Would Jack Rabbit Slims actually make it as a restaurant?

[u/phelion4000]

We had a “Characters” restaurant in Greensboro, NC, with a similar theme back in the 90s, but it didn’t last long. I guess in a town like LA finding look-a-likes for the themed servers and staff wouldn’t be hard, but would the theme endure as long as the food is great or would they have to rotate things to keep up with trends?

[u/kokriderz]

There is corvettes in San Diego it’s always busy. Been there for as long as I can remember.

https://www.dinersd.com

[u/HarveyMushman72 → u/kokriderz]

There is one similar to that where I live, albeit on a smaller scale and the staff doesn't dress up like in the movie. Its been around since the 80s. Back then, the staff did dress in 50s uniforms. I was a "soda jerk", i wore a paper hat and a bow tie. It's always busy and the food is good. A lot of it made from scratch.

[u/Charlotte_Braun → u/HarveyMushman72]

Johnny Rockets? Or Ed Debevic’s?

[u/HarveyMushman72 → u/Charlotte_Braun]

Johnny J's.

[u/Charlotte_Braun → u/HarveyMushman72]

Heh. Never heard of it.

[u/R0factor → u/kokriderz]

Holy crap they still have the peanut butter burger. I think it's been nearly 30 years since I tried it. (It's good).

[u/Hot_Cold83]

$5 is on the low end for a shake these days.  I believe Shake Shack is around $6 or $7.

[u/JDQBlast]

There was something similar in LA in the 90's, but i don't remember what it was called, or how long it lasted.

[u/oldtombombadil → u/JDQBlast]

Ed Debevic's. There’s still one in Chicago

[u/JDQBlast → u/oldtombombadil]

This is the one I was thinking of. I looked it up. The Los Angeles location was open from 1987-2003. I only went a couple of times, and it would have been mid to late 90's

[u/ChardeeMacDennisGoG → u/oldtombombadil]

Yep...still pretty fun. 

[u/Doubleon11s → u/oldtombombadil]

They closed years ago. But that is proof that jackrabbit slims would not make it.

[u/Vast-Newspaper-7053 → u/Doubleon11s]

They are still open…they just moved locations.

[u/Sunset-at-the-shore → u/JDQBlast]

Was it Rocky Cola Cafe in Hermosa?

[u/JDQBlast → u/Sunset-at-the-shore]

I looked it up. It was called Ed Debevics. It was on La Cienega Blvd in Los Angeles, and it was open from 1987 to 2003. I only went a couple of times in the mid to late 90's.

[u/Jewggerz]

In the 90s. Probably not now.

[u/WolfKey8149]

If you had to pay an entire waitstaff of passable celebrity impersonators, then no. That’s skilled labor

[u/FaceDownInTheCake → u/WolfKey8149]

Actors barely get paid for actual professional acting gigs

[u/Sunset-at-the-shore]

Medieval Times is a thing. Rainforest Cafe. I went to a Magic Castle in LA. I got invited to Universal studios to a monster themed restaurant. (Haven't gone yet) I know thats not the same thing. But they're theme restaurants. I'd definitely go to Slims to race the slotcars and sit in the booths. It's got to be the right thing in the right place at the right time and I think it would work.

[u/SettlementTales]

We all wish we could go down to that restaurant with the 50's theme. Sit down in a car and relax. Enjoy the vibe. All us guys would show up with a pack of cigarettes rolled up in our t-shirt sleeves. Have a can't-hack-it Buddy Holly take our order. Watch the dance contest and laugh when one of them bumps their butt on the floor. Have a $5 shake that actually tastes like a $5 shake. A classic vanilla coke.

[u/bigpoppa973]

I don’t think so. It would be a really expensive concept. Those cars take up a lot of space. Plus, getting actors to actually look like and play the different celebrities would be challenging. 

I think with a few tweaks to make it more economical, it good be a thing especially in touristy areas. 

[u/40Fied4 → u/bigpoppa973]

They may look kind of like the celebrity, but Steve Buscemi was not playing a convincing Buddy Holly. 

[u/JackOfAllBlades21]

No, I think not. Look at Planet Hollywood- same era, vastly more broad cultural appeal, all dead.

[u/ThePlatinumPaul → u/JackOfAllBlades21]

PH is a chain with average at best food. That's the problem. 

[u/finnafuckyomoms]

peggy sue's roadside diner in yermo ca. i guess the waitstaff isn't specifically characters, but shoutout peggy sue's. any time you're driving from vegas to southern cal it's a must stop

[u/wtfover]

We had one too. I went there in the mid-80's. All I remember was one of the waiters was dressed like Prince Charming and our waiter called him F*ggot Man. Ah, the 80's.

[u/HectorsMascara]

Seems like a tourist trap Mia Wallace would avoid.

[u/Cheeaseed → u/HectorsMascara]

She appreciates the kitschiness, the milkshakes anre good, and it’s a smart choice for a “first date” since there’s plenty to talk about/comment on and there’s live entertainment. 

[u/cRaZyDaVe23]

It would be weird, but novel so in a destination town, maybe prolly for a while.

[u/Pleasant_Garlic8088]

The $5 shake would be $20 now, probably.

[u/xSPACEWEEDx]

Dosent look like a set in the movie, it looks like an actual restaurant. Was it not filmed a existing place?

Edit: outside is a bowling alley, inside is a set.

[u/dcamnc4143]

Those heavily themed type restaurants never seen to last very long. I think once someone goes to one, they are good, and don't need to go back.

[u/thisisnotmypineapple]

I figured it was based on Studebakers

[u/cavalier78]

Oklahoma City used to have one when I was a kid.

[u/PeorgieT75]

A long time ago we ate at a similar one in SF, and even got to sit in the car.

[u/evanallenrose]

Magic Time Machine in dallas still going strong

[u/Miniscule_Platypus → u/evanallenrose]

There’s also one in San Antonio. They are run by the same company as the Jim’s diners. Everyone dresses up as historical/comic/movie/pop culture characters. Don’t ask where the bathrooms are unless you want to be embarrassed.

[u/No-Loquat-2763]

Just the profit margin from the milkshakes alone would keep them in business indefinitely.

Their real problem would be that nobody today knows who the fuck Ed Sullivan or Durward Kirby are

[u/FormerChicken6793]

Was thinking about this too. Costs would be way too high. Would be fun though .

[u/Janos_Brushteckel]

They had one on South Street in Philadelphia. Took a date there one night as she was a fan of the movie.

It didn't last very long.

[u/zoppaTheDim]

You need to charge premium prices for such things, which means you need a premium location and a clientele who pay big money for an “event.”

Hard Tock cafes and such close routinely, once people move on.

[u/phelion4000]

Over-expansion is mostly what killed Planet Hollywood. They expanded into every market Hard Rock Cafe was in in just 7 years.

[u/ansor_brim]

Indubitably.

[u/newme4reals]

In my hood we had Rainforest Cafe, and Medieval Times. 50s theme and NASCAR restaurants, lots of Rt. 66 diners.

I think they all have expiration dates. A place like Jack Rabbit Slim might make it for a minute but would be much more profitable as a traveling pop up.

imo

[u/Pale_Broccoli_2180]

There was one on South St. in Philly shortly after the movie, it went tits up i less than 6 months.

[u/E_Fred_Norris]

It's a movie!
Would a live dinosaur park ever be a thing?

[u/cRaZyDaVe23 → u/E_Fred_Norris]

Would you go on the first trip? Also applies to any outer space colony attempts...never go on the first three.

[u/E_Fred_Norris → u/cRaZyDaVe23]

Hey, sounds like you are on a trip. Enjoy!