Nostalgic look at the restaurants you might have eaten at from the 70s, 80s and 90s
Back in the day the only meals out were either at a Berni Inn or a Little Chef. There was little other choice and I remember the first McDonald's arriving from America as a totally revolutionary way of eating.
Costa Coffee shops and Starbucks were years away, and the local restaurants were all as individual as could be. Each one having their own quirky characteristics, all different from each other and brilliant, or awful, in their own unique way.
As our food writer Kirsty Bosley made a nostalgic visit to Pizza Hut on New Street, we decided to take a look back at all the other restaurants either we visited, or our parents visited, back in the day.
Kirsty writes that the Pizza Hut in New Street has been there for nearly three decades and recalls her favourite pizza, a margherita from deep dish trays.
She says, "For £10.99 we could eat as much of the pizza, salad or pasta as we wanted, but for £15.99 a piece, we could have everything. One glance at the Ice Cream Factory, with its 'juices' and shakers of 'bits' and I was sold on the more expensive All in Buffet option."
Brum's food scene has obviously boomed in recent years. We have a breadth and depth of options to rival any city. Quality is almost a given.
But looking back at these eateries of the past, you might just want to hop in a time machine to when tea out was a big occasion, and everyone had their favourite place. If we've missed your top choice, let us know in the comments below.
Fred Cowen outside his cafe in Acocks Green, February, 1977.
Gallo Domenico, chef at Lorenzo's restaurant, 30th March 1990.
Cafe in Aston with a tower block looming over it, 1971.
The Maharaja Indian restaurant in Hurst Street, Birmingham, which has won an Egon Ronay restaurant award. 14th May 1996.
Head chef, Paul Bingham, prepares food for a royal visit, with restaurant manager, Andrew Morgan at the Patrick Collection. 13th September 1990.
Pepe Massari celebrating after his world record champagne fountain at Penns Hall, Sutton Coldfield. 9th September 1974.
Paco Bueno, owner of the Casa Paco Spanish restaurant, Fletchers Walk, Birmingham, at the restaurant. 26th September 1990.
Tracey Long left and Rebecca Smith with a selection of food on offer at the Bartons Arms.
Simpsons Restaurant owner and Chef Andreas Antona with the top award for Best Hotel and Restaurant Chef Award 1999 at Simpsons Restaurant, Kenilworth Warwickshire. 3rd August 1999
Mr Rahman, Mr Abdul Ahad and Mr Miah outside the popular Azadi International Indian restaurant in Kings Heath, 25th July 1986
The new look Bombay Tandoori Indian restaurant on Essex Street, Birmingham with
Manager Nurul Zaman Khan, July 1983
Chef of the year 1990, Roger Narbett, at Sloans Restaurant.
Mr Nat Bat’s Maharajah restaurant on Hurst Street, Birmingham. April 1983.
Shyam Mali (left) and Ajaz Ahmed show off some of the mouth watering dishes made famous by head chef Chaturman Mali at the Rajdott Indian restaurant in Albert Street, Birmingham. November 1982.
Mr Wali Ahad, manager of the newly refurbished Dilshad Restaurant on Coventry Road, Yardley, Birmingham. 1980.
The Milan Indian Cusine restaurant in Birmingham with owner Dhiren Patel and chef Rana. 1986.
The Moharani Indian restaurant on Station Road in Acocks Green, Birmingham with a
chef preparing tandoori chicken in the kitchen. 1984.
The newly opened Poonam Indian restaurant in Sparkhill, Birmingham.
Left to right Chef Ramesh Chandra, manager Dilip Parmar, and waiter Mit Balil.
August 1985.
Five Sisters Vegetarian Restaurant, Stratford Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham, Saturday 3rd November 1984.
The Ladwa sisters, from left, Bhavna, Urmila, Susmita, Tarulata and Chetna, came up with the idea of opening a restaurant when they realised just how few places there were serving Hindu vegetarian meals, the sisters take terns to cook and serve in the restaurant, which has been open since May.
George Best with Patrick Lineham, Chris Benbrook, Carolyn Furby and Ann Perry at Bobby Browns restaurant in Birmingham. 1st September 1982.
The Stanton Cafeteria, inside the Fine Fare supermarket at Chelmsley Wood. 1st May 1981.
Mr Askar Ali, head chef of the Golden Bengal tandoori restaurant, Bristol road south, Northfield, Birmingham, discussing the menu with Mr Kyaham Waiter.21st July 1983.
Rustie Lee outside her new restaurant in Hurst Street, Birmingham. 11th October 1985.
Number Ten Indian restaurant, Harborne, Birmingham.
Head waiter Mr A Mannan with chef Mr M Ali. 16th December 1982.
Lord Mayor Frank Carter and Lady Mayoress Elsie Carter open Mosley's Tandoori restaurant on Broad Street, Birmingham. 4th September 1985.
Chefs Dhan Bahadur Mali (left) and Basu Dev Mali in the kitchen of the Gurkha restaurant in Dale end, Birmingham. 9th April 1983.
The Rajdott Indian restaurant in Albert Street, Birmingham. November 1972.
Restauranteur Michelle Vale pictured with a sign for her new French restaurant Michelle in Harborne, Birmingham, 19th December 1977.