# Defunct restaurant chains
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [December 6, 2006, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004 "2006-12-06T00:37:55Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 15
### Author:  [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2006, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/281 "2006-12-11T03:10:37Z")
> [@](#):
>
> I seem to remember a steakhouse, not unlike Hoss’, called BOSS. Beer Onions Steak and Salad. All you could drink if I recall. Did I dream this or did it actually exist?
Boss had a few places in New York City (I recall their TV ad circa 1980 featuring characters who were supposed to be Daddy Warbucks (from _Annie_), Darcula, and Sherlock Holmes (from _Crucifer of Blood_, because this was after the Royal Shakespeare Company’s _Sherlock Holmes_ had departed) from their respective Broadway shows discussing popping into a nearby _BOSS_ for a bite after the show.) I never heard of any outside the city, though.
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### Author:  [@scotandrsn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotandrsn)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2006, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/282 "2006-12-11T03:15:53Z")
There was a small chain of diners around the Boston area called **Bergson’s**. The one in my town made some of the best burgers I ever tasted, and we always used to get their ice cream.
At some point they opened a separate, higher class establishment in Westboro called Bergson’s [1790 House](http://1790restaurant.com/index.php) and that’s the only trace left that the chain ever existed.
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### Author:  [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2006, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/283 "2006-12-11T13:10:26Z")
[QUOTE=Sarahfeena]
The Mr. Donut in the town where I grew up is still a donut shop, and still makes the same donuts. It’s now called **Spunky Dunkers** , and it is the best!
[/QUOTE]
::bolding mine::
The braintrust that came up with that name has either a wicked sense of humor or has been living under a rock for the last 40 years!
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### Author:  [@diku](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diku)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2006, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/284 "2006-12-11T13:54:58Z")
[QUOTE=Asgardking]
How about **Bill Knapps**? There used to be a few around here but no more. They’re big gimmick was that on your birthday you got a percentage off your meal equal to your age. So of course older people liked it better. All I really remember about the place was it served tiny portions. I always left hungry.
[/QUOTE]
Ugh. I hated that place. My grandparents favorite restaurant, for the reason stated above. What was worse would they’d play “Happy Birthday to You” over the building’s Muzak. Just horrible. Bad food, and full of old people. When you’re 8, it makes for a horrible experience.
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### Author:  [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2006, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/285 "2006-12-11T15:57:12Z")
[QUOTE=An Arky]
::bolding mine::
The braintrust that came up with that name has either a wicked sense of humor or has been living under a rock for the last 40 years!
[/QUOTE]
Hee hee. Well, it WAS changed quite a number of years ago (20, maybe?) Maybe they were foreign or something, and didn’t get the “joke?”
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### Author:  [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2006, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/286 "2006-12-11T16:33:23Z")
Chicago style and Olivers Pizza came into Detroit area with great fanfare and left quickly. Burger Chef took McDonalds on whem McDs was running roughshod over the competition. Bad timing kills restaurants. Growing too fast will kill them too.
While Taco Bell is alive and well ,they may be getting into a rough spot. Killing a few customers is frowned on. Jack in the Box is a case in point.
In Dearborn area Burger King is losing out. A cpuple have closed . One mear my house,I contend was killed by the employees. They ended dining room eating very early and relied on drive in windpws. The orders were always screwed up. My dad ate there a lot and finally gave up on them. Nothing pisses customers off more than driving home ,opening the bag and the food is wrong.
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### Author:  [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2006, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/287 "2006-12-11T17:21:32Z")
[QUOTE=acsenray]
I love **Steak ‘n’ Shake** and **White Castle** , but I can’t get them around here. I have to grab what I can on my trips back to the midwest.
[/QUOTE]
Ah, White Castle Butter Burgers! Yes, they are still around in my neck of the woods.
Does anyone know why they call them Butter Burgers? I asked my Mom, and she thinks it was because they buttered and toasted their buns on the grill. (The hedonist in me is hoping the real reason is because they fry them in butter.)
Would any burger joint have the balls to do that, nowadays… I wonder? Hell, that could be the basis for a new Burger joint/franchise in backlash to the new trend in laws restricting unhealthy fat consumption. Big quarter pound burgers fried in a quarter pound of butter. Of course it’s not kosher, but I say embrace your selling point-- On the marquis: " **DK’s Butterburgers- _We’re not Kosher._**
Anyway, White Tower has delicious Hamburgers. I have some fond memories of riding downtown with my Mom and Grandma at 2 or 3 in the morning when I was younger and getting Butterburgers from White Tower and then cruising the Hookers, Pimps, and Streetwalkers. Good times, Good Times.
(We would just cruise around the backstreets and watch the nightlife, not actually pick up prostitutes. It was educational and entertaining in the way that the big city educates and entertains. Scary sometimes, too.)
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### Author:  [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2006, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/288 "2006-12-11T17:36:47Z")
**devilsknew** , Culver’s calls them ButterBurgers (it’s a registered trademark) because they lightly butter and toast the crown of the bun. [Here’s the menu.](http://www.culvers.com/Menu/MenuBoard.aspx)
**sarahfeena** , are you referring to the Spunky Dunker’s on 14? I live right down the street. I LOVE that place! As does the majority of the Palatine PD from what I can gather. 😃
**PooterMommy** , yes my husband remembers Grouper’s (he grew up in A/H). He just can’t remember where it was - he’ll call me if he does.
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### Author:  [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2006, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/289 "2006-12-11T17:42:33Z")
[QUOTE=Missy2U]
**sarahfeena** , are you referring to the Spunky Dunker’s on 14? I live right down the street. I LOVE that place! As does the majority of the Palatine PD from what I can gather. 😃
[/QUOTE]
That is the place! I am a Palatine girl!
Now I am craving one of their german chocolate donuts. Dang.
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### Author:  [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2006, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/290 "2006-12-11T18:34:06Z")
[QUOTE=RogueRacer]
That’s funny. Speaking of Ground Round specifically, we had a brand new one (new building and everything) open around here (western Cheesehead-land) about two to three years ago. I haven’t bothered to go. The thing is, I was also going to mention that I knew there was one in Syracuse, NY too. People have also wondered about Friendly’s. Those were around Syracuse too.
[/QUOTE]
Hah! The only times I’ve ever eaten at Ground Round were in Syracuse (but the last time was some time in the early 90’s.) My mom and I were amazed when we saw a storefront for one in the Albany area last year, but there were absolutely no cars in the lot so we assumed it had closed even though all the signs were up and it still looked well-kept: may have just closed recently (or maybe still open?)
I’ve seen not a small number of Friendly’s both in FL and in NY so I never assumed they were regional?
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### Author:  [@Asgardking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asgardking)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2006, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/291 "2006-12-11T18:42:58Z")
[QUOTE=devilsknew]
Ah, White Castle Butter Burgers! Yes, they are still around in my neck of the woods.
Does anyone know why they call them Butter Burgers? I asked my Mom, and she thinks it was because they buttered and toasted their buns on the grill. (The hedonist in me is hoping the real reason is because they fry them in butter.)
‘’’
Anyway, White Tower has delicious Hamburgers.
[/QUOTE]
Are you confusing White Castle with White Tower? Because I’ve never heard of White Castles being called “butter burgers” usually they’re nicknamed “sliders”
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### Author:  [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2006, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/292 "2006-12-11T18:47:47Z")
[QUOTE=Asgardking]
Are you confusing White Castle with White Tower? Because I’ve never heard of White Castles being called “butter burgers” usually they’re nicknamed “sliders”
[/QUOTE]
Actually the chain with the butter burgers is called Culver’s. I used to go to one up in Wisconsin, and now they are expanding into the Chicago area. Good stuff!
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### Author:  [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2006, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/293 "2006-12-11T19:06:09Z")
[QUOTE=acsenray]
Done in? It’s about as done in as Popeye’s Chicken and Biscuits, which is KFC’s number one competition but is the subject of wonder in this thread.
[/QUOTE]
Wouldn’t know about that./ They are gone in Michigan and were growing fast a few years ago.
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### Author:  [@tanstaafl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tanstaafl)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2006, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/294 "2006-12-11T19:12:25Z")
[QUOTE=devilsknew]
Would any burger joint have the balls to do that, nowadays… I wonder? Hell, that could be the basis for a new Burger joint/franchise in backlash to the new trend in laws restricting unhealthy fat consumption. Big quarter pound burgers fried in a quarter pound of butter. Of course it’s not kosher, but I say embrace your selling point-- On the marquis: " **DK’s Butterburgers- _We’re not Kosher._**
[/QUOTE]
devilsknew, meet [The Heart Attack Grill](http://www.heartattackgrill.com/). (They’re getting a bit of controversy right now, but not about their menu.)
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### Author:  [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2006, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/295 "2006-12-11T20:09:49Z")
[QUOTE=Asgardking]
Are you confusing White Castle with White Tower? Because I’ve never heard of White Castles being called “butter burgers” usually they’re nicknamed “sliders”
[/QUOTE]
Yea. :smack:
My bad. I am talking about White Tower not White Castle. Although our town got it’s first White Castle a couple years back. The sliders are good but the Butterburger is a better burger.
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### Author:  [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2006, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/296 "2006-12-11T20:14:39Z")
There are some big companies that own a handful of eatery chains (General Foods, IIRC.) Sometimes, you’ll see a restaurant close, only to reopen with a new name, format, and decor, but it didn’t change hands at all.
If you’re interested in the saga of Ray Kroc and _McDonald’s_, you’ll find Mark Knopfler’s song _Boom, Like That_, based on the story, entertaining.
**Brain Glutton** , one big reason for chains disappearing is that other chains buy them. _Burger Chef_, where I had my first job, was bought by _Hardee’s_, and most of them became _Hardee’s_ places.
Here in Anderson, the _Mister Donut_ shops dropped the franchise. They’re now _Nick’s Donuts_, which also sells pizza! Two of the three _KFC_s are closed. One was razed, and a _McD’s_ stands there now. The other just opened as a Mexican joint. _ChiChi’s_ is gone, and the building is now a Legion hall. _Popeye’s_ closed, and is still empty. We had two _Ponderosas_ once. One is divided into a liquor store and a rent-to-own place. The other is now a Mexican restaurante, _La Charreada_. We have a _Frisch’s Big Boy_ that’s been there for about half a century.
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### Author:  [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2006, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/297 "2006-12-11T20:32:44Z")
[QUOTE=Missy2U]
**devilsknew** , Culver’s calls them ButterBurgers (it’s a registered trademark) because they lightly butter and toast the crown of the bun. [Here’s the menu.](http://www.culvers.com/Menu/MenuBoard.aspx)
[/QUOTE]
So, is White Tower defunct now too? I can’t find a corporate website or anything… did this Culver’s you speak of absorb the chain? Because I’m pretty sure Butterburgers were White Tower’s trademark. That’s what we used to call them and I think it was on their menu.
Haven’t seen a white tower in years, so maybe they are gone now?
Damn, I hate it when they (the franchises) just kind of die a slow death and then poof, they’re gone. It’s unsettling.
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### Author:  [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)
#### Post date: [December 12, 2006, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/298 "2006-12-12T02:17:05Z")
devilsknew writes:
\> Ohio is the keeper of the classic burger.
When I was growing up in Hancock County, Ohio, we all thought that the hamburgers at Wilson’s Sandwich Shop in Findlay were great. I have no idea whether I’d think they’re great today. I haven’t had one for umpty-ump years. I didn’t even know whether the sandwich shop was still open now or even remember the name exactly until five minutes ago when I did a search on hamburgers and Findlay. I discovered the strangest thing:
[http://local.yahoo.com/details?id=11069963](http://local.yahoo.com/details?id=11069963)
It’s a review of a restaurant in the West Village in Manhattan in which someone compares the hamburgers there to Wilson’s in Findlay.
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### Author:  [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)
#### Post date: [December 12, 2006, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/299 "2006-12-12T02:36:02Z")
[QUOTE=Wendell Wagner]
ralph124c writes:
I would say that you should make all the extraneous elements of your restaurant as different as possible. Choose the name of your restaurant to be as different as possible. Make the layout and the color scheme of your restaurant as different as possible. Make the names of the food items on your menu as different as possible, and make the ordering of the items on the menu as different as possible. The only points of similarity should be the choice and the quality of the food items, and even there you should try for some differences. You generally can’t trademark a style of cooking unless it’s utterly different from anything else in the world.
[/QUOTE]
In Northeast Florida, those who have traveled up and down US 1 might remember
a bunch of signs near St. Augustine touting a certain “David Johnson’s” restaurant
(and tourist trap). The design was similar enough to that of HoJo’s that that, and the
name of course, brought a lawsuit down on this poor sot (who only had that one
location IIRC). The signs were still up last time I went that way (which had to have
been close to a decade ago) but the business had long since closed.
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### Author:  [@Asgardking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asgardking)
#### Post date: [December 12, 2006, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/300 "2006-12-12T04:21:22Z")
[QUOTE=devilsknew]
Yea. :smack:
My bad. I am talking about White Tower not White Castle. Although our town got it’s first White Castle a couple years back. The sliders are good but the Butterburger is a better burger.
[/QUOTE]
[hijack]
The concept of sliders being good completely eludes me. When forced to go to White Castle, I stick with the chicken rings.
[/hijack]
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