Classic 1970s Restaurants That Disappeared Over Time
If the name Burger Chef reminds you of McDonalds then that makes sense. After all, during its heyday, Burger Chef was the second most popular restaurant, second only to Micky D's. Like its competitor, Burger Chef locations were all over the United States.
Sambo's is one of the 1970s restaurants that doesn't exist anymore, and that's mostly because of its theme. The resturant was named after the character Sambo, and the walls were covered with Sambo artwork and decorations.
Before Taco Bell became the most popular option for quick Mexican food, Taco Viva was the place to go. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, this franchise grew from humble beginnings, and by the end of its run, there were 85 restaurants in 11 different states.
It's amazing how a major restaurant can grow from humble beginnings, and that's exactly what happened with Lums. The restaurant began as just a single hot dog stand in Florida.
The Marriott company was busy during the 1970s. In addition to purchasing Howard Johnson's, they also claimed Gino's Hamburgers, which was started by a couple of NFL players in Baltimore.
Naugles was another of the go-to Mexican food chain restaurants that started in 1970 and then gained steam during that decade and beyond. The chain started in Riverside, California, but they quickly began to expand to other states, from Nevada to Florida.
One of the most beloved of the 1970s restaurants was Steak and Ale. It was an old-school-looking restaurant that served steak at a great price. Plus, they had an unlimited salad bar and tasty dishes, including the herb-roasted prime rib