Brandin Iron Restaurant. The original Brandin Iron Cafe was completely gutted by a $102,850 fire at 4:12 a.m. on September 4, 1969. C-shift fought the second-alarm blaze. By May of 1970, it appears that the restaurant had been re-built. A jovial cartoon cowpoke with branding iron welcomed customers to the restaurant and its Lariat Room. Prior to the fire, signage on the restaurant indicated it was the "Branding" Iron; the new sign above in 1970 shows that the "g" has been dropped. (Talbot: 100 Years of Firefighting, Tacoma, Washington, p. 147)

Brandin Iron Restaurant (Tacoma); Branding Iron (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1970-1980;

A distinctly Western motif greeted customers of the Branding Iron restaurant in January, 1958. Horseshoes, pistols, gates, and even a steer's head decorated the walls. Jukeboxes would be readily accessible for patrons to play their favorite tunes. Owned by Leo Balistreri and Ernie Zarelli, the Branding Iron was located at 8413 Pacific Avenue across the street from Puget Sound National Bank. Sepia photograph ordered by the Branding Iron.

Branding Iron (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Horseshoes; Jukeboxes;

Customers could dine from 12 noon to 8 p.m. on Sundays and weekdays and until 1 a.m. on weekends at the Branding Iron restaurant. The neon cactus and the restaurant name itself gave some indication of the type of food it served--dishes from the American West, including lots of beef. Parking facilities were available in front and on the side of the brick and wood building. A broad porch would shelter patrons from inclement weather. The Branding Iron restaurant was located at South 84th and Pacific; it was owned by Leo Balistreri and Ernie Zarelli. See A112067-4 for interior of restaurant. Photograph ordered by the Branding Iron.

Branding Iron (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960;