7. Ponderosa and Bonanza Steakhouses: The Ultimate Buffet

Named after the fictional ranch on the classic television western Bonanza, these family-friendly steakhouses defined budget dining in the 1970s and 1980s. You would grab a plastic tray, order a steak at the main counter, and then head straight to the “Grand Buffet.” The sheer volume of food was staggering: macaroni and cheese, fried chicken wings, endless dinner rolls, and a massive sundae bar where kids could dispense their own soft serve.

By 1989, the combined Ponderosa and Bonanza brands peaked at nearly 700 locations. But as American eating habits shifted away from heavy, all-you-can-eat buffets toward healthier fast-casual options, the massive footprint became a financial burden.

Successive corporate buyouts and bankruptcies decimated the chain. As of 2024, only about 15 open locations remain scattered across the United States, mostly clustered in the Midwest.