18:08on one product. The product was a fad. We have seen this movie before.
18:13In 2013, they shuttered their doors for good, and effectively took the premium cupcake craze with them.
18:19Silver lining? They are still operating as an online store, in case you get any sugary cravings.
18:25Number 33. Wimpy. Long before McDonald's became a global powerhouse,
18:31Popeye's hamburger-loving friend had his own restaurant chain.
18:48Inspired by J. Wellington Wimpy from the Popeye cartoons, Wimpy opened his own chain and grew into
18:54one of the world's earliest hamburger franchises. But after the death of its owner, the American
18:59business gradually faded away to the hyper-aggressive market. The surprising part?
19:04Wimpy is still out there somewhere.
19:18While the brand is essentially extinct in the United States, it remains popular in countries like the
19:23United Kingdom and South Africa, where customers still order Wimpy burgers nearly a century later.
19:29Very similar in terms of food quality to like McDonald's Burger King. There's nothing really
19:33pulling it apart in terms of food. It's very much the same. The price is quite similar as well,
19:38but actually the experience is totally different.
19:42Number 32. Chee-Cheese. For many Americans, this was their introduction to chimichangas,
19:48fried ice cream, and Tex-Mex dining. It's no wonder Chee-Cheese eventually reached more than 200
20:01locations across North America. But financial troubles in the early 2000s left the chain
20:06vulnerable. Then in 2003, a hepatitis A outbreak at a Pennsylvania restaurant left over 600 customers
20:14sick. And four, unable to recover. While the parent company had already filed for bankruptcy,
20:33this public health scare marked the real point of no return for Chee-Cheese's chances in the United
20:38States. We'll just have to get our fried ice cream elsewhere.
20:42Number 31. Cosmix. Blink and you might have missed it! McDonald's launched Cosmix in December 2023
20:49as an experimental chain centered on customizable drinks, coffee, and snacks. Named after a little
20:56known alien character from the McDonaldland universe, the concept was designed to compete with
21:01beverage-focused chains like Starbucks and Dutch Brothers. But after opening only a handful of
21:18locations, McDonald's announced in 2025 that the experiment was ending. Rather than expanding
21:25Cosmix invasion, the company opted to integrate its most successful beverages into traditional
21:30McDonald's restaurants. Not even the Golden Arches can bat a thousand, it seems.
21:35I'm gonna tell my people about McDonald's cheeseburgers later, dude! Cosmic took off!
21:40Number 30. Yankee Doodle Dandy. Guess what's cooking now at Yankee Doodle Dandy? Chicken,
21:45crispy fried chicken. Although it may have been short-lived, it still captured the essence of the
21:51United States. With a focus on patriotic branding and plenty of menu options, Yankee Doodle Dandy quickly
21:57expanded from one location in 1966 to over two dozen in less than a decade. Their willingness to
22:03branch out made them a versatile option compared to their competitors. Unfortunately, its success was
22:09short-lived. By the early 1980s, the owners had grown weary of the fast food industry, and were ready to
22:16branch out. After converting two locations into classic sit-down restaurants, they shut the rest
22:24of their original eateries down, quickly bringing an end to what could have been a serious contender
22:30in the modern dining game. Number 29. The Training Table. With just six locations, Utah's The Training
22:38Table was able to make a huge impression. They were unique in concept, with customers being
22:47able to call the kitchen from their tables. First opening their doors in 1977, a financial scare in
22:532012 nearly caused them to close, but a last-minute buyer kept their heads above water. However, their
22:59second chance, unfortunately, wasn't enough to keep them afloat. In 2015, misconduct allegations began to
23:06circulate, resulting in a lawsuit the following year. That ended up being the final nail in the coffin,
23:12and the franchise's leases were terminated. Shutting them down just shy of their 40-year anniversary,
23:18recent rumblings have indicated a possible return of the chain in the future.
23:22Is the nostalgic restaurant still making a comeback? Well, The Training Table tells me the return is still
23:29in progress and to keep an eye out for future endeavors. But they couldn't tell me exactly what this
23:35would look like or when it would happen. Number 28. La Petite Boulangerie. Traditional restaurants
23:41aren't the only victims of being permanently shut down. La Petite Boulangerie was a West Coast-based
23:46bakery that prided themselves on the freshness of their products. After being bought by PepsiCo in the
24:01early 1980s, the patisserie exploded in popularity, with over 100 locations being opened across the
24:08nation. Although it appeared to be highly profitable, drama behind the scenes suggested that their ability
24:14to turn a profit had been inflated. Things began to go downhill as the brand continued to be acquired
24:19by various companies, all while the number of locations dwindled. By the start of the new millennium,
24:33the once booming franchise was defunct. A sad, swift end for what had once been an industry giant.
24:40Number 27. Two Pesos. In hindsight, a business born out of spite probably isn't the best idea.
24:47Get ready for Two Pesos Mexican Food Fiesta! It's mouth-watering fun at Two Pesos for the whole family!
24:54Marno McDermott opened Two Pesos after his proposal to expand the already established
24:59Taco Cabana was rejected. His restaurant quickly became a community favorite in Houston, Texas.
25:06Things became messy when Taco Cabana attempted to expand into the metro area and found physical
25:11similarities between the two. The taquerias ended up going head-to-head in court,
25:16with Two Pesos being accused of trade dress and stealing the other eatery's ideas.
25:21The way most food comes into some Mexican restaurants is pre-cooked and... frozen.
25:27But at Two Pesos, we bring in our ingredients fresh.
25:29It soon escalated to the Supreme Court, who ultimately ruled in favor of Taco Cabana.
25:35In the ultimate petty move, McDermott opted to sell the chain to the victors,
25:40rather than comply with the branding changes he would have had to implement.
25:45Number 26. Showbiz Pizza Place. This is proof that winning the battle doesn't mean you've won the war.
25:52Following a split between the owners of Chuck E. Cheese, a new pizzeria-arcade hybrid was born,
25:58showbiz pizza place. Complete with games and an animatronic band, they found success and became
26:11their old partner's biggest competitor. In 1984, their rival ended up filing for bankruptcy, resulting
26:18in their parent company buying the assets and merging the two together again into showbiz pizza time.
26:24Although it seemed they would become a household name, the business model was revamped,
26:28which included replacing the current animatronic shows with characters from Chuck E. Cheese.
26:34Afterwards, it didn't take long for the showbiz name to be dropped entirely,
26:38and the restaurants becoming part of Chuck E. Cheese.
26:41When you're hungry for fun, it's Chuck E. Cheese! Chuck E. Cheese! Chuck E. Cheese!
26:47When you're hungry for fun, it's Chuck E. Cheese!
26:50Number 25. D's Drive-In.
26:52As soon as customers saw the signature clown outside each establishment,
26:56they knew they were in for a good time.
27:04Founded in the 1930s as D's Restaurant, the first D's Drive-In appeared in the 1950s.
27:10By the 1960s, they had become a local icon. At their peak, they served thousands of people
27:16a day and amassed over 20 different locations. Despite their success, the family began to focus
27:21more on other business ventures in the 1970s, which culminated in their properties being sold to
27:27Hardee's. The name continued to live on until the early 2000s. Although the drive-in locations were
27:46shuttered, a handful of D's family restaurants are still in Utah today.
27:51Number 24. Burger Queen.
27:54Despite the name, there's no relation between this defunct eatery and the still-standing Burger King.
27:59First popping onto the scene in 1956, Burger Queen quickly became a Florida staple.
28:08It didn't take long for dozens more to be opened across several states. Although they were known
28:14for their burgers, they also became known for more unique features, such as the self-serve salad bar.
28:19They were so popular that even a name change in the 1980s didn't have a negative impact on their
28:25popularity. However, in 1990, they began to shift their focus to desserts instead, resulting in them
28:38becoming operators for Dairy Queen. By the following year, most of the Burger Queen locations had been
28:44revamped, bringing about an end to an American classic.
28:48Number 23. Chicken George.
28:50Although it may not have been the first chicken-based restaurant, it made quite an impact during its
28:55tenure. Formed in 1979, Chicken George quickly grew in the 1980s. The founder was extremely dedicated
29:02to his product, dedicating hundreds of thousands of dollars to the development of his menu alone.
29:08That passion came through in the food, and soon they became the largest black-owned fast food company
29:14in the entire country. After being bought twice in a two-year period, they eventually filed for
29:19Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 1991 and dissolved. It was a sudden and underwhelming end to what had
29:25once been a cultural icon.
29:28Number 22. Pumper Nick.
29:30One look at this Burger King-like logo is all you need to understand their fate.
29:36In 1974, Pumper Nick was founded in Argentina, and just a year later became the country's first franchise.
29:43They thrived for years before Burger King arrived in the country. A lawsuit ruled in favor of the American
29:50company, forcing Pumper Nick to change their branding and name. Despite the legal setbacks,
29:56the chain still stood, until the owner handed the reins over to his sons in 1990. They had no interest
30:03in continuing the legacy, leading them to sell the eatery in 1995. Things continued to spiral until they
30:09officially went bankrupt in 1999. A sad end for what had once been Argentina's pride and joy.
30:16Number 21. Horn and Hardart. An establishment can be so iconic that it's referenced in pop culture
30:23for decades. But even that doesn't ensure its longevity.
30:26The rise of fast food was coming at us, and there were no dollar bill receivers,
30:30there were no credit card processors. So the consumer fell out of favor with the automat.
30:35So the point is, technology killed the automat in the 70s.
30:38Horn and Hardart were synonymous with early automation, with their vending machine style
30:43of operation becoming the go-to method for countless people. They became a reliable staple
30:48during the Great Depression, providing affordable and varied options for those struggling. Its prominence
30:53led to it being mentioned in movies and television. However, what had once benefited from industrialization
30:59soon became a victim of it. They were quickly outpaced as the era of fast food began. Their attempts to
31:05modernize fell short, and by 1991, the last Horn and Hardart had closed, and in turn ended an era
31:12of casual dining that has yet to make a broad return.
31:15Number 20. Winkies. If you're going to sell and distribute meat to the masses, why not grind them
31:21into burgers and sell those too? Winkies makes you happy to be hungry lots of ways. Can you name 10
31:26of
31:26them? Ready? Go! Um, picnic and chicken, great ones, cheeseburgers, fish and chips, Big Winks,
31:34milkshakes, french fries, great roast beef, turnovers… That might be what the Ehrenstein brothers were
31:40thinking back in 1962 when they founded Winkies Restaurant Chain that served the surrounding Pittsburgh
31:45area. Burgers with names like the Big Wink and the Ground Rounder were the orders of the day,
31:50while Winkies also had a fun sense of humor when it came to their television advertising.
31:54Ooh, terrific. Yep, free turnovers with dinner is just another way Winkies makes you happy to be hungry.
32:01You said it, Frank. The fact that the Ehrensteins essentially had access to their own supply chain
32:06definitely helped sell the freshness of their product. Unfortunately, that didn't assist Winkies in
32:11surviving a poor regional economy, and the chain officially closed for good in 1982.
32:17Number 19. Mighty Casey's Mighty Casey's was something of a regional staple in the Atlanta,
32:23Georgia area, until it was bought out and converted to another Southeastern franchise by the name of
32:28Crystal. That said, non-Georgians could be forgiven for not hearing of either of these chains,
32:37but as the saying goes, if you know, you know. That's because Mighty Casey's served up delicious
32:42dogs, yummy shakes, wings, and more to a hungry populace, all the while touting their premium
32:47ingredients and service. Mighty Casey's knew that consumers could get their burgers and dogs
32:53anywhere, and did their best to keep their clientele coming back… right to the end.
32:58Hot out the grill, steamy, steamy. Hot out the grill, steamy, steamy.
33:04Number 18. Sandy's. It was a bygone age, an age prior to the establishment of Hardee's within the
33:11fast food landscape. Here, it was Sandy's that fed hungry consumers their servings of burgers and
33:16fries in the American Midwest. Sandy's actually started out as a failed attempt to open up a set
33:28of McDonald's franchises in central Illinois, and ended up opening as competition to Mickey D's
33:33burgeoning success back in the late 50s. Sandy's held a Scottish theme, but their franchises,
33:39which were operator-owned, were encouraged to tailor their service to their local communities.
33:53As a result, Sandy's stood out from the uniform nature of their competitors,
33:58although this didn't stop the chain from being bought out by Hardee's in the early 70s.
34:03Number 17. Puppin' Taco. Who said anyone had to choose between ordering hot dogs or
34:08tacos during a stop at the local drive-in? Not the founders of Puppin' Taco,
34:13who proudly fed both to hungry Californians throughout the 50s, 60s, and 70s.
34:32These weren't the only items on the menu either, as Puppin' Taco also served up hot pastrami sandwiches,
34:38tostadas, and slushies for both dine-in and takeout service. The chain also made a name for itself
34:44in the pop culture world, thanks to being mentioned in movies like the comedy classic, Fletch.
34:51Celebrity buzz aside, Puppin' Taco did just fine for itself until the mid-80s, when all of its
34:57franchises were sold off to Taco Bell. Number 16. Whetson's.
35:02The fast food chain known as Whetson's seemed to have, well, let's say, difficulty in standing
35:08out from the pack. This might explain why the greater New York chain felt the need to mimic
35:12McDonald's and White Castle's slogans in their own marketing, while also naming their signature
35:17sandwich The Big W, in reference to that other famous burger. Regardless, Whetson's plugged along,
35:23but struggled to keep up with the progress Mickey D's and Burger King were having on the East Coast.
35:28The chain barely lasted 15 years from its founding in 1959, merging with Nathan's Famous in 1975.
35:35Although, the trademark to the Whetson's name is still technically held in New York to this day.
35:40One thing is clear, after more than a century, it's still an American classic.
35:50Number 15. Jerry's Hamburgers. Jerry's Hamburgers was a Midwestern U.S.
35:56chain that was once owned and operated by a former McDonald's VP, who was actively working to carve
36:01out some competition in and around the Illinois and Wisconsin area. What helped set Jerry's apart at
36:06first was their dedication to a takeout model, as opposed to the comparatively more popular practice
36:11of indoor seating. The chain actually didn't have much room at all inside for customers to eat,
36:17although this was tempered later on down the road in an attempt to remain competitively viable with
36:22other growing chains. Jerry's lasted until about 1981, with occasional resurrections of the brand
36:28happening until the early 2000s, shortly after the last physical location closed in 1999.
36:35Number 14. Minnie Pearl's Fried Chicken. Believe it or not, there was a big-time trend,
36:41particular in the 60s and 70s, for celebrities to lend their names to various fast-food restaurants.
36:47One such celebrity was famous country music personality and comedienne Minnie Pearl,
36:51and the chain of fried chicken joints that bore her name.
36:54Most folks say Minnie Pearl's chicken is the best going, but you'll never know till you try it.
37:00A number of factors led to the decline of Minnie Pearl's fried chicken, not the least of which,
37:04was that each franchise was apparently allowed to tinker with their own recipes,
37:08without any brand consistency. This actually didn't stop customers from digging pretty hard
37:13into Minnie Pearl's vittles, but accusations of fraud with regards to their business practices
37:17and stock prices led to this chicken chain going foul.
37:21Number 13. Little Chef.
37:23We're heading to the UK for our next entry, Little Chef, a once-popular chain that did its best to
37:29replicate the sort of diner experience that's seen today as traditional Americana.
37:34Who understands that some people like a freshly cooked breakfast last thing at night?
37:43And who's happy if you want a freshly cooked dinner first thing in the morning?
37:48This meant capitalizing on roadside service for traveling customers and offering hearty breakfast
37:54fare for an affordable price. Competition ultimately put Little Chef out of business by 2018,
38:09although the chain's website is surprisingly still active. This may be due to Little Chef's
38:14trademark also being active, via a Kuwaiti investment. Although all of the chain's locations
38:19listed on the website have since shut their doors or have been converted into other chains like Greg's,
38:25Starbucks, or McDonald's.
38:34Number 12. Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor.
38:37We gotta give props to Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor for making it nearly 60 years in the business,
38:42opening back in 1963 and enduring straight on to 2019.
38:47Piano music and free birthday sundaes were a big part of the Farrell appeal back in the day,
38:51as well as a fun sense of humor.
38:54Remember the happy birthdays?
38:56Happy birthday to you!
38:59And remember the monster bowls of ice cream?
39:02Their menus were printed to look like a not-so-serious newspaper, with tons of tabloid jokes
39:07alongside Farrell's array of sandwiches, sodas, and sweets. A low-calorie menu even featured fake foods
39:14that were designed to laugh away any feelings of guilt associated with any culinary overindulgence.
39:19In fact, there's only one place so crazy, so totally wacko, that everybody has a party.
39:27Ultimately, a buyout from Marriott, and a heavy debt,
39:30signaled the end for this once-proud and beloved eatery.
39:34Number 11. Sambos.
39:36We ask you, what's in a name? Well, a lot if you're the controversially titled Sambos,
39:42where the original portmanteau of founders' names Sam Battiston Sr. and Newell Bonnet
39:47ended up leaning into some racially-charged territory.
40:00The chain's visual aesthetic was inspired by the book The Story of Little Black Sambo,
40:05which was one of the first to positively portray an African-American hero within children's literature.
40:10Once upon a time, there was a little black boy, and his name was Little Black Sambo.
40:14The 70s saw many franchises battling the public perception of the name and the decor,
40:19with many deciding to change their name. This trend lasted straight into the modern day as well,
40:24with the last operating Sambos, run by Battistone's grandson, changing its name to Chad's in 2020.
40:31Number 10. Little Tavern.
40:34If you can't beat them, join them. Perhaps this was the idea behind the structural
40:38design of Little Tavern, a hamburger chain that flourished in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan
40:43area for decades. By 1950, there are 50 Little Taverns in just Baltimore and Washington,
40:50just the Baltimore and Washington area, so he's doing very well.
40:53Their franchises were initially designed to closely resemble the popular White Castle
40:58and White Tower buildings that were in the area. However, eventually, Little Tavern would develop a
41:02Tudor Cottage-style design of their own that served to differentiate the restaurant from the other
41:07options. Although, Little Tavern would struggle after the original owner, Harry F. Duncan,
41:11sold the company in 1981. Little Tavern would limp on through the 90s, officially close up shop in
41:182008, and sell their recipes to the Laurel, Maryland location, which now operates as Laurel Tavern Donuts.
41:25There was a time in Baltimore where just about everywhere you went, you could always find a
41:30little tavern shop, but the last one has closed.
41:35Number 9. Doggy Diner. Never underestimate the power of a good mascot. This might be why the
41:41otherwise obscure hot dog and burger chain known as Doggy Diner continues to live on in the memory
41:46of Californians today.
41:57Doggy Diner had an adorable dachshund head that greeted guests to their chains, and it still exists
42:02today as a San Francisco national landmark. The San Francisco giants even adopted the Doggy Diner name
42:08to the hot dogs that they served in their park, offering further credence to the idea that if you
42:12faithfully serve your public with good food and great service, they'll remember and come back.
42:17By serving high quality food, it quickly became a favorite. Everyone craved the tasty Doggy Diner
42:25hot dogs, hamburgers, pastrami sandwiches, and extra creamy milkshakes.
42:30Number 8. Gino's Hamburgers. We've gotta give it up to the late former Baltimore Colts football
42:36star Gino Marchetti, because he took his restaurant dream and ran with it, which lives on in one form,
42:42to this day. That's because a new venture, Gino's Burgers and Chicken, is still operating at the
42:54time of this writing, although the original Gino's Hamburgers has sadly become a thing of the past.
42:59This was Gino's first attempt at selling food to the public, and actually did quite well on their
43:04home turf. Merging with another local spot, Topps Drive-In.
43:17It was when Northeastern expansion happened that Gino's Hamburgers began to struggle,
43:22eventually selling to the Marriott Corporation, which discontinued the brand in the mid-80s.
43:28Number 7. Lions. So you've probably heard the brand phrase,
43:34But how about, nobody doesn't like lions? Well, it turns out that quite a few customers
43:39did like lions, a chain of 24-hour diners that was the Sarah Lee Company's attempt at
43:44competing with Denny's. The earliest origins of lions actually date back to the early 50s,
43:54and many of the locations were centered around the California area.
43:58Just breakfast bargain every weekday morning.
44:01Hurry into…
44:03Lions, and eat like a king!
44:06But nothing lasts forever, with lions limping along to about 2012, then reopening three locations in
44:132015, before finally saying farewell two years later.
44:17Number 6. Delights.
44:20Let's face it, no one really goes to fast food restaurants for healthy eats. Still,
44:25that didn't stop Delights from trying to provide a healthier alternative, at a point in history
44:29prior to the bigger chains even giving a passing thought to lighter fare. The chain was founded in
44:34Georgia back in the late 70s, offering up healthier substitutions and ingredients in the land of delicious
44:40drive-ins and badass barbecue. In a way, Delights were pioneers, but they couldn't compete when the
44:46McDonald's and Burger Kings of the world also began serving up healthy alternatives. In an ironic twist,
44:52many of the remaining Delights locations were converted into Hardee's, which are probably one of the
44:57least healthy fast food options out there.
45:05Number 5. Wags.
45:08What do you think of when the Walgreens brand of pharmacy and convenience chains comes to mind?
45:13How about sit-down dining? Well, that was the idea behind Wags, a franchise of 24-hour
45:19diner-type establishments owned and operated by the Walgreens folks. They were around primarily
45:27during the 1970s and 80s, and tried like hell to compete with other big names in that market,
45:32such as Denny's. Unfortunately for Walgreens, the idea of eating in a place that shares similar
45:37iconography as the place where you grab cold medicine didn't take, and Wags was sold to the
45:42Marriott Hotel Corporation in 1988. Any remaining Wags locations were eventually shuttered and turned
45:48into places like Shoney's or IHOP. Number 4. Red Barn.
45:52There were few fast food chains that welcomed as many competitors as Kentucky Fried Chicken.
45:57One strong contender to the Colonel's throne was Red Barn, which at one point saw franchises in
46:02America, Canada, and even Australia. The folks at Red Barn liked to lay claim to being the first to
46:11pioneer a salad bar, and their fried chicken was deep-fried and prepared in pressure cookers designed
46:16exclusively for the Red Barn chain. The chain was eventually laid low by real estate interests,
46:28when its parent company allowed their leases to expire and ceased promotion and advertising for the
46:33brand. Red Barns closed one by one, with the remaining locations being turned into McDonald's
46:38restaurants. Number 3. Lums.
46:49Sure, you've all heard of a Big Mac or a Whopper, but what about an Ollie Burger?
46:54Many customers flocked to the Lums chains for this after it obtained the recipe in 1971.
47:03Many other family-style treats attracted patrons throughout the 60s, 70s, and into the 80s. The
47:09brand actually did pretty good for itself after humble beginnings as a simple hot dog cart,
47:13even managing to snag Hollywood icon Milton Berle as a spokesperson for a time.
47:27The bankruptcy of its parent company sadly led to Lums limping off into the sunset. But fear not,
47:33for a spiritual successor named Ollie's Trolley does exist in Washington DC. So head on there if you're
47:39searching for a little slice of restaurant nostalgia. Number 2. Burger Chef.
47:49You may be very familiar with all the main names in the fast-food burger wars out there,
47:54from McDonald's and Wendy's to Burger Chef. Wait, you've never heard of Burger Chef?
47:59You're gonna love our burgers. Open wide America, you never can forget. You get more, more, more to like
48:08at Burger Chef. Well, at one time, this fast-food brand was so popular that it had its sights set
48:15firmly on those golden arches. One of the reasons for its success? It was the first chain to offer a
48:21kid's meal. There's more to like at Burger Chef. You're incredibly better. The company even tried
48:30suing McDonald's when the Happy Meal was introduced back in 79, claiming the idea was too close to its
48:35own. The Burger Chef branding also included plenty of commercials, as well as a cast of cartoon mascots
48:41including, ahem, Count Fang Burger. The chain was sold by its parent company, with many remaining
48:58restaurants converting into Hardee's. Before we continue, check out this single from Soundmojo's
49:11album Balance, classical music reimagined as rock, hard rock, and metal. Check out the full track and
49:17album below.
49:31Number 1. Howard Johnson's
49:35On the road around the corner, here's the place to go. The orange roof of Howard Johnson's, join the folks
49:42who know. We've covered a lot of bygone restaurants during this list, but Howard Johnson's might be
49:47one of the most missed. That's largely due to its status as an icon of America, of the open road,
49:54of stopping for a quick bite to eat off the highway in the family car. I remember Howard Johnson's.
49:59We used to pile in the car as kids. Oh yeah, that's what they did. Let's pile in the station
50:04wagons,
50:05we're all going to Howard Johnson's. It's the sort of roadside attraction that, well, attracted so many
50:10diners to the chain, thanks to the restaurant's family atmosphere and warm, retro decor. Oh,
50:16and the clam strips. Definitely the clam strips. One Howard Johnson's, in name only, did hang on
50:28for years in Lake George, New York. However, many questioned its legitimacy, due to its different
50:33menu, limited hours, and the arrest of its manager for sexual harassment. It closed in 2022.
50:40How much would you pay for a final meal at one of these forgotten joints? Let us know in the
50:45comments
50:46below.
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