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Remember Rax Roast Beef? There’s Still One In Illinois



REMEMBER RAX ROAST BEEF? THERE’S STILL ONE IN ILLINOIS


Joe Dredge
Joe DredgePublished: June 1, 2022
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This roast beef chain went from over 500 locations in the early 80s to nearly
defunct in a matter of years and it's largely blamed on a clumsy advertising
campaign.

This is one of those topics that we fell into during the morning show on WROK.
Riley had come across some bumper stickers in his garage from a long time ago
and was amused by the Rax coupons that he found on the back.

Rax was great. I'm just barely old enough to remember going there, but the one
that used to be on N. 2nd towards the south end of Loves Park was right by my
grandma's house and we would often walk up there for lunch when I was visiting.



Now, I can't tell you if it was actually good or not. I was 5 years old eating
lunch with my grandma, of course I liked it, but I have very fond memories of
the salad bar at Rax.

And it turns out that the salad bar might have been part of the reason for Rax's
demise.

Rax fell from grace quickly and many think it was because of their focus on
becoming the "adult" destination for fast food. They would also torpedo their
fortune with a weird ad campaign that looks like an Adult Swim bit from today. 
There's a whole YouTube video about it.





There are less than 10 Rax restaurants still around in the USA, 7 of them in its
home state of Ohio. Illinois residents are still in luck. There's still one in
the Land on Lincoln in Joliet, Il. 

You can see a review of the restaurant here.




50 MOST POPULAR CHAIN RESTAURANTS IN AMERICA

YouGov investigated the most popular dining brands in the country, and Stacker
compiled the list to give readers context on the findings. Read on to look
through America's vast and divergent variety of restaurants—maybe you'll even
find a favorite or two.

#50. Orange Julius

BestStockFoto // Shutterstock


#50. ORANGE JULIUS

- Positive opinion score: 48%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 52%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 51%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 43%
In 1926, Julius Freed opened an orange juice stand in Los Angeles. When Freed's
business partner Bill Hamlin mixed the orange juice with a few other ingredients
in an effort to lower the acidity that bothered his stomach, the chain's iconic,
frothy, creamy orange beverage was born. Dairy Queen acquired Orange Julius in
1987; its smoothies and fruit beverages can now be purchased at drive-throughs
and malls around the country.

#49. Auntie Anne's

JHVEPhoto // Shutterstock


#49. AUNTIE ANNE'S

- Positive opinion score: 48%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 39%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 56%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 51%
Auntie Anne's was started in 1988 at a Pennsylvania farmer's market. Founder
Anne Beiler began selling her soft, freshly baked pretzels in an effort to fund
her dream of providing free family counseling services for her community. To
this day, the company makes giving back a priority, partnering with Alex's
Lemonade Stand Foundation to find a cure for childhood cancer.

#48. Golden Corral

Jonathan Weiss // Shutterstock


#48. GOLDEN CORRAL

- Positive opinion score: 48%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 50%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 48%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 45%
Golden Corral's stated mission is to "offer guests real, wholesome foods in a
family-friendly atmosphere and at a great value." The restaurant, which opened`
in 1973, is a buffet-style eatery offering up classic American dishes from
salads and pizzas to fried chicken and ribs. Golden Corral has more than 400
locations around the United States.


#47. In-N-Out Burger

Michael Gordon // Shutterstock


#47. IN-N-OUT BURGER

- Positive opinion score: 49%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 43%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 46%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 57%
Ask a group of Californians where to find their favorite burgers, and you're
guaranteed to hear In-N-Out Burger at least once. The chain's first
drive-through stand was opened in Baldwin Park, California, in 1948. It was
years before customer favorites like Animal Style burgers, milkshakes, and
secret menu items were added to the offerings. Today, there are 358 In-N-Out
Burger locations, almost all of which are concentrated on the west coast.

#46. Long John Silver's

Jonathan Weiss // Shutterstock


#46. LONG JOHN SILVER'S

- Positive opinion score: 49%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 54%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 52%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 45%
Seafood fast-food chain Long John Silver's was born in Lexington, Kentucky, in
1969. The now-international brand offers a variety of fried and grilled seafood
entrees, including salmon bowls, fish and chips boxes, and popcorn shrimp sides.

#45. Hard Rock Cafe

Thomas Kelley // Shutterstock


#45. HARD ROCK CAFE

- Positive opinion score: 50%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 55%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 48%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 45%
What started as a small-themed restaurant in London in 1971 has since turned
into a mega-franchise with 185 cafes, more than two dozen hotels, and multiple
casinos all over the world. Two Americans, Isaac Tigrett and Peter Morton, just
wanted a good burger in the UK; when they couldn't find one, they started their
own company. The cafes are renowned for their extensive collections of rock 'n'
roll memorabilia that hang on every free space in the restaurants, as well as
regularly scheduled live concerts at many of the venues. The food generally
consists of burgers, fries, sandwiches, steaks, and other American favorites.


#44. Ruby Tuesday

George Wirt // Shutterstock


#44. RUBY TUESDAY

- Positive opinion score: 50%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 52%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 55%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 45%
Founded in 1972 in Knoxville, Tennessee, Ruby Tuesday is a casual dining
restaurant with primarily American-style cuisine consisting of fried appetizers,
sandwiches, steaks, pastas, and burgers. The name Ruby Tuesday was derived from
the Rolling Stones song of the same name, though there are no official ties to
the band. Today there are more than 200 locations in America and around the
globe. The original founder, Sandy Beall III, left the company in 2012.

#43. Marie Callender's

TonelsonProductions // Shutterstock


#43. MARIE CALLENDER'S

- Positive opinion score: 50%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 62%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 57%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 38%
Marie Callender was a real person who started selling her home-baked pies to
supplement her family's income in the early 1940s. Callender, her husband Carl,
and their son Don soon turned the small delivery business into a thriving bakery
delivering pies to restaurants around Orange County, California. Pretty soon,
the delivery business turned into a retail business with pie shops around
California and beyond. Today, Marie Callender operates around 30 stores in the
United States that serve a wide variety of pies. It is also a sit-down
restaurant chain offering burgers, sandwiches, salads, and other American
favorites, such as meatloaf and roasted turkey.

#42. Starbucks

BalkansCat // Shutterstock


#42. STARBUCKS

- Positive opinion score: 50%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 43%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 47%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 57%
The first Starbucks coffee shop opened in Seattle's Pike Place Market in 1971.
The name comes from the first mate in the book "Moby Dick" by Herman Melville.
After Howard Schultz bought the brand in 1987, the chain eventually exploded
into the biggest coffee empire in the world. Today, the company has more than
30,000 locations in nearly every country and sells a variety of sandwiches,
pastries, and other goodies in addition to its coffee products.


#41. Chipotle Mexican Grill

Vadym Shapran // Shutterstock


#41. CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL

- Positive opinion score: 51%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 47%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 52%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 54%
Based in Denver, Colorado, Chipotle serves up real food with no artificial
colors, flavors, or preservatives. The burrito and bowl spot has more than 2,400
locations throughout the country. The owners chose not to franchise the
business, believing instead that holding ownership allows them to set the tone
for their employees and better control the quality of their ingredients.
McDonald's was an early and major investor but has since divested entirely.

#40. Five Guys

Ken Wolter // Shutterstock


#40. FIVE GUYS

- Positive opinion score: 51%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 47%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 48%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 58%
The name Five Guys is derived from founders Jerry Murrell and his four sons Ben,
Jim, Chad, and Matt. The family-owned business got its start in the Washington
D.C. area in 1986, and has since expanded to more than 1,500 locations in the
United States and around the world. Five Guys is a fast-casual chain known for
its burgers, hot dogs, and fries, but true fans of the establishment know about
the secret menu. It includes favorites like the patty melt, double-grilled
cheeseburger, or the Presidential, so-named for President Barack Obama's special
order: a cheeseburger with jalapeno peppers, lettuce, tomato, and mustard.

#39. Papa John's

Ken Wolter // Shutterstock


#39. PAPA JOHN'S

- Positive opinion score: 51%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 47%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 49%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 56%
Although its founder John Schnatter was ousted as CEO over his controversial
comments on the NFL in 2017, the franchise is still going strong with more than
3,000 locations around the United States. Papa John's was founded by Schnatter
in 1984 and is known for its signature dipping sauce that separates it from
other pizza delivery chains like Domino's and Pizza Hut.


#38. Boston Market

Helen89 // Shutterstock


#38. BOSTON MARKET

- Positive opinion score: 51%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 56%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 58%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 41%

Originally called Boston Chicken when it was founded in 1985 in Newton,
Massachusetts, Boston Market is an inexpensive rotisserie chicken restaurant
with nearly 350 locations across the United States. The company changed its name
in 1995 after expanding its menu to include ribs, meatloaf, turkey, and a bevy
of savory sides.


#37. Waffle House

Jonathan Weiss // Shutterstock


#37. WAFFLE HOUSE

- Positive opinion score: 51%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 52%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 54%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 49%

Waffle House is one of the biggest franchises in the United States, consisting
of more than 2,000 locations across 25 states. The first Waffle House launched
in Avondale Estates, Georgia, where partners Joe Rogers and Tom Forkner opened
their restaurant on Labor Day of 1955. Every Waffle House is open 24 hours a
day, 365 days a year, and serves reasonably priced waffles (of course), as well
as omelets, melts, steak and eggs, burgers, and sandwiches.


#36. Red Robin

Cbraccialini // Wikimedia Commons


#36. RED ROBIN

- Positive opinion score: 53%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 54%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 54%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 53%

Founded in Seattle in 1940, the original name of the restaurant was Sam's Red
Robin. That all changed when Gerry Kingen bought the restaurant in 1969 and
began rapid expansion across the country. Today, there are more than 500 Red
Robin restaurants, which are considered casual dining spots with American fare
like burgers, sandwiches, and fried appetizers.

 



#35. TGI Fridays

Ken Wolter // Shutterstock


#35. TGI FRIDAYS

- Positive opinion score: 54%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 55%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 59%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 50%

TGI Fridays is a casual dining establishment and bar that first opened in New
York City in 1965. It quickly became a hotspot and was one of the first
restaurants to use promotions like Ladies' Nights. On the food front, American
fare is the order of the day with fried appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, and
steaks on the menu. Today, there are more than 300 TGI Fridays in the United
States and hundreds more around the world. In popular culture, TGI Fridays was
the hopping bar in the movie "Cocktail" where Tom Cruise spun bottles and helped
kick off an international flair bartending craze.


#34. Buffalo Wild Wings

Jonathan Weiss // Shutterstock


#34. BUFFALO WILD WINGS

- Positive opinion score: 55%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 52%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 54%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 61%

When Jim Disbrow and Scott Lowery were living in Ohio in 1982, they had a
hankering for Buffalo-style wings--only they realized there was nowhere to
satiate their craving. As a result, the two men opened their own restaurant and
Buffalo Wild Wings has since turned into an international craze with more than
1,000 locations around the globe. The restaurant is known for its Buffalo-style
wings, but it's also a sports bar that serves sandwiches, wraps, burgers, and
lots of cold brews.


#33. Mrs. Fields

JHVEPhoto // Shutterstock


#33. MRS. FIELDS

- Positive opinion score: 55%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 61%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 66%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 49%

There's nothing like the smell of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, and no
one did it better than Debbi Fields. She opened her eponymous cookie shop, Mrs.
Fields, in California in 1977 and quickly grew the business with outlets in
malls across the United States. Today, the cookie business is still booming with
more than 300 locations, in addition to a massive online ordering component.



#32. LongHorn Steakhouse

Jonathan Weiss // Shutterstock


#32. LONGHORN STEAKHOUSE

- Positive opinion score: 56%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 55%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 59%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 51%

First opened in 1981 in Atlanta as LongHorn Steaks Restaurant & Saloon, the
LongHorn Steakhouse is a casual dining steak joint with more than 450 locations
around the United States. The chain is owned and operated by Darden Restaurants,
whose portfolio also includes the Olive Garden, Yard House, and The Capital
Grille. Obviously known for its steaks, LongHorn Steakhouse also serves burgers,
sandwiches, ribs, chicken, and fish.


#31. A&W Restaurants

Jayu // Wikimedia Commons


#31. A&W RESTAURANTS

- Positive opinion score: 56%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 60%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 58%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 51%

This fast-food chain was first popularized back in 1919 as a root beer stand in
California. With the advent of Prohibition in the 1920s, A&W played on the name
root beer to attract alcohol drinkers to its establishment. Today, A&W is still
famous for its draft-style root beer, root beer floats, and sizzling burgers.
A&W's root beer was so popular that the company began selling the drink in
bottles and cans. The company now has locations across the globe and is part of
a conglomerate that includes Dr. Pepper, Snapple, and 7 Up.


#30. Denny's

Jonathan Weiss // Shutterstock


#30. DENNY'S

- Positive opinion score: 56%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 56%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 61%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 52%

Harold Butler and Richard Jezak opened a donut stand in 1953 called Danny's
Donuts, where they aimed to serve the best coffee and donuts 24 hours a day. The
name was changed to Denny's Coffee Shops in 1959 and then finally Denny's in
1961. Since then, the breakfast joint--which is still open 24 hours each
day--has expanded around the world with more than 1,600 restaurants. Denny's is
typically known for its diner-style ambiance and breakfast items, but the
restaurant also serves burgers, steaks, and other American fare throughout the
day.



#29. Little Caesars

Ken Wolter // Shutterstock


#29. LITTLE CAESARS

- Positive opinion score: 57%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 47%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 62%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 59%

Little Caesars was started by a husband-and-wife team in Michigan in 1959.
Today, it is one of the biggest pizza chains in the United States. The company
truly took off in 1979 when it coined its famous phrase "Pizza! Pizza!" and
started selling two pizzas for the price of one. Today, the chain has thousands
of locations around the world and is just as well-known for its sit-down
restaurants as it is for delivery and carry-out.


#28. Red Lobster

Jonathan Weiss // Shutterstock


#28. RED LOBSTER

- Positive opinion score: 57%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 58%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 63%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 51%

Bill Darden started Red Lobster in Lakeland, Fla., in 1968 with a single
restaurant. Today, there are more than 700 Red Lobster joints around the world.
Red Lobster is a family-friendly restaurant whose mission is to bring
inexpensive seafood to the masses. The menu always includes a fresh catch of the
day, in addition to lobster, shrimp, steaks, and sides. Red Lobster was formerly
part of the Darden Restaurants group, which also counts Yard House, LongHorn
Steakhouse, and The Capital Grille in its portfolio. Now, it is owned by Golden
Gate Capital.


#27. McDonald's

Ken Wolter // Shutterstock


#27. MCDONALD'S

- Positive opinion score: 58%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 54%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 60%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 63%

Though Ray Kroc is credited with McDonald's meteoric rise around the world, the
fast-food burger joint was actually started by Dick and Maurice McDonald in San
Bernardino, California. After eating at the restaurant, Kroc was so impressed
that he started franchising and bought the exclusive rights to McDonald's in
1961. Today, the fast-food chain--known for burgers, fries, and drive-thrus--is
one of the most recognizable brands on the planet with over 30,000 restaurants
and billions of dollars in sales.



#26. Cold Stone Creamery

JJava Designs // Shutterstock


#26. COLD STONE CREAMERY

- Positive opinion score: 58%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 56%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 57%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 59%

Cold Stone Creamery is an ice cream parlor chain where sugary treats are made to
order. Cold Stone's specialty is mixing up ice cream flavors atop a 16-degree
granite slab with a choice of numerous toppings. Cold Stone started in Tempe,
Arizona, in 1988, and now has more than 1,000 locations. Today, the company is
owned by Kahala Brands, which also has Baja Fresh, Blimpie, and Pinkberry in its
portfolio.

 


#25. Chili's

Eric Glenn // Shutterstock


#25. CHILI'S

- Positive opinion score: 58%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 61%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 59%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 55%

After falling in love with chili cook-offs, Chili's Grill & Bar founder Larry
Lavine decided to open his own restaurant in Texas in 1975 to share that love
with the world. Chili's concept was always a family-friendly, casual dining
eatery at reasonable prices, and that mantra remains to this day. The sit-down
restaurant is known for its burgers, fajitas, and all kinds of American fare at
more than 1,000 locations across the globe.


#24. Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits

Jonathan Weiss // Shutterstock


#24. POPEYES CHICKEN & BISCUITS

- Positive opinion score: 59%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 55%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 61%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 60%

New Orleans has a long and savory culinary history, and that's where Popeyes
Louisiana Chicken was born and bred. Founded in 1972, Popeyes was launched by Al
Copeland and allegedly takes its name from Detective Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle from
the movie "The French Connection." Today, Popeyes is known for its succulent and
inexpensive fried chicken in restaurants around the world. There are currently
more than 2,600 outlets and growing.



#23. Applebee's

Anthony92931 // Wikimedia Commons


#23. APPLEBEE'S

- Positive opinion score: 59%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 63%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 55%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 58%

With over 2,000 locations, Applebee's is a fast-casual dining spot that is now
ubiquitous around the world. With slogans like "Eating good in the
neighborhood," Applebee's solidified itself as a family dining destination with
reasonable prices. The company first broke ground in 1980 in Atlanta and has
been expanding ever since with American classics like sandwiches, burgers, ribs,
pastas, and fried appetizers. Today, Applebee's is part of a dining group that
also includes IHOP.


#22. Sonic

Ken Wolter // Shutterstock


#22. SONIC

- Positive opinion score: 60%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 58%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 56%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 61%

When Sonic first opened in Oklahoma in 1953, it was considered revolutionary for
its ordering process. Customers could drive into a lane, order through a
speaker, and never leave their cars as their food was brought out to them. The
company still features carhops (aka servers on skates) and now, there are more
than 3,000 establishments across the United States serving burgers, milkshakes,
hot dogs, and fries. Sonic is part of a restaurant group that also includes
Buffalo Wild Wings and Arby's.


#21. Arby's

Billy F Blume Jr // Shutterstock


#21. ARBY'S

- Positive opinion score: 60%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 67%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 60%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 53%

The name Arby's comes from its founders Leroy and Forrest Raffel, known as the
Raffel Brothers--hence R.B.'s. The brothers were looking to start a fast-food
franchise that would be different than the popular burger chains. As a result,
they landed on freshly sliced roast beef sandwiches and have been growing ever
since. Arby's slogan "We have the meats" still holds true, as the sandwich shop
serves everything from roast beef and turkey to brisket and Italian subs.



#20. Texas Roadhouse

George Sheldon // Shutterstock


#20. TEXAS ROADHOUSE

- Positive opinion score: 60%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 61%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 67%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 55%

Despite its name, Texas Roadhouse is a western-themed steak joint that's
headquartered in Louisville, Ky., and has origins in Clarksville, Ind. Opened by
Kent Taylor in 1993, the Roadhouse has more than 600 locations around the world
including the United States, Indonesia, and Turkey. The family-friendly
restaurant is known for its variety of hand-cut steaks, but it also offers
chicken, sandwiches, burgers, and other American specialties.


#19. Domino's

Cassiohabib // Shutterstock


#19. DOMINO'S

- Positive opinion score: 61%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 50%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 64%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 64%

Domino's Pizza used to be called DomiNick's, but the name was changed after
brothers Tom and James Monoghan bought the restaurant for $500. Domino's concept
was founded on delivering hot pizza to homes in a timely manner, and its
meteoric success now equates to more than 17,000 restaurants in more than 90
countries. In addition to pizza, Domino's includes made-to-order salads, sides,
and sandwiches on its menu.


#18. Taco Bell

JJava Designs // Shutterstock


#18. TACO BELL

- Positive opinion score: 61%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 56%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 59%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 61%

Founded by Glen Bell in San Bernardino, California, Taco Bell was originally a
hot dog stand called Bell's Drive-in in 1954. Bell opened his first Taco Bell in
1962 and began franchising outlets around Los Angeles and beyond. The fast-food
Mexican restaurant became one of the fastest-growing brands in the world, and
there are now upwards of 7,000 locations. Bell eventually sold his stake in Taco
Bell to PepsiCo, which then sold to Yum! Brands, which also owns Pizza Hut and
Kentucky Fried Chicken.



#17. Cracker Barrel

Felipe Sanchez // Shutterstock


#17. CRACKER BARREL

- Positive opinion score: 62%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 67%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 60%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 58%

With a Southern country ethos based on warm hospitality and home-style food,
Cracker Barrel has been a roadside staple since 1969. The part restaurant, part
gift shop got its start in Tennessee as a family-friendly, sit-down restaurant.
There are now more than 600 Cracker Barrels around the country, and they can
usually be found close to highways, as they're known to attract long-haul
commuters with their food and general stores.


#16. Burger King

Jonathan Weiss // Shutterstock


#16. BURGER KING

- Positive opinion score: 62%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 63%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 63%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 60%

The McDonald brothers didn't just inspire the McDonald's franchise. After eating
at the famed San Bernardino restaurant in the 1950s, Matthew Burns and Keith
Kramer bought the rights to a grill called the Insta-Broiler and opened
Insta-Burger King in 1953 in Florida. The name changed to Burger King in 1954,
and explosive growth has continued since. Today, Burger King has more than
18,000 locations around the world and serves a variety of fast-food items like
charbroiled burgers, fries, chicken, and even breakfast items.


#15. Pizza Hut

Jonathan Weiss // Shutterstock


#15. PIZZA HUT

- Positive opinion score: 62%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 58%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 69%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 63%

Known for its iconic red roofs, Pizza Hut is a part sit-down restaurant, part
carry-out spot, and part pizza delivery place. Founded in 1958 in Wichita, Kan.,
as a single outlet, today, there are more than 18,000 locations around the
world. Pizza Hut is also famous for its pizza innovations, trotting out items
like stuffed crusts with melted cheese, a calzone-like pizza concoction called
the P'zone, and the Dippin' Strips pizza, which features pieces that can be
pulled off and dipped in marinara sauce.



#14. KFC

KULLAPONG PARCHERAT // Shutterstock


#14. KFC

- Positive opinion score: 62%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 62%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 70%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 60%

The secrecy around Kentucky Fried Chicken's special recipe remains shrouded in
mystery, but the fast-food chain is as popular as ever with 24,000 outlets
around the world. Colonel Harland Sanders created KFC's famous fried chicken in
1940 and grew the company into the multibillion-dollar behemoth it is today. KFC
is known for its buckets of fried chicken, along with sandwiches and sides that
include everything from mac and cheese and corn to green beans and potatoes.


#13. Olive Garden

Anthony92931 // Wikimedia Commons


#13. OLIVE GARDEN

- Positive opinion score: 63%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 67%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 65%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 58%

The Olive Garden is a fast-casual Italian restaurant that caters to families
looking for tasty pasta without breaking the bank. The company was originally
founded as a division of General Mills in 1982 and is famous for its menu items
and specials like unlimited breadsticks, salads, soups, and never-ending pasta
bowls. Today, there are 900 Olive Gardens. The company is part of the Darden
Restaurants Group that includes Yard House, LongHorn Steakhouse, and The Capital
Grille.


#12. Chick-fil-A

Ken Wolter // Shutterstock


#12. CHICK-FIL-A

- Positive opinion score: 63%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 61%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 66%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 65%

Founded as the Dwarf Grill in 1946 outside Atlanta, Chick-fil-A is now a
multibillion-dollar fast-food chain that specializes in chicken sandwiches. The
company's founder, S. Truett Cathy, was deeply religious, and because of that,
Chick-fil-A is always closed on Sundays. It has also seen its fair share of
controversy. Even though there are more than 2,000 locations, Chick-fil-A is
still owned and operated by the founding family, and the restaurant maintains
consistency throughout by selling the same chicken sandwiches, nuggets, strips,
and wraps at all its locations.



#11. Outback Steakhouse

JHVEPhoto // Shutterstock


#11. OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE

- Positive opinion score: 64%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 67%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 63%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 62%

Despite its name, Outback Steakhouse is merely an Australian-inspired steak
restaurant; it was founded in Tampa, Florida, in 1988. The restaurant initially
differentiated itself by providing top-quality steaks at reasonable prices,
placing it in the middle between low-end meat spots and high-end steak joints.
The family-friendly establishment is known for steaks, of course, but also
creative delicacies like the Bloomin' Onion, Kookaburra Wings, Sydney 'Shrooms,
and other Aussie-themed items.

 


#10. Panera Bread

Helen89 // Shutterstock


#10. PANERA BREAD

- Positive opinion score: 65%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 65%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 60%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 68%

Panera Bread actually started as the St. Louis Bread Company in Missouri in
1987. When it was purchased by Au Bon Pain in 1993, the name was changed to
Panera. The fast-casual, sit-down restaurant is famous for its freshly baked
bread, sandwiches, and a variety of pastries, soups, and salads. Panera has more
than 2,300 locations in the United States and Canada, and today it's owned by
JAB Holding Company, a European group whose portfolio also includes Pret a
Manger and Peet's Coffee.


#9. The Cheesecake Factory

JHVEPhoto // Shutterstock


#9. THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY

- Positive opinion score: 66%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 66%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 70%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 61%

Anyone who has ever eaten at a Cheesecake Factory knows the menu can be
overwhelming, with its endless pages of food items. But the restaurant had much
humbler beginnings as a small salad and sandwich shop in Beverly Hills, Calif.,
with a variety of cheesecakes that all fit on a one-page menu. Since its start
in 1978, The Cheesecake Factory has grown into a family-friendly juggernaut with
more than 200 outlets around the world serving everything from soups, salads,
and appetizers to pastas, sandwiches, burgers, and, of course, a large variety
of cheesecakes.



#8. IHOP

Jonathan Weiss // Shutterstock


#8. IHOP

- Positive opinion score: 66%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 65%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 65%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 66%

The International House of Pancakes has been an American breakfast staple since
it opened in 1958. The shortened name IHOP was coined about 15 years later and
is now the official name of the company. Serving pancakes at more than 1,800
restaurants around the world, IHOP is a family-friendly enterprise known for
clever branding and iconic menu items like the Rooty Tooty Fresh 'N Fruity
Pancakes, Signature Pancake Sliders, and other savory dishes. It started as
breakfast only, but today, the restaurants have sandwiches, burgers, and other
lunch and dinner items.


#7. Dunkin'

TonelsonProductions // Shutterstock


#7. DUNKIN'

- Positive opinion score: 69%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 67%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 72%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 69%

Formerly known as Dunkin' Donuts, Dunkin' is a coffee and donut shop founded by
Bill Rosenberg in 1950 in Quincy, Mass. With the world's never-ending appetite
for the round and sweet, Dunkin' has since opened more than 12,000 locations
globally. While donuts are the specialty, the company's coffee also garners
praise and the shops have expanded their menus to include sandwiches, wraps, and
bagels.


#6. Krispy Kreme

Michael715 // Shutterstock


#6. KRISPY KREME

- Positive opinion score: 69%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 69%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 71%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 68%

The secret to Krispy Kreme's fluffy donuts lies in a recipe that Vernon Rudolph
bought in 1937 from a New Orleans chef. Since then, the wafting scents of Krispy
Kreme's addictive donuts have cascaded over cities around the world. There are
now more than 1,000 Krispy Kreme donut shops that provide customers with
everything from the original glazed and strawberry-filled to Oreo Cookies and
Kreme and donut holes.

 



#5. Cinnabon

Davdeka // Shutterstock


#5. CINNABON

- Positive opinion score: 69%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 65%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 72%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 72%

Cinnabon's mission was to create the world's greatest cinnamon roll, and with
the level of success the company has achieved, it might just have accomplished
that feat. The small cinnamon roll shop started in Seattle in 1985 and has grown
to more than 1,200 locations around the world. Cinnabon is more bakery than a
sit-down restaurant, and it serves a variety of cinnamon treats in addition to
its famous rolls. Today, Cinnabon is owned by Focus Brands, which also owns
Auntie Anne's, Jamba Juice, and Schlotzsky's.


#4. Subway

QualityHD / Shutterstock


#4. SUBWAY

- Positive opinion score: 69%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 69%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 68%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 66%

When nuclear physicist Peter Buck loaned Fred DeLuca $1,000 to open a sub
sandwich shop in 1965, the seeds of Subway were officially planted. The first
store was located in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and franchises began popping up
soon after. The official Subway name was first used in 1968; since then, the
fast-food sandwich chain has grown to over 40,000 locations around the world.
The restaurant itself is known for its wide-ranging menu of sub sandwiches, but
also salads, wraps, and some breakfast items.


#3. Wendy's

Ken Wolter // Shutterstock


#3. WENDY'S

- Positive opinion score: 70%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 69%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 73%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 67%

Named after founder Dave Thomas's daughter Melinda Lou "Wendy" Thomas, Wendy's
was first opened in Columbus, Ohio, in 1969. Known for its square-shaped burger
patties, Wendy's was one of the first of the big chains to adopt a drive-thru
window. Wendy's popularity has been boosted by its creative advertising
campaigns, like the 1984 "Where's the Beef?" ad and Thomas's frequent spots as
the company spokesman. Today there are more than 6,000 locations around the
world serving the same square-shaped burgers, fries, baked potatoes, and
Frostys.



#2. Dairy Queen

kevin brine // Shutterstock


#2. DAIRY QUEEN

- Positive opinion score: 72%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 77%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 75%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 66%

The first Dairy Queen store opened in 1940 in Joliet, Illinois, after co-founder
John Fremont McCullough developed a formula for soft-serve ice cream. McCullough
opened the shop with Sherb Noble, and the brand has been expanding ever since.
Known for its ice cream, Dairy Queen is also famous for sweet-treat inventions
like the Peanut Buster Parfait and the Blizzard. Dairy Queen is much more than
just an ice cream shop these days, as it also serves burgers, sandwiches, hot
dogs, and fries. There are more than 6,800 Dairy Queen's around the world and
the uber-popular brand shows no sign of slowing down.


#1. Baskin-Robbins

rachel ko // Shutterstock


#1. BASKIN-ROBBINS

- Positive opinion score: 75%
--- Popularity among Boomers: 80%
--- Popularity among Gen X: 74%
--- Popularity among Millennials: 70%

Burt Baskin and Irv Robbins were brothers-in-law who wanted to open an ice cream
shop where families could gather to enjoy tasty treats. Though they originally
opened separate stores, eventually the men merged to form Baskin-Robbins,
boasting 31 flavors. Today there are more than 8,000 locations globally, and
Baskin-Robbins is part of Inspire Brands, which also owns Dunkin'.

 


25 HIGHLY RATED PLACES FOR TACOS IN THE ROCKFORD AREA

Supermercado Guanajuato

Supermercado Guanajuato via Facebook


SUPERMERCADO GUANAJUATO

Where has this been all my life? Their tacos are to die for and everyone is so
nice. - Stephen K. via Yelp
El Burrito Loco

El Burrito Loco via Facebook


EL BURRITO LOCO

"We are from AZ and have plenty of Mexican places to go to and this one
definitely reminded us of home!" - Nichole W. via Yelp
Mexico Clasico

Restaurant Mexico Clasico via Facebook


MEXICO CLASICO

"This place is great. The service here was the best I've ever had at any
restaurant hands down. I ordered guacamole and they came to the table and made
it fresh for me." - John S. via Yelp

Cantina Taco

Cantina Taco via Facebook


CANTINA TACO

"I'd heard so much about the Screw City tacos that I had to have some for
myself. They didn't disappoint!! Ask for yours with avocado!" - Aarti P. via
Yelp
Chilangos Mexican Restaurant

Chilangos Authentic Mexican Restaurant via Facebook


CHILANGOS MEXICAN RESTAURANT

"The tacos were outstanding, the salsa was very good." - Tim M. via Yelp
Los Portales

Thomas Ciaccio via Facebook


LOS PORTALES

"Legitimate authentic Mexican food. I really liked the al pastor and the
chorizo." - Mark D. via Yelp

Burrito Bravo

Burrito Bravo via Facebook


BURRITO BRAVO

"Mi familia absolutely LOVES LOVES LOVES THESE TACOS! They are so good! They
have the best horchata and sopes tambien!! Just try it!" - Antonia A. via Yelp
Olivo Taco

Olivo Taco via Facebook


OLIVO TACO

"We were out running some errands when we saw this tacos truck and decided to
give them a try... Tacos were amazing so we are glad we stopped." Shayn L. via
Yelp
Lucha Cantina

Lucha Cantina via Facebook


LUCHA CANTINA

"Highly recommend the Wahoo fish tacos, the Rio Grande bowl and the yucca tots!"
- Julie S. via Yelp

Mi Ranchito

Corina Marin via Facebook


MI RANCHITO

"By far the best tacos in Rockford. Homemade tortillas make all the difference."
- Daxx N. via Yelp
Taqueria San Jose

John Vaughn via Facebook


TAQUERIA SAN JOSE

"We absolutely love this place! The tacos are fabulous, the drinks are tasty,
and the staff is always super attentive." - Sarah R. via Yelp
Greenfire Restaurant Bar & Bakery

Greenfire Restaurant Bar & Bakery via Facebook


GREENFIRE RESTAURANT BAR & BAKERY

"I ordered the Sedona Salad which was absolutely delicious. It was a
deconstructed taco salad with free range chicken, grilled corn, black beans,
etc." - Lisa C. via Yelp

La Esquinita de Oro

Tracy Twigg via Facebook


LA ESQUINITA DE ORO

"I've had the taco dinner with carne asada and al pastor tacos that were huge
and delicious." - Scott S. via Yelp
Hacienda San Jose

Hacienda San Jose via Facebook


HACIENDA SAN JOSE

"Carrots, califlower and peppers on the table. Love the tacos w/ cilantro and
onion and the chimichanga." - Tom C. via Yelp
Fiesta Tequila Bar and Grill

Fiesta Tequila Bar and Grill via Facebook


FIESTA TEQUILA BAR AND GRILL

"There is a lot to choose from on the menu and we opted for the three tacos and
beans and rice which all were delicious!!" - Shannon J. via Yelp

Tortacos Soto

Tortacos Soto via Facebook


TORTACOS SOTO

"Great Mexican food from a family run business." - Nate H. via Yelp
Tia Nana's Taco Staands

Kevin McCarthy via Facebook


TIA NANA'S TACO STAANDS

"I had 3 steak street tacos Mexican style, and add cheese and avocado. They were
amazing. The ingredients were super fresh and the taste was awesome." - Steff J.
via Yelp
Fuego Nuevo Grill

Fuego Nuevo Grill via Facebook


FUEGO NUEVO GRILL

"The steak tacos are delicious, and the steak is crispy and nice." - Trace N.
via Yelp

Fiesta Cancun

Fiesta Cancun via Facebook


FIESTA CANCUN

"I ordered the carne asada tacos and a chicken enchilada. The tacos were great."
- Shawn L. via Yelp
Dos Reales Mexican Restaurant

Dos Reales Mexican Restaurant via Facebook


DOS REALES MEXICAN RESTAURANT

"Great fish tacos and the guacamole is pretty much made in front of you and
really good," - Brian W. via Yelp
Alvarez Mexican Restaurant

Alvarez Mexican Restaurant via Facebook


ALVAREZ MEXICAN RESTAURANT

"The tacos were stuffed and such a good taste. I'd definitely recommend this
place to everyone." - Christina F. via Yelp

Isla Del Mar

Isla Del Mar via Facebook


ISLA DEL MAR

I had the white fish taco dinner and everything was incredible." Leana W. via
Yelp
El Pueblo

El Pueblo via Facebook


EL PUEBLO

"Rather than the two corn tortillas that typically come with the taco, it is one
tortilla that is nice/thin and fluffy without breaking." Lyly S. via Yelp
Aero Ale House

Aero Ale House via Facebook


AERO ALE HOUSE

"The tacos are amazing. I love the BBQ tacos. Beer selection is great too." -
Melissa V. via Yelp

Javi's Tacos

Javi's Tacos via Facebook


JAVI'S TACOS

This is my only personal review. It pains me to share what is easily Rockford's
hidden gem when it comes to tacos. Javier serves up the best hand made corn
tortillas within 20-30 minutes of CJ's Public House, where you can try his
delicious tacos a few times a week.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Food, roast beef
Categories: Articles, Local News


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