Exterior of Busch's Sixth Avenue Drive-In. Directional arrows guide hungry customers to the Busch's Sixth Avenue Drive-In on February 16, 1961. This was the second Busch's restaurant in the Tacoma area; the first was the longtime establishment famous for its car hops located on South Tacoma Way. Busch's Sixth Avenue was designed by Percy G. Ball and built in 1960. It featured covered parking and walkway along with dine-in service. TPL-5805

Busch's Sixth Avenue Drive-In Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Signs (Notices);

Can-can girls at Steve's Gay '90s. A staple at the South Tacoma restaurant, Steve's Gay '90s, was the trio of can-can dancers in full costume. Joining the newest members on June 2, 1970, was Hazel Gjerde (r) who had danced at Steve's for 14 years before retirement. This picture was used in the News Tribune large ad on June 18th to advertise Steve's 3-day celebration entitled "Good Ol' Days." The Gay 90s Revue would feature 25 entertainers, free noisemakers and free hats. Photograph ordered by Steve's Gay '90s. TPL-8254 (TNT ad 6-18-70, C-17)

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Dancers--Tacoma; Entertainers--Tacoma--1970-1980; Gjerde, Hazel;

View of lobby with "antique" furnishings, large brick fireplace. The young serving staff of Clinkerdagger, Bickerstaff & Pett's Public House, 3327 Ruston Way, relax in the restaurant's lobby on April 5, 1972. Many, if not all, of the waitresses and hostesses were selected from the campus of the University of Puget Sound. Crystal Corbin and Susan Pettit (both standing extreme left) share smiles with their co-workers; the wait staff wore ruffled skirts and blouses, white stockings, and caps resembling the clothing of 19th century London pub employees. Even the men employed at the newly opened establishment sported white hose, buckled shoes and ruffled shirts. Photograph ordered by Clinkerdagger, Bickerstaff & Pett's Public House.

Clinkerdagger, Bickerstaff & Pett's Public House (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1970-1980; Waitresses--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Two can-can dancers on stage at Steve's Gay '90s. Dressed in plumes, fishnet stockings, and ruffled costumes, the dancers were part of Steve's famous floor shows which provided family-oriented entertainment for its diners. Pamella Conner and Vickie Conner were part of a new trio of dancers who replaced the dancing Mernaugh sisters, Connie (Moisio) and Callie (Matthews) and Hazel Gjerde. The Mernaughs had been performing at Steve's for 14 years. Photograph ordered by Steve's Gay '90s. (TNT 11-9-67, D-11, TNT 12-22-67, p. 20)

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Dancers--Tacoma; Entertainers--Tacoma--1960-1970; Conner, Pamella; Conner, Vickie; Costumes;

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;

The grand opening of Primo Gasparetti's newly remodeled Wagon Wheel restaurant at 8602 South Tacoma Way was held June 18-21, 1958. The redecorated and expanded building now had room for 350 people, up from 50, and two well-lighted and well-patrolled parking lots. "Corky" Corcoran and his four-piece band supplied dancing music six nights a week. Primo Gasparetti owned several businesses on or near the same lot near the city limits of Tacoma on the 8600 block of South Tacoma Way. One year later in July of 1959 the Play Boy Cabaret, operated by Jimmy Carbone, opened at this location. (Photograph ordered by Primo's Wagon Wheel.) (TNT 6-18-58, B-2, B-3)

Primo's Wagon Wheel (Lakewood); Bars--Lakewood; Signs (Notices); Facades--Lakewood--1950-1960;

In 1958, Anton's Restaurant was located in the venerable Roberts-Parker Building at 11th and Tacoma Avenue South, across the street from the Tacoma Public Library. It was owned and operated by Tony and Mary Anton. This view of Anton's interior shows a long, curved lunch counter with a chef and waitress ready for customers. Tony Anton is the chef by his grill and his wife Mary is seated across the counter from him. There are four women are seated at upholstered booths. There is an Arden's Milk clock mounted on the colorful wallpaper. Anton's was later succeeded by Siri's Restaurant and then Kelly's at the same location. After extensive remodeling, the SideBar Bistro opened in this building in June of 2010. (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Anton's Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Anton, Tony; Anton, Mary;

In February of 1959, the Original Pancake House, located in Lakewood at 3701 Steilacoom Blvd, was prepared to celebrate its grand opening after extensive remodeling. The restaurant was owned by Roy Rosenthal, Jr., and Morris Plotkin and was franchised through Smitty's Pancake House in Seattle. The building itself had been there since 1930 and was the former home of Pucci's Inn. There were eighteen varieties of pancakes always available. There were actually 120 kinds of pancakes on the list and the restaurant rotated its selection regularly. All pancakes were individually prepared and made from fresh ingredients. The owners did not use prepared mixes. The Original Pancake House was so confident of its cooking that it publicly announced a money-back guarantee if the diner was not satisfied. (TNT 2-13-59, p. 9)

Original Pancake House (Lakewood); Restaurants--Lakewood--1950-1960; Electric signs--Lakewood;

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;

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;

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;

ca. 1957. Employees at the new King's are possibly preparing for a noon rush in 1957 as they are applying relish and pre-wrapping burgers. The drive-in featured Medosweet dairy products including Smitty freeze cones for 5 and 10 cents and hard ice cream. Prawns could be purchased for 65 cents and hot dogs cost a quarter. Signs assured the public that only the finest of meat cuts were served from King's own Sunset Markets. King's #2 on Wakefield Dr. (now South Tacoma Way), just off Pacific Avenue, was designed by owner Werner Schmid to run efficiently and provide excellent customer service. Schmid was the owner of the Smitty Drive-In restaurants; King's #2 was the latest of five in the Tacoma area. Photograph ordered by Smitty's Drive-In. (TNT 9-11-57, D-3)

Kings (Tacoma); Drive-in restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1957. A bright neon sign pointed the way to the new Kings drive-in restaurant at 315 Wakefield Dr. (now South Tacoma Way) in late summer, 1957. A delicious burger could be purchased there for only 19 cents. The small brick building had expansive glass windows and fluorescent lighting; the parking area was still unfinished. King's #2 celebrated its grand opening on September 12, 1957, with food specials and orchids for the ladies. Owner Werner Schmid was well-known for his clean restaurants and fine service. In addition to King's #2, Mr. Schmid owned Smitty's Drive-In on Puyallup Ave., King's #1 on Pacific Ave., Smitty's Hilltop and the Burger Bowl. Werner Schmid died in January 1984 at the age of 78. Photograph ordered by Smitty's Drive-In. (TNT 9-11-57, D-3) TPL-8326

Kings (Tacoma); Drive-in restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A little boy, with some coaching from a woman, perhaps mom, appears to be placing his order at Gil's Hamburgers, a fast food restaurant. They are standing outdoors and speaking to an employee through a small slot in the window. Hamburgers were selling at 19 cents each with cheeseburgers at 24 cents and french fries for only 11 cents. Shakes could be made with the Sweden Shake Maker models, or ice cream cones purchased for 5 to 10 cents. Gil's Hamburgers had three locations in the Seattle area; this particular site was not identified. Photograph ordered by Teleradio Advertisers, Inc., for KTVW.

Drive-in restaurants--Seattle; Fast food restaurants--Seattle; Gil's Hamburgers (Seattle); Signs (Notices);

King Fried Chicken offered delivery service of their chicken, prawns, and fish with only a phone call. Customers calling EVergreen 0010 between 3:30 pm and 3:00 a.m. could enjoy King's tasty meals. View of King Fried Chicken delivery van, back doors open, with driver walking boxes of food to waiting customers. It appears that deliveries may have been made often to workers in industrial areas; van is parked in a two-hour parking zone and warehouses are visible in the background. Photograph ordered by Teleradio Advertisers, Inc., for KTVW.

King Fried Chicken (Seattle);

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;

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;

Unidentified restaurant in Des Moines photographed in December of 1978. A customer is placing an order with the restaurant's cashier as others dine peacefully. This is possibly a restaurant called the Pie Pantry where cut pies, ala mode, and whole pies to go could be purchased. Apparently other, more meatier dishes could be obtained as well as the condiments on the surrounding tables attest. Color photograph ordered by S & W Management.

Restaurants--Des Moines;

Restaurant in unidentified Mall. This may be a quick dining establishment called "Kitchen Burgers" as pictured in December of 1978. A partial glimpse into the restaurant shows a number of booths adjoining the bumped-out windows and separate tables within. Earth tones of copper and ivory are found both on the interior and exterior of the restaurant. Color photograph ordered by S & W Management.

Restaurants;

John A. "Jack" Bolton operated Jack's Lunch, "Home of the World's Largest Hot Dog" in Tacoma's Proctor District. Judging from the crowd, it was a popular local gathering place. Jack and his wife Ethel lived in an upstairs apartment. In 1938, he opened Jack's Tavern next door at 2622 No. Proctor. Soon after, it became known as the North End Tavern under new owners. Subsequent owners operated the Steak House restaurant at the 2624 Proctor location for many years.

Ten men doffed their hats as they posed in front of the Peninsula Cafe in Gig Harbor on October 8, 1927. The men were not identified. They may have been photographed for the Seattle Times. G72.1-142

Peninsula Cafe (Gig Harbor); Group portraits--1920-1930;

The Tacoma Field Inn at Tacoma Field (Pierce County Municipal Airport) in Lakewood. The inn served "Notter's Chicken Dinners" and Medosweet ice cream. TPL-7089

Restaurants--Lakewood--1930-1940; Tacoma Field Inn (Lakewood); Tacoma Field (Lakewood);

Rustic Naches Tavern. The Naches Tavern appears to be composed of a two-story log cabin-designed building with deep porch and a log archway a few yards away. It is surrounded by tall trees. It is located at the foot of the Naches Pass. A Captain Craine was the tavern's proprietor. TPL-5815; G75.1-001 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 4-4-26, G-1-article on Naches Pass highway and surroundings)

Naches Tavern;

ca. 1938. An unidentified Cammarano Brothers employee is preparing to deliver a barrel of what may be beer to the Tabby Cat restaurant, 1318 South Tacoma Way, circa 1938. There are soft drinks and beer on the same Dodge truck. (Photograph courtesy of the William Cammarano Collection) BU-13366 TPL-10418

Dodge trucks; Cammarano Bros. (Tacoma); Tabby Cat (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1930-1940; Beer--Tacoma;

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;