Just the name of this place makes it sound interesting. Pioneer Chicken was a staple in California in the 1980s. The chain had a total of 270 locations and was advertised by legends Chick Hearn and (pre-trial) O.J. Simpson.
In the 1990s, however, the restaurant lost its relevance and market share. Since 2017, there are only two locations remaining, located in Boyle Heights, California, and Bell Gardens, California.
Claudia Sanders, The Colonel's Lady
The Colonel’s Lady could be described as the restaurant franchise that never was. By the mid-1960s, Kentucky Fried Chicken founder, Harland Sanders, had sold his interest in the famous franchise.
While he may have been bought out, Sanders still maintained his role as the iconic spokesperson. Meanwhile, he and his wife set their sights on opening a new, sit-down restaurant in which to serve his chicken. The name they settled on was Claudia Sanders, The Colonel’s Lady.
Claudia Sanders, The Colonel's Lady
However, in the eyes of the law, the Sanders were no longer the owners of the infamous, secret recipe. Eventually, a settlement was reached that allowed the Sanders to continue selling the chicken at one location in Shelbyville, Kentucky, which is still in operation today.
Since they were sued by KFC, they didn’t really have a choice.
Pioneer Chicken
If you haven’t tried out their food yet, it’s worth getting in while there’s still two locations left.
We’re willing to wager it will be worth every second and every penny!
Little Tavern
Let’s face it, there were quite a lot of chains back then that replicated White Castle, and these guys were one of them.
Then again, they still served some good food, which means they’re entitled to a spot on this list.