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I would choose Chi-Chi's. I loved the food and atmosphere, it was such a fun place to go! Yes, I know the food wasn't authentic Mexican, but back then we didn't have any authentic restaurants. I especially loved the El Grande Burrito, smothered with queso.
We lived in a city that didn't have a Chi-Chi's, but there were three within an hour's drive. We would drive north, south or west to dine at Chi-Chi's. When I got my driver's license one of my first trips was to a Chi-Chi's.
Chi-Chi's is associated with so many good memories for me. When I was in college, my friends and I used to go to Chi-Chi's for special occasions. I had my first margaritas there. As broke college students we would go to Chi-Chi-s for their "buy one pitcher get one free" margarita special.
The bar at Chi-Chi's had some tables that were video games. I remember sitting at the Pac Man table, playing games and eating chips and salsa.
Later when I had kids we moved to a city that had several Chi-Chi's locations. We went there for special occasions and sometimes when we were just craving it.
How sad that Chi-Chi's closed after the largest Hepatitis A outbreak ever in the U.S. Over 650 people were sickened, and I think 4 people died.
Steak and Brew. They had the BEST salad bar, and they were the place that introduced me to baked stuffed shrimp, and the reason why I love it even today, but the reason I can't ever find a place whose dish measures up.
Everyone in the family was able to find something to eat there. It converted to Steak and Ale and their management, kitchen staff, and menu changed somewhat. And then they got bought by a really nice Italian-style place. The new place is great, but I just really wish Steak and Brew was around locally. It was a terrific family place.
Venitos in San Francisco. It was a wonderful italain restaurant near the Wharf, but across the street. We used to feel like kings and queens when we ate there in the late 60s and early 70s. Another one that we loved was Housners in Baltimore. They didn't take reservations so the lines. after about 6pm would be blocks long, but the wait was worth it. The third one, that comes to my mind is Il Porto, in oldtown Alexandria, Va.
Zantigo's; much better than the Taco Bells that Zantigo was converted into when Pepsi bought KFC in the 80s. Allegedly there's some restaurant around Minneapolis called Zantigo, but it's not the same chain.
Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor; I know there are still a handful of restaurants in California still, but the chain has otherwise disappeared.
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