Missed Restaurants in Amarillo: Shoney’s and Their Breakfast Bar

Amarillo is an excellent location to open a restaurant, especially if it is situated along I-40. When people are traveling and looking for a quick meal, they tend to choose something familiar. Amarillo's I-40 has been home to several well-known restaurants. However, over the years, many of these establishments have closed.

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Shoney's

Shoney's was one of those places.   It was a great place to stop in and have breakfast, lunch, or dinner.  Back in the day, it was one of those places that sprung up near hotels because it was perfect for travelers.

Maybe it was the breakfast bar that so many loved.   Buffets are perfect for those who don't know what to eat or want so many different things, they can have a little of everything.

Amarillo had two Shoney's locations.  One used to be located at 1547 E I-40.

This building was Shoney's, after Shoney's closed it was Gaming Bar and Grill, Saigon Restaurant, and at some point in time El Tapatios.  The building was later demolished and a Discount Tire was built where Shoney's once stood.

The other location most people remember was 4110 Interstate 40.  This location was Shoney's, later it was Marie Callender's, Cattle Call Too, and then the building was demolished and Aspen Creek Grill was built.

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There is a claim that a third location was situated between the AISD Building and Park West in the Balfour Optical Building.

According to a post in the Amarillo Restaurant Reviews Facebook Group, a woman named Cassie Nicole claims that her family owned the Shoney's restaurants in the 80s, specifically the ones located on east I-40 and the I-40 and Coulter locations. Some people don't remember that Shoney's near Coulter, so it could be attributed to the Mandela Effect.

Shoney's was founded in Charleston, West Virginia in 1947. Over the years thousands of Shoney's were opened in the Southern US, and in 2000 filed for bankruptcy. You won't find a Shoney's anywhere in Texas anymore. The closest would be in Henryetta, OK.

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The memories of our favorite restaurants from yesteryear are strong.