Exterior - Diamond Jim's. Diamond Jim's in Seattle featured family style chicken dinners and steaks in addition to dancing and cocktails. It shared a two-storied building with Aurora Cycle Shop, a Schwinn and Raleigh dealership. Diners at the many windows could view the activity on busy Aurora Avenue. The building formerly housed Hildegard's Restaurant in the early 50's. Photograph ordered by Teleradio Advertisers, Inc., for KTVW. TPL-10400
An unusual two-layer artificial tree is the focus point of this January, 1958, restaurant photograph. There is special lighting concealed in the openings of the tree layers. Directly beneath the tree is an organ, probably used as entertainment for the restaurant's diners. A backdrop of painted leaves framed with a fence provides an apt setting for the tree. Small cards on nearby tables indicate that this was Garski's Grill at 6521 Roosevelt Way in Seattle. Photograph ordered by Teleradio Advertisers, Inc., for KTVW.
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.
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;
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;
ca. 1958. Exterior - The Pantry, ca. 1958. Brick and wood formed the exterior of The Pantry restaurant in Lakewood's Villa Plaza Shopping Center. It was owned and operated by Eugene and Betty Sobolik and was one of the original 24 occupants of the Plaza, opening on Sunday, May 12, 1957. There was a flowering bed of plants and bushes positioned in a cement planter opposite the restaurant door. Located next to Rhodes Bros. Department Store, the Pantry advertised itself as the only complete dinner restaurant in the Villa Plaza. It featured roast prime sirloin of beef and homemade bread and pastries. The Pantry was a cafeteria until 4 pm and then became a restaurant for evening meals. The restaurant had a colonial-style atmosphere with maple furniture and accessories. It was accessible through Rhodes and the breezeway. The Villa Plaza Shopping Center continued to attract new businesses to their suburban location, including department stores, financial institutions and restaurants. Photograph ordered by the Villa Plaza Development. (TNT 1-30-59, p. 3- Ad, TNT 8-7-57, B-16; TNT 5-10-57, B-10-article)
A bartender tops off a glass of Heidelberg for a waiting customer as other customers already have schooners in hand. Beer was cheap in March, 1957; Heidelberg on tap cost 10-15 cents a glass, 20 cents for a schooner, fifty cents a pitcher and only $1.25 for an entire gallon. If you wanted to take home a six-pack of Heidelberg, it would only cost $1.15 or should you splurge, $2.25 for two. The bartender could also supply his customers with eggs, pickles, pepperoni, and sardines. He could even whip up clam nectar, oyster or beef stew and chili for those hungry. Photograph ordered by Heidelberg Brewing.
Customers in the 1950's could purchase bottled beer in bars to take home. A waitress hands over a six-pack of Heidelberg costing $1.15 to a smiling customer as three other men enjoy a glass of suds at the bar. Although Heidelberg was heavily advertised behind the bar, other name brands such as Olympia, Lucky Lager, and Hamm's were also available for consumption. This bar also carried candy, sodas, eggs, night gowns and even roaring gorilla toys for the discerning consumer. Photograph ordered by Heidelberg Brewing. TPL-8155
Interior of Inferno Charcoal Broiler Restaurant. An unusual lattice ceiling, artificial tree with spreading branches and potted plants brought the outdoors into the Inferno restaurant. Chairs and drapes were decorated in a floral pattern to further accentuate the garden atmosphere. Part of the walls were apparently draped in sack-like materials, with masks staring at the seated customers. The Inferno Charcoal Broiler Restaurant was located at 7430 Pacific Avenue. TPL-9662
Exterior- Inferno restaurant. As their large signage indicates, the Inferno restaurant specialized in charcoal broiled steaks and chicken in 1957. Flames roar under the Inferno's name on their neon sign. A canopy covers the long walkway to the front door; awnings in the same material on windows provide shade. The Inferno was located in a modest wooden one-story building at 7430 Pacific Avenue. TPL-9663
Inferno Charcoal Broiler Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Awnings--Tacoma;
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)
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;
The Pioneer Room of the Oregon Trail Restaurant. A waitress takes two men's order at a small table against a background of western murals. Photograph ordered by Carolyn Sholdar Associates.
In October of 1956, three, smiling uniformed carhops pose single handedly wielding trays loaded with food and treats at the Buschs Drive In at 3505 So. Tacoma Way. Bill and Thelma Busch bought the former Triple XXX Barrel Restaurant in 1943 and made it into the cruising capital of 1950's Tacoma. Carhops delivered burgers, fries and shakes right to the window of your car, so that teens could see and be seen and young families did not have to fret with crying babies. In addition to burgers, the restaurant also served breakfast, chicken pot pies and steaks. The carhop at the far right was Ellissa Quaschnik at the time this photo was taken; the carhop at the far left was named Marie.
Drive-in restaurants--Tacoma; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buschs Drive In (Tacoma);
The Towne House Restaurant, ordered by Carolyn Sholdar Associates. The Towne House had a deluxe dining room called the "Copper Room." It was located around the corner from the Tradewell Grocery Store. View of the exterior of the restaurant on a city street with parking meters and parked cars. Although the Richards appointment book lists the restaurant in Auburn, it is most probably the one located at 209 Williams in Renton.
Towne House Restaurant (Auburn); Restaurants--Auburn--1950-1960;
The Towne House Restaurant, ordered by Carolyn Sholdar Associates. Two men in suits peruse the menu and decide what to order as a uniformed waiter stands by. The men sit at a formica table with straight chairs; booths can be seen around the corner with table settings and candles. A relief of a wild west hero decorates the partition; it is possibly copper toned, carrying out the theme of the room. The hallway has linoleum tiles, while the men's table sits on patterned carpet. Although the Richards appointment book lists the restaurant's location as Auburn, it is most probably the one located at 209 Williams in Renton.
Towne House Restaurant (Auburn); Restaurants--Auburn--1950-1960;
Barcott's Sea Food restaurant. Tables are set in a narrow room with rough hewn walls and exposed beams. Barcott's signature life preservers with the restaurant's name decorate the walls. Barcott's was owned by John E. Barcott Jr., a member of one of Tacoma's best known families of restauranteurs. It opened in 1953.
The Chart Room at Barcott's Sea Food restaurant. The bar is backed by a rustic brick, while overhead is a rough finished dropped ceiling. Dark upholstered curved booths and cocktail tables await patrons.
Barcott's Sea Food restaurant. Tables are set in a narrow room with rough hewn walls and exposed beams. Barcott's signature life preservers with the restaurant's name decorate the walls. Barcott's was owned by John E. Barcott Jr., a member of one of Tacoma's best known families of restauranteurs. It opened in 1953.
The Chart Room at Barcott's Sea Food restaurant. The bar is backed by a rustic brick, while overhead is a rough finished dropped ceiling. Dark upholstered curved booths and cocktail tables await patrons.
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)
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)
Grand opening of Deans Tavern at 759 So. 38th St., owned and operated by Charles Zigmont. The back of the bar is covered with floral tributes from well wishers on the Tavern's inaugural 4th of July. A curved counter with stools fronts the bar. Booths line the other wall of the tavern. A game table can be seen in the lower left hand of the photo. A lowered curved ceiling over the bar and wood panelling lend atmosphere, while new, unopened bottles of liquor stand at attention like soldiers behind the bar. Zigmont had operated the tavern for several years; it was formerly located at 3807 So. Yakima. (TNT 8/1/1956, pg. A-6 & A-11)
Grand opening of Deans Tavern at 759 So. 38th St., owned and operated by Charles Zigmont. The back of the bar is covered with floral tributes from well wishers on the Tavern's inaugural 4th of July. A curved counter with stools fronts the bar. Booths line the other wall of the tavern. A game table can be seen in the lower left hand of the photo. A lowered curved ceiling over the bar and wood panelling lend atmosphere, while new, unopened bottles of liquor stand at attention like soldiers behind the bar. Zigmont had operated the tavern for several years; it was formerly located at 3807 So. Yakima. (TNT 8/1/1956, pg. A-6 & A-11)
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.
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)
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
