A Viking warrior, ready for battle, stands above the large neon sign for the Viking Restaurant. Apparently the restaurant offered exceptional food with dining available from 5:00 p.m. It was situated in a rectangular building with large plate glass windows; a striped awning hung over the main entrance. The word "cheese" is painted in large letters on a tall triangular column near the corner of the restaurant. The Viking Restaurant had previously been known as the Viking Smorgasbord, specializing in Scandinavian and American foods. TPL-2510

Viking Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Awnings--Tacoma;

John E. Barcott, Jr., celebrated the grand opening of his Barcott's Sea Food restaurant in May of 1953. The new restaurant was located at 3832 South Pine Street, in what was dubbed "the center of the city," on Pine just off South 38th St. Mr. Barcott had 15 years experience in restaurants and was a member of a pioneering Tacoma restaurant-operating family. A large rooftop neon sign had an arrow pointing downwards, drawing the eyes to smaller neons of the "chops, seafood, steaks" menu. There was also a whimsical lighted sign of a smiling fish with large bubbles nearby. The water theme continued in the interior of the restaurant with fishing gear and nets decorating the spacious dining room. The structure was built by Walter C. Witte, general contractor, and fixtures supplied by Andrew's Fixture Co. Fifty years later, the location is now occupied by the Pine Street Landing eatery and is across the street from the Evergreen Post Office. (TNT 5-28-53, p. 15) TPL-8122

Barcott's Sea Food (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Dupont Works, E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. - annual dinner and 25 year club at the New Yorker. Eight five pensioners and 25 year men were honored at the dinner at the New Yorker. C.H. Miller, service manager of the explosives department, paid tribute to the DuPont old timers. (TNT 10/30/1953, pg. 3-- see article for names)

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Business people--Tacoma--1950-1960; E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. (Dupont)--People;

Steve's (Gay 90's) Cafe, photographed for the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. Steve's was owned and operated by Steve Pease and John Stanley. The fantasticly popular restaurant and nightclub included many internal rooms like this one. All were decorated with an old time flair. This room features tall wooden booths and round tables. Above the wainscoting is wallpaper picturing nineties gents stepping up to the bar and ladies at round tables, just like the ones in this room. On the walls are museum framed and lighted photographs of the original Red Front Saloon where Steve's back bar came from. Through the open doorway to the right, you can see a counter with seats or stools. These two rooms may have been the original 20 seat coffee shop and tavern run by Stanley and Pease.

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Kit Kat Tavern was celebrating its third anniversary in April, 1954. Overhead view of tavern's interior; all seats seem to be occupied with happy customers. People could enjoy a drink while playing what appears to be a form of bingo. Budweiser, Lucky Lager, and Rainier beers were some of the beers available for purchase. The Kit Kat Tavern was located at 746 Pacific Avenue and owned by Elmer Gardner and Patricia White.

Bars--Tacoma--1950-1960; Kit Kat Tavern (Tacoma);

The interior of Ben-Dew's Patio Cafe on Sixth Avenue provided a cozy, rustic atmosphere for dining on the restaurant's well-advertised fried chicken in May, 1954. Up to 60 customers could sit on bar stools resembling logs, paneled booth seating, or regular tables. Lanterns hung from long horizontal poles in the ceiling. The building had formerly housed the landmark Patio Shop before it was extensively remodeled and reopened in late May, 1954. Ben-Dew's was owned and operated by Dewey Tei and had been located formerly on Commerce Street. Nearly fifty years after this photograph was taken, Ben-Dew's Clubhouse Grill is still in its same location on Sixth Avenue. (TNT 5-28-54, p. 11)

Ben-Dew's Patio Cafe (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cafes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lanterns;

Ben-Dew's Patio Cafe at 6501 6th Avenue opened formally in May of 1954. The new eatery occupied the building that was formerly the Patio Shop, a landmark on the way from downtown Tacoma to the Olympic Peninsula. Tacoma native Dewey Tei had operated Ben-Dew's for eight years in downtown Tacoma at the corner of So. 9th and Commerce; he stated that his restaurant was one of the first in the Pacific Northwest to offer take-out selections. (TNT 5-28-54, p. 11) TPL-8675

Ben-Dew's Patio Cafe (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cafes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

This was how the interior of Smitty's Hilltop Drive-In Restaurant, 2508 So. 38th St., appeared on June 8, 1954, prior to its Grand Opening. Houston O. Smith was listed in the 1955 City Directory as the owner of this drive-in restaurant. When it opened for business, it was the first of its type in Tacoma. Open seven days a week, Smitty's featured the famous 19 cent hamburger among other entrees, and customers were served minutes after their orders were placed. Mr. Smith had spent over a year doing research for the best possible design and operation. The site of Smitty's Hilltop Drive-In is now the massive Borders Books & Music store. (TNT 6-11-54, p. 13)

Smitty's Hilltop Drive-In Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Steve's Cafe, more commonly known as Steve's Gay '90's, was a very popular eating establishment for several decades. Located on South Tacoma Way, it was owned by Stephen O. Pease and John J. Stanley and offered, according to the 1954 City Directory, a "Smorgasbord of American Dishes Served in an Atmosphere of the Gay 90's." The restaurant was remodeled more than once; in the summer of 1954, new "cable-car" seating was added with the names of various streets and cable car numbers attached to the ends of the benches. Powell & Market #505, Angel Flight #62 and Lake Washington/Yesler/Pioneer Square #412 were just a few signs pictured in a July 4, 1954, photograph. A Cable Car Menu posted indicated that French fried prawns in a basket could be purchased for $1.00, half a fried chicken for $1.25 and Steve's Dutch Lunch, only 75 cents. Tasty, inexpensive meals could be found at Steve's along with cocktails and entertainment. The pictured "Cable Car Room" was designed by Bill Knabel Sign & Display Service.

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

Saturday August 21, 1954 marked the grand opening of the Narrows Drive-In at 6602 Sixth Avenue. Under the co-ownership and management of Norris Telling and James Slopak, it employed the latest in modern fixtures and equipment to provide speedy service with less effort. The menu included complete dinners, short orders and fountain service. Open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m Sunday through Thursday, and 11 to 3 on Friday and Saturday, they offered curb service at all hours to those who wanted to stay in their car.

Narrows Drive-In (Tacoma); Drive-in restaurants--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Steve's Gay '90s. Steve's Cafe (later commonly known as Steve's Gay '90s) was a fixture in South Tacoma for several decades. It was well known for its good food and lavish entertainment. View of Cable Room, a specialty dining area within Steve's which definitely had an old-time atmosphere. Steve Pease had imported actual cable car seating for his restaurant; Bill Knabel Sign & Display Service designed the room's layout. Names of actual cable cars were attached to the ends of the seats, including Powell & Market Strs., Bay & Taylor, and Angel Flight. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. TPL-3850

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

Barcott's Sea Food; interiors of restaurant as seen in April of 1955. Owner John E. Barcott, Jr. was a member of one of Tacoma's pioneer restaurant operating families. Located near the intersection of 38th & Pine, Barcott's was considered to be at the exact geographical center of the city. Its spacious dining room, as befits a seafood and steak restaurant, was decorated with fishing gear, nets and life rings stamped with Barcott's. The restaurant had its Grand Opening in May of 1953.

Barcott's Sea Food (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Barcott's Sea Food; interiors of spacious restaurant. Owner John E. Barcott, Jr. had 15 years of experience in restaurants, as did his night manager Domi Petronivich. Their seafood and steak house had a nautical theme, decorated with fishing gear and nets. Ample seating can be seen at tables and booths, as well as a counter at the left of the picture. The tables have a small lamp and a bud vase with a few daffodils. Part of the kitchen can be been at the back left hand side of the picture. The cash register area is at the right rear, with a cigarette machine and lighted shelving displaying seashells. Their convenient location near 38th & Pine also had ample free parking.

Barcott's Sea Food (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The interior of the Market Street Tavern, for the Washington State License & Beverage Association. George Koukles & Arthur T. Charuhas are listed as the owners in the 1955 City Directory. Booths line the right and left sides of the picture. The center section is occupied by a circular bar. On the booth tables and every few feet on the counter are Shyvers's Multiphones. They were telephones connected to an operator who would spin your selected record for a fee. The music was transmitted back via phone lines. Round built-in stools provide seating at the bar. A center island holds glasses and liquors and is topped by a shelf of displayed beer cans and bottles. Very modernistic light fixtures incorporate neon lighting. Photograph used in a Tacoma News Tribune special feature on taverns. The caption emphasized the new look of modern taverns, with greater luxury and attractive appointments replacing the dark look of earlier years. (TNT 5/30/1955, pg. 25)

Market Street Tavern (Tacoma); Bars--Tacoma--1950-1960; Eating & drinking facilities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Counters--Tacoma; Jukeboxes;

A man points at the bottles inside the serve-yourself refrigerator at the Park Way Delicatessen & Tavern. The Park Way operated at this location from 1951-1957 and was owned by Al Moody. A counter and stools and a neon sign for Columbia Ale can be seen behind the man. The refrigerator is in the novelty shape of a bottle and holds 7-Up, Bubble up, Nesbit, Pepsi-Cola, Old Colony, Coca-Cola, Can-a-Pop Grape, Heidelberg beer and Squirt. TPL-7954

Park Way Delicatessen & Tavern (Tacoma); Refrigerators; Carbonated beverages; Beer

A beaming unidentified man helped himself to a six-pack of Heidelberg from the serve-yourself refrigerator at the Park Way Delicatessen & Tavern at 313 North I Street on June 7, 1955. The Park Way operated at this location from 1951-1957 and was owned by Al Moody. A counter and stools and a neon sign for Columbia Ale can be seen behind the man. The refrigerator is in the novelty shape of a floor-to-ceiling bottle and holds ice-cold 7up, Bubble Up, Nesbit, Pepsi-cola, Old Colony, Coca-Cola, Can-a-Pop Grape, Heidelberg beer and Squirt. This is currently the location of the Parkway Tavern. TPL-6630

Park Way Delicatessen & Tavern (Tacoma); Refrigerators; Carbonated beverages; Beer;

Earl and Inez Russell smilingly pose with banjos. Photograph ordered by Steve's Cafe (also known as Steve's Gay Nineties.) The Russells lived at 1417 Browns Point Blvd. Their occupation was listed in the 1956 City Directory as "musicians" at Steve's Gay Nineties. Earl Russell was featured in the Steve's ads as part of the continuous music provided in Steve's Gay 90's and Cable Car Rooms. Steve's became famous throughout the Northwest for offering entertainment as well as great food at a reasonable price. It became a "must see" for out of town guests and a regular hang out for locals.

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Musicians--Tacoma; Banjos; Russell, Earl; Russell, Inez;

In September 1955, you could watch (l to r) Beverlee Crombie, Callie Mernaugh and Connie Mernaugh every Friday and Saturday night in the Gay Nineties room at Steve's Gay Nineties, 5238 So. Tacoma Way. Steve's was famous for its use of local talent and was known as a place where the whole family could enjoy an evening out. The Mernaugh girls were twins and graduates of Stadium High School. Their dancing was an artistic outlet, not a profession; both girls held "day jobs." Connie worked at Northwest Chair and Callie worked at St. Regis. Connie Mernaugh was Miss Tacoma of 1956. Beverlee Crombie left Tacoma for Los Angeles where she studied dancing with Vera Ellen, Leslie Caron and Sheree North. By 1956, she was appearing in the revue at the Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas and was booked for an engagement at the Moulin Rouge in Los Angeles. Miss Crombie was a 1955 graduate of Clover Park High School. (TNT 5/9/1956, pg. A-13, 5/29/1957 pg. 4, 8/12/1956, pg. D-12) TPL-8435

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Dancers--Tacoma; Entertainers--Tacoma; Costumes; Crombie, Beverlee; Mernaugh, Callie; Mernaugh, Connie;

This night exposure of Barcott's Sea Food restaurant was taken in September of 1955. Barcott's Sea Food, at 3832 So. Pine St., opened in late May 1953 across the street from the property now containing the Evergreen postal station. It was owned and managed by John E. Barcott, Jr.. John's father, John Barcott, Sr. founded the California Oyster House. His brother, Anton, owned and operated Harbor Lights. The spacious dining room was decorated with fishing gear and nets. There was plenty of parking for customers who came in to enjoy the fresh seafood and succulent steaks. John E. Barcott sold Barcott's Sea Food in 1978 and it became The Steak and Lobster House. Although ownership and management has changed several times since then, the exterior of the building remains much the same today. (TNT 5-28-53, p. 15)

Barcott's Sea Food (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Before Starbucks there was Manning's. In 1920 Edward Manning and his brother W.W. Manning opened Manning's Market at the corner of So. 11th & Commerce in a building, designed by Frederick Heath, that was built in 1905. Specializing in fresh roasted coffee, the market was one of the first locations for a chain of Manning's stores that grew to 65 locations from Bellingham, WA to San Diego, CA. Over the years the Tacoma Manning's grew until it contained a coffee shop, a cafe, a bakery, a meat market, and a beauty salon. The Tacoma Manning's Market closed in 1972, and the building was demolished. TPL-8569

Manning's Market (Tacoma);

Exterior of the Manning's Market, taken from the intersection of 11th & Commerce, for Stan Warburton. The alternate address for this location is 1101-03 Broadway. The building was built in 1905 and demolished in 1972. It was designed by Frederick Heath, Architect. It was the first concrete building in Tacoma. Other businesses occupying the 11th street side are, left to right, Brown & Haley, Greens, Hayden-Watson; Manning's Coffee Cafe and the Owl Drug Store. The market was part of Manning's Inc., a multi million dollar food chain begun in Seattle in 1908. The market contained a coffee shop, cafe, bakery, meat market and beauty salon.

Manning's Market (Tacoma);

Interiors of Z's Coffee Shop. The new coffee shop on Highway 99 South, owned and operated by Morris & Gertrude Zelinsky, would be celebrating its Grand Opening on April 28, 1956. The newly completed and modern highway restaurant would feature breakfast, lunch and short orders for hungry travelers and residents of the Lakes District. A lunch counter with round stools runs the length of the room. A formica table and chairs sits on the checkerboard floor. Behind the counter can be seen a sink, glass fronted shelves, freezer cabinets and the grill. The cash register sits on the counter next to the window. In front of the counter is a refrigerated self serve Coca-Cola box. Through the window behind the sink can be seen a pole sign for the Colonial Motel. (TNT 4/27/1956, pg. B-11)

Diners (Restaurants); Counters; Stools; Z's Coffee Shop (Parkland);

Earl Russell, Mr. Banjo, the featured banjo virtuoso at Steve's Gay '90s poses with two banjos. Steve's was famous in the fifties and sixties for its old fashioned home grown entertainment and for good food at a reasonable price. It was the brainchild of Steve Pease, whose goal was to create a wholesome family entertainment spot which providing dining and entertainment for one low price.

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Musicians--Tacoma; Banjos; Russell, Earl;

Jennie Wheeler poses with a menu at Steve's Gay Nineties in front of the Opera House Entertainment Coliseum in June of 1956. The public preview of the newest edition to Steve's was scheduled for June 14-17, 1956. The Opera House was the main entertainment venue, where the floor show was performed every Friday and Saturday night. The Gay Nineties revue featured can-can girls, keystone cops, banjo playing and old time sing-a-longs. Steves, owned by Steve Pease and John Stanley, grew in 10 years from a 20 customer cafe and the adjoining tavern to include 5 major dining, entertaining and banquet areas under one roof. The ornate gold facade to the Opera House formerly faced the Banker's Trust Building and its crystal chandeliers came from the recently razed Seattle Opera House. Pease did endless research to preserve portions of the most beautiful buildings of the area and place them in the perfect place in his restaurant. (TNT 6/13/1956, pg. C-9- C-11) (Ms. Wheeler's identification supplied by a former employee at Steve's)

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Wheeler, Jennie;

Cable Car Room At Steve's Gay '90s restaurant. TPL-6698. The decor in this room was inspired by the actual cable car that owner Steve Pease purchased from the city of San Francisco. Attention to detail and constant additions made the decor always of interest. Much of the murals and signage were done by Bill Knabel. A bar lines the right hand corner of the picture, a historic relic from 1890 Red Front saloon in South Tacoma, with a lunch counter in front of it. A romanticized portrait of a bountiful semi-nude is on the ceiling over the bar. The marble tabletops were rescued from the old Fidelity Building. The Cable Car Room served cocktails and food 6 days a week. (TNT 6/13/1956, pg. C-9- C-11) TPL-6698

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Portrait of Jane McKee, formerly Powers, organist at Steve's Gay '90s. Monday through Saturday night McKee played dinner music on the Hammond organ from 6:15p.m.- 8:15p.m. She was one of the featured performers at Steve's.

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; McKee, Jane; Powers, Jane;

Two waitresses, Jennie Wheeler (right) and Josephine Trumble, in dark dresses and crisply ruffled white aprons pause in setting a homey checked table to smile for the camera at Steve's Gay 90's. Behind them is a large antique mirrored hutch. Steve's was furnished with pieces from some of the finest mansions in South Tacoma, and the walls were decorated with pictures of those homes. (TNT 6/13/1956, pg. C-9- C-11)

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Waitresses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Restaurant workers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Wheeler, Jennie; Trumble, Josephine;

One of the original rooms at Steve's Gay '90s. The table for the smorgasbord can be seen to the left. The buffet was served daily at lunch and dinner for a nominal charge. At the back of the room can be seen the stage where Jane McKee and Arnold Leverenz performed nightly; it is surrounded by hand painted signs by Bill Knabel for local South Tacoma businesses. The booths recall surreys with fringe on top, and wagon wheel chandeliers and checkered cloths complete the look. Steve's had grown to include 5 dining areas: Steve's Cafe- serving meals 24 hours a day; the Cable Car room- with cocktails and food; this Gay 90's Smorgasbord- open 7 days a week; the Opera House Coliseum- with its live revue and the Mystery dining and banquet room. TPL-6699 (TNT 6/13/1956, pg. C-9 - C-11)

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Grand opening of Deans Tavern at 759 So. 38th St., owned and operated by Charles Zigmont. Flowers line the front of the mirror at the back of the bar, good luck tokens from well wishers. A refrigerator and what is possibly the door to a walk in freezer can be seen in the foreground behind the bar. For another view of the tavern, see A100233-1. The Grand Opening was scheduled for Thursday, August 2nd, between 6 a.m. and 2 a.m. (TNT 8/1/1956, PG. A-6 & A-11)

Deans Tavern (Tacoma); Bars--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Grand opening of Deans Tavern at 759 So. 38th St., owned and operated by Charles Zigmont. Flowers line the front of the mirror at the back of the bar, good luck tokens from well wishers. A refrigerator and what is possibly the door to a walk in freezer can be seen in the foreground behind the bar. For another view of the tavern, see A100233-1. The Grand Opening was scheduled for Thursday, August 2nd, between 6 a.m. and 2 a.m. (TNT 8/1/1956, PG. A-6 & A-11)

Deans Tavern (Tacoma); Bars--Tacoma--1950-1960;