Exterior - Max Frolic's cafe. Well-known entertainer Max Frolic opened his restaurant in 1938 at the (then) South Tacoma Way location. It was designed and built by Mr. Frolic and William Thornburg because of the rerouting of U.S. Highway 99 from Lakeview Drive to the newly extended South Tacoma Way. On June 20-22, 1958, Max Frolic's celebrated its grand opening to highlight its new exterior and new dining room. Neon signs advertised sea foods and fried chicken as part of the menu. Colorful awnings help to shade the windows of this brick and wood building. Max Frolic was a former vaudevillian, violinist and band leader. He directed the Elks Club Extravaganzas for many years. He also was the music director, arranger and conductor of the Pantages Theatre orchestra from 1920-1932. Mr. Frolic died at the age of 89 on December 14, 1974. Photograph ordered by Max Frolic's Restaurant. TPL-5799. (TNT 6-20-58, p. 4, History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, p. 421)

Max Frolic's Restaurant (Lakewood); Restaurants--Lakewood; Electric signs--Lakewood;

Interior - Max Frolic's cafe. Well-known entertainer Max Frolic opened his restaurant in 1938 at the (then) South Tacoma Way location. It was designed and built by Mr. Frolic and William Thornburg because of the rerouting of U.S. Highway 99 from Lakeview Drive to the newly extended South Tacoma Way. On June 20-22, 1958, Max Frolic's celebrated its grand opening to highlight its new exterior and new dining room. Neon signs advertised sea foods and fried chicken as part of the menu. Colorful awnings help to shade the windows of this brick and wood building. Max Frolic was a former vaudevillian, violinist and band leader. He directed the Elks Club Extravaganzas for many years. He also was the music director, arranger and conductor of the Pantages Theatre orchestra from 1920-1932. Mr. Frolic died at the age of 89 on December 14, 1974. Photograph ordered by Max Frolic's Restaurant. TPL-5799. (TNT 6-20-58, p. 4, History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, p. 421)

Max Frolic's Restaurant (Lakewood); Restaurants--Lakewood; Interiors--Lakewood;

Max Frolic's, a distinctively modern "Dreamhouse" diner opened on May 26, 1938, on old Highway 99 in Lakewood. Max Frolic and William Thornburg, owners of the popular Art-deco-style roadside restaurant, provided service 24-hours a day. Frolic, a violinist and orchestra/band leader, decorated the interior with autographed photographs of show business and sports stars. Current owners call the place "Maxie's". Ordered by Johnson Cox Company. (TNT, 5/25/1938, p. 9). (filed with Argentum)

Restaurants--Lakewood--1930-1940; Max Frolic's Restaurant (Lakewood);

Exterior of Max Frolic's Cafe. Owned and operated by former vaudevillian, violinist and band leader Max Frolic, the restaurant had been in business since May of 1938. It would undergo remodeling in 1958 including a new dining room and spruced-up exterior.

Restaurants--Lakewood--1950-1960; Max Frolic's Restaurant (Lakewood);