The Decline of Rainforest Café...What Happened?

[@tremorsfan]

The same problem that every theme restaurant faces. Once the novelty wears off, all you're left with is mediocre food.

[@defrozendonut8715]

Very mediocre I remember the food sucked

[@Charlottemodel2]

Yeah, even as a kid I remember the food being subpar. And I grew up eating Denny’s so that’s saying something.

[@softjones3128]

@@Charlottemodel2dennys rules

[@icarus-wings]

Mediocre is generous. The spaghetti was equivalent to waterlogged noddles with ketchup.

[@tremorsfan]

@@icarus-wings I had the "city of gold" which was farfalle and cheese.

[@m.streicher8286]

I built this place up in my mind as a magical realm because my mom would never let me go in one. The mall entrance to a rainforest cafe was mystical

[@fatuusdottore]

Lmao, it does seem mystical.

[@Tallyhallfan420]

My little kid brain was so mesmerized with everything and got a panda plush I still have it and yeah fond memories

[@yesipan]

Same. We never went in cause it was so expensive and now as an adult I've been trying to convince people to go with me.

[@unholyalmond]

@@yesipan We never were allowed to eat there as a kid also, due to the cost. Now that im an adult I wouldnt eat there either due to it being expenive.

[@DoubleSmackJacksSmackAttack]

Lol this was the exact same with me, the mall one was the Gurnee Mills one in Illinois

[@bretttimmons2653]

Starting in 2009 I took my kids (divorced dad) to the Rainforest Cafe every year for the first week in September for at least 6 years. Both the kid’s birthdays were that week. Even when I thought they would want to go somewhere else they clamored for it throughout grade school and early Junior High. I bought all the plastic plates with the referenced characters. My kids knew them all. And would fight over their favorite plates back then. I miss going there and it will always hold a special place in my heart.

[@SamWiseTheGrey]

That is really sweet.🥰 That will be something I’m sure your kids will remember and hold in their hearts forever. My Dad would do McDonald’s Happy Meals for me every other Wednesday while my Mom was doing college night school. My parent’s still have the huge bin of happy meal toys. I will always remember the one on one time with my Dad too. Good on you for creating core memories with your kids.🥰

[@Vid_Master]

Thats cool!!

[@garyfrancis6193]

Is everyone in America divorced?

[@mtadams2009]

As a divorced dad I can completely relate to you. My daughter and I both have fond memories of many places.

[@illiciumverum6149]

​@@garyfrancis6193 yes

[@Daggett]

My biggest memory of Rainforest Cafe was passing by it at the mall countless times, seeing the giant aquarium tank archway and thinking "Man, that must be expensive to maintain".

[@Dime_time333]

I'm sure your 11 year old brain totally.thpught that. Unless you're an ultra.boomer

[@pogonomyrmexrugosus6240]

I thought the same thing.

[@walterwhite1]

And clean

[@jennesis2]

My fondest memory of the Rainforest Cafe in San Francisco is eyeing it in wonder as my parents rushed past saying “Wayyyyy out of our budget,” then eyeballing it with longing again as my brother and I split a bowl of clam chowder across the street. 😂

[@Tecuexe415]

Thats the only location ive been to being a native of SF. Tbh the food was shit and the only cool thing was that gorilla and thunder sounds. Everything else seemed gimmicky to me even as a kid

[@ChrisAnderson-ik8bo]

2 SF locals in the same place? I gotta take advantage of this. I've traveled the world but never been to SF. What makes SF special compared to anywhere else? And is it's fall from grace in the public eye over the last several years capable of being reversed? How do you feel about SF in 2024... I hope y'all answer back. The only thing any of us know about SF is what's in the news and everyone in media who gets asked these type questions never really answers. They just give generic answers like "it's special". Yea, I get it's special. The question is WHY and WHAT. If your interested in learning something about rural Alabama, I'll answer any questions you want in trade.

[@Tecuexe415]

@@ChrisAnderson-ik8bo Whats up brother. Heres my take: SF is a unique place due to the way the city is structured in terms of being a melting pot with different neighborhoods, cultures, and types of architectures. Its a place where different worlds/bubbles mix into one bubble (SF is its own bubble in the Bay Area). The views are one of a kind with its scenery, its very lively and vibrant lots going on and places to see. Good food spots too. Definitely has character and one of the best cities ive seen in the country let alone the world (and ive traveled a lot). However, the picture they paint of the new SF in the media is true in certain sections of the city like the Tenderloin, Civic Center, parts of downtown, etc. This has been exacerbated by the tech industry take over that started in 2013 by Google (pricing natives out, gentrification etc), then the pandemic, fueled with the influx of fentanyl. On top of that, loosey goosey liberal policies and political corruption. Its changed a lot since I remember as a kid growing up in the 90s. Its now filled with more tech nerds and transplants but some of its soul is still present. Regardless though, I recommend visiting SF at least once theres no place like it. Just steer clear of certain areas at certain times and you’ll have a good time. This is coming from a native who grew up in the inner city south east but spent time all around SF my whole life. Hope this helps. Cheers

[@Tecuexe415]

@@ChrisAnderson-ik8bo i replied back to you with a long paragraph but looks like KZbin deleted my comment. Lmk if u got it

[@ChrisAnderson-ik8bo]

@@Tecuexe415 Im afraid not but I've seen what your talking about. I tend to get wordy on KZbin comments sometimes. Don't know why it happens. My best guess is that the page or server "times out" or something like that then when you hit "post" that automatically refreshes the page which deletes it... Not a big deal. Just spur of the moment curiosity that I have about everything. If you get bored and want to try again, go for it. However, I am just a stranger on KZbin. I probably wouldn't go out of my way to try again if I got deleted like that. Especially after putting up a bunch of effort once already... Godspeed. Keep your head up. It's a crazy world out there.

[@_diamondlt345]

we need that guy who visited all rainforest cafés

[@sophiathekitteh]

Eddy Burback?

[@repet-]

Ted Nivison?

[@SlapStyleAnims]

The cram salesman

[@GlennJimenez]

@@sophiathekittehthink it was him right?

[@Obozo_Gaming]

​@@GlennJimenez Eddy Burback and Ted Nivison visited them all together. Each of them made a video on their journey.

[@Labyrinth6000]

It’s almost a common trope that anytime a restaurant has a very specific theme that’s highly impressive, the food is always generic or low quality. Seen it on other videos as well.

[@MikeFarnhamGalaxysEdgeGroup]

welcome to Disney

[@TimmyTheTinman]

The entire budget went to the theming

[@rubyy.7374]

@MikeFarnhamGalaxysEdgeGroup Disney’s food just plain kills people 💀

[@amdonut8091]

*cough* Olive Garden 🙄🤚🏻

[@FireStick-nu4pn]

The price was never worth it! That’s for sure!

[@jeremiahmiller6431]

It's like any place relying primarily on novelty to draw customers: once the novelty is gone, so are the customers.

[@jdstep97]

Like most relationships.

[@sirBrouwer]

in a way it might work better if the café would travel with a traveling circus, outdoor festival or carnaval. they work in that exact niche. Because they are only there for short people want to visit them and do it now as next day/week they are gone.

[@mrconroy4672]

I do think it was possible for them to re-invent themselves but by then it was already too late.

[@TomikaKelly]

It would've worked better as a pop-up café.

[@jonjt7411]

Thier food SUCKED!!!!! WORST food at that price point point anywhere good riddance!!

[@thomaslong8401]

As a divorced dad I would take my two kids to Rainforest Cafe, late 90s early 2000s. The food was fine, the cocktails were great, but most importantly the kids had fun and loved it. My oldest apologized to me recently for me putting up taking them there. I assured her that it was all good.

[@JTA1961]

Well put...and... obvious effort into upbringing

[@schalitz1]

As a 2000s kids rainforest cafes were legendary! Whenever I'm near one I'll go in and order a beer just for the nostalgia, plus you get to keep the pint glass!

[@SEMIA123]

Just before my parents divorced, we all went to rainforest cafe. My dad had crohns, so theres things he couldnt eat and when they brought us the food, they left things on he couldn't eat. He opted to start screaming at the waiter "This is simply WRETCHED! JUST TAKE IT AWAY!" while the thunderstorm started and all the animals started hooting and hollering.

[@happycamper4thewin]

That, my friend, is an awesome story!!! 😂😂😂

[@namrufmot]

Not sure if that was a sad or a happy memory but damn I laughed when picturing it

[@Running9750]

Your Dad must've been some Storm God that day

[@grxzzly94]

so what you saying is your dad is Thor and youre a demi god ?

[@PurppCalx]

Holy shit dude I am crying I’m so sorry 😭

[@seankurkjian4096]

Are you telling me Ted and Eddy didn't save the rainforest?

[@andy56duky]

No, but they do eat those items off the menu.

[@PeacefulZealot]

I mean they got one sale out of that video. My wife and I went to the one in Orlando Springs on our honeymoon since we’d just watched that video and wanted to go for the hell of it.

[@Tiger_Simple]

Eddie Burback simultaneously ruined their reputation while also making the best roadtrip video ever

[@HardPourCorn]

Exactly. I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought this.

[@MattGOG666]

​@@HardPourCorn "exactly" to an opinion is crazy

[@SergeantSlender26]

REAL

[@thisisleatrying]

for real 😅 it’s one of my favorite videos of all time but i also would never visit there at this point for anything but a joke

[@SparklingWalrus]

Eh they’ve always had bad food

[@Miami543210]

As a middle-aged man, the rainforest Café and T. Rex are hands-down my favorite places to eat. I just love the atmosphere. It’s dark. Fun. Great food. And just a happy atmosphere. I love seeing the families there. I am blessed living close to Orlando, so I can go to T-Rex whenever I want. I love seeing all the happy tourists.my wife and I also still enjoy going to the rainforest Café, which is also at Disney and in Fort Lauderdale. It’s a great concept that is not outdated to me. It’s just a lot of fun.

[@lizbecker1677]

I agree! I never get tired of this place. I love the barstools.

[@its_deann257]

I live near Orlando too, I had so many good memories as a kid going to rainforest cafe after a night in downtown Disney

[@Foggycallabasashillshelicopter]

Unfortunately you are not 99% of consumers

[@Tenebarum]

I thought the one at Sawgrass closed. Maybe I'm thinking of Wannado City.

[@MitchZro]

This is the best CompanyMan comments section to date. I used to go here EVERY YEAR for my birthday. It was always a delight 🥰

[@bigbearkat2010]

I went to one of their locations when I was 12 and all I remember was watching these two crabs in a tank kill a fish and scooping out its eyeball. One of the waiters noticed and was like "whoa that's not supposed to happen, that fish cost 600 bucks" so I can see where Landrys maybe didn't think the live animals was a practical use of money.

[@therealsteel1634]

That's fuckin hardcore 😭

[@ASRMN27]

Metal af

[@piogal34]

Oof, wild! Crabs will mess you up. 🦀

[@hugegamer5988]

If you think that’s bad, wait till you see the expression on the crabs face when they get the bill.

[@trueblueclue]

So that's where the Krabby Patties come from

[@jg_in_hd]

When I wore my rainforest Café shirt from Las Vegas to my fifth grade elementary school, I was the coolest kid in class

[@DeuteriumLicious]

that's a helluva flex

[@arugulaempire8779]

@@DeuteriumLicious Dang right.

[@DarkPrincessOfLight]

awww I went to that one too to celebrate my birthday

[@canamrider07]

Our family went to the one in Vegas, my kids were probably your age at the time. Had to wait in a long line but had a good time.

[@jg_in_hd]

@@canamrider07 I don’t remember how long we waited, but I do remember it was long enough to go look at the lions inside of the casino

[@fatuusdottore]

I think the biggest failure of their characters is that there's nothing particularly distinctive about them, they just look like random animals. If you think about characters like Mickey, etc. or even Japanese characters like Hello Kitty and Pikachu, they're all highly distinctive and stylised. Rainforest Cafe animals are not. Even Chuck E. Cheese got that "restaurant Mickey" concept better.

[@Dj.D25]

True, those animal characters don't have an iconic or recognizable look to them. Maybe if they were made more cartoonish or cute rather than realistic looking, it would have helped.

[@UndyingNephalim]

That Tree Frog will forever be burned into my brain and to this day I still associate tree frogs with this restaurant. But you are right, I didn't even realize the animals had their own names for nearly 30 years until this video.

[@carlrood4457]

It's called anthropomorphic. Giving human characteristics to non-human characters. It was a complaint about the Lion King remake that the CGI animals weren't as expressive as in the original where they got more human-like features.

[@90ejb]

​@@carlrood4457We know what anthropomorphic means. We're saying the animal characters don't have any uniqueness or human personality traits/ character traits which is the definition.

[@KyleEvra-15]

You are right about that.

[@youtubeletmeintoyoutube4580]

When I was 9 this place felt like the most magical place in the world. Used to beg my mom just to look around in there.

[@KrazyKuno]

I miss going to this restaurant. My ex and I were cardholders and would visit the Costa Mesa and Anaheim locations multiple times during the year. We were young at heart so the concept never really got old for us. The food was good, we enjoyed the service, and the merchandise was decent quality. Unfortunately with how much rent had gone up in malls etc. first the Costa Mesa location closed, causing us to visit the Anaheim location since we had passes to the local theme park. Then the Anaheim location closed due to a failed hotel which never got built, and I'm still sad about how the location owners said that they would assist in finding a new location for the restaurant, but it never happened. I hope that in the future something can be done to bring these back, but I have doubts that will happen.

[@konnakeke]

8:00 I used to work at the rainforest cafe in Illinois, part of working there was having to literally memorize the wild bunch, I’m not kidding! And I got that job in 2022! They’re still trying to push these characters even today, it’s hilarious

[@UmmYeahOk]

Worked at one in TX. They introduced figurines in 1999, and in 2000, changed the figurine to the pose-able ones. I thought it was funny they they STILL sold them, even still have “2000” printed on the bottom. And about a decade ago I mentioned it to a pathfinder who was restocking them. I felt like that bit of knowledge might be enjoyable to her. Few months later they changed them! Same casting, only bizarre rainbow colors. Maya was my girl, so I bought her as a blue Jaguar with purple and green spots and out her next to my 2000 and 1999 ones. I think they later went back to the old 2000 color scheme, but it’s still the same exact ones from 24 years ago!!!

[@pleasestopscreaming]

The one at Gurnee Mills? Or is there another. That's the one I visited as a kid (in the 90s, stereotype fulfilled).

[@konnakeke]

@@pleasestopscreaming yes!!

[@victorylane24]

Do you still have them memorized? 🤔

[@UmmYeahOk]

@@victorylane24I haven’t worked there in 24 years, but yes. I remember their names. Just not their personalities/story. I’d hope the guy who worked there 2 years ago remembered.

[@ZEKESPILLEDINKMUSIC]

What happened is that, when you take away the "WOW!" factor of the visual presentation for the Rain Forest Café restaurant and store, what you're left with is shockingly overpriced food and drinks that can either be made at home or served elsewhere without hurting people's wallets.

[@sentryogmixmaster]

you people are too poor to appreciate and enjoy nice things.

[@ironrey8]

@@sentryogmixmaster No. We just want better value, it makes no sense to overspend on a substandard product.

[@Labyrinth6000]

Pretty much the story of every niche themed restaurant.

[@HumbleAshe]

Yeah, those entrees were pretty expensive, which does dampen the mood a bit.

[@ganymedehedgehog371]

You can make any restaurant food/drink at the fraction of the price at home. Sounds like a complaint against restaurants, not just rainforest cafe.

[@mcduane71]

8:00 Don't you EVER question my undying love for Bamba the Gorilla, Cha Cha the Tree Frog, Mya the Jaguar, Ozzie the Orangutan, Iggy the Iguana, Tuki the Elephant, Rio the Macaw, and Nile the Crocodile to my face EVER again!!! /s

[@NeoAstrisk]

Disney adults got nothing on us Café kids.

[@oliviawhaley4427]

YES! I was taken aback when he said he bet we couldn’t remember their names and characters. I was obsessed with them!

[@5000chickens]

cha cha from the hit show The Umbrella Academy

[@DriverNeku]

Ted Nivison alt account spotted

[@mcduane71]

@@DriverNeku you got me

[@PollyAlice2000]

My parents took me to one and I was absolutely thrilled with it! I mostly remember the birds! They were SO beautiful that I asked my dad if they were real, and him saying yes, and my mom saying that many birds who live in rain forests have bright colored feathers. Right up until today, I still love to see them filmed in nature shows and to see photos of them in books. I can understand why the founder was interested in showing people these amazing birds! As an adult, I think it’s better for them to be left where they are found in the wild, unless their habitat is being so endangered that they need to be moved to make it. I think that for many children, seeing the birds at the Rainforest was a first introduction to ecology and issues about ecology. This is a very very happy memory from my childhood. I had Volcano Cake for dessert, of course! Yum!

[@calmfy1406]

When i was a kid, the talking tree used to scare the hell out of me 😭

[@nickr688]

Same here but nowadays I can only get off when I’m thinking about Tracy the Tree

[@calmfy1406]

​@@nickr688 :(

[@skwayne_]

Forreal!😂

[@luxerhusku2609]

All I remember about this restaurant, growing up as a child, was this being presented on PBS a lot! I can still remember that line: "Rainforest Café! Proud sponsor of PBS Kids!"

[@sabrina.natalie]

*Made possible by viewers like you* 💕

[@flamingwolfx]

@@sabrina.nataliethank you

[@TarouMyaki]

Love your icon!

[@luxerhusku2609]

@@TarouMyaki Thanks! I like yours as well! :D

[@Alicious_Al]

Thanks Eddie and Ted. Their video was awesome (now I need to pay a visit to my local RFC before it goes away).

[@dagnabit27851]

I took my nephew and niece into the lobby of a Rainforest Cafe once just to look around. I was holding my niece in my arms and my nephew was just old enough to walk on his own but still pretty small. He took one look at the face in the talking tree and lost it. I had to pick him up while holding his sister and book it out of there as fast as possible because he was terrified. I'd never been to one before and haven't had the chance to go back since.

[@GODCONVOYPRIME]

I don't blame him.

[@amdonut8091]

Omfg!!! 😭😂

[@RegionalRadioShackManager]

Common L

[@michaeljeffery7466]

This is similar to me, when my parents took me after I finished eating; too much might I add & the animals started making noises. The commotion gave me motion sickness & I threw up everywhere.

[@skwayne_]

That tree was scary. It didn’t help that it was,at least in my mall,hidden behind a rack for kids to get spooked by it. Fun times😂

[@rrad8106]

That takes me back! I was living in Tampa Bay when the RFC opened on the Disney property. RFC became the "Go-to" place for when family came in and wanted to see what Downtown Disney had going on or if my company wanted to have a central-FL meeting. It was fun and quite enjoyable for that time.

[@Towuwa-f5x]

My brother and I celebrated our birthday twice at the Rainforest Cafe in San Francisco. I always loved the wild, jungle atmosphere and the animal animatronics, and the volcano lava cake was one of the best restaurant-themed cakes I ever had! It’s too bad that it closed down, but it made sense that the place couldn’t keep up with their massive maintenance budget and the ridiculously expensive mortgage near Fisherman Warf. If they had better marketing tactics to attract modern crowds, like maybe replacing the animatronics with scenes of documentaries of rainforest fauna and collaborate with wildlife organizations for animal awareness, they probably could have survived for a few more years.

[@Saintnick90]

I've never been to a Rainforest Cafe, but I actually do a remember seeing quite a few kids wear those T-shirts. Not as popular as Hard Rock Cafe, but still enough for me to have recollection of it, despite having never been there. Having the ability to sell shirts to promote your restaurant while you eat is such a great concept. In the Santa Cruz, California area, we have a chain of restaurants called Pizza My Heart ( a reference to the Janis Joplin song "Piece of My Heart") where you can get a free slice of pizza if you purchase a T-shirt for $7, which includes not only the restaurant's logo but also the city where you bought it from. It must work well because I see those shirts even outside of Santa Cruz.

[@kstern5218]

We love Pizza My Heart! It’s always fun to spot someone in one of those t-shirts.

[@prettypic444]

Eddy Burbank can only eat so many safari fries…

[@GlorianaLovejoy]

Whereas Ted Nivison, on the other hand, would prefer ALL his fries to be of the Safari variety, even when dining in other non-jungle themed establishments. Yet their friendship endures...

[@Danube-TV]

Eddy Burback went to like, every single one of them a couple of years ago if I remember correctly

[@warrenrhinerson6373]

And it nearly drove him insane. He also went to every margaritaville a year later

[@Equinoxes_Gaming]

Ted Nevision as well

[@jliller]

I'm eagerly awaiting the next Eddy-Ted lunatic roadtrip where they eat at every location of a famous but rare restaurant chain.

[@andrewbuhman1066]

I recall going to the on in Mall of America. Incredible experience as a teenager. I still remember the waitstaff coming out with the volcano xaje and yelling "Volcano!" Then there was the thunder and lightning, and all the animitronic animals started going crazy. I miss that. I haven't been there in years...

[@andrewwinarski9525]

I opened the one in franklin mills mall in PA 1999. Man what a great time that was

[@king_tiger5263]

Eddy Burback and Ted Nivison both went to every Rainforest Cafe and Margaritaville. Both fun videos to watch.

[@OllieRamone]

They haven’t been to the Margaritaville in Boston yet since it opened after their trip and the Margaritaville in Vegas closed earlier this year.

[@real_attilathehung]

I worked my last shift at the Downtown Disney location in Orlando last week. Joined the Navy. But I'll always remember the experience I had working for Rainforest. Corporate is terrible and greedy but the restaurant itself is still a great experience.

[@EdwardSnortin]

If you think this place is terrible wait until you work for the government

[@real_attilathehung]

@@EdwardSnortin I've done both before. They're not terrible. Every place has its bullshit. It's how you tolerate it or handle it that makes the experience.

[@Outlawstar0198]

​@@real_attilathehunggood luck with your career in the Navy!!!!

[@real_attilathehung]

@@Outlawstar0198 Thank you!!

[@Outlawstar0198]

@@real_attilathehung keep us updated how it goes! That way I'll keep returning to this video and checking in!

[@Sweetestsadist]

There's only so many times one can be impressed with an animatronic alligator.

[@UmmYeahOk]

You should be impressed with how they cage up the one in Dallas every night. I know the real reason there aren’t any more live birds. Oh, and he’s a crocodile BTW.

[@noytelinu]

Not if you are Ted

[@UndyingNephalim]

That phrase kind of sums up 90's culture in a nutshell. Just a non-stop onslaught of trying to impress people with one and done "innovations."

[@pulaski1]

Does "so many times" include "zero"? I think it _does._

[@GlorianaLovejoy]

As a Florida resident who has worked at multiple tourist traps featuring many animatronic gators (and dinosaurs)(and flamingos), I can tell you there have been MANY folks who were impressed! Yeah, a lot of them were sheltered Christians, drunk frat boys, or overly polite grannies, but STILL!

[@elaine447]

I LOVED going to Rainforest Cafe as a child, no matter how many times I'd been there, because the atmosphere was just so cool and immersive, and because I liked to look at the toys and stuffed animals in the gift shop (my family actually had quite a bit of merchandise with the mascot characters). Funnily enough I don't remember the live birds AT ALL even though that's the only era I ever went in. I either never noticed them or they left no impression, crazy to think they were spending so much money on them. I'd go back to Rainforest Cafe in a heartbeat if there was one near me :(

[@Solsev]

We've been to Disney and Downtown Disney (or whatever they call it now) on many occasions, and that RF Cafe was always packed, crazy that it closed.

[@NathanSpies]

I’m sad to see rainforest cafe decline I love this place!!! I wish they could come back strong and open new locations :(

[@TheBobaJames]

Hard pass

[@vaderladyl]

In this time and age, people don't appreciate whimsy anymore. All is white, gray and black, with no life in it, nowadays.

[@commandershepardmessiah3345]

A new one opened in Malta of all places a 3 years ago.

[@rubyy.7374]

@vaderladyl What’s ruining whimsy is corporate greed. More than ever, people would appreciate an escape from our present reality, but gimmicky places with their underpaid staff and horrible service are just a reminder of how horrible things have become.

[@vaderladyl]

@@rubyy.7374 you are so right!

[@ce6ej]

They had one of these at the Eastwood Mall here in NE Ohio back in the day. I LOVED this place!!!

[@logix6866]

I remember going to a rainforest cafe once as a kid in the 90s, and it was amazing! Honestly, I thought it had shut down. I do want to say that I still drink out of a huge purple coffee cup that my mother bought at their store.

[@rolfathan]

I love the idea of a Rainforest Cafe. Make two or three, then the next ones would be differently themed. Fry's electronics (RIP) with all of its different themes drew me in to every location that I remotely got close to. When I found out they were going under I went on a road trip and went ahead and included a few locations in it for good measure. I went to two Rainforest cafes, and felt like I really got the full experience. They needed to be different from eachother to keep me interested.

[@azninvasion]

Back in the late 90s, one of them opened up in a nearby mall in NJ. I was in HS and it was a big deal to take a date there because it was considered top of the line. Yeah, let that sink in. I remember they had a Valentine's Day special, which was $15/person and when I walked in with my "date" we saw our whole class in there. Goddamn we were so cool back then lol

[@aprichman]

I was just at the one in Mall of America, I never got to go to one as a kid so when I had a chance to try it out when heading back from a business trip I decided to go for it. It was kind of fun but the food quality was bad and you could tell the servers were overextended. Notably, it was pretty crowded there around lunch time. It definitely felt like a place to take your kids and I was a middle aged guy eating by myself so felt a bit out of place 😅

[@nicolasnamed]

Yeah my friends and I got drinks and apps at the one in Disney Springs, granted I just assumed it was busy cause Disney

[@JL-sm6cg]

That one is still there? I didn't see it when I was there last April.

[@aprichman]

@@JL-sm6cg I was there in late June of this year and it was packed with families

[@thrasherx2k1]

Food is good, that location must just suck

[@DaleErnieMichael]

@@thrasherx2k1 Can't speak to other locations, but yeah that one sucked. Went there once when I was like 8 and even then I thought it was bad enough that I still remember it 20 years later.

[@YpnOrozco]

The abandoned Rainforest Cafe in downtown Chicago looks depressing af

[@Mxnst3rMutt]

It was gunna become a dispensary lol

[@KTJohnsonkidThunder]

I totally remembered that one.

[@Bob-B-.]

First rock n roll mcdonalds, then rainforest?

[@gregkareem9824]

Stop cursing its a sin dude

[@KTJohnsonkidThunder]

@@gregkareem9824 You tell me someone who hasn't said "shit" and I'll tell you someone who's full of shit. Like you, your family, or any of your acquaintances haven't uttered profanities before.

[@Halfendymion]

Eddy Burback happened

[@tubersloth]

LMAOOO

[@dongyongkim]

he may have convinced a whole group of people to shit post irl and go there though 😂

[@Hippoopi]

I have a wonderful memory from the Downtown Disney Rainforest Cafe probably from the 2010 timeframe. I was there with friends. We were seated in the elephant area. We had a playful waiter who would yell out random things when the room went into action. We laughed with him and talked about yelling things. The next time the room went off I yelled as loud as I could, “STAMPEDE!!!!” The waiter and other staff doubled over with laughter. Other diners were laughing. It was an amazing evening. Then they changed the dipping sauce for the coconut shrimp and I didn’t like eating there anymore.

[@moopert86]

They needed something beyond just the theme to hook people. Get them to come in with a unique experience, get them to come back because you offer a meal that's worth the cost. Never went to one, but it seemed really cool seeing the restaurant.

[@midwestmommyfiles4379]

The food they serve is literally what you get in the freezer section. My kids, husband and I were disappointed ☹️

[@sentryogmixmaster]

so you went there for the food? you went to... _The Rainforest_ for the food. were you expecting fried chimpanzee or grilled tiger hearts or some chilled monkey brains? 😂

[@mjc8248]

The food isn't really good or bad it's just blah. Every time I go there, I hate myself afterward, lol. It's so expensive for microwave dinners you can make better and cheaper at home. I don't mind paying a premium if the food is good but rfc ain't it.

[@Lecksite]

this channel is so good even if i never heard of the company i still watch the vid

[@skeletalSir]

My family has a fairly consistent story of what I was a kid and we went to the Downtown Disney Rainforest Cafe. Big family trip and I was 4-6 years old. There was a big snake animatronic in the ceiling that does some idle movements. But for me I didn't see it initially and freaked the fuck out when I saw it. Frozen on the spot and doing just a sustained scream. Year after year we'd go again and the story would be said, and despite my embarrassment about it, I do actually have fond memories of going. My final time going as a highschool senior and having one final chuckle about how the snake animatronic actually looked. Especially when it no longer did the idle moments to reduce maintenance.

[@GojiraFan25]

Rainforest Cafe is still my obsession… nearly every picture of me as a kid is inside that restaurant, my family still owns all the merch like plates cups etc. and now I wear the adult shirts my parents owned back in the day lmao. I can even name the wild bunch from memory, but I am clearly not the majority here

[@TightyWhiteyTrash]

Just from hearing the words Rasta Pasta brought back so many memories. My friends & I would go to the one @ *South Coast Plaza* in *Costa Mesa* CA all the time 😌

[@gregbrooks7233]

I agree that Rainforest Cafe was a novelty, with a cool environment and lackluster food. Such is the challenge with themed restaurants. So much money is invested in building the theme, but if it does not evolve, people eventually get bored. No, I never knew about their characters.

[@Dj.D25]

To me, the food should also match the theme somewhat. Otherwise, I could just eat something similar at another restaurant closer to home that specializes in that food.

[@agaad22]

Not sure how it’s still open. The one at Grapevine Mills Mall looks like nothing has been dusted clean since it opened.

[@Jack-zj1ug]

Bro I walk by that one frequently 😂 I believe it! I hardly see anyone go there. Will have to stop by one day before what seems like it’s inevitable permanent closure. Not that I want that! It’d be cool to see it turn around-loved going there as a kid-but idk man 🤷‍♂️

[@UmmYeahOk]

I worked at that location from 99-00. They would have someone come by periodically to repaint and dust after hours. One of the things that amused me was that every night, they would have to put Nile the crocodile in a cage. This was before the whole Five Nights at Freddy’s, but it amused me to no end that there was a possibility that he might come to life after hours and eat the live birds. There no longer are live birds, so maybe that really did happen. I know the true reason for the cage, but I still prefer my own theory. That mall is still pretty packed, especially on the weekends. I don’t know what the wait is like. I am assuming that if there isn’t a “Safari guide” outside by Tiki the elephant, then there’s no wait, and you can walk right on in. On its busiest days, it’s probably never going to be as busy as it was when I worked there. But they are near Peppa Pig World of Play, AND MeowWolf. There’s also that SeaLife and LegoLand Discovery Center, so it retains that whole “destination for tourists.” You might get locals that are celebrating something, or are having a “staycation.” When I worked there, and it had like hour long waits and such, they already bragged at how it was the most successful location that wasn’t a flagship. In other words, we weren’t Mall of America, or Disney, yet did the best in sales out of all the others who weren’t. That was when the mall was still with the original Mills owners, and not Simon. We had the benefit of the airport, but not quite yet the Embassy, Gaylord, or Great Wolf.

[@streetpharmacist]

Same in San Antonio. We walked in one day because my son was hungry so we got a kids meal to go. As we waited for his food, I looked around and noticed how dusty everything was. And there was a strong sewer smell. Really gross overall. Their days are numbered.

[@Miner-49]

Nashville location is a filthy disgrace also.

[@Otterplus]

All I can think about is the reoccurring health violations and illnesses due to the dining room waterfalls misting untreated water into patron’s food

[@limefarmer]

And at some point they had live birds??

[@GirtheAlienGoldfish]

@@limefarmer As long as you keep the birds in a certain area of the restaurant and away from the dining area, there isn't a contamination risk.

[@stephenbarabas6286]

You scared of germ people always find a way to spread your weirdness

[@Otterplus]

@@stephenbarabas6286 I mean, the Opry Mills location in Nashville had a breakout of Legionnaire's disease in 2002. IIRC it was reported within 6 months of another outbreak, can’t remember if that was also Legionnaire's disease or e.coli. The idea of installing active waterfalls with no means of managing the additional humidity led to mold growth as well, leading to numerous health code violations and temporarily closing locations.

[@kanesmith8271]

@@stephenbarabas6286it’s almost like a fetish, “misting untreated water”, that chucklehead otterplus is a freak with that kind of imagination

[@Monorail-Beyond-the-Veil]

This is so sad because I LOVED the Rainforest Cafe atmosphere (the food is another matter) when it first opened! ❤ What a breath of fresh (jungle) air - and I loved those huge aquariums, too. I still have an elephant and parrot keychain ($5 then) in the house somewhere.

[@carminecdinoproductions]

Same.

[@PatWalsh-l8y]

We went to the one outside Animal Kingdom in 2022. I missed the birds but it was still a nice experience. The extra cost wasn’t a problem because we expected it being in Disney. We used to go to the one that was in our area once a year or so before it closed. It was a nice place to bring our kid to cap off an afternoon out.

[@CandidLy1]

We really enjoyed this at our local mall with our kids when they were young

[@jackjmaheriii]

The problem with rainforest Café is just how fake it was. I mean, you can call it “the bonobo burger” but if it’s not made with real bonobo, then I’m just not interested.

[@coyotelong4349]

Or the Safari fries. What about them suggests a Safari, or even suggests Africa? If they were seasoned with spices found only in Africa or something, then I’d be more impressed

[@lpnp9477]

Bro is out here trying to eat apes

[@foxsmith770]

You're sick 😂

[@coyotelong4349]

@@foxsmith770 Nothing compares to that rich, gamey, bonobo-y flavor

[@thomasmoncrief883]

Lol😂

[@kriscynical]

Back in the late '90s when I was in high school my mom and I used to get their "Magambo Shrimp" that was a really delicious pasta dish with grilled shrimp and some sort of cheesy toast (it wasn't just straight up garlic bread). They also had REALLY tasty fries. The food was legitimately good, and the atmosphere was some harmless stupid bonus fun on the side. We haven't been in one for probably 20+ years now because they got rid of everything we liked on the menu and the food started going downhill.

[@IkePaz]

As a kid i grew up with RFC in Miami (Aventura Mall).... decades later I still go to RFC every year with my family at the end of our Tokyo Disney trips (Ikspiari Mall)

[@YouSuperJ]

This has been my youngest sons favorite restaurant since he was a toddler. The food isnt great but hes happy every time we go, so take the W when you can.

[@timf2279]

The problem is that you only go every once and a while like on vacation. So they require new first time customers, rather than repeat regulars.

[@krisirizarry]

I’m literally wearing a Rainforest Cafe t-shirt today 😅

[@Jack-zj1ug]

Dude that’s hilariously beautiful 😂

[@mikaross4671]

Represent!

[@65pont]

Are you wearing anything else?

[@bryanparkhurst17]

It broke my heart when they closed the rainforest cafe in Towson Maryland. It was definitely a unique and fun experience and one that we only did once or twice a year to keep it fresh....but those days are gone.

[@JTA1961]

You said it "once or twice"

[@Ratgodx]

Maryland gang yerrrr, also yea I miss rainforest cafe I went there for my birthday 😔

[@Biggie_Smores]

I have looked through their shop several times and my kids have a few toys from the shop, but we’ve only ever eaten there once. That being said there was multiple times we were going to but the wait was too long. I was honestly very impressed by their food. I was much better than what I was expecting. I would be willing to go back and eat there again.

[@TXnine7nine]

I remember going to one on the San Antonio River Walk during the summer back in 1999. I don't remember a lot about the restaurant experience itself other than how loud and dark it was. That was a great week though. We later spent several days at Schlitterbahn up in New Braunfels.

[@Olliethesnowman]

One time in Cancun Mexico we went to a Rainforest Cafe …. It was dope!!! But they put a rock in my mom’s salad and cracked her tooth!!!! 🦷 ouch!

[@ali773n]

On purpose?😂

[@Olliethesnowman]

@@ali773n haha no man not on purpose lol

[@mabus42]

I think that part of the issue with theme restaurants in general is that the concepts get stale quickly unless the owners put tons of cash into more periodic brand refreshes. In the modern era of convenience, more people are using door dash (and other similar apps) to get their food or getting take-out or drive-through service. With such changing trends, it's tough to pull in sit-down diners anywhere let alone at destination eateries with overpriced food (the additional margins on the food there aren't because you are getting better quality food per sé, but rather to pay for the experience). There's really only so many locales in the USA that even support such businesses as the requirements are high amounts of foot traffic, and drawing in tourists that maybe have never had such an experience. But there's only so much water that can be drawn from that well.

[@CreditR01]

Very much this. RC was a "special occasion" dinner growing up because of how expensive it was in addition to the drive time for us to get there (an hour or so). I went there recently and it isn't ageing well. The one we visit is in a mall, so it's keeping itself afloat, but IDK for how long.

[@PatrickXIII]

I just went to the Rainforest Cafe at Niagara Falls, last week. I only got 2 drinks & 2 meals, it cost well over $100 (American). In comparison, I also went to Skylon Tower and got 4 drinks & 2 meals, it came out to $90. Vastly better experience as well.

[@MoonsaultMadLad]

Hey Company Man! I was just thinking about what happened to Rainforest Cafe a few days ago. Decided to look up your channel after a while and boom! There it was. Love the channel brother, keep it up

[@IAMBENNYBLANCO.]

The one in Disney Springs in Orlando, Florida is always packed! was there this past Sunday!

[@eisernfront8549]

“When the opened for public shares” just like every companies that tanked. They all go down when they go public and start prioritizing shareholders

[@Cruxis_Angel]

Damn, I loved visiting the rain forest cafe in sawgrass mills as a kid. The animatronics always stood out to me

[@SouthJerseyGirl30]

My aunt used to take me to the Rainforest Cafe in The Tropicana on the Atlantic City boardwalk when I was a kid. I loved it!

[@desertlandscapecreations577]

I remember passing by those restaurants and thinking..." Nah, too expensive."

[@Sig_P229]

I think people may have finally discovered the food is actually not good at all. That and the animatronics were dated

[@arizonaFIREent]

I work right next to one and one day they got a delivery of 40+ microwaves so that's probably why I heard the food isn't good... never been or eaten there so I can't say if it's good or not

[@Miner-49]

They moved the snake because it looked like the hippo was humping it.

[@ckfinke7625]

First you did Hard Rock, now you did Rainforest Cafe! I think one of these days you should do Caesars, Bally's and Resorts World. Not to mention Medieval Times!

[@SquirefromtheShire]

Oh man, I have a few core memories from Rainforest cafe. When I was in 1st grade it was where my first girlfriend and I had our first date. Her parents took us and let us sit at our own table, and we split one of those sparkling volcano cakes for dessert. The other time was at the Downtown Disney location in California, where they accidentally skipped my family on the waitlist and we ended up waiting for two hours for a table. The manager comped the entire meal to say sorry, and so of course my 3 siblings and I all ordered the steak/lobster combo 😂

[@coyotelong4349]

Her parents were super cool to let your 1st grade romance blossom at your very own table in the restaurant

[@Danny2491]

We still have one in Gurnee IL Went there at a kid and its remained the same, both good and bad. Going there so young did spark my interest and love for the rainforest and animals so still seeing it there today makes me smile.❤

[@Innocinema]

I went in the 90s and early 2000s at Disney World when I was a kid. It was one of the highlights of the trip and never would have thought they would be in decline. But now that you mention it… I haven’t been since and it’s 20 years later. I guess a lot of others haven’t as well. 😅

[@BlakeHunter44]

My band has a song called Rainforest Cafe. We have always been fascinated by what an interesting place it is and how it even exists lol

[@notboxxy]

link the song!

[@chomas8784]

I went to the one in Michigan a few years back with a family of four and we all found it to be a pretty cool place but I remember thinking "wow that was kind of pricey" as I was paying the bill. I can see why repeat business would be a problem for them..

[@calebleach4071]

New video idea: the decline of X games! When looking at late 90s and early 2000s media, skateboarding, and the X games was everywhere, but clearly not anymore…

[@TheL1arL1ar]

I miss many of those extreme sports games popularized in the early 2000’s ps2 era.

[@MissMahouBaby]

I remember getting tiny stuffed hippo from the shop when I was a kid. I loved that thing and kept it for alongg time. It was so soft and one for my favorite toys to play with.

[@princessdarkness66]

Rainforest Cafe was always a special treat for me when we would go on our family vacation to Vegas. My parents would always fit into the budget. It was super magical as a kid. I remember getting a t-shirt with a frog on it and a zebra plushie.

[@TheArtofGuitar]

One day I'm loving this place and the next, it's so bad the waiter gave us coupons for half off our next visit.

[@jazzcook]

I worked at the their store at the Mall in Troy, MI and hated this gig, almost from the first day. We had to sing songs about how much we loved working there. It was a terrible place for cooks mainly because our lunches were highly regulated; usually beans and rice. You had a picture of the Coconut Shrimp which as a Grill Cook I had to handle. It is a mess to prep and a mess to cook. When I was in Culinary School the instructors tell you it's more or less the norm that you have 15 minutes per ticket. The cook should strive for around 10 so anything else that goes on the plate can get there. The Sous Chef would stand around and bark at you (not literally) if you were moving too slow. I was there about 3 months and got fired on my day off. There was a call from the store which I let go to voicemail and found out two days later on my return to the restaurant that it was an extremely busy day and the Chef wanted all his Cooks to be there. So I was fired. Never felt so happy walking back to my car.

[@JTA1961]

Thanks for sharing

[@thecunninlynguist]

Im surprised theyre still around

[@DestinationTimeshare]

Overpriced mediocre food. That answers it all. People would be willing to return if the food was good and a decent price. The concept prevented the cheap price. The Safari Club by Rainforest Cafe is also what later became the Landry's Select Club, their loyalty program.

[@MarcellaMiddleton]

This literally was my favorite restaurant as a kid. My foster mom used to to take us all the time ❤

[@ramonbostic]

I remember seeing them in the mall and never ate there, as you could see their theme from the mall. I never got the impression that their food was all that special, so once you saw their animatronics, there wasn't much reason to go inside.

[@infin1ty850]

Literally had no idea this restutant existed outside of Disney World. That was the only place I ever saw one and just assumed it was exclusive to the park.

[@coyotelong4349]

Then to learn it actually has nothing to do with Disney, haha

[@bradleycotton3237]

They should make a Rainforest Cafe TV show called _The Wild Bunch_ to make more money. And I’ve got the cast picked out in my head. 🐸 Cha-Cha (Voiced by Rob Paulsen) 🐵 Ozzie: (Voiced by Tom Kenny) 🦍🐊 Bamba and Nile: (Voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson) 🐘 Tuki: (Voiced by either Nika Futerman, Tara Strong, Kath Soucie) 🦜 Rio: (Voiced by Sofia Vergara) 🦎 Iggy: (Voiced by Jim Cummings) 🐆 Maya: (Voiced by Grey DeLise Griffin) And similar to _Wild Kratts_ and _Zoboomafoo,_ the characters would talk about animal facts, but also talking about how to care for the environment.

[@carminecdinoproductions]

Oh yeah! Could be so much fun!

[@davefox7516]

The one in downtown Disney in Anaheim was amazing. I seriously cannot believe that it is closed. How? There were waiting lists, and it was always packed.

[@sashanova719]

When I was about 8 years old my dad got a job for the summer in a casino on the Atlantic city boardwalk. My mom and I would go on walks everyday along the boardwalk and I LOVED the Rainforest Cafe. I am a huge nature lover and the jungle theme with animal toys really drew me in as a young girl. The Rainforest Cafe always brightned up my day :)

[@icysnow9459]

The only thing that would've made this video better is if I had a plate full of safari fries on my lap.