Dining Down Memory Lane: 20 Classic Restaurants from the 1990s We'll Never Forget
By Jack Ripley | March 20, 2024
Planet Hollywood
For every McDonald's or Subway, there were a few restaurants that weren't quite as successful. Though some made a big splash when they first arrived, they fizzled out as times - and customer tastes – changed. Embark on a nostalgic journey through time as we reminisce about the beloved eateries that defined the dining scene of the '90s. If you can still remember when "Seinfeld" and "Friends" ruled Thursday nights and renting videos at Blockbuster was king, join us on a look back at the forgotten restaurants of the 1990s that we still miss.
Imagine seeing Madonna's iconic bustier or Rocky's boxing gloves just feet away from your table. Those of us who had the chance to dine in a Planet Hollywood location had this experience. Planet Hollywood was essentially what happens when you combine a Hollywood museum with a restaurant. Bruce Willis, Sylvester Stallone, and Arnold Schwarzenegger were among the early investors. They even showed up to unveil new locations and donated some of their costumes and film memorabilia.
Planet Hollywood was more than just a restaurant, though. Many people came just for the souvenirs, which they bought from the on-site stores. Just like the Hard Rock Café, Planet Hollywood offered shirts, jackets, glasses, and other souvenirs. Most featured the chain's blue planet logo on the front, along with the city's name. While there were dozens of Planet Hollywood locations in the '90s, the chain is down to just three today.
MaggieMoo's
Looking at the MaggieMoo's logo will help you see why so many people still love this chain. Juel and Katherine Tillery named the ice cream chain after a cow on a nearby farm. Their daughter nicknamed the bovine MaggieMoo, which seemed like the best choice for their concept. Though the couple opened multiple locations in the Kansas City area, it really grew when they started selling franchises. By the end of the decade, MaggieMoo's had nearly 100 locations.
The franchises also signaled a major problem with the chain as the couple didn't know how to operate or fund them. They sold the company to a new owner, but MaggieMoo's went through many other owners in the coming years, which led to new spots opening and closing. You can still grab a sundae, shake, or cone, but it's harder to find a MaggieMoo's location today.
ShowBiz Pizza Place
Chuck E. Cheese wasn't the only joint that offered pizza and a show. During the early 1980s, a competitor emerged in the form of ShowBiz Pizza Place. When it opened in 1981, this chain gave parents the perfect place to take their kids. Not only could they grab a pizza and drinks, but they could keep their kids entertained with the fun arcade games. ShowBiz later added animatronic shows. It's no wonder so many '80s and '90s kids had their birthday parties there!
Despite its success and the addition of a new and more modern logo, ShowBiz didn't exist much beyond the early '90s. The chain merged with Chuck E. Cheese and saw all its restaurants rebranded. If you want to re-create your ShowBiz Pizza Place memories today, head to your nearest Chuck E. Cheese. You'll find some of the same animatronics and games.
Casa Bonita
Mexican food was hot in the 1980s, but more diners preferred traditional sit-down restaurants to fast food. One of the big names that opened in this decade was Casa Bonita. Based out of Oklahoma City, Casa Bonita was different. In addition to an extensive menu of Mexican dishes, customers also enjoyed a live show. The Denver location was an iconic landmark where diners watched cliff divers as they ate.
COVID-19 restrictions led to Casa Bonita closing down, leaving local fans heartbroken. The heartbreak grew even more when the website went offline, and the owners announced it wouldn't reopen. Luckily for fans, Matt Parker and Trey Stone stepped up and bought the restaurant. The creators of "South Park" had memories of eating there. They even used it in several episodes of their show. While some of its locations remain closed, you can still enjoy the Colorado Casa Bonita.
The Official All-Star Cafe
The success of Planet Hollywood led to a host of imitators like The Official All-Star Café. It hoped to do for athletes what the other chain did for actors. Ken Griffey Jr., Andre Agassi, and Wayne Gretzky were just a few of the pro athletes who jumped on board as investors. Fans lined up around-the-block to step inside the first café in Times Square, which opened in 1995. Shortly after, two more restaurants joined the chain.
As with Planet Hollywood, The Official All-Star Café had tons of memorabilia on display. Fans could view uniforms, hockey sticks, tennis rackets, and much more before or after they dined. Many of the menu items featured sports terms and player names, too. Sadly, the chain couldn't keep guests entertained. The last café closed in 2007.
Roy Rogers
Roy Rogers is one of the only restaurants from the '90s that experienced success long before that decade. Named for the "King of the Cowboys," the chain launched in 1967 as RoBee's Roast Beef, an unfortunate name that only lasted for a few years. The owners partnered with Rogers to use his name and likeness in a chain of roast beef restaurants that would compete with Arby's.
The biggest thing most diners remember about Roy Rogers restaurants was its “fixings bag.” Once you ordered, you grabbed your sandwich and headed to the bar to add all the toppings you wanted. To keep up with the times, the chain slowly shifted its focus from buildings shaped like wagons to modern structures. Though you might think Roy Rogers is a thing of the past, there are still more than 40 locations in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and other states.
Souplantation
COVID-19 had a major impact on the restaurant industry as it changed the way people ate. One of the biggest casualties of the pandemic was likely Souplantation. Founded in 1978 with just one location in California, Souplantation offered a unique concept at the time. Diners could choose from up to eight different types of soup along with baked potatoes, some baked goods, desserts, and even pasta dishes. The restaurant encouraged guests to eat all they wanted.
During the pandemic, many cities banned self-serve stations due to concerns about spreading the virus. Souplantation closed most of its locations and later filed for bankruptcy. A new owner swept in and bought the rights to the name with plans to open a new one in Arizona. Currently, the only way to enjoy Souplantation is through the memories of former diners.
Kenny Rogers Roasters
Kenny Rogers took a real gamble when he lent his name to a chicken chain. Known as the Gambler, Rogers was no stranger to cooking. He even released a cookbook before Kenny Rogers Roasters opened in 1991. Unlike other chicken chains that sold fried chicken, this restaurant offered chicken roasted over a wood fire. Not only could you grab the pieces you loved the most, but you also had your choice of sides, including macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, macaroni salad, and baked potatoes.
To keep up with changing tastes, Kenny Rogers Roasters expanded its menu to include grilled chicken and even turkey. Those changes weren't quite enough, though. The chain changed hands multiple times and dropped to just one location in the United States. If you want to taste Kenny Rogers Roasters chicken today, you'll need to grab your passport and head overseas.
ESPN Zone
Entertainment restaurants were huge in the 1990s. Why settle for a normal restaurant when you could go somewhere with a live show or fun games? That's why Art Levitt came up with the idea of ESPN Zone. Levitt's idea called for a large restaurant on Pleasure Island in Disney World. Though its location changed, it opened in Florida in 1996 with more than 10,000 square feet of TV screens that allowed diners to watch sports from around the world.
A new chain of restaurants sprung up around this concept that opened in major cities. Plans even called for a new restaurant to open every 120 days. Those plans fell through as more people stayed home during the recession. ESPN Zone limped on for a few more years until it was down to two restaurants, both of which closed in the early 2010s.
Steak and Ale
Steak and Ale helped diners have a fine dining experience at a fast-casual price. The chain opened in 1966 in Texas with a steakhouse theme. Diners stepped inside to find dim lights, an extensive menu, and a quiet atmosphere. It became so popular that others used it as inspiration for their own restaurants. Once Pillsbury bought the restaurant, things changed. Steak and Ale went from a classy steakhouse to a modern place with a pub feel.
One of the main dishes on the menu was a prime rib coated in herbs and slow-roasted, which became its signature dish. To keep up with trends, Steak and Ale added lunch specials and early evening options that gave diners a free dessert and drink with select meals. Though Steak and Ale closed its doors in 2008, many fans hope it will make a comeback.
Rainforest Cafe
For many kids, no special occasion was complete without dinner at the Rainforest Café. Though it was one of the many entertainment restaurants that popped up in the 1990s, it offered diners something different. From the moment you walked inside, you felt like you were in the middle of a real rainforest. The décor included bricks painted to look like rocks and artificial plants and leaves around every corner. There were even fake birds hidden in the foliage. Some locations also had waterfalls and live shows.
Topping it off were the animatronics. Imagine sitting down to a meal while seeing tigers, monkeys, elephants, and other wild animals playing nearby. By the end of the '90s, the Rainforest Café had 11 locations, including its flagship restaurant in the Mall of America. Though not as popular today, the chain still has a few restaurants in the U.S. and overseas.
Little Tavern
Getting a burger today is easy, but getting a Little Tavern burger is a little harder. Little Tavern opened in 1927 with one small restaurant in Louisville. Though it later expanded into Washington, D.C., and other cities, each restaurant had the same design. It featured a bright green awning on a small brick building. The interior was just big enough for a few tables as most diners took their food to go. Little Tavern even used the slogan “Buy 'em By the Bag” to encourage diners to buy multiple burgers.
Little Tavern continued growing through the 1980s, but the end was near. By the middle of the 1990s, financial issues led to many locations closing. While you won't find any left today, you can head to Laurel Tavern Doughnuts. This former Little Tavern has and uses the original burger recipe.
Chi-Chi's
You can't think of Mexican food in the 1990s without thinking about Chi-Chi's. Chi-Chi's was the place to go for birthday celebrations. Not only did the restaurant give the birthday boy or girl a rousing song as the waitstaff gathered together to serenade them, but they also got their picture taken while wearing an enormous sombrero. Chi-Chi's opened in Minnesota in 1975 and was named after the nickname of the owner's wife. It didn't take long for new restaurants to open across the country.
Chi-Chi's was popular throughout the 1990s with its free chips and salsa and a huge menu. It featured everything from burritos and enchiladas to fried ice cream, which was how many diners ended their meals. While the only Chi-Chi's that are still in operation today are overseas, you can grab its corn mix and other products from your nearest grocery store.
Charlie Brown's Steakhouse
Like many other steakhouses, Charlie Brown's Steakhouse opened as a traditional restaurant. Booths were small and intimate to help diners enjoy the soft music and low lighting. As it grew from one New Jersey location in 1966 to dozens of locations across the country by the 1980s, the menu and atmosphere changed. Charlie Brown's Steakhouse turned up the lights and adjusted the music and menu to create a place that welcomed families and groups.
Most diners loved the prime rib and the house salad, which had a unique red dressing. The menu also featured chicken, burgers, ribs, seafood, and multiple salads. By the early 2000s, most Charlie Brown's Steakhouse restaurants shut down. Even changing the name to Charlie Brown's Fresh Grill didn't help. The chain filed for bankruptcy and closed the last restaurants after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hot 'n Now
Even if you don't remember Hot 'n Now, the chances are good that you passed by a few of these former restaurants. Known for offering burgers and other simple dishes, Hot 'n Now wanted to get food out quickly. Many locations had dual drive-thrus that could accommodate two lines of cars at the same time. Most did not have space inside to eat, but others had both a walk-up window and a seating area. All its restaurants were fairly small, with a tall roof that slanted forward.
Though Hot 'n Now had restaurants in 15 states, its rapid expansion caused financial problems that led to the owners selling. Burger Time later acquired the chain and kept the last two restaurants in Michigan open. To experience the best of Hot 'n Now, head to Sturgis, Michigan for cheesy tots or an olive burger.
Pizza Haven
Pizza Haven entered the restaurant market at a time when pizza was primarily a dish you went out to eat. When it opened in Seattle in 1958, locals loved that they could pick up the phone, order, and have it delivered to them. Drivers even carried pizzas in warming ovens in their vehicles and waited to see where they needed to go. This cut down on the wait time and made Pizza Haven even more popular.
Though Pizza Haven experienced success through the 1990s, the introduction of new chains led to some financial problems. Diners preferred ordering custom pizzas to getting whatever the nearest driver had on their truck. The owners slowly began closing locations. Pizza Haven said its final farewell in 2012 when its last location in the Seattle Center shut down, leaving its menu as a fond memory for Washington locals.
Mighty Casey's
If you lived around Atlanta in the 1990s and wanted a big meal, you went to Mighty Casey's. From the moment it opened in the 1980s, fans lined up to snag some of the meals. Known for having large portions, Mighty Casey's offered an alternative to the other fast-food joints of the time, many of which began focusing on smaller portions with fewer calories. The Grand Slam was a leading favorite as the burger came topped with a house-made sauce, Swiss cheese, and ham with a choice of other toppings.
Diners also loved the Frosty Orange, which was an orange milkshake, and the onion rings, which workers battered and fried to order. There was even a breakfast menu for early risers. Sadly, Krystal bought Mighty Casey's in 1994 and turned the existing restaurants into Krystals, leaving this chain just a lingering memory for many.
La Petite Boulangerie
French for “the little bakery,” La Petite Boulangerie introduced many Americans to the world of French cafes. It opened in the 1970s in California and expanded to two locations, but it wasn't until PepsiCo purchased the company that more people had the chance to sample its dishes. PepsiCo franchised the restaurant, letting owners open new locations in the Midwest and later on the East Coast. A series of ownership changes led to the chain becoming defunct.
Despite La Petite Boulangerie being a thing of the past, diners still fondly remember its menu. It had a reputation for making donuts and bread from scratch, like its braided loaf and yeast rings, which became a holiday staple. Gourmet cookies were also available, including peanut butter and chocolate chip.
Geri's Hamburgers
Don't worry if you can't remember Geri's Hamburgers. Though many people have fond memories of the chain, it only had locations in Wisconsin and Illinois, which made it a staple for some Midwesterners. Launched in 1962, Geri's took inspiration from McDonald's in both its design and menu. Unlike other fast-food joints where you sat and ate, Geri's encouraged you to take your food to go. Most locations only had an order window and no tables or chairs.
In 1981, the parent company went out of business, but that couldn't stop the independent locations. Several continued operating and expanded their menus to include more than just burgers, fries, and shakes. A few even opened in new buildings with standard seating. Despite the classic burgers on the menu, Geri's Hamburgers couldn't compete in the modern market and closed for good in 1999.
Dive!
While serving as the chairman of Disney Studios, Jeffrey Katzenberg, along with Steven Spielberg, came up with a unique restaurant concept: Dive! Located in Los Angeles, it became the focal point of the Century City Shopping Center. How could it not? Nowhere else would diners find an enormous submarine painted neon yellow. You couldn't walk or drive by without the restaurant catching your eye.
Backed by two of the biggest names in Hollywood, it's not surprising that Dive! became popular with the celebrity crowd. Actors and models loved hanging out. Dive! was popular enough that just a few years after opening, the owners launched a second location in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, neither restaurant could survive the changing celeb tastes. The Los Angeles location closed in 1999 while the Vegas spot lasted through the early 2000s.
