10 Restaurant Chains Families Went to Every Friday in the 1970s

In the 1970s, Friday night meant one thing in many American homes: Mom was taking the night off. After a long week, the family piled into the car and headed to their favorite restaurant. The kids argued about where to go, and Dad usually made the final decision.

Eating out was still a treat in those days, not an everyday habit. Families saved their restaurant visits for weekends, birthdays, and special occasions. The restaurants they chose became part of their family traditions and childhood memories.

Some of these chains are still around, while others have faded or disappeared. Here are ten restaurant chains that families went to every Friday in the 1970s, and what made them so special.

1. Howard Johnson’s

With its bright orange roof and turquoise accents, Howard Johnson’s was impossible to miss. The chain was famous for its 28 flavors of ice cream, fried clams, and comfortable family dining. Travelers on the highway often stopped there, but locals loved it too.

At its peak, there were hundreds of Howard Johnson’s restaurants across the country. The chain declined over the following decades, and the last restaurant closed in 2022. For many boomers, the orange roof is a symbol of family road trips and Friday dinners.

Families remember the clam strips, the ice cream sundaes, and the simple, reliable menu. It was the kind of place where everyone could find something they liked. Howard Johnson’s was among the most popular restaurants for boomers of its time.

2. Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut was a Friday night favorite for countless families. The red roof, the dim lighting, and the red plastic cups made it feel special. Kids loved the tabletop games, the jukebox, and the pitchers of soda.

Pizza Hut was founded in 1958 in Wichita, Kansas, and grew rapidly in the 1970s. The pan pizza arrived in 1980 and became a hit. Many families remember the salad bar and the thrill of a hot, cheesy pizza arriving at the table.

The sit-down Pizza Hut experience has changed a great deal. Many locations are now focused on delivery and carryout. But boomers and Gen Xers still remember the dine-in restaurants fondly.

3. Shakey’s Pizza Parlor

Shakey’s was another popular pizza chain with a fun, lively atmosphere. Many locations had banjo players or piano music, and families gathered at long tables. The thin-crust pizza and Mojo potatoes were favorites.

Shakey’s was founded in 1954 in Sacramento, California, and became one of the first big pizza chains. It expanded across the United States in the 1960s and 1970s. Today, it has far fewer locations in the U.S., though it remains popular in some places.

For many families, Shakey’s was the place for birthday parties and team celebrations. The music and the noise made it a favorite with kids. Those memories are still strong for many boomers.

4. Big Boy

Big Boy restaurants, with their famous statue of a smiling boy in checkered overalls holding a burger, were a family favorite. The double-decker Big Boy burger was the signature item. Many locations also had a breakfast bar and pie.

Big Boy operated under different regional names, such as Frisch’s Big Boy and Elias Brothers Big Boy. At its peak, there were more than a thousand restaurants nationwide. Today, there are far fewer locations, but the brand still has loyal fans.

Many boomers remember the Big Boy statue out front and the comic books handed to children. The burgers and hot fudge cake were classic treats. Big Boy was one of the most recognizable family chains of its era.

5. Bonanza and Ponderosa Steakhouses

Bonanza and Ponderosa were affordable steakhouses that gave families a taste of a steak dinner without the high price. Diners ordered at a counter, carried trays to their tables, and helped themselves to a salad bar. The atmosphere was casual and western-themed.

These chains were especially popular in the 1970s and 1980s. Families could enjoy a steak, baked potato, and salad for a reasonable price. Many locations have closed, but a few remain.

For many families, a steakhouse dinner was a special treat. Kids loved the all-you-can-eat salad bar and the dessert options. These restaurants were often the site of birthday dinners and celebrations.

6. Red Lobster

Red Lobster brought seafood to families across America. It was founded in 1968 in Lakeland, Florida, and expanded quickly in the 1970s. For families in the Midwest and other inland areas, it was often their first taste of shrimp and lobster.

Red Lobster made seafood feel accessible and fun. Fried shrimp, broiled fish, and hushpuppies were popular choices. The Cheddar Bay Biscuits came later, in the 1990s, and became famous.

Red Lobster faced financial difficulties in recent years and closed many locations. But it remains one of the most recognizable seafood chains in the country. For boomers, it is a reminder of special Friday nights out.

7. Sizzler

Sizzler was known for affordable steaks and a massive salad bar. Families could enjoy a hearty meal without spending too much. The restaurant had a casual, friendly atmosphere.

Sizzler was founded in 1958 in Culver City, California. It grew rapidly and became a staple of family dining in the 1970s and 1980s. Many locations have closed, but some remain, especially in California.

For many families, Sizzler was a weekly tradition. The salad bar, with its endless options, was a favorite of kids and adults alike. Steak and shrimp combos were popular choices for special occasions.

8. Steak and Ale

Steak and Ale was a more upscale option for families and couples. It had an English pub theme, dark wood, and candlelit tables. The salad bar and prime rib were favorites.

The chain closed suddenly in 2008, leaving many fans disappointed. Tasting Table has looked back on what happened to the once-popular restaurant. Many boomers remember it as the place for anniversaries and special dinners.

Steak and Ale was where many couples went on dates and celebrated milestones. It felt fancy without being stuffy. Its loss is still mourned by many.

9. Arthur Treacher’s Fish and Chips

Arthur Treacher’s was a popular fish and chips chain in the 1970s. It was named after the British actor Arthur Treacher, known for playing butlers. The fish was battered and fried, served with thick-cut chips.

The chain grew quickly and had hundreds of locations. But it declined in the following decades, and only a few remain today. Many boomers still remember the crispy fish and malt vinegar.

For families who ate fish on Fridays, Arthur Treacher’s was a convenient choice. It was a casual, affordable meal. The chain’s decline left many fans missing that taste.

10. Long John Silver’s

Long John Silver’s was another popular seafood chain for Friday nights. Its nautical theme, with dock-like décor, made it fun for kids. The battered fish, hushpuppies, and crispy bits were favorites.

The chain was founded in 1969 and grew rapidly in the 1970s. It remains open today, though it has fewer locations than at its peak. Many families still visit for a taste of nostalgia.

Why Friday Nights Out Mattered

For families in the 1970s, eating out was a special event. It gave mothers a break from cooking and gave families time together. These restaurants became part of family traditions and memories.

Those evenings were about more than food. They were a chance to dress up a little, sit together without the television, and enjoy being served for once. Those Friday dinners are among the simple pleasures many people miss most.

Many of these chains have faded, but the memories remain. Which restaurant did your family visit on Friday nights, and what did you always order?