The mentions of Chi-Chi's (and their fried ice cream) and Arthur Treacher's and Steak & Ale bring back memories that make me smile.

I too wish I'd had an opportunity to eat at Charlie Trotter's.

What I miss most is Victoria Station:

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victori...on_(restaurant)

Apparently there's still one in operation, in Salem, Massachusetts. I'm putting it on my travel list.

Phil's: They way I understand it, the family that last owned Phil's (from up in the northwest 'burbs) are still deciding whether to remodel some existing building or to begin from scratch with a whole new building. If they choose to remodel someplace, it could be just about anywhere (besides Highland and Schererville, I've also heard Munster was a possibility). If they decide to build new, the rumor mill says that it will indeed be in the new places along 41 at Main Street (less than two miles from my brother's home!!).

Tiebels: Oh, of course. Enjoyed this place since Mom and Dad would take us there as kids. As a matter of fact, I stopped into the "coffee shop" a couple of times over my visit. For some reason, though, most always at Tieblels I gravitate toward their fried chicken. The perch, while good, never seemed (to me at least) to *quite* match Phil's, although I know many people who would disagree with me.

Part of the experiences of course:

Phil's: the array of salads: perfect slaw, great kidney bean salad, cottage cheese made to their own recipe by a family-owned farm in Porter county.

Tiebels: always starting formal dinner service with the glass of tomato juice, and then, besides the salad, you were always served the "vegetable boat" with dip.

Both: Peppermint ice cream for dessert!!

Agreed, Phil Smidt's had better perch.

I almost forgot about Victoria Station.... I liked that place too. We had one in FLL that was packed all the time.

Fred and Reds- Chili parlor in Joplin, Mo. had been open since the 20's.

Although, not long ago, I visited The Wembley Hotel with a couple of friends who live in the suburbs, this might sound weird but I really miss that place, the place hosted one of my best memories, fantastic food, absolutely fantastic! Here's the place just in case you want a quick overall - www.thewembleyhotel.com.au/

Hubby and I have had a couple of very special dinners at Cyrus in Healdsburg, CA. Both times were impeccable experiences so much that I recommended it to anybody who asked about special places to go for dinner. Until someone told me it closed. I checked, and sure enough. So now every time I think about it, I cry inside. We've been to quite a few high end restaurants but none of them impressed me as much as Cyrus.

On the other end, we very much miss the Old Dominion Brewpub in Ashburn, VA. Neighborhood pub with local favorite beer. After it was sold to Anheiser Bush, they changed the menu in the pub for the worst and then closed it. The changes they made were stupid, like American cheese on the philly cheesesteak instead of swiss, and also the wait staff started to seem demoralized. We almost never buy Old Dominion beers now, even though they're available in grocery stores and other local restaurants.

McClusky's Steakhouse in Bellmore. Now replaced by an Applebees

Joyce Chen in Alewife.

I miss Ria. It was a fabulous restaurant at the Elysian in Chicago.

When I lived in LA, it was a treat to go to Square One in San Francisco. I ran into Joyce Goldstein a couple of years ago at a book signing, and she said that everyone tells her how much they miss the place.

The early TGIFridays on Dallas's Greenville Ave., a classic "meat rack" quite different than the poor food and worse company of the current manifestations.

The early "Steak and Ales", with which Norman Brinker implemented the concept of consistent food and drink for business travelers.

My childhood favorite, the old San Jacinto Inn, cold boiled shrimp and crap, followed by fried chicken or friend fish.

Does anyone remember La Fondue on 55th between 5th and 6th in New York? From the late 70s til about the mid 90s, the Isaacson family owned and managed it and made sure every meal was exactly the same as before. You could rely on the sourdough bread, the croque monsieur, and the chocolate fondue to be spot-on. My mouth is watering thinking about it . . . . .

Why did they ever close?!

p

I don't know that restaurant, but your post got me thinking that fondue restaurants in general aren't so common in the US any more. (Only the Melting Pot chain comes to mind off hand.)

Switching topics, does anyone remember the Magic Pan crepe chain? (I was a fan, though maybe I was too young to have developed refined taste buds.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Magic_Pan

When I was really young my parents used to take me to A&Ws for a root beer float and waffles with chocolate sauce and cream every alternate weekend. Sadly they're no longer in Singapore.

This may be slightly premature, but I already miss Fleur de Lys, Hubert Keller's fine-dining spot in San Francisco. It was recently announced that it'll be closing later this month.

The times I've been, it was a very well-executed menu with a strong sommelier team who created interesting pairings. Sorry to see it go.