FOOD NEWS
Here's What Happened To The Ponderosa Steakhouse Restaurant Chain
BY LISA CURRAN MATTE
A hit among families in its heyday as a Western-themed joint with endless buffet and fixed-price menu, Ponderosa Steakhouse slowly declined due to several external factors.
First, when the Centers for Disease Control began tracking food-borne illnesses in 1970, the link between all-you-can-buffets and the risk of contamination came into focus.
The Old West theme also became a bit stale with the changing times, though the restaurant chain managed to retain their loyal following well into the 21st century.
However, the one-two punch of the 2008 economic recession and the 2020 global pandemic finally took a toll. Today, the chain has less than two dozen locations in the U.S.