14 Chains Illinois Locals Once Lined Up For And Now Won’t Even Look At
Remember when certain restaurants had lines wrapped around the block in Illinois? Times change, and so do our dining preferences. What was once the hottest spot in town can quickly become a ghost of its former self.
These 14 chains were once the pride of Illinois but have since fallen from grace for various reasons.
1. Arby’s: The Beef That Couldn’t Compete
Arby’s roast beef sandwiches once attracted hungry Illinoisans in droves. Now, franchisee bankruptcy has shuttered multiple locations, including the iconic Countryside store that closed in mid-2024.
The chain’s slogan might be “We Have The Meats,” but fewer and fewer Illinois towns have Arby’s. Their curly fries, once worth the drive, no longer seem to justify the trip for most locals.
2. TGI Fridays: From Friday Night Favorite to Forgotten Memory
Once the go-to spot for after-work drinks and potato skins, TGI Fridays has dwindled to just three Illinois locations. The chain that practically invented the casual dining experience has been battling bankruptcy issues.
My cousin worked at the Schaumburg location back in the ’90s and would brag about hour-long wait times every weekend. Now, you can walk in anytime and find plenty of empty tables.
3. Sandy’s: The Burger Joint That Time Forgot
Born in Illinois during the 1950s, Sandy’s was once the state’s homegrown answer to McDonald’s. The regional burger chain merged with Hardee’s and completely disappeared by 1979.
My grandfather still talks about their 15-cent hamburgers and orange freeze drinks with misty-eyed nostalgia.
For younger generations, Sandy’s exists only in faded photographs and the stories of older relatives who remember their distinctive red-and-white striped buildings.
4. Rax Roast Beef: The Salad Bar Champion That Lost Its Crown
Rax Roast Beef once boasted around 500 locations nationwide. Today, just one Illinois store remains in 2024, making it practically extinct in the Prairie State. Their famous endless salad bar and roast beef sandwiches created loyal fans throughout the 1980s.
Competition from Arby’s and changing fast-food trends gradually pushed Rax to the sidelines, leaving only memories of their unique BBC (beef, bacon, and cheddar) sandwiches.
5. Brown’s Chicken & Pasta: A Reputation Never Recovered
Brown’s Chicken was once synonymous with delicious fried chicken throughout Chicagoland. The devastating 1993 massacre at their Palatine location cast a shadow that the chain never fully escaped.
While some locations still operate, the brand’s popularity plummeted. I remember my parents suddenly stopping our weekly Brown’s dinners after the tragedy.
The taste remained the same, but something fundamental had changed in how locals viewed the once-beloved chain.
6. Kuma’s Corner: When Heavy Metal Meets Heavy Debt
This Chicago-born burger mecca turned heads with its metal-themed menu and rebellious atmosphere. Since filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June 2024, locals have increasingly turned away.
The quality decline became noticeable even before financial troubles hit. Their signature Mac & Cheese, once creamy perfection, now arrives inconsistently prepared.
The punk rock attitude remains, but the kitchen execution that made them famous has lost its edge.
7. Hot Doug’s: The Encased Meat Emporium That Left a Void
Hot Doug’s wasn’t just a hot dog joint—it was a Chicago institution with exotic sausages and duck fat fries that drew hour-long lines. Owner Doug Sohn shocked fans by permanently closing in 2014 while still at peak popularity.
No replacement has captured the same magic. I still have the menu from my last visit framed in my kitchen. The foie gras dog might be gone forever, but the memories of those special Friday duck fat fries live on.
8. Hardee’s: The Breakfast Star That Lost Its Shine
Hardee’s once dominated breakfast in central and southern Illinois. Recent years have seen multiple locations shuttered between 2024-2025 as the chain contracts nationwide.
Their Made from Scratch biscuits still have devoted fans. However, inconsistent quality and reduced hours have pushed many morning commuters toward McDonald’s and local diners.
The remaining locations often feel like relics from another era of fast food.
9. White Castle: The Slider Castle With Crumbling Walls
White Castle sliders once fueled late-night adventures across Chicago. The iconic 79th & Pulaski location’s closure in late 2024 symbolized the chain’s shrinking Illinois footprint.
Those tiny square burgers that once attracted loyal “Cravers” now face competition from fresher options. I spent countless post-concert midnights devouring sacks of sliders with friends.
Today’s younger generation seems less enchanted by the steam-grilled mini burgers that captivated previous Illinoisans.
10. KFC: The Colonel’s Illinois Retreat
Kentucky Fried Chicken once dominated Illinois fast food with that secret blend of herbs and spices. Recent years have seen multiple franchised Midwest stores under EYM Chicken file for bankruptcy and close throughout 2024-2025.
The remaining locations struggle with consistency issues. The crispy skin and juicy meat that made the Colonel famous seem increasingly rare.
Many Illinois families have shifted their fried chicken loyalty to Popeyes or local establishments.
11. McDonald’s: Golden Arches Losing Their Luster
Even the mighty McDonald’s faces challenges in its home state. Several Illinois outlets, particularly in Chicago, have faced mounting complaints about stale food and declining standards.
The chain that revolutionized fast food now struggles with consistency. Long-time customers reminisce about the better-tasting burgers of decades past.
While still profitable, the emotional connection many Illinoisans once had with the Golden Arches has noticeably diminished.
12. Taco John’s: Potato Olés That Lost Their Olé
Taco John’s once attracted Illinois diners with their unique Potato Olés and Taco Tuesday promotions. Now labeled “America’s most unhealthy” by numerous publications, local stores face increasing criticism for poor quality.
My college roommate and I would drive 30 minutes just for those seasoned potato rounds back in 2005. Last time I visited the Springfield location, the potatoes were soggy and the tacos barely resembled what I remembered.
The Midwest Mexican-inspired chain seems to have lost its way.
13. Quiznos: The Toasted Sub Shop That Got Burned
Quiznos revolutionized fast food with their toasted subs and quirky spongmonkey ads. Illinois locations have since been flagged among “America’s most unhealthy” options, while facing widespread closures.
The chain that once had Subway on the defensive has retreated dramatically. Their signature toasted subs no longer seem special as competitors adopted similar techniques.
The few remaining Illinois locations often feel like forgotten time capsules from the early 2000s.
14. Jack in the Box: The Novelty That Never Caught On
Jack in the Box arrived in Illinois as a replacement for closed Arby’s locations, generating initial curiosity but little lasting loyalty. Their quirky menu items and late-night hours haven’t translated to sustained success.
The chain’s west coast vibe feels oddly out of place in Illinois. Locals who tried their tacos and burgers often return to more familiar options.
Without the nostalgia factor that longtime chains enjoy, Jack in the Box remains an outsider in the Prairie State’s fast food landscape.