Restaurant chains that no longer exist

Good friend of mine manages a couple of Cici's in the Raleigh Triangle.

 

Love CiCi's, and Sizzler was a favorite when there was one nearby.

 

We used to eat at Sizzler all the time when I was a kid. One of my proudest eating moments was, at the age of 13 or 14, consuming five plates of fried shrimp (about 75 total) on an all you can eat deal. Haven't seen a Sizzler in forever, though.

 

All-you-can-eat shrimp before it was a common thing was a big selling point for Beefsteak Charlie's. Until you realized that it was really cheap, low-grade shrimp.

 

One sub sandwich chain that's still around but was much bigger 10 or 15 years ago is Quiznos. I edited the business section back then and remember running a story on Quiznos' success and growth plans as a higher-quality alternative to Subway. It also had a big national TV ad campaign for its toasted subs. But Quiznos attempted to grow too fast, the recession hit and the company went bankrupt. Looked up the company's history and it's down to about 1,000 U.S. stores from 5,000 at its peak. It seems as if Jersey Mike's is moving into the niche Quiznos used to occupy.

 

Firehouse too.

 

Anyone remember this place?
We used to hit it most nights after deadline.

 

I do remember that. You could leave the peanut shells on the floor. It's still around, but not as prevalent as it was.

 

Moe's has been popping up all over southern New England the past couple years.

 

Met Mrs. T at the one in Pawtucket (also was a favorite of Baseball Annies hitting on the PawSox and visiting IL players). They're just about gone from New England, sadly. Pawtucket's former GR now houses a fine Irish bar (Murphy's Law, which should be hopping even more since another fine Irish bar across I-95 recently closed) where I had a good time Friday night and watch several Pats games a year with Meetup groups.

 

Peanut shells on the floor and a big screen TV that played Laurel and Hardy non-stop.

 

I remember going to the one in the Warwick Mall. It's since flipped to a Chelo's (Rhode Island's version of Applebee's or Chili's) and now Buffalo Wild Wings.