Nostalgia is a funny thing. Memory Lane. And that lane is full of old eateries from yesteryear. Like Berni Inns and Beefeater.
These were the kinds of restaurant chains our parents went to. For some reason they always make me think of thick chips, steak and peppercorn sauce, although I have no recollection of eating there ever. Warm log fires, large glasses of rum and woollen cardigans is another image I have of them.
Oddly enough I think Beefeater is still going. Its linked to the Premier Inn chain of hotels. Brewer's Fayre too. Maybe I have eaten at Beefeater after all!
Other eateries of yore include Happy Eater, that motorway chain with fab pancakes; Pizzaland, where I had my first slice of pizza ... with coleslaw!; Spud-U-Like - this may still be baking somewhere; National Milk Bars - I went to one for a milkshake in Barnard Castle about 20 years ago.
Can you think of any more long gone food joints?
In America, there used to be Howard Johnson's. A Restaurant and Hotel chain.
ReplyDeleteThey're either gone or practically gone nowadays.
But, they do appear on Space Station V in "2001: A Space Odyssey!"
...Along with Pan-Am, also sadly gone.
Great memories Scott! I've heard of Howard Johnson's restaurants. I was interested to read in started in Quincy, MA and ended nearly a century later in Lake George, NY. A long stint for any eatery chain that!
DeleteAre Wimpy's still around ?
ReplyDeleteI remember a Wimpy bar near the ABC cinema in Preston town centre Mish. Fifty years ago! I think they were ahead of the game and never really made the grade like Maccy D's and Burger King did. Wonder why?
DeleteI have a couple of Lledo die-cast models carrying the Happy Eater name, part of a series of six models. The first time I had ever heard of this chain.
ReplyDeleteThey were sold off Paul. A famous UK chef bought one, Hester Blumenthal I think, but nothing after that.
DeleteWe had Happy Shopper too.
DeleteWimpey bars were a thing of my UK youth (with a Tasty-Freeze counter too!) Barron's steak houses I seem to remember at least into the 80's when I visited again.
ReplyDeleteIn Sydney Australia, there used to be an amazing chain of themed restaurants run by Cahills. Each was a different national theme with matching menu. Bavarian, Hawaiian etc etc. My wife still has a menu from the 60's (way before we met) I'll have to scan it, so you Moonbasers can see it too!
Cahill's sound great Looey and I'd forgotten all about Tasty Freeze!
DeleteNever heard of 'Tasty Freeze'.
ReplyDeleteIce cream or a Slushy ?
Yeps Berni / Beefeater were our go to for birthdays in the 70's.
ReplyDeletePrawn cocktail Steak/chips/peas/tomato/'shrooms,
Us younger kids had banana split or knickerbocker glory, the older kids / parents had black forest gateaux.
I remember paying for a meal out at a Beefeater ca.1980 with Luncheon Vouchers that I received as part of of my wages as a Saturday job in BHS.
I stayed at a Ho-Jo in Las Vegas ca. 2000.
I want that 70s Beefeater meal now please. I have a voucher!
DeleteGreat memories Anon.
ReplyDeleteLoved Pizzaland, I still want to have their Passionara potato platter, the one with the black olives on, served split in two halves with a baked potato and coleslaw! who eats a potato with a pizza?? I remember the Berni Inn at the Pier Head in Liverpool, they also did Irish coffee after the meal served in tall glass cups and always scalding hot under the layer of cream.
ReplyDelete