7 Chain Restaurants Boomers Took Their First Dates To
For boomers, a first date in the 1950s, 1960s, or early 1970s usually followed a simple plan. A young man borrowed his father’s car, picked up his date at her parents’ front door, shook her father’s hand, and promised to have her home by ten. Then came dinner somewhere that felt grown-up but didn’t cost a whole week’s wages.
Chain restaurants were perfect for that. They were clean, dependable, and affordable, and many had a bit of glamour that made the evening feel special. Some had carhops and frosty mugs, others had candlelit booths and steak dinners that felt like real luxury to a teenager with a part-time job.
Many of these chains are gone or barely hanging on, but they still hold a special place in the hearts of boomers. Here are seven chain restaurants where countless American love stories began.
1. Howard Johnson’s
With its bright orange roof and turquoise trim, Howard Johnson’s was one of the most famous restaurant chains in America. At its peak in the 1960s and 1970s, it had hundreds of restaurants, many along highways, and it was famous for its 28 flavors of ice cream and its fried clam strips.
For many boomers, taking a date to HoJo’s felt safe and special. You could order a full dinner and finish with a sundae, and the prices were reasonable. The chain slowly declined, and the very last Howard Johnson’s restaurant, in Lake George, New York, closed in 2022. Many couples still remember sharing an ice cream there.
2. Bob’s Big Boy
The Big Boy statue, a chubby boy in checkered overalls holding a double-decker hamburger, was a landmark in towns across America. The original Bob’s Pantry opened in Glendale, California, in 1936, and Big Boy restaurants spread under different names in different regions, like Frisch’s in Ohio and Shoney’s in the South.
The double-decker burger was the star, along with strawberry pie and hot fudge cake. For teenagers, Big Boy was a popular hangout and a classic first-date spot. Today, only a small number of Big Boy restaurants remain, but the statue is still one of the most recognizable symbols of the era.
3. A&W Root Beer Drive-Ins
A&W began as a roadside root beer stand in Lodi, California, in 1919, and it became one of the first franchised restaurant chains in America. By the 1950s and 1960s, A&W drive-ins were everywhere, with carhops bringing burgers and frosty mugs of root beer right to your car window.
A date at an A&W meant sitting close together in the front seat, listening to the radio, and sharing a root beer float. It was cheap, fun, and a little romantic. Many A&W locations are now standard fast-food restaurants, but a few classic drive-ins with carhops are still open.
4. Shakey’s Pizza Parlor
Shakey’s opened its first pizza parlor in Sacramento, California, in 1954, and it’s often called one of the first pizza chains in America. Its restaurants had long wooden tables, a lively atmosphere, and, in many locations, live banjo and piano music on weekend nights.
For young couples in the 1960s, Shakey’s was a fun, casual date spot where they could share a pizza and sing along with the music. Groups of friends often went together. Shakey’s has fewer locations in the United States today, mostly in California, but it remains popular in the Philippines, where it has hundreds of restaurants.
5. Steak and Ale
Steak and Ale opened in Dallas in 1966, and it was a favorite for dates that needed to feel a little fancier. The restaurants had a dark, Old English tavern style, with heavy wooden furniture and candlelight. The menu featured steaks, prime rib, and a famous salad bar.
For many young couples, Steak and Ale was the place for prom dinners, anniversaries, and big first dates. It felt elegant but was still affordable. The chain closed suddenly in 2008, when its parent company went bankrupt. Many boomers still remember the Hawaiian chicken and the honey wheat bread.
6. Ponderosa and Bonanza Steakhouses
Ponderosa and Bonanza were family steakhouse chains that became popular in the 1960s and 1970s. Both had Old West themes, and customers ordered at the counter and picked up their trays. They offered steak dinners with baked potatoes and a buffet at prices that a teenager could handle.
For boomers, these steakhouses were a great choice for a first date on a budget. You could get a real steak dinner without spending too much. Most locations have closed, but a few are still open in the Midwest and the East. Many people remember them as a big part of growing up.
7. Red Lobster
Red Lobster opened its first restaurant in Lakeland, Florida, in 1968. It made seafood feel affordable and accessible to families who didn’t live near the coast. Its cozy nautical decor and fresh-baked biscuits made it a popular spot for date nights and special occasions.
For many couples, a Red Lobster dinner was a step up from burgers and pizza. In 2024, the chain filed for bankruptcy and closed dozens of locations, but it is still operating many restaurants across the country. For boomers, it remains a nostalgic favorite.
Why These Restaurants Mattered
For boomers, these restaurants were more than places to eat. They were where young couples got to know each other, where teenagers felt grown-up, and where families celebrated special occasions. They were part of the fabric of American life.
They also reflected the rise of car culture and the growth of the suburbs. Many of them were built along highways and in shopping centers, where families could easily drive. Several of them appear among the fast-food chains that got their start in the 1950s, and the A&W company history shows how one roadside stand grew into a national chain.
The Lasting Memories
Many boomer couples who met in the 1960s and 1970s still remember exactly where they went on their first date. For some, the restaurant is long gone, but the memory remains vivid. Some couples even visit the last remaining locations to relive their early days together.
Many of those couples are still together decades later, and their stories echo the unspoken rules of a lasting marriage. Back then, a date started at the front door and ended with a promise to call, and those simple traditions meant a lot.
Where did you go on your first date, and is the restaurant still open today? Many readers say Howard Johnson’s ice cream was the sweetest part of their first night out.
