Any memorable theme restaurants?

[bcla]

I guess the definition could be as simple as a chain like Outback Steakhouse or Rainforest Cafe, or maybe a tiki bar theme. Over the years I've been to some wacky ones. Especially the one of kind places. There was one in San Francisco that I'd occasionally go to when I was working a summer/part time job in the Financial District called The Caribbean Zone. It was literally a tin shack below an elevated freeway, and featured an old airplane that looked like it crashed and was taken over as the bar area. I went to a job interview for something closer to my field, and the interviewing group took me there as it was someone's birthday. I'd also been there a few other times.

I can't find any photo of the plane, but there are several of the entrance.

 

[ronandannette]

We always went to Rainforest Cafe when visiting Disneyland. Anytime we took kids with us they especially got a kick out of it. Pretty sure though they closed it when they re-imagined Downtown Disney.

 

[bcla]

We always went to Rainforest Cafe when visiting Disneyland. Anytime we took kids with us they especially got a kick out of it. Pretty sure though they closed it when they re-imagined Downtown Disney.

It closed and they let it sit unoccupied for a couple of years. They were supposedly going to open a new hotel on the site and I think where ESPNZone was. They finally used it as a Star Wars themed store, and the decor sort of worked out.

It was owned by Landry's. There was one in Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco and that closed, although Landry's claimed it was due to the landlord refusing to renew the lease.

 

[RedAngie]

I recall reading about a S&M themed restaurant in NYC back in the early 90s. The waitstaff wore leather and chains and “abused” the customers.

According to the story, the cooks abused the food too.

Here’s a different article I found:

NEW YORK EATERY SERVES UP SPANKINGS, S&M DELICACIES
CHICAGO TRIBUNE

Like a little S&M with your black linguine? Does the thought of a paddling make you hungry? Then have we got the place for you!

A little restaurant in the Chelsea section of New York City is serving up mild sadomasochism with French food. They're offering birthday paddlings, boot cleaning or the chance to eat from a doggie bowl at the feet of a whip-wielding mistress.

"It's like Disney meets S&M," said comedian Joan Rivers of La Nouvelle Justine, named for a Marquis de Sade novel. "Our busboy didn't bring the bread fast enough, so the maitre d' spanked him."

One Friday night, 30-year-old secretary Tina Block ordered spankings from the $20 "Special Fare" menu for her brother and her beau. "There's nothing like seeing your loved ones get put in their proper place," Block said. "I'd also like to get one for my mother, but I don't think she'd be into it. Then again, she did it to me."



Dinner and wine run about $50 per person -- beatings not included. Waiters and waitresses are called "dominants." Busboys, called "submissives," move along quietly in vinyl shorts and dog collars and deliver the check between their teeth.

"A restaurant is all about service anyhow," said Robert Jason, 29, who owns La Nouvelle with wife Hayne, 41. "We've just taken the servant and master theme and exploded it."

 

[magik]

Many, many years ago I ate at the Jekyll and Hyde Club in NYC. It’s part haunted house, part restaurant/bar.

I don’t know if it counts as a theme restaurant, but I will never forget eating at the Old Spaghetti Factory at a table that was shaped like a bed (also a really long time ago).

 

[Kitty 34]

Hard Rock Cafe comes to mind. Our sons loved going there. Rainforest Cafe will always remind me of Downtown Disney.

 

[sam_gordon]

94th Aero Squadron. The motif is an Allied airbase during WWI. I think they're usually around airports. There used to be one in Ft. Lauderdale (or was it Pompano Beach). There were headsets tuned to the tower frequency you could listen to. There used to be one at Orlando Executive also. I believe those two have closed, but it looks like there's one in Miami, San Diego, Van Nuys, and Columbus.

 

[charlie.nj]

I have been to J&H that magik mentioned a few times pretty good I recall the monsters used to come up to the tables and abuse you. I guess sort of like when Disney characters come to the dining tables for photo ops but scarier. Lol I also loved this place Mars 2112. It was downstairs in a plaza area not seen from street level. You had to take a transporter to get into the restaurant. Sort of like the long gone Hydrolators in WDW Living Seas. Gee too bad Mars 2021 closed with all the news about Mars and UFO’s maybe it was all real. Hmm

All I Want to Do Post-Pandemic Is Eat Quesadillas at This Mars-Themed Restaurant in Times Square

Please, dear God, bring it back. This is my only prayer in 2021.

By M.M. Carrigan March 19, 2021

https://www.bonappetit.com/story/mars-2112-eulogy


If the url doesn't work google Mars 2112

 

[antmaril]

When our son was 13 (in the year 2000), we took a cruise out of New York City. We had lunch at a restaurant called Mars 2112. It was pretty cool at the time. We have also enjoyed the Hard Rock Cafe (Chicago and Universal) and the Rainforest Cafe (Downtown Disney). I always loved Ed Debevic’s in Chicago. I don’t know if it‘s still there. That was many years ago.

 

[BrianL]

In Japan, I went to a "Ninja" restaurant and it was a very cool experience. The place was heavily themed, had secret pasages, and they did ninja magic tricks for you. The food was also presented in cool ways, like a ninja smoke bomb that had a lit fuse (I don't even remember what that peice of food actually was). The food was also quite good, especially this soup they make at your table by pouring it over hot stones. It was a very fun time!

 

[slo]

I have some awesome memories of us taking our girls to Rainforest Cafe in downtown Chicago - it is sadly now gone. My DGS will never know the fun we had as we yelled “VOLCANO” as our dessert was coming to the table

 

[CynBeth]

We used to have a Rainforest Cafe in my area years ago it was the first time I heard of it but only lasted a few years. We always have lunch at the one in AK on every Disney trip. We always have a meal at a Hard Rock Cafe if the place we are vacationing has one. The same with Bubba Gump Shrimp Company.

 

[Owlpost23]

The Pan Am experience is one I would love to try.The Mai Kai in Ft.Lauderdale is another one.

 

[AlohaNow]

Casa Bonita in Lakewood, Colorado. It's more than just a South Park episode! Yes, it really does exist, there really are cliff divers inside the restaurant, and the food really is terrible. But you need to experience this at least once!

 

[mmbrad02]

What comes to mind for me (as far as ones I have visited)

Peg Leg Pete's in Pensacola - it's pirate themed
The Pirate House - Savannah (I see a theme here... .we are not necessarily pirate fans though it might seem that way)
Rainforest Cafe - we ate at the one in Nashville

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Unfortunately, this one closed. I have absolutely no idea why. The Magic Restroom Cafe. What could have possibly gone wrong?

 

[usnuzuloose]

Old McDonald's Farm, back in the 60's


They use to let the chickens run all over the tables as people ate

 

[NYCgrrl]

Lucky Cheng’s.
Worst drag queen restaurant evah.

 

[Planogirl]

Jekyll and Hyde was a lot of fun. There was a restaurant with all kinds of magic stuff at one time that sounded interesting. Sadly I never tried it.

 

[gary1955]

in the San Francisco Bay Area there was once a Bonanza themed restaurant. the building had a rustic barn theme.

as I recall it had a Sizzler style of service where you would order and pay before you sat down.

the one thing that I recall was that you would get a thick slice of toasted or grilled bread with butter and grated cheese sprinkled on it.