Once-Popular Mexican Chain Restaurants That Now Barely Exist

Restaurants

Once-Popular Mexican Chain Restaurants That Now Barely Exist By Brian Boone Oct. 17, 2025 3:40 pm EST

Mexico is right next to the U.S., bordering multiple states. And yet, despite its proximity, it took until the late 20th century for its vast and wonderful cuisine to achieve widespread popularity north of the border. Adjacent states such as California, New Mexico, and Texas got to enjoy Mexican, Mexican-inspired, and Tex-Mex dishes well before the rest of the country did, and restaurants that established themselves there in the 1960s, '70s, and '80s worked their way around the U.S.

The result: Mexican food (or, to be more accurate, Tex-Mex food) became part of mainstream foodie culture in the U.S. There was soon an abundance of chains, both regional and national,