15 Restaurant Chains Pennsylvanians Used To Swear By But Now Avoid At All Costs

Remember when dining out in Pennsylvania meant regular visits to those beloved chain restaurants we couldn’t get enough of?
I’ve watched the restaurant landscape change dramatically over my 25 years living in the Keystone State.
What used to be weekend traditions and family celebration spots have slowly transformed into places many of us now actively avoid.
Let’s look back at 15 restaurant chains that once had Pennsylvanians lining up but now have us driving right past their doors.
1. Buca Di Beppo’s Family-Style Disappointment

My Italian grandmother would roll over in her grave if she knew I once considered Buca di Beppo authentic Italian cuisine! Those massive family-style portions initially charmed Pennsylvania diners looking for a fun night out with friends.
The quirky décor featuring thousands of photographs and the Pope’s head table created an atmosphere unlike any other restaurant chain. But the magic didn’t last.
Gradually, the quality slipped while prices climbed skyward. The once-hearty marinara began tasting more like ketchup, and the formerly generous portions shrank noticeably. Pennsylvania’s strong Italian heritage means we know good pasta when we taste it, and these days, most locals would rather support small family-owned trattorias than this fading chain.
2. Hard Rock Café Pittsburgh’s Fallen Star

Snagging a Hard Rock Café Pittsburgh t-shirt used to be a badge of honor in the ’90s! I still have mine tucked away somewhere, a souvenir from countless birthday celebrations and special occasions at this once-thriving Station Square landmark.
Rock memorabilia adorned every wall while classic tunes pumped through the speakers, creating an electric atmosphere that drew locals and tourists alike. The burgers came with that perfect combination of grease and satisfaction that made the steep prices worth it.
Nowadays, the novelty has worn thinner than an overplayed record. Menu prices have skyrocketed while food quality has taken a nosedive. Most Pittsburghers I know haven’t set foot in there for years, preferring locally-owned spots that deliver better food without the corporate rock vibe.
3. Boston Market’s Rotisserie Regression

Nothing beat picking up a rotisserie chicken and those heavenly sides from Boston Market after a long workday! The cornbread alone was worth the trip, and their mac and cheese comforted countless Pennsylvania families through cold winter evenings.
My family’s Sunday dinner rotation often included this seemingly healthier fast-food alternative. The home-style meals felt like a compromise between cooking from scratch and ordering greasy takeout.
Fast forward to today, and the remaining Pennsylvania locations are shadows of their former selves. Portion sizes have shrunk dramatically, prices have increased, and that signature rotisserie flavor seems muted. Many stores have shuttered across the state, leaving loyal customers with memories of juicy chicken and creamy spinach that the current offerings just can’t match.
4. Gino’s Hamburgers’ Vanished Legacy

“Everybody goes to Gino’s!” That catchy jingle still bounces around my brain decades after most Gino’s Hamburgers locations disappeared from Pennsylvania’s landscape. Founded partly by Baltimore Colts football star Gino Marchetti, this regional chain once rivaled McDonald’s throughout the eastern part of the state.
The Gino Giant was Pennsylvania’s answer to the Big Mac before most people had even heard of a Big Mac! Those distinctive orange roofs dotted highways from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, beckoning hungry travelers with promises of tasty burgers and the famous Kentucky Fried Chicken they also served.
The chain largely vanished by the 1980s, though brief revival attempts have popped up. Today’s attempts to recapture the magic fall flat for those of us who remember the original glory days, leaving only nostalgia where burger satisfaction once lived.
5. Kings Family Restaurants’ Royal Downfall

Kings Family Restaurants once reigned supreme across Western Pennsylvania! My grandparents insisted on Sunday breakfast there after church, where the waitresses knew our names and exactly how we liked our eggs.
This Pittsburgh-area institution built its reputation on hearty, affordable meals served with a smile in a cozy atmosphere. Their famous Frownie Brownies delighted kids while parents appreciated the reasonable prices and reliable comfort food that became part of countless family traditions.
The kingdom began crumbling after ownership changes in 2015. Longtime fans watched in dismay as locations shuttered across the region, menu prices climbed, and food quality plummeted. The remaining restaurants bear little resemblance to the beloved chain that once made every customer feel like royalty, leaving loyal subjects to seek new breakfast kingdoms elsewhere.
6. Eat’n Park’s Smiley Cookie Frown

Those iconic Smiley Cookies made Eat’n Park the go-to spot after high school football games across Pennsylvania! I’ve consumed more midnight breakfast buffets there than I care to admit, bonding with friends over endless coffee refills and stacks of pancakes.
This Pittsburgh-born chain embedded itself in Pennsylvania culture with its 24-hour service, reasonable prices, and community involvement. Their Christmas Star commercial still signals the holiday season for many Keystone State residents who grew up with this local institution.
While still operating, many locations have reduced hours or closed entirely, abandoning the 24/7 service that made them reliable sanctuaries for night owls and early birds alike. Declining food quality, inconsistent service, and prices that no longer reflect the “family restaurant” category have Pennsylvania patrons seeking smiles elsewhere, leaving their cookie mascot with an increasingly appropriate ironic expression.
7. Red Lobster’s Seafood Shipwreck

Those addictive cheddar bay biscuits once made Red Lobster worth the trip alone! I celebrated my college graduation at the Allentown location, feeling fancy as I cracked open a lobster tail while wearing that ridiculous plastic bib.
For many Pennsylvania families, Red Lobster represented special occasion dining – birthdays, anniversaries, or that rare splurge when you wanted seafood in our landlocked regions. The nautical décor and seemingly endless shrimp promotions created the illusion of coastal dining in the heart of Pennsylvania.
Recent years have seen a dramatic decline as corporate cost-cutting measures became impossible to ignore. Smaller portions, higher prices, and questionable seafood freshness have Pennsylvania diners questioning the value proposition. With several locations closing across the state and the parent company facing financial troubles, this once-mighty seafood chain appears to be taking on water.
8. Denny’s Diner Downgrade

Late-night Grand Slam breakfasts at Denny’s used to be the perfect finale to every high school dance in my hometown! When nothing else was open, this 24-hour diner chain reliably welcomed night owls across Pennsylvania with open arms and bottomless coffee.
The yellow signage beckoned from highway exits, promising affordable meals any time of day or night. College students nursing hangovers, truck drivers on long hauls, and families looking for budget-friendly dining all found common ground under Denny’s roof.
Pennsylvania locations have increasingly fallen victim to staffing shortages, reduced hours (abandoning the 24/7 model that defined them), and noticeable quality decline. Sticky tables, lengthy waits, and food that barely resembles the menu photos have become the norm. Most Pennsylvanians I know now avoid what they once considered a reliable standby, leaving many locations eerily empty even during prime dining hours.
9. Arby’s Roast Beef Rejection

“We have the meats!” Maybe so, but Pennsylvanians increasingly don’t want them! My dad swore by Arby’s roast beef sandwiches in the 1980s, making them our standard road trip stop when traveling across the state.
Those distinctive brown cowboy hat signs once represented a fast-food alternative for meat lovers who couldn’t stomach another burger. The curly fries and Horsey sauce created loyal fans who appreciated something different in the drive-thru landscape.
Pennsylvania locations have suffered from wildly inconsistent quality in recent years. Paper-thin meat portions, stale buns, and astronomical prices for what amounts to fast food have driven away former fans. Several locations have shuttered across the Commonwealth, with remaining stores often sitting empty while neighboring fast food joints thrive. The chain’s identity crisis and menu experiments haven’t helped win back Pennsylvania patrons who once craved those roast beef classics.
10. J’s Steaks & Subs’ Sandwich Surrender

J’s Steaks & Subs once dominated the cheesesteak scene in the Lehigh Valley! I’d regularly wait in line at the Allentown location, mouth watering for those perfectly chopped steaks with American cheese and fried onions that rivaled anything from Philadelphia.
This regional chain expanded throughout Eastern Pennsylvania, building a loyal following with their delicious steak sandwiches, Italian subs, and fresh-cut fries. The no-frills atmosphere and reasonable prices made them popular with families, workers, and anyone craving a satisfying sandwich.
Recent years have seen a steady decline as ownership changes and inconsistent quality control damaged their reputation. Many locations have closed, while remaining stores struggle with rising prices, smaller portions, and service issues. Most locals now seek their cheesesteak fix at independent shops, leaving this once-beloved chain to fade into Pennsylvania food history like the last bits of cheese whiz on a wrapper.
11. Rax Roast Beef’s Rapid Retreat

Rax Roast Beef had Pennsylvania families choosing sides in the great roast beef wars of the 1980s! My cousins from the western part of the state insisted Rax was superior to Arby’s, sparking heated dinner table debates during family reunions.
This fast-food chain distinguished itself with an extensive salad bar (revolutionary for fast food at the time) and tasty roast beef sandwiches at competitive prices. Their BBC sandwich – beef, bacon, and cheddar – created devoted fans across Pennsylvania’s smaller cities and towns.
Most Pennsylvania locations vanished by the early 1990s, though the chain limps along with a handful of restaurants in neighboring states. Former patrons still occasionally reminisce about those endless salad bar trips and perfectly seasoned roast beef. Today’s Pennsylvania diners would hardly recognize the name, as this once-expanding chain retreated so completely it’s become more myth than memory for younger generations.
12. Bennigan’s Bygone Bar & Grill

Those loaded potato skins at Bennigan’s once represented the height of casual dining excellence in Pennsylvania malls! My first date with my wife was at the Bennigan’s in Montgomery County, where we bonded over Monte Cristo sandwiches and Irish coffee.
This Irish-themed restaurant chain expanded aggressively across Pennsylvania in the 1980s and 1990s, offering a lively bar scene and comfort food with a slightly upscale twist. Their signature dishes and festive atmosphere made them popular for everything from after-work drinks to family celebrations.
The chain’s parent company filed for bankruptcy in 2008, causing most Pennsylvania locations to close overnight. Though a few attempts at revival have occurred, today’s Bennigan’s bears little resemblance to the beloved original. Former fans have moved on to other casual dining options, leaving behind memories of shamrock decorations and that distinctive green and white logo that once signaled good times across the Keystone State.
13. Howard Johnson’s Orange-Roofed Obsolescence

Those distinctive orange roofs of Howard Johnson’s once guided travelers across Pennsylvania’s highways like friendly beacons! My family’s annual trip to the Poconos always included a stop for their famous fried clams and ice cream with 28 flavors.
HoJo’s represented the golden age of American road trips, combining reliable lodging with family-friendly restaurants that served consistent comfort food. Their Pennsylvania locations dotted the turnpike and major highways, offering weary travelers a dependable place to rest and refuel.
The restaurant chain began its decline in the 1980s, with most Pennsylvania locations closing by the early 2000s. The final HoJo’s restaurant in Lake George, NY recently closed, ending an era in American dining history. Pennsylvania’s former Howard Johnson’s buildings have been repurposed or demolished, leaving only fading memories of ice cream socials and those distinctive orange roofs that once symbolized American travel culture.
14. Steak & Ale’s Medieval Meltdown

Celebrating special occasions meant only one place in 1980s Pennsylvania – Steak & Ale! My parents marked their 25th wedding anniversary at the King of Prussia location, where the dim lighting and hearty steaks created the perfect romantic atmosphere.
This pseudo-medieval themed steakhouse chain introduced many Pennsylvania families to the concept of upscale-casual dining. Their famous herb-roasted prime rib and unlimited salad bar made them destination restaurants worth dressing up for across the Commonwealth.
The entire chain abruptly closed in 2008 when parent company Metromedia Restaurant Group filed for bankruptcy. Pennsylvania locations that once hosted countless prom dates, anniversaries, and graduation celebrations suddenly went dark. Though rumors of revival occasionally surface, the chain remains a nostalgic memory for Pennsylvania diners of a certain age who recall when their Tudor-style buildings represented the height of suburban sophistication.
15. Shakey’s Pizza’s Parlor Peril

Shakey’s Pizza Parlor turned pizza night into a full entertainment experience for Pennsylvania families! I celebrated my 10th birthday at the Shakey’s in Erie, mesmerized by the player piano while devouring thin-crust pizza and those addictive Mojo Potatoes.
This pioneering pizza chain featured open kitchens where kids could watch their pizzas being made, live ragtime music or player pianos, and a family-friendly atmosphere that made them weekend destinations rather than mere restaurants. Their “bunch of lunch” buffet became legendary among Pennsylvania pizza enthusiasts.
Most Pennsylvania locations disappeared by the early 1990s as competition from delivery-focused chains intensified. While Shakey’s still exists in other regions, they’ve vanished completely from the Keystone State landscape. Former fans occasionally reminisce about those distinctive red-checked tablecloths and communal dining tables where countless Pennsylvania birthday parties and team celebrations once unfolded.