[[{“value”:”Back in the old days, going to a pizza parlor was a big deal. As a kid, I looked forward to hitting one of the golden-age pizza chains with friends and family. The pizza was great, and sharing a pie fresh out of the oven with soda fountain drinks in hand was just fun. Many had arcades or other entertainment, including animatronics and even rides. What were some of the hottest spots? If you remember these 5 pizza chains, you grew up in the Golden Age of American dining.
Shakey’s Pizza Parlor
Shakey’s was the first pizza franchise in the United States, opening in Sacramento, California, in 1954, and eventually peaking at around 500 restaurants. Now, only “more than 60” remain in 2026. “They were quite the thing in their 80s heyday,” one Redditor reminisces. “There’s a Shakey’s near us. They sometimes give coupons to the schools in our district. Occasionally my son gets one, and we end up going maybe once or twice a year. He says he doesn’t even care about the pizza, he just likes the arcade and that the soda fountain has Mountain Dew,” another says.
ShowBiz Pizza Place
ShowBiz Pizza Place, also called ShowBiz Pizza, was similar to Chuck E. Cheese. Robert L. Brock founded the amusement-oriented chain in 1980 after leaving Chuck E. Cheese to start his own chain. The family entertainment center also served pizza and offered lots of arcade games, token-operated rides, and yes, animatronic shows. The company struggled to compete with the mouse-mascotted restaurant and eventually went out of business, with most locations rebranded as Chuck E. Cheese.
Pizza Haven
Seattle might not seem like a pizza hot spot. However, a neighborhood known as Garlic Gulch is filled with Italians and pizza restaurants. Pizza Haven opened in Seattle in 1958, serving simple pizza with lots of toppings and offering delivery through its “dial-a-pizza” service. The chain franchised with up to 42 locations in other states and even countries like Russia and the Middle East. However, a missed tax payment led the company to file for bankruptcy in 1998. The final location closed in Seattle’s Center House in 2012.
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Pistol Pete’s Pizza
Named after the Oklahoma State University mascot, Pistol Pete, Pistol Pete’s Pizza was a college-town favorite. The first location opened in Lubbock, Texas, in 1974 and was famous for loaded pizzas, arcade games, and later, animatronics and carnival rides. At its peak, there were 30 locations. Eventually, Peter Piper Pizza acquired the company.
Eatza Pizza
Eatza Pizza first opened its doors in Scottsdale, Arizona, in 1997. The concept? Eat as much pizza as you want from an all-you-can-eat buffet of pizza, pasta, salad, and dessert. All locations also had arcade games. The chain rapidly expanded over the decade, reaching 108 locations in 14 states and Puerto Rico. In 2006, a private equity group bought it. However, after a restaurant supply company sued it, the chain underwent mass closures and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. All locations were closed.
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