20 Fast Food Chains From The 1980s, We Want Back

20 Fast Food Chains From The 1980s, We Want Back
Step back in time with our video, "20 Fast Food Chains From The 1980s, We Want Back," as we reminisce about the beloved fast food joints of yesteryear. Explore 20 iconic restaurants that once defined the fast food scene in the 1980s USA, from classic burgers to unique dining experiences. Join us as we take a trip down memory lane and revisit these nostalgic eateries that are sorely missed.
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[@EdsterIII]

I can't emphasize this enough.....the 70's and 80's had better music, better movies, better television, and better food. Oh and NO Facebook or X or whatever it's called.....don't care. Today's world 💩💩, the 70's and 80's, far better and more enjoyable.

[@backroad4167]

I agree fully and that was pre fb, internet and smart phones. The food, people , music and so on was so much better and fast food restaurants actually tried because they had competition and the cared

[@Lennox2638]

Agreed!

[@stiffrichard2816]

The country changed. No more roller rinks or bowling alleys, miniature golf, boy scouts... When safe and cheap drive-in theaters ended, it was over.

[@joshuaharper4439]

I so agree I so wish we could all go back in time and stay back in the 70s or 80s such a simpler time. The world has gone to the crapper nowadays.

[@udonsei5216]

Grew up in the 80s and 90s. I'd say it's the lack of heart, a quality sorely lacking in people these days. But that is by design, as it has been systematically bled out of people over generations through social programming. The entire concept of community was slowly eroded over time, through the compounding, cumulative effect of various changes across virtually every facet of daily life, at work and in the home. Essential to community are these very centers of casual, communal and most importantly, FAMILY-ORIENTED, recreation. Because what is more fundamental the concept of community than family? What is more crucial than family to the fabric of any society? Family-oriented environments and even just those catering for just children are all but extinct. Mom-n-pops' places, whether that means unique, non-franchise local family restaurants or small, general retail all succumbed to the campaigns of big box corporate brands to undercut and replace what were essentially individual features and fixtures of towns and communities over time. You can see the vibrancy recorded in these ads. Not just of the times, but of the people themselves. People were genuine, they were enthusiastic, they were optimistic. People were real. How nice it all was.

[@robertbarrows8847]

It should be remembered that many of these failures were caused by poor management, not customer preferences

[@toroneewebster6639]

True poor management and Corp greed shut most restaurants not because people didn't support them 😢

[@tizfrreecharm]

Poor management indeed; not unlike the Democrats control of many of our major cities

[@urbanurchin5930]

@@tizfrreecharm ......cry some more.....MAGA pu$$y.......

[@VickiTakacs.]

They made it look like poor management but it wasn’t.

[@JuneBaby01]

@@tizfrreecharm there's nothing like an old liar is it?...do you think people don't know what happened in the eighties...lol ...As you already know, the eighties were controlled totally by Republican Presidents, they were in complete charge of the house, senate, and oval office from 1981-1993, and RR's administration was the architect of corporate takeovers, Wall Street really came alive under him. He also broke up the "Bells" on behalf of outside businessmen... Ronald Reagan's administration on behalf of republicans and their business allies set everything in motion that has happened to this point, they brought us to this...that is also where the Republicans started the stacking of the Supreme court with traitorous justices...

[@clarencejacksonjr.]

I REALLY MISS Arthur's Treacher's😭I am not a fanatic for seafood, but their fish and chips were AWESOME! This is one restaurant I really wish would come back!

[@asullivan4047]

Unfortunately most food establishments don't serve genuine chips with the fish-!!!😭.

[@Visionary_Watcher]

The final one still exists in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio if you'd want to take a road trip there.

[@christopherstafford3437]

Some of the best times and food,nothing like today😢

[@HeathenTrucker]

They all went under because they WEREN’T the best. Lol

[@rationalbacon5872]

​@@HeathenTrucker They went under because America is run by shady banksters and they weren't in the club.

[@kenhill3230]

Burger Chef was awesome with their fixings bar. It was the go to place for us in the 70's.We had Quincy's and Ryan's here and the buffet was great. They are gone. Sambo's was a great affordable place also.

[@adriannegrillo8394]

I remember Sambo's for our place to go after Friday night neighborhood clubbing! I still miss it

[@blazet9860]

​@@adriannegrillo8394Yeah Sambo's. We used to go there when I was a kid in Missouri. I always got the silver dollar pancakes.

[@lucyhare5799]

Ryan's had the best ribeye steak. Miss them alot. Burger Chef was good too. Most of these l had not heard of or seen.

[@peter455sd]

Sambo's turned into Denny's

[@lindamccarthy8887]

I like how Burger Chef had Eve Plum (Jan Brady) in their commercials.

[@DriveInFreak]

I want the REAL Hardee's back.

[@protorhinocerator142]

The 1980 version of the Big Deluxe, and the 1990's version of their fried chicken. Me and a guy from work would go there for lunch and split 8 pieces of fried chicken for like $5. And it was really good fried chicken too.

[@thomascreary990]

Try to find a Hardee's today none in my area in piss ant Florida 🐜

[@elbolsillo]

That’s what she had mentioned. Earlier. Lol

[@LoriPayne-vq9rq]

I was a carhop at Frostop in Indiana in 1983. I have a paystub from there in my scrapbook. ❤

[@berylwhite2983]

We still have a frost top in Chrisman, Illinois

[@teilamoulin8256]

2 Frostop locations in NOLA

[@thecajunphoenix]

My Aunt Pat and my Aunt Peggy (RIP Aunt Peggy) worked at the Frostop in the New Orleans area. We still have a Frostop in the New Orleans area.

[@SW-in-S-FL]

there are a few out there still...la place (close to New Orleans) is one location

[@DarkElfDiva]

There was a Frostop in Janesville, WI, but I never went. Made the mistake of telling my father I liked root beer, so he made sure I never had any.

[@DrummerGrrrl]

WHY am I watching this at 3:00 a.m.? I can't get any burgers, fries, or anything tasty, really. 😢😂

[@carolinemcallister1473]

Don't watch food stuff at 3am. You won't sleep...lol! Get you some L-Theanine, and go to sleep.

[@ivycutler1907]

Melatonin

[@towadiwayajameson7487]

There is still a Rax Roast Beef in Ironton, Ohio.They've never closed and is actually one of the best restaurants in town!

[@protorhinocerator142]

clickey click Yep. There it is by the river. Gets good reviews too.

[@samcro6268]

I think we had one in our town in the late 80s. For about 2 years. I love it but apparently no one else here did

[@BadAssSykO]

My absolute favorite fast food restaurant in the 1980's was Rally's. I do miss them. Really wish the original Rally's would return!

[@kenhill3230]

We had them and Checkers here in the 90's. Very good burger joints that were cheap. They merged and left this area completely.

[@BadAssSykO]

@@kenhill3230, Checkers ruined Rally's. I dislike Checkers with a passion!

[@shawnthomas7404]

there are plenty of them still around.

[@VideosandMemories-qi4mq]

The only ones I have heard of are Burger Chef, Roy Rogers (because it was bought by Hardee's while I worked there), Quincy's, Howard Johnson's, and Arthur Teacher's Fish and Chips. Arthur I remember fondly, and how can you not love Quincy's "big, fat yeast roll?" I also noticed a lot of familiar faces in the original ads of those restaurants...

[@starrystarrynight52]

Arthur Treachers (first part pronounced tree, no offense, lol). Was my favorite for a long time. Best chicken and fries ever. I was so sad they closed the one near me sometime in the early 2010's (iirc). Heartbroken. When was a kid I loved the kid's meal they had at Burger Chef. I was a little nerd and the paper trays with the little holes in them for your burger, fries and drink, made my little heart happy. At the one I went to, they even had a freezer where they let kids have a free frozen juice treats.

[@lucyhare5799]

Every time they spoke of it they said tree chers, the only one that called it treachers was the host.

[@yossarian6799]

that surprised me too. We always said "treechers" and nobody ever corrected us. Burger Chef was already in decline when the "horse meat" rumors finished them off for good.

[@toomanybears_]

I still have a pizza pan from a Shakey's pizza that my dad lifted back in the 70's.

[@lucyhare5799]

I have a tiny root beer mug from A&W.

[@user-hk4hn2tv4o]

@@lucyhare5799I have one of those too! So cool

[@PatrickDKing]

Nice. I got some forks knives and sauce cups from outback i think.

[@edzarate3004]

My mom did the same.

[@Muskogee]

One just closed last year in Auburn, Alabama

[@kennethwilliams7697]

Howard Johnsons had the best clams strips on planet earth! We had one here where I was born and raised in Jacksonville, Fl. Every time we went I had the clam strips dinner with fries and slaw and some of the best dinner rolls this side of Heaven! I also remember going to Quincy's the food was good for a long time before they began to decline and disappear. And Buger Chef had really great burgers too, we used to love going there. Great memories! And announcer dude it's Authur Tree-chers not Trech-ers Fish & Chips!

[@blazet9860]

He'll yeah, I loved the clams too.

[@smittyfan01]

Shakey's pizza was a family favorite. We had one here in Idaho in the 90s. Alas, it closed up shop as the 2000s hit. It was an all-you-can-eat pizza buffet and salad bar, and you could sometimes make pizza requests if it wasn't too busy, or depending on the staff. The fried potato slices were amazing. Seems like my siblings and I used to dip them in the chocolate pudding. I think we probably dipped everything in the chocolate pudding. :)

[@GeeEm1313]

Wait. Roy Rogers is still around. They have like 30-40 restaurants, mainly in MD and VA. Majorly delicious food.

[@dsmithsmith-jc2iu]

I absolutely LOVED Roy Rogers cheeseburgers. Used to go there for lunch when I worked at Lord & Taylor in Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, IL in the 80's! Weird how I often think of that food. Might say, obsessed!

[@lucyhare5799]

I worked at Montgomery Wards in San Antonio when Chic-fil-A showed up. We loved it and lived the food, but being new, the lines were often very long. We never caught the correct name though, we called it chic a fil.

[@josmbrake]

As an Indy native who grew up in the 70s and 80s, I loved Burger Chef!

[@unchainyourbrain3312]

Same here

[@blazet9860]

I was born in Indiana, so yeah I remember Burger Chef.

[@bgm2658]

Also born in Indiana and had Burger Chef almost every day!! Loved the Apple turnovers all of the food was delicious!!!❤❤❤❤

[@benthead]

Treacher' Fish and Chips , or any place that can reinvent this classic treat.

[@Diane_Phoenix]

I have a fish n chips recipe that is nearly identical to Arthur Treachers

[@PatrickDKing]

@@Diane_Phoenix Make a video of it, post it, and we'll all watch it. 🙂

[@eze9057]

The last one is still operational in Cuyahoga Falls . Ohio. My home town. Loved eating there in the 70s. Malt vinegar on my chips please 😀

[@pokebowl1679]

Mafia themed pizza place Godfathers. A&W drive in. Straw Hat pizza. Swenson’s ice cream.

[@TexasProbate]

My first real job was at a Swensons… I started scooping ice cream then I worked my way up to the fountain bar and finally to the back making ice cream. It was a great experience.

[@mikeslechta6607]

We still have an A&W.

[@tid418]

Godfather's is still around. There's one two miles from here.

[@lashandayoung3663]

They bought Swenson's back to Ohio a few years back.

[@RubyRenegade]

There are still a&w in Michigan quite a few actually

[@DrummerGrrrl]

Chuck E. Cheese was one of the circles of Hell.

[@markriffey8899]

Good memories of Shakey’s. As a 13 year old, I could play a few games of PacMan and buy a pack of Marlboro’s from the vending machine, all for under $2.

[@rickstalentedtongue910]

Hooligan!

[@Naltddesha]

Nice

[@Muskogee]

Shakeys closed last year in Auburn, Alabama

[@jamesmadison9244]

@@Muskogee There are still a few Shakey's pizza in the Seattle suburbs. They have the name, but none are in the original configurations or ambiance they had in the 80's.

[@katefoyder506]

I live in Montgomery County MD. Roy Roger's is alive and well throughout the west side of the state

[@MrVvulf]

I grew up in Howard County and remember both Roy Rogers and Gino's (from the 1970s and 80s). Our county soccer team used to play your county team (The Montgomery Mustangs/Ponies) several times per year. I'd wager Bruce Murray is still ranked as the best player from there.

[@katefoyder506]

@MrVvulf I am originally from Baltimore country and used to go to the Roy Roger's on Reisterstown rd near Painters Mill. That one is gone of course

[@MrVvulf]

@@katefoyder506 Not far away at all. I was in Columbia from '69 until I left for the military in '85.

[@yossarian6799]

We've still got a location here in the Lehigh Valley, in Allentown, and about half a dozen other locations in Southeastern PA.

[@sheridefelice3734]

Worked at Roy Roger's on Long Island in the early 90's.

[@davidestrich7055]

How could you forget "Ferrells Ice Cream parlor"?

[@jaysonspears464]

Or Swensons ice cream parlor...

[@richardvinsen2385]

Most of them closed in the 80s.

[@JackWebb128]

Farrell's, yes, good one.

[@TexasProbate]

My favorite birthday location was Farrell… I forget what that was called where they had the guys run through the restaurant with like a stretcher with a giant bowl with like 80 scoops of ice cream in it. The whole table would just dig in… These days too squeamish about germs and such, but it was the best as a kid.

[@townhall05446]

How could you forget how to spell it correctly?

[@cindydaniels3964]

Remembering Big Boy in Bethlehem Township,PA.

[@newportdave1872]

I'm from Kittanning. Been to Bethlehem many times.

[@barbarachippel2214]

We have Big Boy in the Wilkes-Barre,Scranton PA areas. Good food and ice cream.😊

[@cindydaniels3964]

Nice to know someplace Big Boy still exists.Really miss the statue standing there greeting everyone.

[@blazet9860]

I remember one, but not where. It was frisches big boy.

[@Neil-ht8fv]

@@blazet9860 I worked at Frisch's Big Boy resturant as a teen back in the late 60's. To this day, I haven't tasted a better burger than Frisch's Big Boy. 🍔🙂

[@anniecbee]

We still have a Frostop in Huntington, WV. In fact, one of your photos shows ours, with Cabell Huntington Hospital right behind it. So good.

[@TheSleepingonit]

I should check it out I'm in Welch WV

[@TheSleepingonit]

Ugh 83 miles each way, is it worth that drive?

[@djgrimm64]

"Down at the Frost Top"

[@anniecbee]

@@TheSleepingonit It’s good, but I wouldn’t say it’s that good.

[@terranceakerson3480]

I live in Minnesota and go to Zantigos at least twice a month. Absolutely love it, the meat is real unlike Taco Bell and the chilitos are amazing.

[@rickstalentedtongue910]

Shame on you, it is politically incorrect to call them chilitos, they are now known as chili cheese burritos. Racist!

[@loveistruth5713]

Do you remember when we had Rocky Rococo's Pizza the best $2.50 slice of deep dish heaven

[@rkarnes6304]

How did you miss out mentioning "A & W Root Beer stands"! I grew up on their root beer floats and "teen burgers"!

[@HDCalame]

A&W still has locations open. There are two or three in my city. They share space with Long John Silver's outlets. They are some of the worst run fast food restaurants ever.

[@katsmeow6946]

There’s at least one in Utah. Decent enough for a burger place.

[@BehindBars1958]

Yeah ❤

[@jefferyfite7122]

I miss the Red Barn. The Barnbuster burger was really good. Tartar sauce on a buger was unique.

[@Andrew-bb3lc]

The chicken at the Red Barn was pretty good too.

[@jefferyfite7122]

@@Andrew-bb3lc It was. My father used to bring home their coffee in those old style winged fold out handle paper cups. Those seem like a pretty good idea for our current times. I wonder why no one uses them today.

[@jayfeder8217]

I went to SHAKEYS in Lancaster, CA while stationed at Edwards AFB IN THE MOJAVE 1973

[@lorisheppard5916]

My dad told us to the one in Cal City When we lived on the base in the early 1970's when he retired we started going to the one on Ave I, I kept the going for bunch a lunch even taking my husband and kids. they only have one left it's in Palmdale. when I come down from the Bay Area I always go have bunch a lunch.

[@mamajoe7715]

There is still one in Buena Park!

[@dwill123]

Back in the day SHAKEYS had probably the best pizza of many of these spots (except Pizza Hut of the same era).

[@SayahRose]

Shakeys bunch o lunch was the best

[@teresaschneider6726]

I love Shakey's Pizza. I eat everyday, when vacation in California. Yummy. There is no Shakey's left on the east coast, So sad. I hope Shakey's o.e back to the east coast. 🙏 ❤🎉😊

[@PhillyMJS]

Spotted a couple pre-fame celebs in some of the commercials for these places. That was Gordon Jump from WKRP in the Shakey's Pizza commercial, and Eve Plumb from the Brady Bunch was the Burger Chef counter girl. Milton Berle was in the Lum's commercial, but he had been famous for decades when he made those.

[@jlohmann13]

Good eyes. I also recognized a few.

[@Joel-iu8yx]

Bridgemans ice cream is that Darryl from Newhart and Jeff Bridges?

[@Joel-iu8yx]

Also Officer Shiflett from Newhart in that Zantigo commercial?

[@Joel-iu8yx]

Uncle Leo from Seinfeld in that Arthur Treachers commercial too?

[@thewavewitch3238]

I was thinking the same! Wasn’t sure if I was right or not though. Thx!!!

[@bweaver760]

I did not see half of these fast food joints ever where I have lived! You should state what area of the country these restaurants were in operation!

[@yossarian6799]

Many were regional. The video tells you where each chain was founded, so you can usually gather from that what part of the country they were in. Some regional chains not mentioned in the video were Danver's Roast Beef (better than Rax) in the Tennessee-Missouri area and Mrs. Winner's Fried Chicken in the Southeast and Gulf Coast. Foster Farms was a popular chain in California's Central Valley.

[@mikeweber3685]

Yeah, they should have only covered national ones.

[@occheermommy]

Naugles was the best. They were open all night and in my area that’s where u would go after the HS football games on Friday and after parties on Saturday night. There would be hundreds of people in the parking lot. It wasn’t the same when Del Taco took over. The food isn’t near as good. I never got a chance to try the new one. It wasn’t a drive thru and there was only one. Man this brought back so many high school memories I don’t remember Weston’s but I remember that jingle of double double cheese cheese burger burger please.

[@thomasfolio7931]

The Ground Beef Burrito was a bit greasy, but good, and four or five times the size of what you get at Mexican Drivethru places today.

[@shibolinemress8913]

There was a Lum's in Dayton, OH, which we liked when I was young.

[@DrummerGrrrl]

We had one in Falls Church, VA. Mannnnn, those red baskets of French fries were sooooo delicious.

[@TheSleepingonit]

I wish Shakey's was still around , I would go there now

[@CykaBlyatAlex]

Still pretty prominent in Southern California. Several locations in Tokyo too

[@TheCkent100]

A friend texted me tonight. We're planning on meeting for lunch at Shakey's (San Gabriel location) tomorrow.

[@bobina05]

There's one in Renton, WA and Oroville, CA along with a whole bunch in SoCal.

[@biancagerade4229]

I loved puppin Taco back in the day me my friends used to love it it was very inexpensive food was very good

[@aaronj.brooks1977]

I remember Pup N Tacos from back in the days when I lived in mid city area of Los Angeles they had good food like chili dogs, chili burgers, and their slushes were really great

[@immoraldiscipline]

I was born and raised in L.A. and used to love Pup 'N' Taco when I was a kid. Here's another chain that you might remember- Pioneer Chicken.

[@paulbegley1464]

Even Taco bell and Burger King were a lot better during the 80s. But that was most fast food joints

[@scottpeterson7500]

Much love and happy memories of Howard Johnson's restaurant in Bristol CT 🥰🥳😋

[@blazet9860]

Howard Johnsons had the best hot dogs.😊

[@AtriaMojo]

The Frostop in the video is the one I've been to in Huntington, WV and it is very much still running. I think it's location across from the hospital, also seen in the video, to the right has been why it's lasted so long. Their food and root beer are great. I stop by every time I'm in town.

[@WarriorSmurf]

There's one Roy Rogers location in the city of Frederick here in Maryland, right off the highway. I love how he kept.mispronouncing Arthur Treacher's despite the commercial clips constantly correcting him. That's another feanchise that was loved here in the DMV area.

[@landanwoodard7569]

Taco Bell was awesome in the 80s now it's complete GARBAGE. Godfather's pizza had melted cheese a inch thick !!. McDonald's was pretty darn good too. Miss Winners fried chicken was fire. This world has gone to hell.

[@jeffthekillercriticremixer5968]

I used to love Shakey's it was the best deal and the first restaurant to offer all you can eat pizza

[@rickstalentedtongue910]

Buncha lunch

[@stiffrichard2816]

I was a kid in the '70's so maybe I remember the Whopper looking bigger to me, but my parents swear it was huge compared to today. As a teen in the 80's, I remember that flame-broiled taste but since the 2000's or so it's become bland. Like McD's, something changed.

[@PatrickDKing]

I noticed wendys patties getting smaller compared to the buns too. Burger king also had the best fries in the 90s, imo.

[@RWildekrav66]

True about the BK whopper

[@10054760]

True, you needed two hands to hold it.

[@tjn2254]

Burger King went to trash

[@protorhinocerator142]

@@PatrickDKing And for a while they had those breakfast bagels. Sausage egg and cheese, bacon egg and cheese, or ham egg and cheese. So much better than the croissants. One time I was super hungry and had them make a sausage ham bacon egg and cheese bagel. So good.

[@Pneuma121]

H. Salt Fish and Chips! Original British recipe. Missed so much!

[@samiam619]

My parents who traveled around the UK many times says that H. Salt was better than ANY chip shop they went to in England!

[@Linda-pw8gx]

Oh I loved pup n taco it was so cheap yet great fast food! Miss u guys❤

[@forevertj]

competition is not what closed these places. If competition is what closed these restaurants, then all mom and pop stores would not exist.

[@stiffrichard2816]

It was just the rising cost of living put the crunch on everything. Can't have travelong carnivals anymore either.

[@Sec970]

Shakey's -delicious pizza. Quincy's -best yeast rolls.

[@paulbegley1464]

I don't believe that we had any Red Barn's here in California but I did eat at one in Casper Wyoming . And it was great. Loved the burgers and the fried chicken. But that was back in the late 70s and early 80s

[@briansheets3996]

I'm from Springfield Ohio. Rax Roast Beef was awesome! Makes Arby's look like junk.

[@kennethfisher1617]

Ate there all the time, used to get the BBC beef, bacon and chedder, 3 times a week.

[@williamjeffersonclinton69]

Naugles. Man, I remember this when I was a kid in California in the 80s. So good. Naugles and Bobs Big Boy were the powerhouses where I grew up. Big Boy lasted longer than Naugles.

[@edzarate3004]

Miss not having Shakey's in my town used to go for the buffet can't beat the chicken and mojo potato wedges. I went to Los Angeles last summer and made a point to eat at a Shakey's down there still tasted as great as I remembered.

[@DarlaFeste]

There are still Shakey’s near me with pizza, fried chicken & mojo potatoes. Pup’n’Taco was my fav as kid, loved the taco burger that was taco meat, shredded cheese, lettuce & tomato😋

[@RealBarefootIsLegal]

Why was Pioneer Chicken not represented? I think it would fit right in.

[@immoraldiscipline]

I used to love their fried chicken livers when I was a kid.

[@calebwilliams7659]

There's still a bunch of Shakey's restaurants open all over greater metro Los Angeles including one across the street from Disneyland. I also recently ate at the one in the Fairwood section of Renton, WA.

[@tinglelingaling6]

From birth to 13 years old we moved all over the US. Finally settling on the west coast in 1980 even then we moved up and down the west coast area.. I've been to Sambows quite a few times. And Howard Johnson. We had one Rax in my town. A friend worked there. It wasn't there very long though. I had set up 5 blocks away from Arby's. I can't believe I didn't run into others on the list. I do miss old burger joints, drivings etc.

[@deraykrause4517]

First and last time I was rude to a fast food worker was when I was 4. It was a Red Barn, and the last time we went there, they didn't give us straws. Which pissed me off. So the next time we went, after my parents ordered, I slammed my hand on the counter and said, "And don't forget the damn straws"! After we got back home, my mortified parents gave me one of those delightful 70s ass whoppings we're all so nostalgic about.

[@pi-sx3mb]

Arthur Treachers, Wetsons, and Lums combined could eliminate the illegal drug trade.

[@ditackett]

I loved Arthur Treachers. We had one still in Operation up around the Cleveland Akron OH area not too long ago. I didn’t know it had closed. I’ll have to check on that.

[@samadamms3432]

The Ginos in NJ in the 70’s sold KFC chicken, before they opened their own stores. Most of the Gino’s became Roy Roger’s, and then they all closed too.

[@thesaltycrone9237]

My first job was working at Gino's....loved the Hero Burger

[@samadamms3432]

@@thesaltycrone9237 - I kind of remember the buns being covered in sesame seeds.

[@valerief1231]

Living in Texas I’ve only experience a couple of these like Shakeys here, I heard of Kenny Rogers and Roy Rogers but never even saw one lol. Now I moved to Florida in 1986 and ate at Rax, I thought for sure it was an Arby’s knock off, but they must have already been in financial trouble because before long the one I was familiar with in Winter Haven closed and then a popular local diner moved in to the building. Oh, I do remember HoJo’s as a kid on road trips and it was really good, and Sambo’s was so similar to Denny’s when I was a kid I couldn’t tell the difference once inside the restaurant.

[@KoKiSprout]

I grew up with Roy rogers!

[@yossarian6799]

Who needs all those other fakakte places when you had Whataburger and PANCHO'S? I'd kick a puppy right now for Pancho's chicken enchiladas and turkey flautas. I grew up in PA and we'd trek down south to Baton Rouge to visit relatives every few years and we'd experience unfamiliar chains like Pancho's, Danver's roast beef (better than Rax imho), Piccadilly cafeteria and my favorite, Mrs. Winner's chicken & biscuits. My sister moved to Florida in '77 when she started college and every time we'd visit, I'd drive my parents to distraction begging them to take me to Wuv's, which sadly was gone by 81/82.

[@howardoller443]

Great memories of Burger Chef and Lum's. :)

[@villain68]

I remember there was a Shakeys pizza place somewhere near my town. My brother had a birthday party there. I think he was 3 or 4. Now he's 54.

[@rkirschner7175]

Burger Chef and Jeff. Had one down the road. Small town Michigan. Walk over at 10 years old. Ole Tacos. Best taco meat burritos.

[@jamesgrandt8194]

😮 I remember VERY few of these joints and patronized even fewer. Arthur Treachers being a notable exception. Loved the fish and chips.

[@jameshileman9326]

I loved ❤ Sandy's !!! So sad to think things were better in the past. Aren't we supposed to get better as we go along? 😮

[@chrisj2991]

We had a few Roy Rogers here in CT- the last ones were in Derby and one in East Haven- both closed around 2004. They are now Wendy's

[@ReallifeBambiDeerattheFarm1]

I loved Frostop! Had one just blocks away from my childhood home in the 80's. Best burgers and ice cream in town. The last year it was open it lost it's franchise and was something else. I think it went completely out in the late 80's or early 90's. Now it's a concrete slab. Miss that place.

[@goldengnome1951]

i had my first bacon cheeseburger at Roy Rogers. They didn't have that place where I lived. I have never forgotten it- it was SO good. I don't even eat them anymore, but I think I had the best.

[@clarencesmith2305]

From this list of fast food joints only three were up here in the Pacific Northwest AKA Portland Oregon. Shakey's Pizza, Sambo's and for a very short time Kenny Rogers Roasters. I never heard of the rest of them until I started watching you tube videos on the subject.

[@urbanurchin5930]

A chain from the Pacific Northwest that is missed is Skipper's Seafood. They had the BEST all-you-could-eat fish, fries, and chowder every Tuesday night !

[@clarencesmith2305]

@@urbanurchin5930 I was just going by what they had in their list. Don't forget (yes it's still alive and kicking) Burgerville. That's not counting all the one off mom&pop joints. Oh just remembered Arctic Circle there is just one in Woodburn Oregon.

[@jameshaynes7062]

​@@urbanurchin5930 Also miss Sea Galley

[@Outlawstar79]

ahh yes Burger Chef, this was a far better spot to hit other than McYuckies. We went there a lot when I was a kid and how I loved going. They were bought out by the ones whome run Hardee's/Carl's Jr. They bring back the big Scife every so often but you will need access to a Carl's Jr to grab it. General Foods had backed Burger Chef for a long but when they pulled out to focus on general food production that left the door open for a buy from the fore mentioned Hardee's/Carl's Jr.

[@urbanurchin5930]

......additionally, there was a murder of four employees at a Burger Chef that was never solved. The bad publicity helped hasten the closure.

[@aagold76]

Eve Plum- aka Jan Brady, in the Burger Chef commercial.

[@asullivan4047]

Interesting/informative/entertaining. Enjoy viewing the old fashioned establishments & pictured food products😉. No mention of " Auto Mats " that were once in (N.Y.C.) & ( Chicago) . Have eaten at several of those establishments.

[@kamanama3671]

Swenson’s Swiss orange chip ice cream it had a beautiful chocolate orange flavor. It was so good.

[@scottpeterson7500]

I always enjoyed eating at the Roy Rogers in Bristol CT, excellent 🥰🎉

[@MegaPinkwhite]

We used to enjoy Roy Rogers, Lums and Howard Johnson’s in Milford CT

[@TheSleepingonit]

There was an Arthur Treachers in my hometown of Old Say brook CT

[@sharonherzog5740]

Oh I loved Shakey's pizza. We have one in Houston that I go to sometimes. Del taco was bought out bt Taco Cabana. so so many they didn't touch

[@scottpeterson7500]

omg! So many happy memories of eating at Quincy's with my family in Mobile Alabama 🥰🥳🥩♨️

[@angelad3347]

Had a Burger Chef down the street from my house! I remember their kids' meals with chocolate sandwich cookies! (At least I hope my 6 year old memory didn't fail me!)

[@RedBud315]

They still have several Shakey's in the L.A. area including 2 of the ones I went to in the early 70's. Although it was founded in Sacramento, the closest one to Sacramento is Yuba City about 60 miles away.

[@NDR-hn3ue]

I remember Howard Johnsons and Wetsons as a kid ....................................The food was GOOD

[@charlesbriscoe6952]

There is an open Frostop in Huntington, WV and there's an open Roy Rogers in Front Royal, VA.

[@kreh1100]

I hate that we lost so many of these great places 😢

[@glenncorpuz4324]

FYI!!! Sharkey's Pizza is thriving in the Philippines. In fact, I used to work for one of their stores in Manila when I was a graduating college student as a food server until I was promoted to the Shift Manager position when I graduated in college. Now that I'm living in Canada, I can just recall some of the happy memories I've had with Sharkey's.🙂

[@rkarnes6304]

I found a "Shakey's Pizza" still in operation in... Singapore, YES, during a series of business trips I took there in 1997 & 1998. But they did not have the eponymous barbershop quartet of singing banjo players!

[@yossarian6799]

Kenny Rogers Roasters were alive and well in Malaysia years after they closed here. But sadly, they're gone now.

[@henrycain8249]

Taco on a bun from pup n taco was my favorite.

[@DazedandInsane]

Better times all around. 80s had character

[@IndianaJoe0321]

My buddy's central Illinois parents remember eating at Shakey's Pizza while local band REO Speedwagon played (before they became famous).

[@jayem1826]

Arthur Treachers. Love that fish and those chips. We have Shakey's in Cebu along with Kenny Rogers

[@user-yt2ur1fp4z]

I remember most of them we had a burger chef and rax in my hometown of Anderson,In.

[@blazet9860]

I was thinking of Rax roast beef. Used to be one in Kissimmee, fl.

[@Mike-vn7ys]

There is full Frostop at 411 E Airline Hwy, Laplace, LA 70068. Giant mug and all. I also think I saw another one but I could be mistaken.

[@teilamoulin8256]

Metairie, LA

[@otakuryoga]

still one in operation in Huntington WV in fact the one they show in the video at 3:30 is that one

[@Mike-vn7ys]

@@otakuryoga Thank you.

[@yossarian6799]

There's still one in Baton Rouge, catty-corner to the River Center parking garage.

[@joelozano6391]

We have a Sandy's still open in Austin Texas. It is always busy...

[@JaneDoe-ov1hb]

The only places I've ever even heard of from this list is Shakeys(I miss them),Sambos and Howard Johnson's (I recall eating there as a kid when we stayed at their hotel).Memories

[@lray173]

i'm from nyc and I have never heard of most of these food chains. i will say that wetsons and arthur treachers fish and chips were amazing. i miss them.

[@carolinemcallister1473]

Shakey's was the hang out! Good times!

[@Aldamiras]

I've eaten at Shakey's Pizza in the SF Valley at Van Nuys numerous times. Their pizza, coupled with Mojos, salad and pitchers of Michelob dark was high on my list. As far as Del Taco I only ate there a few times. I have no memory of eating at Pup& Taco even though there was one in Van Nuys.

[@sgt_slobber.7628]

I grew up in the 80s, and most of these places I’ve never even heard of!!!!!

[@Linda7647]

I honestly haven't heard of half of these places. But I do remember Rax and miss that place. They had the best milkshakes until, in the 90's, they decided to change their milkshakes to yogurt shakes, in an attempt to serve up something 'healthier'. Stopped going after that. If I wanted healthy food, I wouldn't have been at a fast food restaurant in the first place. I also dearly miss Sisters Chicken & Biscuits. What a great place that was.

[@richardvinsen2385]

I think the peak for Shakey’s Pizza was the 70s. By the 80s most, if not all, of them in the Chicago suburbs were gone.