Pennsylvania's history gives restaurant owners access to some extraordinary spaces. As with the unusual destinations among Florida's weirdest restaurants, the state's strangest places to eat frequently begin with a setting that no ordinary restaurant designer could reproduce. Customers can dine underground, eat inside an antique railroad car or drink beer beneath the stained-glass windows of a former church. The Church [...]
New California law ditches dozens of common food labels—and it could save shoppers money
A major change is now taking effect on grocery store shelves across California, and it could affect how millions of shoppers decide whether to keep or toss their food. Beginning July 1, California became the first state in the nation to standardize date labels on most packaged foods, replacing more than 50 different phrases—including "sell by," "best before," and "expires on"—with a simplified system designed to reduce [...]
These restaurant chains are quietly closing locations across the U.S. in 2026
If it feels like more "Closed" signs are appearing outside familiar restaurants, you're not imagining it. While many chains continue opening new locations, several well-known brands are also shrinking their footprints this year as they work to improve profitability and adapt to changing consumer demand. Wendy's plans to close hundreds of restaurants Wendy's has announced plans to close approximately 300 to 350 [...]
“Looked like someone sat on it”: Tough Sonic feedback is just the tip of the iceberg
"My problem is the quality of food. The new smash burger on the menu — have the creators ever had a smash burger? There was nothing smashing about it other than it looked like someone sat on it." That review, posted to a customer review site by a Sonic regular, cuts to the heart of a complaint that's been growing for years. Sonic still has a devoted following - particularly for its drinks and seasonal treats - but a vocal [...]
When could South Dakota get a Buc-ee’s?
South Dakota still does not have a Buc-ee's, but the chain is getting closer to the state than it used to be. For years, Buc-ee's felt like something South Dakota travelers had to experience only on faraway road trips. The chain's biggest presence was in Texas and the South, far from Sioux Falls, Rapid City and the long stretches of highway that define travel across the state. That is beginning to change. As Buc-ee's [...]
Iconic California Mexican chain has closed more than 150 restaurants as footprint shrinksÂ
One of California's most recognizable restaurant brands has dramatically reduced its footprint over the past several decades, with more than 150 locations disappearing as the casual dining industry continues to face mounting challenges. El Torito, the Mexican restaurant chain founded in California in 1954, recently closed its Irvine location, marking the latest chapter in a years-long downsizing effort that has left the [...]
