Born After 1985? You Probably Don't Remember This Department Store Restaurant Chain

Chowhound • February 16, 2026 • business

Key Points:

On-site restaurants in retail stores, now common with examples like Ikea cafeterias and The Polo Bar, were less ubiquitous in the past, with Kmart being an early adopter through its K Cafe concept.
The K Cafe, popular in the 1980s and 1990s, offered a variety of casual dining options such as pizza, hot dogs, wings, cheeseburgers, and even Italian dishes, creating a nostalgic food court atmosphere for shoppers.
Social media and nostalgia forums frequently share memories and photos of Kmart’s eateries, highlighting a sentimental appreciation for the affordable and comforting food once available there.
By the late 1990s, Kmart’s pizza offerings transitioned to Little Caesars, and the K