The 1970s were a groovy time for American restaurants. You could smoke at your table, grab free matches, or order dessert off a rolling cart.
Dining out felt like a fun event—sometimes fancy, sometimes funky.
Here are 20 restaurant features from that era that have all but vanished.
1. Salad Bars With Sneezeguards
These self-serve bars were the pride of the dining room. Iceberg lettuce, shredded carrots, and ranch ruled the lineup.
Acrylic sneeze guards hovered protectively above the bowls. It felt like freedom—and a germ battleground.
2. All-You-Can-Eat Prime Rib Nights
Restaurants loaded up trays of juicy prime rib, carving it hot to order for as long as you could eat.
It was a carnivore’s dream and a budget miracle. Napkins were tucked in like bibs, and second helpings were encouraged.
3. Wood Paneling Everywhere
Walls dripped with dark faux-wood veneer, giving restaurants that cozy, cabin-in-the-suburbs charm.
It made every booth feel private, every corner dim. A disco ball would’ve looked right at home.
4. Smoking Sections Indoors
Ashtrays sat beside your napkin. You could enjoy a smoke before, during, or after dessert.
Smoke drifted lazily into the “non-smoking” zone, which was just the next booth over.
5. Waitresses In Themed Uniforms
From cowgirl hats to cocktail dresses, themed outfits added flair to your meal. Think plaid vests and knee-high socks.
Each chain had its own costume playbook. It was hospitality meets dinner theater.
6. Candlelight In Red Glass Holders
These red hobnail candle holders were a staple of every white-tablecloth table. They gave off a sultry, soft glow.
Even a plate of spaghetti felt romantic under that flicker. Date night never looked so dimly lit.
7. Jell-O On The Dessert Tray
Bright wobbly cubes nestled next to cheesecake and pie. Sometimes it had whipped cream, sometimes mystery fruit inside.
You didn’t order Jell-O—you pointed at it. It jiggled its way to your plate with pride.
8. Plastic Booth Seating
Vinyl booths in rust, mustard, and avocado lined the dining rooms like sticky-backed thrones.
The creak as you slid in was part of the charm. So was the crackle of static when you got up.
9. Lobster Tanks By The Door
Clear tanks held sleepy lobsters in icy water. You could pick your dinner before you even sat down.
The bubbles, the claws, the whole show added seafood flair to even the most inland eatery.
10. Free Matches With The Logo
A tiny souvenir that smelled like sulfur and nostalgia. Restaurants handed them out like business cards.
You’d toss them in a purse or pocket for later. Some even became collector’s items.
11. Fondue On The Menu
Molten cheese, hot oil, or chocolate—there was a pot for every craving. Tables came with built-in burners.
Diners dunked bread or meat with long forks. It was part meal, part social experiment.
12. Coin-Operated Candy Dispensers
By the door or in the lobby, these clear towers spilled Skittles or gumballs with a twist of the knob.
They were impossible to ignore. Pocket change meant a sweet treat on your way out.
13. Rotating Dessert Carts
Wheeled from table to table, these glass-covered carts showed off each dessert like a crown jewel.
The server would gently open the lid. Tarts, cakes, and pudding all begged for your attention.
14. Paper Placemats With Mazes
Before the iPad, there was the paper placemat. Kids solved mazes while waiting for grilled cheese.
Crayons were optional. Spills were forgiven. The mat doubled as entertainment and napkin.
15. Hostess Stations With Rolodexes
Reservations weren’t digital—they were written on tiny cards inside a spinning Rolodex at the front desk.
Hostesses flipped quickly to find your name. It felt official, like checking in for a flight.
16. Brown-And-Orange Color Schemes
Every surface seemed dipped in earth tones. Burnt orange, chocolate brown, and harvest gold dominated the palette.
Even the plates and menus matched. It was cozy and somehow always a little dim.
17. Restaurants In Shopping Malls
A trip to the mall often ended with a full-service meal. Think steakhouse, seafood, or family diner inside the complex.
Escalators led to your entree. You might eat shrimp scampi next to a Sbarro.
18. Tableside Flambé
Servers wheeled out carts with pans and liquor, lighting bananas or steak aflame right beside your table.
It dazzled diners with fire and flair. Dessert tasted better with a bit of pyrotechnics.
19. Diners With Miniature Jukeboxes
Each booth had a mini jukebox with song choices from pop to Motown. A few quarters got your favorite track.
Buttons clicked and music played softly overhead. It made your milkshake taste just a little cooler.
20. Ashtrays On Every Table
Ceramic or glass, they were always within reach. Emptied by servers, refilled by guests.
They clinked and clattered beside salt shakers. The cloying scent lingered long after the check arrived.