# 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:** 22
### Author:  [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)
#### Post date: [September 3, 2010, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/421 "2010-09-03T02:54:53Z")
> [@KimmyT](#):
>
> Does anyone remember a restaurant from 70’s called Jacks R Better? There was one by Crestwood plaza in St. Louis County,Mo. It was kinda like Ground Round. Also in the same area was a Flaming Pit steak House. I believe it shut down in the early 80’s.
I remember Flaming Pit – several outlets around St. Louis IIRC, and one of my favorite upper-class establishments when I was there. Can’t remember Jacks, tho.
---
### Author:  [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)
#### Post date: [September 3, 2010, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/422 "2010-09-03T03:23:19Z")
The following may be Indiana chains.
\*\*Penguin Point \*\*- had good double cheeseburgers
**Mister Fifteen** , later **Burger Man** (later **Mac’s**? I remember that’s what some of them became)
**Frendly Fosters** - a White Castle clone
I know Taco Tico was mentioned a few years ago in this thread. I liked it better than Taco Bell because you could order mild, hot, or extra hot, and they had chili and tamales.
I miss restaurants. I can’t eat out much because of heart troubles and a low-sodium diet.
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### Author:  [@ThisSpaceForRent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisSpaceForRent)
#### Post date: [September 3, 2010, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/423 "2010-09-03T04:05:01Z")
> [@jed67](#):
>
> Does anyone remember Red Coach Grille?
The only “Red Coach” I knew of was “Wayne’s Red Coach” in Springfield IL…It was not a chain though. I worked there…
Any one remember Heritage House Smorgasbord? Worked there too!
tsfr
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### Author:  [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)
#### Post date: [September 3, 2010, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/424 "2010-09-03T04:33:37Z")
Swiss Chalet closed all their locations in Buffalo, and thus all their outlets in the United States, not too long ago. Montana’s Steakhouse, another Canadian chain, closed all of their Buffalo locations a couple of years ago. The lone 241 Pizza in the US, on Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo, is now a locally-owned calzone joint. Kelsey’s Buffalo locations are also all closed.
The American chains mostly steer clear of Buffalo, and the Canadian chains, with the exception of Tim Horton’s and Jack Astor’s, have all pulled out of the area.
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### Author:  [@Hometownboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hometownboy)
#### Post date: [September 3, 2010, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/425 "2010-09-03T05:34:22Z")
For those of us geezers who remember the 1950s of our childhood, I give you [SPUDNUTS](http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/news/2006/09/local09-17-06-01.shtm).
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### Author:  [@Darth\_Nader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Nader)
#### Post date: [September 3, 2010, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/426 "2010-09-03T06:12:43Z")
Okay, not a chain (there was one other in Longmont, maybe.)
Boulder: Back around Q\*Bert time ,or maybe it was Tempest O’Clock, and the freakin’ coolest place to eat ever. Tucked back in a strip mall that had both waterbeds and telescopes for sale.
Inside? The regular booths and tables on on side, set at many levels, with mirrors and plants and stairs that were never close to code to confuse things. Past the giant baseball mitt next to the Crystal Castles machine-- a multi level bar, with free cocktail munchies, and more.
While I’m getting all nostalgic-- If the Dark Horse ever closes, I’ll pee in the wrong room for a week.
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### Author:  [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)
#### Post date: [September 3, 2010, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/427 "2010-09-03T23:19:14Z")
> [@Hometownboy](#):
>
> For those of us geezers who remember the 1950s of our childhood, I give you [SPUDNUTS](http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/news/2006/09/local09-17-06-01.shtm).
Huh! And here I always thought that was just another childhood taunt back in West Texas.
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### Author:  [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)
#### Post date: [September 4, 2010, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/428 "2010-09-04T00:14:43Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#):
>
> > [@Hometownboy](#):
> >
> > For those of us geezers who remember the 1950s of our childhood, I give you [SPUDNUTS](http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/news/2006/09/local09-17-06-01.shtm).
>
> Huh! And here I always thought that was just another childhood taunt back in West Texas.
[Plenty of Spudnut Shops still around LA](http://spudnutshop.com/).
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### Author:  [@KimmyT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KimmyT)
#### Post date: [September 4, 2010, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/429 "2010-09-04T00:28:36Z")
Jacks R Better was on Watson road across the street from the Old savings and loan, right before the first mall entrance to the parking lot at Stixx Buer and Fuller (Dillards). It was kinda like Ground Round with the peanuts and shells every where. The sign had a jack off a playing card and playing cards The R was reversed. No wonder they went out of Business, everyone I ask thinks Im crazy but of course my brother and parents remember.
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### Author:  [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)
#### Post date: [September 4, 2010, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/430 "2010-09-04T01:54:54Z")
Recovered memory of Lums here. I lived in Buffalo as a toddler in 1969-'70, and Lums hot dogs were a real treat. Had mom and dad known that the puppies were cooked in beer, they might have saved me from a lifetime of alcohol abuse. 😃
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### Author:  [@Pepper1152](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pepper1152)
#### Post date: [October 5, 2010, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/431 "2010-10-05T13:05:59Z")
Does anyone remember a hot roast beef chain back in the '60s called Gentleman Jim’s? I am 99% sure that was the name of it but I can’t find anything on the web.
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### Author:  [@Gilliver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gilliver)
#### Post date: [October 5, 2010, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/432 "2010-10-05T15:02:56Z")
> [@Darth\_Nader](#):
>
> I was going to ask if anyone else remembered “Round the Corner”, a small chain in Colorado back in the 80’s… After a quick google, I found this: [Benjaman Kyle](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjaman_Kyle). Holy shit.
That guy sure looks familiar. Maybe he just has one of those faces…
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### Author:  [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)
#### Post date: [October 6, 2010, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/433 "2010-10-06T21:50:48Z")
> [@Sternvogel](#):
>
> [QUOTE=Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor]
> I remember a chain in Wisconsin (and elsewhere, maybe), in the 70s, that sold pies. And coffee.
Although mention has been made of Poppin’ Fresh/Bakers Square, there was also a chain called House of Pies.
[/QUOTE]
I loved House of Pies when I was a kid. Banana cream pie! It looks like one still exists in L.A., but apparently, they can’t pull together a real [website](http://houseofpiesrestaurant.com/).
I think I may have to wander down to Sambo’s for old times sake.
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### Author:  [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)
#### Post date: [October 6, 2010, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/434 "2010-10-06T21:57:37Z")
Anybody here remember Laughner’s Cafeterias in Indiana? I believe they’re all gone now.
I hope I didn’t ask this earlier in this thread’s childhood…
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### Author:  [@ladeda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladeda)
#### Post date: [October 6, 2010, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/435 "2010-10-06T22:14:10Z")
We used to go to Rustler’s Steakhouse when I was a kid. I don’t think they are around anymore.
Also, as several people mentioned, Gino’s no longer exists. But that’s where Kentucky Fried Chicken started from I think. Could be wrong.
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### Author:  [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)
#### Post date: [October 6, 2010, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/436 "2010-10-06T23:04:37Z")
No, Kentucky Fried Chicken did not start from Gino’s. The company that owned Gino’s also owned the franchise for KFC in one area, but they did not in any sense start KFC:
> **[Gino's Hamburgers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gino's_Hamburgers)**
>
> Gino's Hamburgers was a fast-food restaurant chain founded in Baltimore, Maryland by Baltimore Colts defensive end Gino Marchetti and running back Alan Ameche, along with their close friends Joe Campanella and Louis Fischer, in 1957. A new group of restaurants under the Gino's name, involving some of the principals of the original chain, was started in 2010.
> The first Gino's was opened in Dundalk, Maryland, just outside Baltimore; it got its official name in 1959 when the owners Joe Campanella...
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### Author:  [@GythaOgg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GythaOgg)
#### Post date: [October 7, 2010, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/437 "2010-10-07T00:40:41Z")
> [@KimmyT](#):
>
> Does anyone remember a restaurant from 70’s called Jacks R Better? There was one by Crestwood plaza in St. Louis County,Mo. It was kinda like Ground Round. Also in the same area was a Flaming Pit steak House. I believe it shut down in the early 80’s.
I remember Jacks or Better. There was one on Watson road in Crestwood (the building is still there, it’s medical offices and a Ryder truck rental now) and there was another one on Manchester Road in the Rock Hill area. What I remember most vividly about the place was it was the first restaurant I ever saw of the ‘throw the peanut shells on the floor’ variety.
Flaming Pit was all over the St. Louis area. They were one of my parents’ favorites. I can recall two other locations (one on Manchester in Des Peres and one on Chippewa near Hampton) and there were surely more. What I recall most about them is the ‘treasure chest’ kids could pick a toy from at the end of the meal. Cool stuff when you’re ten. 🙂
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### Author:  [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)
#### Post date: [October 7, 2010, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/438 "2010-10-07T03:35:06Z")
A 2010 update in case anyone was planning a roadtrip: the Lums in Elmira and Plattsburgh have closed since I originally posted in this thread in 2006.
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### Author:  [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)
#### Post date: [October 7, 2010, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/439 "2010-10-07T14:10:08Z")
I was fairly certain that **Arctic Circle** drive-ins were long defunct, but apparently they are alive and well. Sort of.
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### Author:  [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)
#### Post date: [October 7, 2010, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defunct-restaurant-chains/383004/440 "2010-10-07T18:04:14Z")
> [@ladeda](#):
>
> We used to go to Rustler’s Steakhouse when I was a kid. I don’t think they are around anymore.
>
> Also, as several people mentioned, Gino’s no longer exists. But that’s where Kentucky Fried Chicken started from I think. Could be wrong.
> [@Wendell\_Wagner](#):
>
> No, Kentucky Fried Chicken did not start from Gino’s. The company that owned Gino’s also owned the franchise for KFC in one area, but they did not in any sense start KFC:
>
> [Gino's Hamburgers - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gino's_Hamburgers)
I used to work for Gino’s HQ in King of Prussia. They also owned the Rustler Steakhouse chain. Gino’s was different than many of the chains in that the corporation owned all of the outlets instead of franchising the stores to individual owners. We did a massive weekly payroll on punched cards. The KFC franchise was in a limited area. They seem to be restarting now as a franchised operation, adding the tagline ‘Burgers and Chicken’ to the name Gino’s. Adopting the name Gino’s in 1957 makes them one of the oldest of the chains in the modern fast food category.
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