FOOD NEWS
Failed Restaurant Chains We'd Like To See Again
BY Megan Hageman
Don Pablos
The Tex-Mex restaurant Don Pablos sprung up in Lubbock, Texas, in 1985 and won over patrons with its fresh salsa, made in-house tortillas, and tortilla chips.
By the '90s, Don Pablos was the second-largest Mexican food chain in the country, with around 120 locations. Unfortunately, the fiesta ended for Don Pablos in 2019.
Burger Chef
Burger Chef was a major player in the burger-slinging landscape in the '60s and '70s, reaching over 1,000 locations at its apex.
Following a slow decline and the conversion of most locations into Hardee's restaurants, the Burger Chef name was officially retired in 1996.
Beefsteak Charlie's
Opened in 1914 as a sports bar in Manhattan, Beefsteak Charlie's supplied its patrons with steak sandwiches and a side of horse racing memorabilia.
During its expansion frenzy, Beefsteak Charlie's eventually reached a total of 68 locations by 1976. Unfortunately, it would close its last doors during the mid-2000s.
Chi-Chi's
Chi-Chi's emerged in Minneapolis in 1975 as "A celebration food!" Armed with a menu of toned-down Tex-Mex fare, Chi-Chi's quickly spread across the Midwest.
The chain eventually filed for bankruptcy in 2003 and later that year experienced a hepatitis A outbreak tied to a Pittsburgh location, ending Chi-Chi's moment in the sun.
Howard Johnson's
Affectionately known as HoJo's, Howard Johnson's helped to transform the concept of roadside dining into what it is today.
It was beloved by travelers during the '50s and '60s, with over 1,000 locations nationwide. Sadly, its popularity declined in the '90s until it ultimately fizzled out in 2022.