This Texas Pizza Hut is a time portal back into 1980, pizza at the ready. Back when the internet wasn’t a thing, when new wave was in vogue, and VHS tapes were the vehicle of our favorite films. Get a glimpse into golden age of fast food dining at this Texas Pizza Hut in Hempstead.
Nowadays it seems like all the fast food franchises – from McDonalds to Burger King, Taco Bell and Carl’s Jr. – are all about sleek, cutting-edge, or modernistic design. That’s cool and all but every now and again you get nostalgic for simpler times.
Located in Hempstead, this Texas Pizza Hut transports patrons back to the ’80s. Furnished with vintage signage, retro aesthetics, and red checkered table mats.
The Pizza Hut outlet, located at 637 Hwy 290, was originally opened in the ’80s. As it was up for a remodel, franchise owner Mike Patranella decided to go with the classic look.
“I feel for Hempstead, Texas, I did the right thing,” Patranella told Houston Chronicle. “This is probably the nicest (sit-down restaurant in town).”
Nostalgia is a big hit with people, whether they were around for the era or not. Reddit user u/-Tyrone-Biggums- recently uploaded a series of photos of an undisclosed classic Pizza Hut in Texas.
“As soon as I crossed the threshold, I was greeted by old paint and décor, retro signage of a bygone era. The distinctive décor instantly stirred up feelings of excitement and light-heartedness. It reminded us that nostalgia has an incredible power to bring people closer, to bridge the generational gaps, and to create a unique shared experience that transcends time.”
Future plans for the Hempstead location include a salad bar, classic doors, and a Pac-Man machine.
There is no official list of these classic Pizza Hut outposts. But the podcast Underunderstood has compiled a list of known Pizza Hut Classic locations, including three outposts in Texas in Carrizo Springs, Fairfield, and Fredericksburg. There is also an unconfirmed location in Weatherford.
For further ’80s nostalgia, take a spin down to Hungry Like The Wolf. From the Rubix Cube discoball, to MTV-inspired walls, John Hughes-movie lockers, year book photo cutout collage, vibrant artwork honoring 80’s heroes including their wall of 80’s album cover art, zany carpeting, and their retro collection of throwback gaming consoles, Hungry Like The Wolf is decked out head-to-toe in nostalgia.