Any memorable theme restaurants?

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

 

[amcnj]

Most I recall have already been mentioned. I have been to Planet Hollywood, Hard Rock, Bugaboo Creek, Mars 2112, Medieval Times, Rainforest, Farrell’s, and another old time ice cream place called Jahn’s (the first place I ever saw something called “the kitchen sink”), as well as the Show Place Ice
Cream Parlour, where the wait staff performs/sings. Have also tried a number of 50’s diners and a railroad car restaurant or two.

 

[Communicore1991]

There was a restaurant in northern NJ called the Chatterbox. It was a 50s themed place serving American food -- hot dogs, hamburgers, etc. The inside was decorated with 50s memorabilia and there was always a rotating display of different classic cars inside:


The place's biggest claim to fame was when the Fonz himself (Henry Winkler) came to visit and meet with fans. They used to host a classic car show every Saturday and prior to that, it was themed similarly but called Sonny's and it was very much like Al's/Arnold's from Happy Days. Waitresses with poodle skirts came out on roller skates to take your order if you wanted to pull up, old pinball machines were in the lobby to play.

Food wasn't great but I sure miss the place.

 

[AppleDumpling]

Have been to several of the chains, such as Hard Rock Cafe and Rainforest. Lots of others in New York City, catering to tourists: Mars 2112, Jekyll and Hyde, Ellen’s Stardust Diner, etc. A relatively new one is The Cauldron. Not officially associated with Harry Potter, but the theme is wizards, potions, magic wands, etc. There’s also Beetle House, for the Beetlejuice/Tim Burton fans.

94th Aero Squadron. The motif is an Allied airbase during WWI. I think they're usually around airports.

We had one on Long Island that was WWII themed, the 56th Fighter Group. Lots of good memories there, going for dinner or Sunday brunch, and they also had a nightclub that DH and I frequented when we were dating back in the the 80’s.

 

[Moliphino]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bugaboo_Creek_Steakhouse

Bugaboo Creek was a staple in my community. It’s sad that they don’t exist anymore. The snowbird chicken and ribs were always a treat.

I forgot about that place! I think there was one near the Natick Mall we used to go to on occasion.

 

[RangerPooh]

We didn't go out to eat much as a child, so it sounds like I missed out. My parents would occasionally go to Farrells in the 70s when they still had one in the SF Bay Area.

We’ve done the basics with our family.
-Rain Forest Cafe: DLR, WDW (both locations), Seattle, Nashville
-Aquarium (also Landry's): Nashville
-T-Rex Cafe: WDW
-Hard Rock Cafe: San Diego, Memphis, San Francisco(?)
-Planet Hollywood: WDW

 

[BrianL]

There is a ninja restaurant in NYC.

Yes, I believe it is related to the one I went to in Japan. It was pretty cool!

 

[Skippy918]

The Magic Time Machine restaurant (Dallas, San Antonio) was pretty cool. I remember each area having a different decade theme.
I’ve been to Jekyll and Hyde and that was really neat.
Lambert’s in MO. Home of the throwed roll. Yes they do throw rolls at you.
Houston aquarium restaurant. Really cool with the huge fish tanks in the middle of the restaurant.

 

[chickapin parterre]

Wow...oregon is downright boring....McMennimans in McMinville Oregon may have the best local culture themed resturant Though if you like Jim Beam botles and taxidermy creatues to the max....try a place in Crescent, Gilchrist oregon area.... you can get bugged eye either way.

 

[takemethere]

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.

We've done the Mars 2112 when the kids were young. Overpriced and underwhelming

 

[bcla]

Wow...oregon is downright boring....McMennimans in McMinville Oregon may have the best local culture themed resturant Though if you like Jim Beam botles and taxidermy creatues to the max....try a place in Crescent, Gilchrist oregon area.... you can get bugged eye either way.

I've only been to Edgefield in Troutdale. That was the former Multnomah County Poor Farm. Also Kennedy School in Portland, which was a former elementary school. It fun and decorative, but I'd be hard pressed to say there was any kind of gimmick or theme other than how they're decorated. Their bars have a school theme though, with Honors Bar and Detention Bar.

 

[magik]

Most I recall have already been mentioned. I have been to Planet Hollywood, Hard Rock, Bugaboo Creek, Mars 2112, Medieval Times, Rainforest, Farrell’s, and another old time ice cream place called Jahn’s (the first place I ever saw something called “the kitchen sink”), as well as the Show Place Ice
Cream Parlour, where the wait staff performs/sings. Have also tried a number of 50’s diners and a railroad car restaurant or two.

I can’t believe I forgot about Medieval Times! I’ve eaten at a few different locations of that one over the years. Doesn’t get more themed than that.

 

[bcla]

I can’t believe I forgot about Medieval Times! I’ve eaten at a few different locations of that one over the years. Doesn’t get more themed than that.

Never been. Last year I thought about it. I think it was New Year's Day and we were at our hotel room in Buena Park taking a day off from Disneyland. They had a 2 for 1 special that would have made it pretty cheap. My wife was feeling sick but I think it would have saved us a bunch even if our (then) 9 year old and me. I think it might have even been within walking distance.

We have done something similar at Excalibur in Vegas. I think it was mentioned earlier.

 

[Kellykins1218]

I can’t believe I forgot about Medieval Times! I’ve eaten at a few different locations of that one over the years. Doesn’t get more themed than that.

My brother was the king at the one in Atlanta from the time they opened until they recently changed the script. Now he's Chancellor or something lol.

 

[chickapin parterre]

I've only been to Edgefield in Troutdale. That was the former Multnomah County Poor Farm. Also Kennedy School in Portland, which was a former elementary school. It fun and decorative, but I'd be hard pressed to say there was any kind of gimmick or theme other than how they're decorated. Their bars have a school theme though, with Honors Bar and Detention Bar.

Well....watch the news tomorrow or is it today....anyhow...they may have a special report from McMinville or Mercury/area 51 Nevada.

 

[Diznotyzed]

Wow...oregon is downright boring....McMennimans in McMinville Oregon may have the best local culture themed resturant Though if you like Jim Beam botles and taxidermy creatues to the max....try a place in Crescent, Gilchrist oregon area.... you can get bugged eye either way.

Except that Portland, OR is the original home of Farrells

 

[Lehuaann]

I can’t believe I forgot about Medieval Times! I’ve eaten at a few different locations of that one over the years. Doesn’t get more themed than that.

Yes, been there several times. Another one is Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede.

 

[Lehuaann]

We have always wanted to visit The Whistle Stop Cafe in Juliette, Ga (set of the movie Fried Green Tomatoes) and tend to drive through the state on the days they are closed.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Kapok Tree Inn in Clearwater, FL. https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/florida/kapok-tree-inn-fl/ My parents took us to this restaurant, when I was a teenager. When DH, DS & I moved to Tampa in '97, I was so excited to take them there. Sadly, we arrived at the location only to discover the restaurant had gone out of business. To this day it's still the most awe inspiring restaurant I've been to.

 

[bcla]

We have always wanted to visit The Whistle Stop Cafe in Juliette, Ga (set of the movie Fried Green Tomatoes) and tend to drive through the state on the days they are closed.

View attachment 579183

What's the story behind it being closed? Or is it just one or two regular days a week?

It's not a themed place, but there's this Chinese bakery in San Francisco Chinatown called Golden Gate Bakery. Supposedly has the best egg custard tarts (really of Portuguese origin but became popular in Hong Kong) in town, and there are lines up to 45 minutes when they're open. But that's when they're open. There's really no way of knowing when they're open unless they open. And most days they're not open.

https://www.facebook.com/isthegoldengatebakeryopentoday/