In 1970, David G. Nan Carol opened his Hickory Chip restaurant in the Northern California

city of Santa Clara, giving it his last name minus the first syllable.

One location grew into many, and for decades, the diner-style chain flourished in the Western

United States, becoming known for its breakfast, prime rib, and pies.

In fact, in the 1990s, the magazine Consumer Reports rated it as the best chain restaurant

in America.

That much like the publication that once praised it, the company failed to evolve with

at times, and its market position gradually eroded into irrelevance.

As recently as 2013, it still maintained 55 eateries across the American Southwest.

But after food management partners, the giant conglomerate that owns Buffalo Wild Wings

and Little Caesars bought the chain in early 2015, corporate overlords rapidly shuttered

most of the remaining restaurants.

As of now, it's down to a mere 16 locations, all in California.

With this once-proud chain on its last legs, the question becomes, can it survive, and

to be frank, does it even deserve to?

This week on Doe Boys, we mourn and celebrate caros.

Welcome to Doe Boys, the podcast about chain restaurants I'm Nick Weiger alongside Mike

Mitchell.

Uh, Mitch, how are you?

Good, the spoon man.

Oh yeah, Mitch, the spoon man, uh, Mike, the spoon man Mitchell will call you.

And Lil Wags, the burger boy.

...