8 Beloved Family Restaurants We Wish Would Reopen, From Alaska To Florida
Remember those special places where your family celebrated birthdays, enjoyed weekend dinners, and made memories that lasted a lifetime?
Across America, from the frozen north to the sunny south, countless beloved restaurants have closed their doors forever.
These eight family favorites left holes in our hearts and empty spaces in our neighborhoods that no new chain can fill.
Disclaimer:
This article reflects nostalgic recollections and publicly available historical information about restaurants that have since closed.
Experiences described are general impressions rather than current evaluations.
Details may vary based on location and era, and readers should verify any historical specifics independently.
1. Lum’s
Lum’s brought something magical to the table: hot dogs simmered in their signature seasoned broth and a secret recipe that kept families coming back for decades.
This Miami-born chain grew to over 400 locations by the 1970s, serving up those famous frankfurters alongside frosted mugs of their house specialty drink.
The casual atmosphere made it perfect for quick family meals without breaking the bank, and kids loved watching their hot dogs prepared right at the counter.
The very first Lum’s that launched the whole chain once stood at 461 41st Street, Miami Beach, Florida 33140.
2. Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour
Walking into Farrell’s felt like stepping back in time to a turn-of-the-century ice cream shop, complete with candy-striped uniforms and player pianos.
Birthday celebrations here were legendary – servers would parade your massive Zoo sundae through the dining room while banging drums and ringing bells.
Those oversized sundaes could feed an entire family, making the experience both theatrical and economical for parents treating their kids.
That whole drum-and-zoo-sundae tradition began at the original Farrell’s at 103 NW 21st Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97209.
3. Chi-Chi’s
Before every strip mall had a Mexican restaurant, Chi-Chi’s introduced millions of Americans to sizzling fajitas and bottomless baskets of warm tortilla chips.
Founded in Minnesota in 1975, this chain made Mexican food accessible and fun for families who’d never tried it before.
The festive atmosphere, complete with colorful sombreros on the walls, turned ordinary Tuesday nights into mini-celebrations without requiring reservations or fancy clothes.
The Chi-Chi’s story started at 7717 Nicollet Avenue South, Richfield, Minnesota 55423, where families first lined up for sizzling fajitas and endless chips.
4. Howard Johnson’s Restaurant
HoJo’s orange roofs dotted America’s highways like beacons, promising road-tripping families clean restrooms, reliable food, and 28 flavors of ice cream.
Their fried clam strips became a national obsession, and the macaroni and cheese comforted countless kids on long family vacations.
Parents loved the predictability, you knew exactly what you’d get whether you stopped in Maine or Miami, making travel less stressful.
The classic HoJo experience traces back to an early restaurant on Beale Street in the Wollaston neighborhood of Quincy, Massachusetts, just steps from the old Wollaston Theatre.
5. Ground Round Grill & Bar
Kids ate free on certain nights at Ground Round, and the popcorn was unlimited – two facts that made this restaurant a lifesaver for budget-conscious parents.
The casual sports-bar atmosphere appealed to dads, while moms appreciated the reasonable prices and diverse menu that satisfied picky eaters.
Silent movies played on screens throughout the restaurant, keeping children entertained while adults enjoyed conversation and affordable burgers.
Today, fans still chase that peanuts-and-popcorn nostalgia at the revived Ground Round on 271 Grafton Street in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts 01545.
6. Happy Chef
A towering chef statue out front turned into a roadside landmark kids searched for on long family drives through the Midwest.
Step inside and Happy Chef delivered hearty American comfort food – meatloaf, pot roast, and homemade pies that could easily rival grandma’s best.
Warm service and that home-cooked flavor made the whole place feel less like a restaurant and more like settling in at a relative’s kitchen table.
Road trippers still watch for the towering chef statue at Happy Chef, perched at 2100 Highway 169 North, Mankato, Minnesota 56001.
7. ShowBiz Pizza Place
Rock-afire Explosion’s animatronic band instantly made ShowBiz a top-tier birthday destination for kids growing up in the 1980s.
Chuck E. Cheese might get mentioned more today, yet ShowBiz delivered better pizza and stage shows elaborate enough that parents genuinely enjoyed watching them.
Arcade games, pizza, and lively entertainment all under one roof meant families could spend an entire afternoon there without anyone ending up bored or hungry.
The very first ShowBiz Pizza Place turned birthday parties into full productions at 2726 NE Vivion Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64119.
8. White Tower Hamburgers
White Tower’s tiny castle-shaped buildings served up five-cent hamburgers that working-class families could actually afford during tough economic times.
Founded in 1926, these spotlessly clean diners countered prejudices against hamburgers by emphasizing hygiene and quality ingredients you could watch being prepared.
The simple menu and quick service made it easy to feed hungry kids fast, though the miniature burgers meant dad usually needed four.
White Tower’s story began on November 17, 1926, at its original shop at 1502 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233.
