11 Restaurant Chains from the Past That Had the Weirdest Gimmicks

There was a time when dining out wasn’t just about the food—it was about the experience.

Some restaurant chains took this concept to the extreme, offering over-the-top themes, eccentric service styles, and downright bizarre gimmicks to attract customers. While many of these places had their moment in the spotlight, they eventually faded into history.

From robotic waiters to cliff-diving shows, these 11 restaurant chains tried to make dining an adventure. While some left behind fond memories, others became nothing more than a curious footnote in culinary history.

1. The Automats

Long before fast-food drive-thrus dominated the industry, Automats offered a futuristic dining experience where food was dispensed from vending machine-style cubbies. Originating in Philadelphia in 1902, this self-serve restaurant concept quickly spread to cities like New York, offering hungry customers a no-wait dining solution.

For just a nickel, you could get anything from sandwiches to hot pies—served fresh by an unseen kitchen crew refilling the compartments behind the scenes. It was convenient, novel, and truly ahead of its time.

While the Automat ruled urban dining for decades, it eventually lost its charm as fast-food chains took over with more affordable and convenient alternatives. Still, the romanticized nostalgia of slipping a coin into a slot for a meal remains a cherished memory for those who experienced it.

2. Mars 2112

If you ever wanted to eat dinner in a futuristic Martian colony, Mars 2112 was the place to be. This New York City-based restaurant, which opened in 1998, transported guests into an out-of-this-world dining experience.

Visitors would enter a “space shuttle” simulator before being “transported” to a dining room designed to look like an alien planet. With glowing red landscapes, waiters dressed as extraterrestrials, and an intergalactic menu, this was as close as you could get to dining in space without leaving Earth.

Unfortunately, the high costs of maintaining such an elaborate restaurant, combined with dwindling interest, led to its closure in 2012. While Mars 2112 may be gone, its cosmic charm still lingers in the memories of those who dined among the stars.

3. Casa Bonita

Dining at Casa Bonita wasn’t just a meal—it was a full-fledged entertainment extravaganza. Founded in 1974 in Colorado, this Mexican-themed restaurant was famous for its indoor cliff-diving performances, puppet shows, and lively mariachi bands.

The massive restaurant featured waterfalls, secret caves, and even a pirate’s cove, turning a simple dinner into an immersive adventure. Families loved the over-the-top atmosphere, but while the spectacle was impressive, the food was often less than memorable.

Casa Bonita managed to stay open for decades before financial troubles led to its closure. However, its cult following—boosted by an infamous episode of South Park—eventually led to its revival under new ownership.

4. Ed Debevic’s

Not everyone goes to a restaurant for friendly service—at least, that was the philosophy behind Ed Debevic’s, a Chicago-based diner famous for its intentionally rude waitstaff.

Inspired by 1950s American diners, Ed Debevic’s served up classic burgers, fries, and shakes—but with a twist. Instead of polite greetings, diners were met with snarky remarks, sarcastic service, and playful insults from the waiters. It was all part of the act, creating a one-of-a-kind dining experience where customers expected attitude with their orders.

While some found the gimmick hilarious, others weren’t as amused. After several closures and reopenings, only a handful of locations remain, keeping the sassy spirit of Ed Debevic’s alive for those who still appreciate a side of sarcasm with their meal.

5. The Magic Pan

During the 1970s and 80s, The Magic Pan turned crepes into a culinary performance. What made this French-themed chain unique wasn’t just the food, but the automated spinning griddles that could cook and flip crepes with precision.

Customers loved watching their delicate dessert and savory crepes being prepared in the open kitchen, making dining at The Magic Pan as much about the experience as the meal.

Despite its initial popularity, the novelty wore off as other casual dining options gained traction, and by the 1990s, The Magic Pan had mostly vanished.

6. Planet Hollywood

In the 1990s, celebrity-owned restaurants were all the rage, and Planet Hollywood was the biggest name in the game. Founded in 1991 by Hollywood superstars Bruce Willis, Sylvester Stallone, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, this chain offered customers the chance to dine among authentic movie props.

Walls were lined with memorabilia from hit films, and the menu featured items with catchy, film-inspired names. At the peak of its popularity, locations opened in major cities around the world, often drawing massive crowds eager for a taste of the Hollywood lifestyle.

But overexpansion and declining interest caused the novelty to fade. Today, only a few Planet Hollywood locations remain, making it a shadow of its former glitzy self.

7. Bennigan’s

For a time, Bennigan’s was one of the biggest Irish-themed pub chains in America, offering casual dining with a cozy, pub-like atmosphere. Known for its Monte Cristo sandwich and oversized portions, it became a staple for those looking for comfort food in a lively setting.

However, by the 2000s, the brand struggled to stand out in the increasingly crowded casual dining market. A sudden bankruptcy in 2008 forced the closure of most locations, though a few have managed to make a comeback.

8. Rainforest Cafe

Stepping into a Rainforest Cafe was like walking into an actual jungle. With animatronic animals, fake thunderstorms, and lush rainforest decor, this chain—founded in 1994—offered an immersive, family-friendly experience.

Despite its incredible atmosphere, the food was often seen as overpriced and average. Over time, many locations closed, but a few still remain, mostly in tourist-heavy areas.

9. Sambo’s

Originally founded in 1957, Sambo’s was a popular pancake house chain. However, its name—derived from the racially insensitive Little Black Sambo story—led to growing controversy.

Attempts to rebrand were too little, too late, and by the 1980s, nearly all locations had shut down. The controversy surrounding Sambo’s remains a cautionary tale about branding and cultural sensitivity.

10. Jekyll and Hyde Club

The Jekyll & Hyde Club was part haunted house, part restaurant, offering a dining experience filled with interactive characters, spooky decor, and eerie surprises.

The New York-based chain was a hit with tourists, but high costs and fading novelty led to its decline. Though it closed in 2023, it left behind a legacy of theatrical dining that fans still remember fondly.

11. Chuck E. Cheese’s

Chuck E. Cheese’s revolutionized kids’ birthday parties, combining pizza, arcade games, and animatronic shows.

Though some locations still exist, many have shut down, making it a relic of ’80s and ’90s nostalgia.