Bar area of The Old Spaghetti Factory. Turn-of-the-century memorabilia was found in abundance within The Old Spaghetti Factory, located in the 1700 block of Jefferson Ave. The restaurant itself was located in a 1904-vintage building, former home to the Tacoma Biscuit & Candy Co. and the Blake, Moffitt, & Towne warehouse. Included among various antiques was the 24-foot oak bar and backbar from the Savoy Hotel, then 75 years old. in addition, booths and benches were made from old bed stands. The Old Spaghetti Factory, opened on July 19, 1971, had a floor space of 10,000 square feet and could seat 200 diners. Color photograph ordered by The Old Spaghetti Factory. (TNT 7-18-71, B-7 - article on opening of restaurant) TPL-6394

The Old Spaghetti Factory (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1970-1980; Bars (Furniture)--Tacoma;

Interior view of The Old Spaghetti Factory. Vivid colors of red and yellow attract attention to the turn-of-the-century interior of The Old Spaghetti Factory as pictured on January 17, 1973. Hardwood floors, wood furniture, and even the utilization of iron headboards create a comfortable, "homey" feel while dining. A 30-foot, completely refurbished trolley car, parked in the middle of the restaurant and colorfully painted in the same yellow and red tones prevalent throughout the room, surprisingly does not seem out of place. Color photograph ordered by The Old Spaghetti Factory. (TBT 7-18-71, B-7 - article on opening of restaurant)

The Old Spaghetti Factory (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1970-1980; Street railroads--Tacoma;

A young woman and two young men enjoy some quiet conversation and refreshing beverages at the new Papa John's restaurant located in the Tacoma Mall's west end addition. Casual dining appeared to be the theme with the use of canvas-back chairs and plain round tables in an "old world" garden setting. Papa John's, owned by Mike Wrede and managed by Dick Zierman, featured 500 types of domestic and imported wines. Photograph ordered by Papa John's. (TNT 7-24-73, insert on expansion)

Papa John's (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1970-1980; Eating & drinking--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1931. The Half Way House in Des Moines, Washington. The Half Way House was on old Hwy 99 between Tacoma and Seattle. The completion of Pacific Highway South (Hwy 99) in the 1930s attracted businesses that catered to drivers: service stations, motels, shops and restaurants. The Half Way House was a modestly priced steak and oyster restaurant and may have been in business until the late 1950s. (historylink.org)

Old St. Louis Tavern, 1110 Commerce St., Tacoma. Interior showing four men standing behind bar on December 15, 1946. Large mural of three horses on grassy land above bar. See TPL, image 6924 for view of bar without bartenders. For Bruno Lavorini.

Located ten miles south of Tacoma on Pacific Highway SW , Mammy's Cabin offered 1/2 Fried Spring Chicken on toast for a mere 50 cents. Their chicken and steak dinners were worth a drive on the "Camp Lewis Highway." Dozens of wooden tables and benches were available for dining alfresco under the grove of pine trees behind the small wood-framed restaurant. A huge log fire, seen smoking, continuously burned so patrons could gather around and converse. A phonograph with plenty of records was available on the porch so diners could select their own music. Mammy's Cabin, owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Edward C. Carrier, was open late each evening for those with fried chicken appetites. (scan from negative, no print on file) TPL-10530 (TNT 08-07-1924, B3)

Mammy's Cabin (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1920-1930;

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)

Chilberg (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1890-1900;

ca. 1979. Sidewalk leading up along the side of the C. St. Cafe and the rear of the cafe, circa 1979.

C St. Cafe (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1970-1980;

O'Brien's Restaurant. O'Brien's Restaurant is crowded on February 23, 1971, as people enjoy fine dining in the oak-paneled and red brocade room . The ceiling is covered with small light bulbs, creating an image of a star-filled sky. In addition, the restaurant was illuminated at night from the glow of the courtyard and fountain directly outside. O'Brien's was located below street level in the Bank of Washington Plaza complex. There was room for 125 diners and the adjacent bar held 92 customers. Dave Porter, singer-guitarist, was appearing in the restaurant's lounge at this time. Photograph ordered by Lennen & Newell-Pacific. (TNT 11-1-70, A-16 - Emily Walker's column)

O'Brien's Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1970-1980; Eating & drinking--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Staff of Clinkerdagger, Bickerstaff & Pett's Public House. In 1972, Crystal Corbin (far left) and Susan Pettit (far right) were hostesses at the new restaurant with the long name - Clinkerdagger, Bickerstaff & Pett's Public House - located on Ruston Way. Beth Pritchard (third from right) was one of the waitresses. Employees of Clinkerdagger's wore outfits reminiscent of pub fashions worn in London of the 1800's. Many of the young ladies shown above in April of 1972, shortly after the restaurant's opening, were students at the University of Puget Sound. Photograph ordered by Clinkerdagger, Bickerstaff & Pett's Public House.

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

Exterior view of The Old Spaghetti Factory. The Jefferson Avenue building housing The Old Spaghetti Factory once held a cracker plant, the Blake, Moffitt & Towne warehouse and a storage facility before the popular restaurant opened in July of 1971. This exterior view, shot in January of 1973, shows the plain three-story structure with five striped awnings. It was owned by Ed & Edna Groman and Guss Dussin. Color photograph ordered by The Old Spaghetti Factory.

The Old Spaghetti Factory (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1970-1980; Facades--Tacoma--1970-1980; Awnings--Tacoma;

Unidentified restaurant. The restaurant is empty at this time except for one employee in the background. Once open, donuts, pies, and pastries could be ordered as well as hamburgers and other dishes. Customers could sit at either booths or separate tables. Color photographs ordered by S & W Management.

Restaurants;

The interior of the Silver Dollar Tavern is being remodeled. The tavern was located at 1554-56 Jefferson Avenue in the Carlton Hotel. A tile floor with set-in designs and a border is shown. A large arched doorway leads to the exterior of the building. A counter with beer taps is standing on the floor in the right, center. Light fixtures hang from the tall ceiling. Ordered by Dorothy Harradine, owner of the new tavern and cafe.

Silver Dollar Cafe (Tacoma); Remodeling--Tacoma--1950-1960; Carlton Hotel (Tacoma);

Five men stand around a new model Packard Bell television at the Top of the Ocean exhibit. A portrait of founder H.A. Bell smiles down from the wall. The festivities were hosted by Packard Bell to celebrate their 25th year in business. In attendance from the Los Angeles home office were Vice President Joe E. Spain, General Sales Manager Kenneth R. Johnson and Glen C. Tillack, chief field engineer. N. Earl Davisson, PB distributer, was host. The highlight of the evening was the preview of Packard Bell's 1951 "Masterpiece Founders Series." (TNT 2/8/1951, pg. B-6)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Televisions--1950-1960; Packard Bell Co. (Tacoma);

The exterior of the newly remodeled Olympus Cafe featuring the Mirror Room at the Hotel Olympus. TPL-6423

Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Remodeling--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hotels--Tacoma; Mirror Room (Tacoma); Olympus Hotel (Tacoma);

Tacoma's Rudder Club was located at 735 Commerce Street in Tacoma's business district; the club manager was Walter Geehan. Throughout the year the Rudder Club hosted and sponsored many events, including dinners, luncheons and style shows for members and their family and guests. Interior view of the Rudder Club's dining room; a tropical frescoe with sailboats and palm trees, has recently been painted in the dining room.

Dining rooms--Tacoma; Table settings & decorations; Murals--Tacoma; Restaurants--Tacoma; Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Organizations' facilities--Tacoma; Rudder Club, Inc. (Tacoma);

The Coney Island room of the newly remodeled New Yorker cafe and nightclub is packed with dancers enjoying the sweet swing sounds of the Art Mineo Orchestra in a November, 1951, photograph. The showroom had hardwood dance floors and a clever two stages-in-one concept. Nightly dancing and big time entertainment were staples of the New Yorker, owned by Mike and Pat DeVoto. (TNT 11-15-51, C-10, 11)

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Art Mineo Orchestra (Tacoma); Mineo, Art; Cafes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Musicians--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Legendary jazz pianist Oscar Peterson "jams" with Art Mineo on bass, Dick Morehead on drums, Joe "Flip" Phillips on tenor saxophone and Bill Harris on trombone on November 12, 1951, the opening night of the newly remodeled New Yorker Cafe. Peterson, Phillips and Harris were performing in Seattle with the Jazz at the Philharmonic road show when they called Mineo to sit in at the opening. The jazz greats jammed until closing, creating an unforgettable night of music in Tacoma. Peterson had joined Jazz at the Philharmonic in 1950 as a relative unknown and was rapidly gaining recognition in the jazz world. (information supplied by Art Mineo)

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Art Mineo Orchestra (Tacoma); Mineo, Art; Musicians--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cafes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Peterson, Oscar; Phillips, Joe "Flip"; Harris, Bill; Morehead, Dick;

Jazz greats, left to right, Art Mineo on bass, Joe "Flip" Phillips on tenor saxophone, Oscar Peterson on piano and Bill Harris on trombone deliver sweet sounds for the opening of the newly remodeled New Yorker Cafe in November of 1951. Mineo and his 10-piece orchestra had been hired to play the opening night when Mineo received a call from Peterson, Phillips and Harris asking to sit in. The trio were playing in Seattle with the Jazz at the Philharmonic road show. The result was Tacoma history, as the group jammed into the small hours of the morning, closing the club and sending the lucky audience dancing into the dawn. Art Mineo passed away at age 91 on July 27, 2010. (from information previously supplied by Art Mineo)

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Cafes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Art Mineo Orchestra (Tacoma); Mineo, Art; Musicians--Tacoma--1950-1960; Phillips, Joe; Peterson, Oscar; Harris, Bill;

Exterior of Max Frolic's Cafe. Owned and operated by former vaudevillian, violinist and band leader Max Frolic, the restaurant had been in business since May of 1938. It would undergo remodeling in 1958 including a new dining room and spruced-up exterior.

Restaurants--Lakewood--1950-1960; Max Frolic's Restaurant (Lakewood);

Front entrance of the Turf Restaurant. The Turf Restaurant was located at 911 Commerce Street. The same building also contained the Turf Smoke Shop and Turf Bar. View of daytime exposure of front entrance to the Turf Restaurant; large neon signs decorate the building, including two with hats and riding sticks on the restaurant's windows. The Turf restaurant celebrated its grand reopening in November, 1951, with full page ads in the News Tribune. It would be open 24 hours a day. (TNT 11-7-51, p. 26) TPL-8119

Turf Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

John Stanley poses in a publicity photo for opening of Gay Nineties Room of Steve's (Gay '90s) Cafe at 5238 South Tacoma Way. Steve's was owned by John J. Stanley and Stephen O. Pease. The mural on the wall depicts area businesses such as Jordan Bakery and Pantex Cleaners in the "Gay Nineties." Steve Pease began his business around 1941 partnered by Mrs. John Martinolich, of the shipbuilding family, in "Steve's Tavern." After two years, he bought out her interest in the building. When liquor-by-the-drink legislation came along in 1949, he needed a restaurant in order to have a liquor license. He formed a partnership with John Stanley who owned a coffee shop next door to the south. Stanley ran the restaurant and Pease ran the lounge. Much of the area surrounding the original restaurant was bought and remodeled to become part of Steve's. The spot became a tourist attraction and popular hangout of the fifties and sixties. It closed around 1977 and in 2001 is again opening after being converted to retail and restaurant space. (TNT 4/4/1951, pg. B6-B7)

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buffets (Cookery)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stanley, John;

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);

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);

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

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;

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.

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

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

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)

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