Why We’re Still Obsessed With the Rainforest Cafe | Eater

"Conceived by eccentric founder Steven Schussler and prototyped in his heavily modified suburban home, this theatrically themed restaurant debuted at the Mall of America in 1994 and became a runaway hit thanks to its immersive effects: animatronic animals, live parrots and other birds, mist machines, thunderstorms, a 35-foot waterfall, and a 3,000‑gallon aquarium — plus signature menu moments like the sparkler-topped volcano brownie and dishes that once included Cajun-spiced swordfish and coconut bread pudding. The concept helped spawn a global chain that peaked at about 45 locations (now reduced to roughly two dozen), was bought by Landry’s Inc. in 2000, and has seen a steady stream of high-profile closures even as nostalgia for its Y2K-era magic drives fans to seek out remaining outposts. The original location was moved in 2016 and, in the process, lost many of its water features and some of the tactile charm that defined the early restaurants, but the brand endures as an emblem of experiential, nostalgia-driven mall dining." - Justine Jones