10 Restaurant Chains That Flopped

[mrjarrell]

I used to love the hot dogs at Lums and the clams at HoJo were a favourite. Liked their ice cream, too. Sad that all these places are now gone, some I like and others I never heard of or frequented. Chi-Chi's I remember going to once, wasn't impressed, so no great loss to me. I did like Sambo's and Steak and Ale, tho. Good eats and good prices. Sadly, there are more good old restaurants gone or going all the time. I'd kill, (well, maybe maim) for some H. Salt Fish and Chips.

HowStuffWorks "10 Restaurant Chains That Flopped"

 

[Bunnykid68]

I loved Burger Chef

 

[bobbittle]

Oh how I loved Chi-Chi's. Wish it was still around.

 

[MadMan66]

I was a fan of Flakey Jake's, though not on the list.

 

[stevee]

I miss the independent restaurants that no longer exist because the market is dominated by chains.

 

[mrjarrell]

I miss the independent restaurants that no longer exist because the market is dominated by chains.

There are tons of independent restaurants in the Indiana area. Loads in Indy and the surrounding counties, too. Maybe you need to get out more? Or hang out at Roadfood.com and look for suggestions.

 

[jontheturboguy]

Being from the west coast, Naugles and Pioneer Chicken were some awesome eats, now long gone.

 

[stevee]

I'm just expressing a little nostalgia for the old days when there weren't hardly any chain restaurants except maybe White Castle and Steak and Shake. I've seen a lot of good restaurants go out of business over the years. I remember when Burger Chef first opened and they only had three items. Burgers, fries and shakes for 15 cents each.

 

[chezuki]

Chi-Chis, Burger Chef, and Steak & Ale were the only ones I'd even heard of.

 

[HoughMade]

Kenny Rogers Roasters was pretty good.

Burger Chef was a fixture of my youth.

Chi-Chi's was a high-school go-to date place.

...and I like independent restaurants and frequent those which provide superior food/service for the money. Let the market decide.

 

[Fishersjohn48]

Chi-Chis, Burger Chef, and Steak & Ale were the only ones I'd even heard of.

You've never heard of Howard Johnson's? The clam basket was my favorite.

 

[Manatee]

Being from the west coast, Naugles and Pioneer Chicken were some awesome eats, now long gone.

Pioneer Chicken was the BEST! I think there is still one restaurant in LA. Church's chicken is the closest to Pioneer I can find around here.

 

[bacon#1]

Rax, best roast beef sandwiches.

 

[9mmfan]

Steak and Ale was the bomb! Just great food and decent prices.

 

[chezuki]

You've never heard of Howard Johnson's?

As a hotel, not as a restaurant.

 

[LEaSH]

Penguin Point was a great fish/chicken/slaw/ff chain. They had them around auto plants throughout michigan. Last sign I saw of one was in Anderson, In and i thought I was halucinating.

I need to go back and investigate.

 

[Fishersjohn48]

Penguin Point was a great fish/chicken/slaw/ff chain. They had them around auto plants throughout michigan. Last sign I saw of one was in Anderson, In and i thought I was halucinating.

I need to go back and investigate.

Pretty sure there is still one in either Warsaw or Wabash...It's one of those "W" towns.

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

Chi-Chi's was our favorite. I remember the Minnie Pearl's and the Kenny Rogers' but Chi-Chi's---we bemoan its loss almost weekly.

Towards the end, they did seem to slip and just gave up. Then, the stupid green onions

Bring Back Chi-Chi's!

 

[OkieGirl]

Godfather's Pizza didn't even make the list??? That was a Sunday evening staple in my youth...ummmm the rubbery cheese that draped from slice to slice. Yummy.

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

Godfather's Pizza didn't even make the list??? That was a Sunday evening staple in my youth...ummmm the rubbery cheese that draped from slice to slice. Yummy.

They're still around, aren't they?

Yeah, the web site shows one in French Lick.

http://www.godfathers.com/store-loc...ip[search_distance]=15&zip[search_units]=mile