I went to the original Mod Pizza in Seattle once when it was the only Mod Pizza. Ditto the original Voodoo Doughnut in Portland.
Same here; I’ve spent most of my career working within a few blocks of it, so I’ve been to it many times.
If two restaurants count, I ate at the original Billy Goat Cafe in Chicago.
I’ve been to several already mentioned in this thread:
I’ve been to the Macy’s flagship store in New York. I didn’t actually know that was the original one, but if the OP says it is, then I will claim it.
I’ve stood in front of the original Starbucks near Pike Place Market. I didn’t go in, but I’m still counting it. I mean, I did take a picture of it.
I’ve been to a Habit in Santa Barbara, but I don’t think it was the original one. (I went to the one on State Street, but I’m pretty sure the original is the one on Milpeas).
I too been to the oldest McDonald’s in Downey, CA
I’ve also been to the Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank, CA. Similar to the “oldest McDolald’s”, it’s not technically the original Big Boy, but it’s the oldest location that still survives. It opened in 1949 and was the 6th Big Boy resturant.
This barely counts, but I have been to the original Char-Grill on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh. They’ve since expanded to 11 locations around NC, mostly the Triangle area.
The original was in Isla Vista in the early 80s and then moved to Hollister Ave in Old Town Goleta in the late 80s where it still is. It doesn’t look anything like the franchise ones. Until a couple of years ago it was the only one that had that amazing greasy chili which IMO was the only reason to go there. It dropped the chili and now it’s dead to me.
Before or after 1976?
After. In 1976 I hadn’t even been born yet.
Before. 1975.
I went to the original Chevy’s in Alameda, CA when they first opened. That location no longer exists (well, the location does, but…).
Actually they are a franchise chain albeit a local one. There are five Anchor Bars in the Buffalo area. Like you, I’ve been to the original one.
I just though of another one. I’ve been to the original Nathan’s Famous hot dogs on Coney Island, New York.
From Wikipedia:
Actually, there are 14 locations in multiple states as well as Canada.
The first Black Bear Diner I ever went to was in Mt. Shasta, CA. Turns out that’s the original one, and there’s a little museum in there dedicated to itself. Food’s alright, like a slightly nicer Denny’s with nice servers and somewhat better decor. They were notorious during COVID for willfully allowing dine-in without masks, though: Oregon Occupational Safety and Health : Black Bear Diner sites in Deschutes County fined more than $35,000 for willfully violating COVID-19 rules : 2021 News : State of Oregon
There’s a Taiwanese dim sum chain called Din Tai Fung that’s now all over the world, including many West Coast locations and one in New York. Apparently the first one was just a few blocks from where I grew up in Taipei, and I used to be so terrified of going in there because of all the intestines and organ linings they served (which they don’t seem to have on their US menu, thank god).
If you’ve ever seen a Hydro Flask water bottle, they’re designed where I live now (Bend, OR). Once a year at their headquarters here, they hold a two-day parking lot sale where everything is $10 (instead of the usual $50-$80+), from the smallest baby cup to the giant growlers, and people buy giant bags full of them to stock up for themselves and to give away as gifts. The headquarters is an otherwise nondescript building in a strip mall. They’re part of the same conglomerate that owns Vicks, PUR, OXO, Osprey packs, and many other household brands.
Oh, and of course, the Seattle REI flagship is beautiful and huge, and I think it’s where it originally started.
We have a winner!
Ah, you got sucked into the corporate false narrative.
Or sell on eBay
A couple of these are definitely more regional in flavor, but there should be plenty of people who have heard of them. They’re a bit scattered, but all visits were organic (mostly based on where I lived over the years and one was during a family visit):
Panera Bread (although it’s called the St. Louis Bread Co. in that market)
I thought I had been to the original White Castle, but turns out it was not the correct one.
And a blast from the past:
ETA - Forgot two:
It used to be called Mr. Goodcents, but apparently they dropped the “Mr.”.
Tiny chain, but well known Casa Bonita.
Huh, maybe. These are typically seconds with minor cosmetic blemishes, but I’m sure that wouldn’t stop some people.
Been to that one once. Kinda run down and crappy and doesn’t have a public restroom. The one on Milapas is nicer and closer to the freeway.
Milpas.
For sure. The franchise ones are definitely nicer and uniform and the original one is grubby but that chili rivaled Tommy’s and was maybe better. If you want to get a much better local cheap burger and fries, go to Chubbies.