Which Came First — The Movie Or The Restaurant? Slideshow

The restaurant from Sleepless in Seattle hosts a less-than-two-minute scene featuring Tom Hanks discussing dating and tiramisu. But did a single scene inspire the creation of this restaurant?

Answer: The Athenian Inn

The century-old Athenian Inn now features photos of the filming of the movie, and has become a top tourist attraction in Seattle — almost 20 years later.

‘Forrest Gump’ vs. Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

"You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, sauté it. There's, shrimp-kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo. Pan-fried, deep-fried, stir-fried. There's pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp; shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich. That's about it." Fans of Forrest Gump surely recall the importance that shrimp plays in this classic film, but which came first, Bubba Gump Shrimp Factory or the movie?

Answer: ‘Forrest Gump’

When Bubba listed off the many ways of cooking shrimp in Forrest Gump, there was not a restaurant by the name of Bubba Gump. Now you can get almost all of these dishes and more at one of the chain's 26 locations across the country.

‘Friends’ vs. Central Perk

This Friends staple won the hearts of millions as they watched the 10-year sitcom unfold. The café was home to first kisses, breakups, and many a conversation between the six friends. Although there is no Central Perk located in New York City, the original set as been turned into working shop in California. But is that the end of the story?

Answer: ‘Friends’

There may not be a Big Apple location, however, in China, a man set out to create a Central Perk that looks and feels exactly like the coffee shop on Friends. After endlessly studying reruns of the show, his café almost exactly resembles that of the Friends set.

‘Cheers’ vs. Cheers

Although the bar on the show was a set, of course, but that doesn't necessarily mean it wasn't inspired by a real-life location. Or does it?

Answer: Cheers

The show's bar was in fact inspired by an actual bar in Boston. The opening credits of the TV show features shots of the real bar, originally called Bull and Finch. Since the show aired, the original Boston bar has changed its name to Cheers (to avoid confusion). Although the design of the set is not similar (the show needed an island bar to be shot in front of a studio audience), the interior decorations on-set were almost exact replicas. 

‘Coyote Ugly’ vs. Coyote Ugly Saloon

They don't serve water there! Patrons of the Coyote Ugly bar in the 2000 movie of the same name that made the mistake of ordering H20 would get showered in the stuff. Wondering if the same thing holds true in the real-life bar?

Answer: Coyote Ugly Saloon

The 2000 movie Coyote Ugly was created years after the Coyote Ugly Saloon first opened its doors in New York's East Village. The bar's signature routine of scantily clad girls dancing on top of the bar and roughly insisting that men by drinks for themselves (and the bartenders!) was too good to pass up. A movie was made based on the real-life bar, and several more Coyote Ugly Saloons are now open across the nation and around the world. 

‘Goodburger’ vs. Goodburger

"Welcome to Goodburger, home of the goodburger, can I take your order?" As any 90's child knows, Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell were the kings of comedy for a short stint. At least, on Nickelodeon they were. The Goodburger skit from All That turned into a 1997 movie that many of us probably still own on VHS (or is that just me?). 

Answer: ‘Goodburger’

The Goodburger restaurant only came about in the last decade or so, so the movie definitely came first. And although the restaurant never explicitly states it has anything to do with the comedy, the tagline "Goodburger: Home of the Goodburger" says it all. 

‘Pulp Fiction’ vs. Jack Rabbit Slims

This Pulp Fiction 50's-themed restaurant played host to many of the moments in the iconic 1994 film, including the dance scene where Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Mia Wallace (Uma Thurman) do the twist. 

Answer: ‘Pulp Fiction’

Although the movie came first, there have been many copycats popping up over the years, with one of the most authentic depictions of the restaurant located in the UK

‘When Harry Met Sally’ vs. Katz’s Delicatessen

"I'll have what she's having." Meg Ryan's superb acting skills at this restaurant made this scene one of the most recognizable in romantic comedy history. 

Answer: Katz’s Delicatessen

Although When Harry Met Sally has been around since 1989, Katz's Delicatessen has been doling out pastrami and corned beef sandwiches for much, much longer. The deli opened in 1888, and has been satisfying men and women alike ever since. It should be noted, however, that the scene for the movie was filmed in a set that looked like the restaurant instead of on-location.

‘Serendipity’ vs. Serendipity

Serendipity is the art of finding the pleasantly unexpected by chance or sagacity. That is exactly the way the movie Serendipity works. John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale play strangers who meet and fall in love, only to be separated, convinced they will one day end up together. Their first date takes place at a restaurant called Serendipity, but which came first?

Answer: Serendipity

The date takes place at Serendipity 3 in New York City. Although it became better known after the movie came out in 2001, the restaurant has been around for more than 50 years. 

‘Sex and the City’ vs. Sushi Samba 7

The girls of Sex and the City often enjoyed cocktails at this hip Seventh Avenue lounge in New York. Can you guess whether Carrie and the gang were hot enough trendsetters to inspire this spot, or vice versa?

Answer: Sushi Samba 7

The restaurant came first, and is still often frequented by Sex and the City lovers on a regular basis.  Give it a try and opt for a Cosmo — you want the full experience.

‘Seinfeld’ vs. Tom’s Restaurant

Throughout the course of this iconic 90's sitcom, Jerry and the gang eat in their favorite neighborhood diner, Monk's Café. But did the restaurant pre-date the series or was it the other way around?

Answer: Tom’s Restaurant

Tom's Restaurant (aka Monk's Café) from Seinfeld is actually real... kind of. Tom's Restaurant in New York is the exterior shot for Monk's, the restaurant the gang often frequents in the 90's sitcom. Although the exterior is used often, the inside of the Monk's set looks little like the real Tom's. The restaurant is featured on the New York Seinfeld bus tour, which is given by Kenny Kramer, the real-life inspiration for the character Cosmo Kramer.

‘Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle’ vs. White Castle

In the 2004 comedy, Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, a pair of friends go on a wild adventure to eat White Castle after smoking marijuana. The restaurant is prominently featured in the movie and (spoiler alert) Harold and Kumar finally make it to the restaurant, but which do you think came first? The film or the chain?

Answer: White Castle

This is an easy one.  The history of the fast-food chain far precedes the movie. The original White Castle opened in Wichita, Kan., in 1921.