# 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:** 18
### Author:  [@Savannah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Savannah)
#### Post date: [December 16, 2006, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/341 "2006-12-16T23:02:06Z")
[QUOTE=Asgardking]
When i was growing up, my grandparents lived in Hawaii and we would go visit them every 2 years. One of the things we always did there was go to Orange Julius. I always figured it was a Hawaii thing until I found one nearby.
[/QUOTE]
I have never, ever seen an Orange Julius that wasn’t in a mall food court. I thought mall food courts were their native, and only, territory.
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### Author:  [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)
#### Post date: [December 16, 2006, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/342 "2006-12-16T23:14:42Z")
[QUOTE=Savannah]
I have never, ever seen an Orange Julius that wasn’t in a mall food court. I thought mall food courts were their native, and only, territory.
[/QUOTE]
IIRC, they were a common sight as standalone, curbside outlets in Southern California in the 1970’s. Sorta like mini-Dairy Queens; they were tiny, sometimes open to the elements, had a limited menu, and were vulnerable to the bulldozer if the block was being renovated. I suspect the move to malls came later.
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### Author:  [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)
#### Post date: [December 17, 2006, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/343 "2006-12-17T00:54:04Z")
[QUOTE=Musicat]
IIRC, they were a common sight as standalone, curbside outlets in Southern California in the 1970’s. Sorta like mini-Dairy Queens; they were tiny, sometimes open to the elements, had a limited menu, and were vulnerable to the bulldozer if the block was being renovated. I suspect the move to malls came later.
[/QUOTE]
They actually started in the 1920’s as standalone stands. Started in Calif.
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### Author:  [@Asgardking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asgardking)
#### Post date: [December 17, 2006, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/344 "2006-12-17T04:02:53Z")
[QUOTE=Musicat]
I stopped going to OJ when I did some experimenting and found out that mixing a litle sugar, vanilla and egg white extract (cosmetic, for foam) with ordinary orange juice in a blender, I could make a Julius myself. Tasted exactly the same.
[/QUOTE]
I have the exact recipe the chain uses. Although I omit the egg white because as you say, it’s just for the foam.
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### Author:  [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)
#### Post date: [December 17, 2006, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/345 "2006-12-17T04:15:23Z")
[QUOTE=Eva Luna]
So far I don’t think anyone has mentioned Swensen’s, where I had my first job. It was a great turn-of-the-20th-century style ice cream parlor that also served mediocre diner-style food. I worked at the one in Evanston, IL, but there also used to be one on the NYU campus which is now gone, and I don’t recall seeing one in years. But I googled it just now, and apparently they are still [very much alive and kicking,](http://www.swensensicecream.com/index.php?sw_about_us) though the concept seems to have morphed somewhat.
Their stupid website doesn’t appear to show locations - does anyone here have a Swensen’s nearby? I used to make kickass malts there, and they had a great sundae involving chocolate and coffee ice cream, hot fudge, and butterscotch topping. We would make anything to order, though. I quit when they kept scheduling me until 11 pm on schoolnights (I was a high school junior), and later worked at Baskin-Robbins (which similarly violated child labor laws), but Baskin-Robbins just wasn’t as good.
Eva Luna, 3rd-Generation Ice Cream Professional
[/QUOTE]
I didn’t mention Swenson’s because I didn’t know it was a chain! There was one near me growing up, and it was a big hangout for the pre-driver’s license HS crowd (along with the video game arcade in the same strip mall). LOVED it, but it is long gone now.
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### Author:  [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)
#### Post date: [December 20, 2006, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/346 "2006-12-20T08:17:45Z")
[QUOTE=Dooku]
One of my favorite fast food places growing up was Naugles. There was one pretty close to my house in St. Louis (Mccausland off of Clayton Rd). I recall fondly their mascot, “Señor Naugles.” I think they got bought out by Del Taco.
I also used to love The Ground Round (free popcorn and peanuts!) but Wikipedia says there’s still a few dozen of them around, so they (barely) don’t qualify.
[/QUOTE]
As a trivia note, Señor Naugles was played by Stephen Kandel, Harry Mudd of Star Trek fame. He had a coke problem and killed himself shortly after the Naugles commercials were made.
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### Author:  [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)
#### Post date: [December 20, 2006, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/347 "2006-12-20T08:20:32Z")
[QUOTE=scotandrsn]
One of the very last Pioneer Chickens is about a mile away from me, on the corner of Florence and Garfield in Bell Gardens, if you want to know.
[/QUOTE]
There is another one on Sunset between Santa Monica and Hollywood.
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### Author:  [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)
#### Post date: [December 20, 2006, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/348 "2006-12-20T13:47:11Z")
> [@](#):
>
> As a trivia note, Señor Naugles was played by Stephen Kandel, Harry Mudd of Star Trek fame. He had a coke problem and killed himself shortly after the Naugles commercials were made.
Check your sources – it was actor **Roger C. Carmel** who played Senor Naugles (and Harry Mudd, in addition to other roles). I was amazed when I heard it – I had to look close the next time I saw it.
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### Author:  [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)
#### Post date: [December 20, 2006, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/349 "2006-12-20T17:23:59Z")
[QUOTE=Neptunian Slug]
I loved Rax! At Ohio State, I used to hit one every day after class when I was at Ohio State. 89 cent sandwiches rule!
[/QUOTE]
From Wikipedia:
> [@](#):
>
> Rax Restaurants is a small midwestern U.S. fast food restaurant chain specializing in roast beef sandwiches, formerly based in Columbus, Ohio.
What’s the deal with all the restaurant chains with corporate headquarters in Columbus? It’s like the fast food capital of the country.
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### Author:  [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)
#### Post date: [December 20, 2006, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/350 "2006-12-20T17:41:33Z")
Too many entries…
**Ollie’s Trolley** and \*\*Burger Queen \*\* came to my mind…
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### Author:  [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)
#### Post date: [December 20, 2006, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/351 "2006-12-20T19:25:09Z")
[QUOTE=CalMeacham]
Check your sources – it was actor **Roger C. Carmel** who played Senor Naugles (and Harry Mudd, in addition to other roles). I was amazed when I heard it – I had to look close the next time I saw it.
[/QUOTE]
Of course you are correct! I don’t know why I get those names confused, but this isn’t the first time.
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### Author:  [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)
#### Post date: [December 20, 2006, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/352 "2006-12-20T19:42:27Z")
[QUOTE=elmwood]
What’s the deal with all the restaurant chains with corporate headquarters in Columbus? It’s like the fast food capital of the country.
[/QUOTE]
White Castle hails from Columbus, as well as Wendy’s. I am not aware of any other major chain that operates from there. Actually, Southern California should be called the franchise restaurant capital of the world. Chains originating here:
McDonald’s
Taco Bell
Del Taco
IHOP
In-N-Out
Farmer Boys
Norm’s
Jack in the Box
Denny’s
Bob’s Big Boy
Sizzler
And I am sure many more. It seems our suburban sprawl is just the right incubator for these types of chains. We have a large enough market to do media, a car culture that makes roadside food a must, and a lifestyle that gets us out of the house.
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### Author:  [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)
#### Post date: [December 20, 2006, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/353 "2006-12-20T20:44:00Z")
[QUOTE=Happy Wanderer]
White Castle hails from Columbus, as well as Wendy’s. I am not aware of any other major chain that operates from there. Actually, Southern California should be called the franchise restaurant capital of the world. Chains originating here:
McDonald’s
Taco Bell
Del Taco
IHOP
In-N-Out
Farmer Boys
Norm’s
Jack in the Box
Denny’s
Bob’s Big Boy
Sizzler
And I am sure many more. It seems our suburban sprawl is just the right incubator for these types of chains. We have a large enough market to do media, a car culture that makes roadside food a must, and a lifestyle that gets us out of the house.
[/QUOTE]
Add Carl’s Jr., now CKE Restaurants, Inc., which owns Hardee’s.
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### Author:  [@xanthous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xanthous)
#### Post date: [December 20, 2006, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/354 "2006-12-20T23:20:59Z")
I admit I didn’t read through 8 pages of posts, but did anybody mention **Rax Roast Beef**?
I remember as kids when we ordered french fries, we always delighted to hear the counter person say “Gol’nbrownfries” into the order mic. I guess that was part of their shtick.
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### Author:  [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)
#### Post date: [December 20, 2006, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/355 "2006-12-20T23:34:45Z")
[QUOTE=xanthous]
I admit I didn’t read through 8 pages of posts, but did anybody mention **Rax Roast Beef**?
I remember as kids when we ordered french fries, we always delighted to hear the counter person say “Gol’nbrownfries” into the order mic. I guess that was part of their shtick.
[/QUOTE]
Only about ten times. And on this page as well. 😉
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### Author:  [@xanthous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xanthous)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2006, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/356 "2006-12-21T00:23:12Z")
[QUOTE=DSYoungEsq]
Only about ten times. And on this page as well. 😉
[/QUOTE]
sigh…well did anybody mention the gol’nbrownfries? 🆒
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### Author:  [@alphawulf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphawulf)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2006, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/357 "2006-12-21T03:51:18Z")
Taco Tico–Crystal hamburgers–Jim Dandy Fried Chicken–I miss Crystal and the corn fritters at Jim Dandy
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### Author:  [@42Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/42Geek)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2006, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/358 "2006-12-21T04:36:42Z")
> [@](#):
>
> Jim Dandy Fried Chicken
There’s one in Westfield MA
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### Author:  [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2006, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/359 "2006-12-21T05:46:02Z")
[QUOTE=42Geek]
There’s one in Westfield MA
[/QUOTE]
There is? I looked it up in my phone book and don’t see it. Can you tell me where? I’m always looking for new places to eat.
I remember seeing Lums in Pburgh all the time but my grandpa never took us there. I’ll have to see if he’ll take me on my next visit.
The only restaurant I miss is Chuck’s Steakhouse.
Someone told me once that it was a chain but I’ve never seen another. It used to reside in the Auburn Mall (Mass). They had an excellent buffet, the first buffet I ever went to actually. My mom used to work there when I was a wee lass and we lived in Auburn. We were dirt poor so she choose to work there for the free meals. She would take us because there was a massive price reduction for young children. They had the best steak fries ever. Oooooo, the huge buttered rolls - dipped in thick mushroom gravy, YUM!
I think I’m gonna cry now.
I still remember being a little kid (living in Worcester) and spending my Saturday’s with my mom. Before we could afford a car, we’d take the bus to Auburn. We’d go to the library, play at the playground at the high school, walk to the flea market (gone now), and walk back to the mall for dinner at Chucks. Sometimes if we had extra money, we’d get a small Orange Julius and share it. My sisters never wanted to go with us so it was our own special time. When we got a car, we’d hit all the yard sales between our house and the mall, then hit the library, playground and the flea market. We’d always end up at Chucks.
Once, when I was in my late teens, my mom and I spend a Saturday the way we had when I was a kid. We hadn’t taken a bus together in years and we hadn’t even been to the mall without my stepdad since I was 13. On that day, we did all the things we used to do, including walking our now fat selves to the flea market and back. When we got to the mall, we realized that Chucks was gone. We both got quite teary-eyed at the realization that our tradition was just a fond memory. I think my mom was depressed at the passage of time and how it changes our lives. I was depressed at the loss of such a huge part of my childhood.
I will never forget those days. Even now, when I’m almost 27 and am living 50 miles away, I still drive to Worcester at least once a month. I pick up my mom and take her to any place she desires. One year, I took a Saturday off from work so we could spend the day yardsaling. Sometimes we drive an hour to get to a faraway mall, sometimes we just stay in Worcester. We still finish up by eating dinner together. The restaurants change with almost every visit and none seem to taste as good as Chucks. But, it’s a way to carry on the tradition and I’m happy with it.
There is a chain called Chuck’s Steakhouse and there’s even one in Southwick. But, the one in Auburn changed it’s name to just Chuck’s before closing for good, so I don’t think they’re the same.
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### Author:  [@alphawulf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphawulf)
#### Post date: [December 21, 2006, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/360 "2006-12-21T06:21:37Z")
We had a few Taco Tico s on the north central Gulf of Mexico coast until Katrina–lots of Taco Bells remain. Crystal was like White Castle and may have been local–had better burgers–Down here we also had Frostop which is still around in a few places but they don’t have their signature frozen mugs of root beer anymore.
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