Any memorable theme restaurants?

[evilmommie]

Ruby's Diner, most locations in CA. 50's diner-burger-kinda joint. Delicious shakes. Each location has a different type of theme. Trains, airplanes, retro art. https://www.rubys.com/locations21/

Clearman's North Woods Inn. Snow capped rooftop, peanuts on the floor, faux woodsy place in San Gabriel/LA. Used to be more locations. Meals served family style, pre C-19. Gawd, I love their cheese bread. https://clearmansrestaurants.com/northwoods-inn/san-gabriel/

Magic Castle. Yes, you have to be a member BUT there are plenty of magicians that will send you tickets for entrance to see them perform. Good food, great bar and it's a fun place to explore. http://www.magiccastle.com

Requiem Coffee ( This is near DLR! Go there on your next Disneyland trip.) Fairy forest, steampunk coffee bar, cool Goth-y atmosphere and games. Serious eye candy. Food is fun too! https://www.requiemcoffee.com/about-new

 

[Lehuaann]

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

Their FB says temporarily closed due to water source approval. Pre-covid, they were closed on Wed and open Thur-Tues 11 am - 4 pm. It’s been a while since we’ve passed through Ga, but I think they used to have different days/hours.

 

[Shellsbutt]

Ruby's Diner, most locations in CA. 50's diner-burger-kinda joint. Delicious shakes. Each location has a different type of theme. Trains, airplanes, retro art. https://www.rubys.com/locations21/

Clearman's North Woods Inn. Snow capped rooftop, peanuts on the floor, faux woodsy place in San Gabriel/LA. Used to be more locations. Meals served family style, pre C-19. Gawd, I love their cheese bread. https://clearmansrestaurants.com/northwoods-inn/san-gabriel/

Magic Castle. Yes, you have to be a member BUT there are plenty of magicians that will send you tickets for entrance to see them perform. Good food, great bar and it's a fun place to explore. http://www.magiccastle.com

Requiem Coffee ( This is near DLR! Go there on your next Disneyland trip.) Fairy forest, steampunk coffee bar, cool Goth-y atmosphere and games. Serious eye candy. Food is fun too! https://www.requiemcoffee.com/about-new

I loved North Woods Inn! I remember going with my parents and thinking what a fancy place it was, so dark and mysterious. I love their bread and their salad too. We lived in Covina and so went to that location for special occasions. Every time we have a trip planned for southern CA, I try to eat there if we have the time. I also liked going to Bob's Big Boy in Burbank and Sambo's in Santa Barbara. I also vaguely remember a restaurant called Castaway, perched high up in the hills-maybe it was in Ontario?

 

[ArielFlounderSebastian357]

Rainforest is the one I most think of but Medieval Times is another good one

 

[evilmommie]

I loved North Woods Inn! I remember going with my parents and thinking what a fancy place it was, so dark and mysterious. I love their bread and their salad too. We lived in Covina and so went to that location for special occasions. Every time we have a trip planned for southern CA, I try to eat there if we have the time. I also liked going to Bob's Big Boy in Burbank and Sambo's in Santa Barbara. I also vaguely remember a restaurant called Castaway, perched high up in the hills-maybe it was in Ontario?

OMGOSH, Bob’s Big Boy....soooo good! Used to go to the one in Whittier, growing up. The hot fudge-brownie something or other dessert. To die for!

 

[Lehuaann]

OMGOSH, Bob’s Big Boy....soooo good! Used to go to the one in Whittier, growing up. The hot fudge-brownie something or other dessert. To die for!

Hot Fudge Cake!

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

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.

That was actually Bonanza, originally started by Dan Blocker (Hoss) Unfortunately it was bought several times, merged with Ponderosa, then like several other steakhouse chains of the same type tried to go buffet. And now there are very few of them left. The same fate happened to most of them that did that. Either completely out of business or the number of locations drastically reduced. Ironically I think these days, the original concept would do much better than the buffet.

 

[Moliphino]

One of the malls in my area used to have a Kahunaville, which was like a knock off Rainforest Cafe. It was fun while it lasted. The nearest RFC (also now closed) at the time was about an hour away, so it was way more convenient.

 

[evilmommie]

Hot Fudge Cake!

View attachment 579308

HOLY MOLY! Exactly...perfection!

 

[fla4fun]

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.

My sister had her HS prom at the Clearwater Kapok Tree.

The one I remember from my youth was the Kahiki Supper Club in suburban Columbus, Ohio. It was the best special occasion restaurant! Unfortunately it closed about 20 years ago. Even though it was on the list of historic buildings, it was torn down to build a Walgreens .

I feel kind of lucky to live near Orlando, so I still have access to themed dining when I am in the mood.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

My sister had her HS prom at the Clearwater Kapok Tree.

The one I remember from my youth was the Kahiki Supper Club in suburban Columbus, Ohio. It was the best special occasion restaurant! Unfortunately it closed about 20 years ago. Even though it was on the list of historic buildings, it was torn down to build a Walgreens .

I feel kind of lucky to live near Orlando, so I still have access to themed dining when I am in the mood.

I'm sure that was an amazing prom. Lucky her.

 

[RangerPooh]

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

My daughters went there May 2019 as part of their Fine Arts program trip to Dollywood.

 

[RangerPooh]

One of the malls in my area used to have a Kahunaville, which was like a knock off Rainforest Cafe. It was fun while it lasted. The nearest RFC (also now closed) at the time was about an hour away, so it was way more convenient.

There was one in Las Vegas at one of the hotels. I forgot that DH and I ate there on our first trip.

Also been to Margaritaville and Cheeseburger in Paradise a few times.

I don't know if it counts, but Po' Folks in Buena Vista, CA not too far from Knott's. They had a train that circled the interior of the restaurant.

 

[AlohaNow]

Magic Castle. Yes, you have to be a member BUT there are plenty of magicians that will send you tickets for entrance to see them perform. Good food, great bar and it's a fun place to explore. http://www.magiccastle.com

I've always wanted to go there!

Can we call Tavern on the Green a 'theme' restaurant? It certainly is unique!

 

[JimMIA]

Mai Kai in Ft. Lauderdale has been around forever, but it's been closed for more than a year now I believe due to Covid. It's Polynesian themed food and drink, and features a dinner show as well.



*****
DW and I went to the original Margaritaville on Duval Street in Key West one time. We were seated upstairs looking down into the first floor. At one of the booths was this older, balding gentleman who was talking with a couple of other people. They had notebooks and papers, and it was obviously a business meeting of some type.

I told DW the balding guy was Jimmy Buffet, but of course she thought I was joking. She couldn't stand it and finally asked our waitress, who said yes it was. The waitress and I almost had to tie DW in her chair to keep her from going down and saying hello!

 

[RedAngie]

Unfortunately, this one closed. I have absolutely no idea why. The Magic Restroom Cafe. What could have possibly gone wrong?
View attachment 578865

Did the men’s restroom look like this?

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Did the men’s restroom look like this?

View attachment 579368

I don't really know. That seems like it would be in one of those eateries that feature scantily clad women. But In fact I'd never use a restroom like that. There aren't any red heads in the picture. That's discrimination that is.

 

[bcla]

There was one in Las Vegas at one of the hotels. I forgot that DH and I ate there on our first trip.

Also been to Margaritaville and Cheeseburger in Paradise a few times.

I don't know if it counts, but Po' Folks in Buena Vista, CA not too far from Knott's. They had a train that circled the interior of the restaurant.

I think that was in Buena Park.

Mai Kai in Ft. Lauderdale has been around forever, but it's been closed for more than a year now I believe due to Covid. It's Polynesian themed food and drink, and features a dinner show as well.

View attachment 579362

*****
DW and I went to the original Margaritaville on Duval Street in Key West one time. We were seated upstairs looking down into the first floor. At one of the booths was this older, balding gentleman who was talking with a couple of other people. They had notebooks and papers, and it was obviously a business meeting of some type.

I told DW the balding guy was Jimmy Buffet, but of course she thought I was joking. She couldn't stand it and finally asked our waitress, who said yes it was. The waitress and I almost had to tie DW in her chair to keep her from going down and saying hello!

I feel kind of bad because when I visited Key West, I went to a theme restaurant - Hard Rock Cafe. My waiter was fine, although he had a surfer dude vibe to him. When I mentioned where I ate to someone in town, she was like "You could have had something better." And I realize there were a ton of unique places up and down Duval Street.

However, I'd think the big tiki themed restaurant was Trader Vic's. They may not have been the first (some claim it was Don the Beachcomber) but I think they were the one really spread around the United States and the world.

 

[JimMIA]

I feel kind of bad because when I visited Key West, I went to a theme restaurant - Hard Rock Cafe. My waiter was fine, although he had a surfer dude vibe to him. When I mentioned where I ate to someone in town, she was like "You could have had something better." And I realize there were a ton of unique places up and down Duval Street.

Dude, if you went to Key West and ate at Hard Rock, you should keep it QUIET!

Lots of good to great places to eat in the Keys -- but Hard Rock is not one of them. (Not many of them are on Duval Street either.)

BTW, you know who owns Hard Rock worldwide, right?

 

[bcla]

Dude, if you went to Key West and ate at Hard Rock, you should keep it QUIET!

Lots of good to great places to eat in the Keys -- but Hard Rock is not one of them. (Not many of them are on Duval Street either.)

BTW, you know who owns Hard Rock worldwide, right?

Had to look it up, but Seminole Tribe of Florida. I guess it makes sense that they could afford to buy them out with the success of their casino.

After I'd walked through town I saw a few places that looked like fun, but I'd already eaten. I probably shouldn't mention where I had dinner that night. Well - it was Outback in Islamorada. I figured I'd know what I was getting.

On that entire trip, I think best restaurant I dined at was A Fish Called Avalon in Miami Beach. But then again I ate a lot of fast food too.