Iconic 1990s Restaurants That No Longer Exist

During the 1990s, there was nothing like going out with your family on a Friday or Saturday night and ordering food at the local hot spot. The restaurants were flashy and inviting and they always seemed to have the best food. However, great things can’t always last forever, and to show you what we mean, we have a list of iconic 1990s restaurants that no longer exist at all or are very rare.

There are many beloved eateries on this list, including Kenny Rogers Roasters and their mouth-watering chicken, Chi-Chi’s, the restaurant that always provided free salsa, and Casa Bonita, with their authentic Mexican food. There are also some wild sports-themed restaurants on this list, including the ESPN Zone.

So, once you’re done checking out the most iconic 1970s restaurants that no longer exist, check out this list of 90s restaurants that are also no longer around like they used to be. Get ready to feel nostalgic and very hungry.

The All-American Burger

Although All-American Burger was mostly a California and West Coast phenomenon, it’s still one of the most iconic 1990s restaurants. They served hamburgers, fries, shakes, and all the good stuff. The restaurant was made famous in the film “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” which was released in 1982. However, though the restaurant was a favorite of many, it couldn’t stand the test of time. The last location was closed in 2010.

Kenny Rogers Roasters

This incredible restaurant was the brainchild of country music legend Kenny Rogers and the former CEO of KFC, John Y. Brown. The idea was to get tasty food and good prices and people loved it. It was considered to be one of the most iconic 1990s restaurants, partly because of the food but also due to the episode of the sitcom “Seinfeld,” where Kramer loved the restaurant but had to boycott it because the sign on the front of the eatery was too bright. The truth is that a few of these restaurants do still exist, but they’re only in Asia, so Americans won’t be seeing them anymore.

Fashion Cafe

In 1995, supermodels Elle Macpherson, Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, and Claudia Schiffer banned together to start the Fashion Cafe. It was a great idea to combine the idea of good eating with supermodels and fashion, and it hit all the right notes. In the beginning, people were hyped about the Fashion Cafe, but it didn’t take long for negative issues to surface. There were legal issues, management problems, and financial troubles. Then, in 1998, the restaurant was hit with several lawsuits and fraud allegations and the restaurant was shut down and the experiment was over.

Chi-Chi’s

If you lived during the 1990s and wanted to go to a restaurant where you could try a little bit of everything, then you likely went to Chi-Chi’s. The chain began in Minnesota back in 1975, and by 1995, there were over 210 locations across the country. The idea here was that it was a celebration of food. Everyone who sat down was first presented with bowls of hot and mild salsa and a bunch of chips. It was in 1995 when the company faced a Hepatitis A scare and then filed for bankruptcy. Like Kenny Rogers Roasters, you can still try Chi-Chi’s restaurants, but you’ll have to leave America and try Austria or Kuwait to get your fix.

The Official All-Star Cafe

The success of the Planet Hollywood restaurants led to the creation of The Official All-Star Cafe. Similar to Planet Hollywood, patrons could come to it, eat a meal, and check out memorabilia from all of the major sports. Many celebrity athletes tried to get the chain off its feet, including Wayne Gretzky, Shaquille O’Neal, and Ken Griffey, Jr., among others. The first restaurant opened up in 1995, and it was cool for the time. However, by 1998, people lost interest and profits tanked. Planet Hollywood had to file for bankruptcy and that also meant the end for The Official All-Star Cafe.

ESPN Zone

Next on the list of the iconic 1990s restaurants that no longer exist is ESPN Zone, which was similar to The Official All-Star Cafe, in that it banked on tourists for a big chunk of their customer base. The chain of restaurants opened late into the 90s, with the first location opening in 1998. In addition to getting chicken wings, burgers, and similar menu items, guests could sit in special screening rooms where they could watch their favorite team play. It was a nice idea but it didn’t last too long. By 2010, the last of the ESPN Zone restaurants had closed and they’re now just a part of history.

Wimpy Grills

Wimpy Grills had a great run. The restaurant was started way back in 1954 in the United Kingdom. After being a hit there, the chain moved to America. The restaurant continued to serve its trademark hamburgers and milkshakes for many years, with its success continuing through the 1990s. Sadly, the chain could not keep up with the competition and the evolving fast-food landscape, so all Wimpy Grill locations were closed in the United States by 2002.

MaggieMoos

One thing that you can always count on when it comes to selling food and desserts is that ice cream always sells. During the 1990s, they started to make ice cream a little differently. Shops like Marble Slab and Cold Stone were opening up around this time, and their twist was that they made ice cream cones based on your preferences and they prepared it right there in front of you. MaggieMoo’s was one of those restaurants, which got its start in Kansas City in 1989. They then flourished during the 1990s and opened many stores. However, in 2011, they merged with Marble Slap, and all MaggieMoo’s were closed.

Casa Bonita

If you wanted tasty and authentic Mexican food back in the 1990s, and you lived in the south, then you went to Casa Bonita. You could order many amazing dishes and eat while surrounded by an electric atmosphere. Back then, there were many restaurants in Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas. However, the parent company filed for bankruptcy in 2011 and the dream was over. At this point, there is one Casa Bonita left. It’s in Colorado and it’s considered an official landmark. Still, the business is far from its 90s glory days.

Don Pablo’s

Don Pablo’s was another of the iconic 1990s restaurants that sadly had to close. The chain was founded by Stuart Melia in 1985 and it hit its stride during the 1990s. The charm of this restaurant is that they made their dishes from scratch and there was a vibrant atmosphere. When the 2000s came around, Don Pablo’s started to face financial difficulties. They began to close restaurants as they tried to regain their financial footing. However, by 2016, all of the restaurants had been closed.

Souplantation

As the name suggests, Souplantation, sometimes known as Sweet Tomatoes, was a salad bar restaurant where you could make your own salad and choose from pasta, soup, and other tasty options. The food was high quality and was a step above your typical buffet. The chain was founded in the early 1980s, and during the 1990s, it grew by leaps and bounds. Eventually, there were over 100 restaurants. However, the beginning of the end came when their parent company filed for bankruptcy. They closed many Souplantation restaurants and the rest closed during the pandemic. Buffets didn’t do well during that time because it was considered to be unsanitary for everyone to share food. This was the fate of many buffet restaurants.

Koo Koo Roo

Founded in 1998 by Mike Maltby, the idea behind Koo Koo Roo was that it was a fast-food/casual restaurant that served healthy chicken dishes. Their most popular dishes involved salads and rotisserie chicken. While they gained a lot of popularity during the 1990s, Koo Koo Roo had trouble competing with the bigger fish in the fast-food industry. The fact that they had fewer menu items than those other places didn’t help matters. There were also struggles with brand recognition, high operating costs, and economic downturns. As a result, all remaining locations were closed by 2003.

Chevys Fresh Mex

Our final entry on the list of iconic ’90s restaurants that no longer exist is Chevys Fresh Mex. This was an amazing Mexican chain that began in California in 1986. During the 1990s, you couldn’t turn around without seeing one of these restaurants. They even had one in the middle of Times Square in New York. Like other restaurants on this list, their parent company filed for bankruptcy and most of the restaurants had to be closed, including all of them in California. Now, the chain is all but a memory, but it was certainly good while it lasted.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©"Chevys Fresh Mex Union City" by Giovanni.prada is licensed under BY-SA 4.0..