13 Chain Restaurants That Used to Be in Every Mall
These chain restaurants once defined the flavor of American malls, serving up everything from gooey cinnamon rolls to mall-exclusive cheesesteaks.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
The American shopping mall wasn’t just a retail hub — it was a cultural crossroads where food court staples became traditions. These 13 chain restaurants once dominated mall spaces, offering iconic flavors, sights, and smells that shaped a generation’s memories. While many are now gone or transformed, they remain part of a shared nostalgia that recalls simpler, slower Saturdays spent wandering tiled corridors with a tray in hand.
1. Orange Julius
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Before smoothies were a thing, mall kids were sipping on frothy, creamy orange drinks from Orange Julius. It was a perfect halfway stop between Spencer’s Gifts and the arcade, especially on a hot Saturday. Most of them are now folded into Dairy Queens or gone altogether, but the memory of that sweet, citrusy foam lives rent-free in Gen X brains.
2. Hot Dog on a Stick
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You couldn’t miss the bright red, blue, and yellow uniforms or the hypnotic lemonade stand pumping in the food court. Hot Dog on a Stick was part snack, part performance art, with staff smashing lemons right in front of you. Corn dogs on a stick dipped in batter and fried fresh — it was the ultimate mall-era treat.
3. Sbarro
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This was the go-to for oversized, cheese-blanketed pizza slices under a heat lamp. You’d walk by and get hit with that unmistakable smell of marinara and regret, then still buy a combo with a breadstick. At one point, it seemed like no mall food court was complete without its glistening Sbarro counter.
4. Auntie Anne’s (Old Layout)
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While Auntie Anne’s still exists, the original mall versions had a very specific vibe: the glass window where pretzels were twisted in plain view, the overpowering smell of butter and cinnamon sugar wafting into the corridors. It was less of a kiosk and more of an event. These days, it’s mostly reduced to smaller, less charming setups.
5. Chick-fil-A (Food Court-Only Era)
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Before it became a political lightning rod and stand-alone giant, Chick-fil-A was a little-known southern novelty nestled in mall food courts. It was where you first encountered waffle fries and honey mustard magic. The lines were short, the lemonade was real, and the sandwiches were served with a smile.
6. Cinnabon
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Back when malls ruled suburbia, Cinnabon was the siren song of the food court. The smell would hit you from two escalators away and make even the most disciplined shopper cave. Eating one required a full napkin strategy and a half-hour of recovery.
7. Steak Escape
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This was a cheesesteak stand that somehow convinced you that a Philly-inspired sandwich in a mall food court could be gourmet. Watching them grill the meat and onions right there gave it a sense of freshness you didn’t question. It was messy, meaty, and somehow always paired well with crinkle-cut fries and orange soda.
8. Kenny Rogers Roasters
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Yes, the country music legend had a chicken chain, and yes, it lived in malls. The rotisserie chickens spun in plain view behind glass, teasing you as you weighed your food court options. It was positioned as the “healthier” alternative, but nobody left without mac and cheese and cornbread.
9. Blimpie
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Blimpie was the quiet sandwich shop that never reached Subway’s fame, but it was once a staple in malls coast to coast. You’d get in line, pick your meat and toppings, and watch it assembled with practiced precision. The bread was soft, the logo was retro, and it was always just busy enough to feel like a secret.
10. Panda Express (Before the Glow-Up)
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Before it evolved into the sleek orange-and-black chain we see today, Panda Express in the mall was old-school Chinese-American comfort food served with zero frills. The orange chicken was gloppy, the chow mein greasy, and you loved every bite. It was the kind of place where fortune cookies doubled as dessert and a philosophy lesson.
11. Wienerschnitzel (Inside Malls)
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This iconic hot dog brand once had satellite counters tucked into malls, often near the anchor stores. They sold chili dogs, root beer floats, and a strange but satisfying pastrami sandwich. It was fast, affordable, and a little weird — perfect for a pre-movie bite.
12. Arby’s (Mall Era)
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Before becoming a meme-worthy fast-food punchline, Arby’s quietly held court in mall food courts with its roast beef sandwiches and curly fries. The red trays and warm horsey sauce packets were as familiar as the tired mall carpeting. You didn’t go for gourmet — you went because it was there and oddly comforting.
13. Treat Street by Baskin-Robbins
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This lesser-known Baskin-Robbins spinoff focused on sweets, shakes, and snack-sized novelties. Tucked into corners of bigger malls, it was a sugary haven for kids denied a second scoop at the main store. You might not remember it by name, but you’d recognize the pastel signage and sprinkle-covered everything.