Unearth The Voyage
Have you ever wondered if you could walk through the same door where your favorite restaurant chain first started? Many famous eateries have grown into nationwide brands, but surprisingly, some still operate in their original spots. Visiting these historic locations is like taking a delicious trip back in time, where you can taste the same menu items that made them famous decades ago.
1. Nathan’s Famous – Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York
Back in 1916, Nathan Handwerker had a simple dream: sell quality hot dogs at affordable prices. His little stand on Surf and Stillwell Avenues quickly became a neighborhood treasure, drawing crowds from all over Brooklyn.
Today, that same location still grills up the famous franks that made Nathan’s a household name. Every Fourth of July, the spot transforms into the stage for the legendary Hot Dog Eating Contest, attracting competitors and spectators from around the world.
Walking up to the original stand feels like stepping into a piece of American food history, where the aroma of grilled hot dogs has filled the air for over a century.
2. Dunkin’ – Quincy, Massachusetts
When Bill Rosenberg opened a small shop called Open Kettle in 1948, he probably never imagined it would become a coffee empire. Located in Quincy, Massachusetts, the humble shop served fresh donuts and hot coffee to local workers and families.
By 1950, the name changed to Dunkin’ Donuts, pairing the perfect combo that Americans still crave today. The original location at 543 Southern Artery continues welcoming customers who want to experience where the magic began.
Sipping coffee at this historic spot connects you to generations of early-morning commuters and donut lovers who helped build the brand’s loyal following across the nation.
3. Original Tommy’s – Los Angeles, California
At the corner of Beverly and Rampart, Tommy Koulax opened a modest burger stand in 1946 that would change LA’s food scene forever. His secret? A messy, gloriously delicious chili topping that turned ordinary burgers into cult favorites.
Locals and tourists still line up daily at the original stand, eager to taste the same recipe that’s been perfected over decades. The chili-smothered burgers remain as popular now as they were when post-war Angelenos first discovered them.
Eating at the original Tommy’s means joining a tradition of late-night diners, hungry workers, and food adventurers who’ve made this corner a legendary LA landmark.
4. Chipotle Mexican Grill – Denver, Colorado
Steve Ells had a vision in 1993: serve fresh, customizable burritos made with quality ingredients. He opened a small shop at 1644 E Evans Avenue near the University of Denver, hoping to attract hungry college students.
That tiny location became the birthplace of the fast-casual dining revolution, proving people would pay more for better ingredients and transparency. The original shop still operates today, serving the same assembly-line style burritos that launched thousands of locations.
Visiting this spot feels special because you’re standing where the modern burrito bowl concept was born, changing how America thinks about quick Mexican food forever.
5. Dickey’s Barbecue Pit – Dallas, Texas
Travis Dickey opened a small smokehouse in Dallas back in 1941, perfecting the slow-smoked barbecue techniques that Texas is famous for. His dedication to authentic pit-cooked meats created flavors that kept customers coming back generation after generation.
Remarkably, this original location continues operating today, making it the oldest continuously running restaurant in Dallas. The smoky aroma of brisket, ribs, and sausage still wafts through the air just like it did eight decades ago.
Eating here isn’t just about the food—it’s about honoring a legacy of barbecue tradition that helped define Texas cuisine for the entire country.
6. Waffle House – Avondale Estates, Georgia
In 1955, neighbors Joe Rogers Sr. and Tom Forkner decided to open a 24-hour diner focused on one thing: perfect waffles. Their Avondale Estates location became the prototype for thousands of yellow-signed diners across the South.
What makes this spot extra special is the small museum tucked inside, celebrating the chain’s diner-style legacy with vintage photos and memorabilia. You can actually eat breakfast while surrounded by the history of how Waffle House became a Southern icon.
The original location still flips waffles around the clock, maintaining the friendly, no-frills atmosphere that made the chain beloved by road-trippers and locals alike.
7. Blimpie – Hoboken, New Jersey
Tony Conza, Peter DeCarlo, and Angelo Baldassare opened their first submarine sandwich shop in 1964 at 110 Washington Street in Hoboken. Their goal was simple: make the best subs on the East Coast using fresh ingredients and authentic recipes.
That tiny shop became the foundation for a franchise that spread across the country. Amazingly, the original Hoboken location still operates today, serving subs to new generations of sandwich lovers.
Visiting this small but mighty shop reminds you that great food empires often start in humble neighborhood storefronts, built one satisfied customer at a time.
8. KFC – Corbin, Kentucky
Before Colonel Sanders became a global icon, he was just Harland Sanders running a small roadside diner inside a gas station in Corbin. Starting in the 1930s, he served travelers his secret recipe fried chicken, perfecting the blend of herbs and spices.
Today, this historic spot operates as both a working KFC and a museum celebrating the brand’s humble beginnings. You can order a bucket of chicken while surrounded by memorabilia from the Colonel’s early days.
Eating here is a unique experience—enjoying modern KFC in the exact place where Sanders first shared his famous recipe with hungry road-trippers decades ago.
9. A&W – Lodi, California
Roy Allen started something special in 1919 when he sold creamy root beer from a modest roadside stand in Lodi, California. His refreshing beverage became an instant hit with locals and travelers passing through the agricultural town.
That humble stand eventually evolved into A&W Restaurants, spreading the root beer love nationwide. Over a century later, the original Lodi location still pours root beer in frosty mugs, just as Roy did.
Sipping that ice-cold root beer at the birthplace of A&W connects you to generations of Americans who’ve enjoyed this classic drink on hot summer days since the Roaring Twenties.
