ca. 1893. The main entrance at The Chilberg, 1011-13 Pacific Ave., circa 1893. Natural light floods the room from the many windows at the entrance. A table, right, holds a selection of fruit and pastries, while the bar behind displays an array of wines and glasses. The Chilberg had previously been located down the block at 1003 Pacific Ave. This space was redesigned by Tacoma architect C.A. Darmer for proprietor Isaac Chilberg. The restaurant was located on the first floor, with hotel rooms located above. The restaurant was endorsed as the most elegant restaurant west of New York City.
ca. 1893. Lunchtime at The Chilberg, 1011-13 Pacific Ave., circa 1893. The Chilberg was designed by architect C.A. Darmer to provide both mass dining, center, and a more intimate experience in one of the many private dining boxes, left or (seen from the back) right. During lunch, most of the large tables were occupied by businessmen and tradesmen, their hats hung on hooks surrounding the support pillars. Dark jacketed waiters in white aprons waited at the ends of each table, supplying the Chilberg's legendary attentive service. French Collection G45.1-054A
ca. 1893. Ladies' entrance and private dining booths at the Chilberg, 1011-13 Pacific Ave., circa 1893. In the Gay Nineties, women did not dine without male companionship in public and the separate entrance and private dining made dining out possible for them. These booths also served as discreet, private dining rooms for those desiring a more intimate or quiet dining experience. In fact, a private dining booth at Chilberg's was the location of a triple murder in 1898 as a jealous ex-lover shot both his paramour and her new lover and was in turn shot by the woman. The proprietor of the restaurant was Isaac Chilberg. He had opened his first "chop house" in Tacoma around 1887 at 1111 Pacific. He moved to 1003 Pacific in 1888, remaining there until the size of clientele outgrew the establishment. His new restaurant at 1011-13 Pacific was designed by architect C.A. Darmer, and his business was relocated to this site in 1892. The building was three stories high, with the restaurant occupying the first floor and with lodging on the two stories above. By the early 1900's, the restaurant had closed and the structure was demolished in 1924 to make way for the Bank of California building. (TDL 1/1/1893, pg. 15; 6/16/1898, pg. 2-murder)
ca. 1907. Belle Sharpe (left) and Lillian McPherson stand in front of the Elite Cafe in this circa 1907 photograph. The Elite Cafe was at 2405 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma. The proprietors of the cafe were C.W. Sharpe and Collin McPherson. From the collection of Beverly Knoll.
J & M Cafe, interior view from behind counter. Coolers, soda fountain equipment, many flowers, bar, and stools. This photograph, taken on October 22, 1936, may have been for the grand opening of the small cafe.
J & M Cafe, interior view. Counter and stools, coolers, soda fountain equipment, many flowers, bar, and stools. This is most probably the grand opening of the cafe.
Tacoma was introduced to McDonald's hamburgers in 1963 when the franchised restaurant chain built its golden arches at 802 Tacoma Avenue South. When this photograph was taken, sometime after 1967, the popular fast-food chain had four outlets in Tacoma and was selling 3 million hamburgers each day nationwide.
McDonald's (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fast food restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970;
Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor celebrated its grand opening on May 21, 1974, with dignitaries enjoying a bite of red licorice instead of the traditional red ribbon snipping. Located in the west end portion of the Tacoma Mall, Farrell's offered delicious hamburgers and other delicacies as well as mountains of ice creams in many flavors. It was an old fashioned ice cream parlor, believed to be the 84th in a large chain. Food was not served sedately but with much horn blowing and drum beating, especially for soon-to-be popular birthday parties. Color photograph ordered by Gerber Advertising, Portland. (TNT 5-22-74, B-12 -article)
