Why Isn’t Ponderosa Steakhouse in Every U.S. City?
Everyone has their favorite restaurant chain. Sometimes, we discover a new one while on a road trip, fall in love with it, but then never get the chance to return. Throughout the U.S., many restaurant chains haven't expanded across the country despite their loyal following. Here are 20 unpopular restaurant chains that should be more beloved.
1. Shoney's
Shoney's is a Southern-based family restaurant chain that's been in business since the 1940s. It offers hearty breakfast buffets, great fried chicken, and some serious homestyle cooking. It's contracted to fewer than 100 locations, primarily in the Southeast, but its nostalgic take on affordable comfort food would surely find success in other parts of the country.
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2. Friendly's
Founded in 1935, Friendly's has an army of loyal diners thanks to its burgers and ice cream creations. It once had a strong presence in the Northeast, but has shrunk considerably. Still, it maintains its nostalgic charm for families who dined at one of its locations after a Little League game or for a birthday celebration.
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3. Big Boy
Big Boy is an iconic diner that was once widespread across the country. Today, it mostly exists under regional franchises like Frisch's Big Boy in Ohio. You need to try its double-decker burger if you get the chance.
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4. Village Inn
This casual dining chain is best known for its classic comfort foods and all-day breakfast. It was a family staple for decades, mostly in Colorado and Arizona, but it has never been well-known nationally.
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5. Bakers Square
Baker's Square is a Midwest-centered restaurant and pie shop. Its presence is smaller than other chains like Village Inn, and there are only a few locations left. It offers award-winning pies and hearty breakfast and lunch meals.
6. Ponderosa Steakhouse
Once a hugely successful national chain, Ponderosa has been reduced to only a few scattered locations in small-town markets. Its former glory isn't hard to believe when you consider their traditional steakhouse menu and all-you-can-eat buffet.
7. Bonanza Steakhouse
Similar to Ponderosa, Bonanza offers a mix of grilled steaks and a buffet. It was once a nationwide giant, but now it only has a handful of locations. Its retro charm and affordable prices should have safeguarded its place as a beloved chain.
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8. Carrows
This California-based diner has been in operation for decades, but has steadily declined. Famous for its all-day breakfast, Carrows filled a market niche similar to Denny's. Its loyal following of older individuals and families continues to appreciate its menu and friendly service.
9. Black Angus Steakhouse
Black Angus has been serving steaks, ribs, and comfort sides since the 1960s. There are fewer than 50 locations today, thanks to competitors like Outback. It's still enjoyed by a small legion of fans who adore its rustic charm and consistently good food.
10. Hometown Buffet/Old Country Buffet
Hometown Buffet and its sister brand, Old Country Buffet, once had hundreds of locations across America. Today, only a few remain, but its appeal endures. They offer huge all-you-can-eat spreads that still attract diners with a big appetite looking to stretch a buck.
11. Sirloin Stockade
This is a smaller steak-and-buffet chain that still operates in a few parts of the country. Once known for its large steaks, fried chicken, and a buffet stocked with comfort foods, it still offers a lot of appeal to families looking for a relaxed and affordable meal.
12. Roy Rogers Steakhouse
This regional fast food chain survives mostly in the Mid-Atlantic with around 50 locations. Known for its "Fixin's Bar", roast beef sandwiches, and burgers, it blends Arby's with KFC while adding its own charm. Its popularity has dwindled over the decades, but it's a great chain that deserves a comeback.
13. Don Pablo's
Don Pablo's is a Tex-Mex chain that once owned a large share of its market. Now it operates in only a limited number of locations. Diners loved the sizzling fajitas, margaritas, and fun ambience.
14. Luby's Cafeteria
Luby's was once a Texas institution with a reputation dating back to the 1940s. Its cafeteria-style Southern comfort food, like chicken-fried steak and pie, drew crowds, but many of its locations have closed over the decades. It's hard to deny its cultural impact on Texas.
15. Waffle House
Waffle House is still well-known across the country, but its locations are concentrated in the Southeast. It doesn't have the national reach of IHOP, but people still love its 24/7 diner experience and hash brown waffles.
16. Culver's
This Midwestern fast-casual chain has over 900 locations, but not much of a national footprint. Its following can be attributed to its ButterBurgers and frozen custards, which should have made it as recognizable as Shake Shack.
17. Runza
Runza is a Nebraska-based restaurant chain with 80 locations, most of which are in Nebraska. It's popular thanks to the Runza sandwich, which is a bread pocket stuffed with beef, cabbage, and onions. This local favorite should be more beloved, but it's easy to assume why it hasn't expanded beyond its region.
18. Skyline Chili
Based in Cincinnati, Skyline Chili has roughly 150 locations, almost entirely in Ohio. Its unique take on chili, where it's served on spaghetti and topped with shredded cheese, is its bread-and-butter but divisive for those unfamiliar with Ohio.
19. Portillo's
Based in Chicago, Portillo's is one chain that is slowly expanding. Its Italian beef sandwiches are to die for, and they also offer Chicago-style hot dogs. This restaurant chain draws big crowds in Illinois, but is relatively unknown nationally.
20. Zaxby's
Zaxby's is a Southern fast-casual chain with 900 locations across Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. It never fully penetrated the national market despite the popularity of their chicken fingers, wings, and signature sauces.
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