Well maybe I can shed some light on the Chi Chi's situation, at least here in NC. I worked for Chi Chi's for 6 years in Raleigh on Falls of the Neuse Road. I left there to work across the street at TGIFriday's. I too LOVED Chi Chi's. The only restaurant I've ever worked where I could eat there everyday and never get tired of it. When I started in 1988 we were busy every every night. For any of you who visited the Raleigh Chi Chi's, if you remember it was HUGE!! There were 4 different rooms and it was not uncommon for 3 of them to be packed every night with hour plus waits on the weekends. Over the years the crowds dwindled, but never to the point of closing. The Food Service providers in NC stopped carrying the Chi Chi's products, as many of the stores closed throughout the country. However, our store was still doing quite well. Our franchise consisted of Raleigh, Greensboro, and a newly opened Cary store. When we lost our food service provider, we were literally buying product at the grocery store. You can't do that for too long and stay in business. Hence the demise of Chi Chi's in Raleigh.
Now, for those of you that loved the Pollo Magnifico (probably the most popular dish) I will share with you the secret to it's greatness. I am assuming I can't be jailed since there are no more stores in my state
Ready? Here it is........
Go to the store. Buy chicken breast. Buy "Chi Chi's Margarita Mix". Marinate Chicken in the Margarita Mix overnight. Grill. Serve over your favorite spanish rice. Melt Velveeta cheese and add half part Mexican white queso and melt together. Add 1 jar of Chi Chi's Medium salsa. Drizzle over chicken.
The Margarita Mix is the secret ingredient...... ENJOY!!!
At the store looking at salsa. Thinking hey whatever happened to Chi Chi's! Oh boy we used to have some good times there. Yum Fried Ice cream. Sounds gross as an adult but as a kid it was
So what restuarants do you miss or wonder whatever happened to them.
and what about Ground Round! as a kid you paid what you weighed. Imagine doing that now!
These are all missed for nostalgia's sake not really for the "good" food though I did enjoy them.
Red Barn Hamburgers
Kmart refreshment island (25 cent ham sandwiches)
I remember in the mid 60's, the A&W burger family. The Pap burger used to be a large burger like a Whopper with one patty. After not having gone for many years I went back and the had changed it into more of a Big Mac style. Smaller, double decker with two pattys and lots less interesting. They still have that now.
We still have A&W and Shakey's here.
There is a Farrell's Ice Cream opened back up in southern California.
We still have many of the places listed. We have Big Boys, Raxs, Hardees, Ponderosa, MCL, A&W, Little Ceasars.
The ones I miss are Steak and Ale, Ground Round, Stuart Andersons, Woolworths/Kresge, Taco Tico.
We have 1 Big Boys up here. It's better known just as Azar's, even though I think Fischers has official bought the FTW location. DH and I are usually the youngest 2 adults eating there.
If there is a Rax and MCL in central IN, I am on a mission. With Rax, we bemoan their demise every single time we drive past their old locations here in town. Suprisingly, both are now Fazoli's.
The only A & W's we see are the ones that are attached to either KFC's, Taco Bell, or LJS. It's just not the same.
Originally Posted by daughtersrus View Post
Anyone from the Chicago area remember Farrel's Ice Cream (there was one in North Riverside Mall), C0ck Robin with the square ice cream scoop (apparently the first word is against Dis rules because it changed it all to ****), Arthur Treacher's Fish and Chips or Barnaby's Pizza in Downers Grove?
cluvsdisney said:I LOVED Lum's! I used to go with my grandparents in Florida. They used to serve food in little plastic baskets.
I remember in the mid 60's, the A&W burger family. The Pap burger used to be a large burger like a Whopper with one patty.
Chi-Chi's went out of business due to a Hepatitis A outbreak traced back to Green Onions. It was the largest Hep. A outbreak in US History.
ok fesh where? I'm taking a road trip ASAPBoth Ground Round and A&W are alive and well in Michigan.
Didn't read the whole thread, but my mom used to like to go to Arthur Treacher's Fish and Chips. I hated fish (still do) so I really hated going there!!
A couple of others:
Elby's (Bob's Big Boy)
Hardee's
Ground Round
And ...there was this pizza place- they served Chicago style pizza. Aurellio's I think it was called. Their pizza was so yummy!!
bottom of the barrel (union city) open steak with melted cheese....
ground round (route 9W opposite prentice-hall) pina colada in a glass the size of a mini fishbowl
houlihan's (hackensack) loved those fried mozz balls!
jade fountain (route 17S) best weeknight buffet!
steak & ale (paramus) DH still isn't "over" losing this one...
howard johnsons (route 46) fried clams and coconut ice cream
woolworth's counter (west new york) grilled hot dog!!
wolfie's deli/restaurant (bergen mall) corned beef - yummmm....
now i'm suddenly really hungry....