Between 1950 and 1960, this little building at 3838 South Tacoma Way was the home for at least three diners. When this photograph was taken it was Smitty's Coffee Mug. The owner was Hugh O. Smith, who also owned Smitty's Drive In on Puyallup Avenue. By 1954 it had been taken over by Vernon Gjerstad, and from 1955 to 1963 it was known as Gail & Vern's Coffee Mug. TPL-7944

Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Diners (Restaurants) --Tacoma--1950-1960; Smitty's Coffee Mug (Tacoma); Storefronts--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Max Frolic's, a distinctively modern "Dreamhouse" diner opened on May 26, 1938, on old Highway 99 in Lakewood. Max Frolic and William Thornburg, owners of the popular Art-deco-style roadside restaurant, provided service 24-hours a day. Frolic, a violinist and orchestra/band leader, decorated the interior with autographed photographs of show business and sports stars. Current owners call the place "Maxie's". Ordered by Johnson Cox Company. (TNT, 5/25/1938, p. 9). (filed with Argentum)

Restaurants--Lakewood--1930-1940; Max Frolic's Restaurant (Lakewood);

By June 26, 1938, employees and customers of Dorothy and Joe's Silver Dollar Cafe were settling in at the cafe's new quarters at 905 Pacific Avenue. Proprietors Dorothy and Joseph L. Duckwitz oversaw the move from their old location (910 Pacific) across the street. The Cafe had all new fixtures, including a back bar, that were manufactured in Tacoma. In 1940, Joseph started the Gehri Co. with George Gehri. Dorothy continued to operate the Silver Dollar Cafe until 1945. The Cafe, under new owners, officially closed around 1949. (filed with Argentum) (TNT 7/25/1958, pg. 5)

Silver Dollar Cafe (Tacoma); Duckwitz, Joseph--Homes & haunts;

ca. 1938. "Red Pig," under new management of Joe, behind counter left, and Bernice, right, Fox. It's about eight minutes to twelve and the counter seats are filled with customers being waited on. The "Red Pig" has recently reopened under new management after being remodeled. It is located on the Tacoma-Seattle Highway, about 1/2 mile east of Fife. (T. Times 10/26/1938, pg. 7) (filed with Argentum)

Red Pig Restaurant (Fife); Restaurants--Fife--1930-1940; Restaurant workers; Fox, Bernice; Fox, Joe;

ca. 1938. "Red Pig." Scenes taken under new management in 1938. New manager Bernice Fox is fixing two cups of coffee behind counter. The counter is empty, a stark contrast to the packed area pictured in A7529-1 just a few minutes before. The Red Pig restaurant was located on busy Tacoma-Seattle Highway (Highway 99) just beyond Fife. (T. Times 10/26/1938, pg. 7) (filed with Argentum)

Red Pig Restaurant (Fife); Restaurants--Fife--1930-1940; Restaurant workers; Fox, Bernice;

ca. 1938. The "Red Pig" restaurant's kitchen is the scene for this photograph. The restaurant was under new management. The management team was composed of Joe Fox, at the grill, and Bernice Fox, getting food from the refrigerator. The restaurant was located on (now) Hwy. 99, about half a mile past Fife. It was noted for its modern "all electric" kitchen. The specialties of the house were steak and chicken dinners, although the new management was emphasizing hamburgers. (T. Times 10/26/1938, pg. 7) (filed with Argentum)

Red Pig Restaurant (Fife); Restaurants--Fife--1930-1940; Restaurant workers; Fox, Bernice; Fox, Joe;

The Red Pig, located one-half mile beyond Fife on the Tacoma-Seattle Highway (Highway 99), opened in May of 1937. Operated by Earl Smith, it had a 100% union staff, and a completely modern "all electric" kitchen. The list of electric devices found in the Red Pig included a heavy duty electric range, a 100 gallon electric hot water tank, an electric refrigerator and freezer, and a wide selection of electric appliances. They even had an electric cash register - and a jukebox. This photograph was taken in January of 1938. The restaurant re-opened in October of 1938, under the new management of Joe and Bernice Fox. (TDL 5/23/1937 p.B-9; T. Times 10/26/1938, pg. 7)

Red Pig Restaurant (Fife); Restaurants--Fife--1930-1940;

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;

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);

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;

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;

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;

Rose's Hi-Way Inn grand opening. Modern in every way with indirect lighting, a white cellutex interior marbelized in blue, and chromium and bronze trim. A large banner hanging from the roof states the restaurant would open on June 30th of 1939. Manager Rose Wilcox was famous for her chicken and steak dinners. She sold the roadside dinner house in the 1970s with the condition that the once modern restaurant retain its old-fashioned appeal. (T.Times, 6/30/1939, p. 9) (filed with Argentum)

Rose's Hi-Way Inn (Des Moines); Restaurants--Des Moines;

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);

ca. 1926. The central building in the picture is 1113 Broadway, viewed from the Commerce Street side. It was built in 1890 and designed by Kissam & Morris, architects. Over the years it has had many tenants, including the Tacoma Daily News. In 1926, on the ground floor was the "Heather Bell Restaurant." The address for the cafe was 1114 Commerce. It was known as the Heather Bell from 1925-28, later as the "Bell Cafe." Above the Heather Bell were the offices of L. R. Clark, dentists. To the right of the picture is 1112 Commerce, the location of F. Kuchera & Son Co., wholesale leather and findings. The company was owned jointly by Edward, Frank Jr., William, Otto and Marie (Frank Sr's widow) Kuchera. The building, although greatly changed, is still standing in downtown Tacoma.

Heather Bell Restaurant (Tacoma); F. Kuchera & Son Co. (Tacoma);

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;

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);

Dick Bevington's new Triple X Barrel drive-in restaurant. View of kitchen area, four cooks in white uniforms, equipment and utensils, customers at counter visible through food pass out windows. The kitchen was advertised as having the latest in modern equipment and round the clock service. The chief cook was Ray Seger, assisted by Joe M. Powell and Dale Porter. [photographs taken 5/28-30/1940) (T. Times 6/4/1940, pg. 7)

Fast food restaurants--Tacoma; Bevington's Triple XXX Root Beer Restaurant (Tacoma);

Dick Bevington's new Triple X Barrel drive-in restaurant. View of kitchen area, four cooks in white uniforms, equipment and utensils, customers at counter visible through food pass out windows. Triple XXX referred to the brand of root beer served in the restaurant. The modern, all electric kitchen was run by chief cook Ray Seger, assisted by Joe M. Powell and Dale Porter. [photographs taken 5/28-30/1940) (T. Times 6/4/1940, pg. 7)

Fast food restaurants--Tacoma; Bevington's Triple XXX Root Beer Restaurant (Tacoma);

In May of 1940, the staff of Dick Bevington's new Triple XXX Barrel drive-in restaurant was preparing for its grand opening. G.R. ("Dick") Bevington, center, is flanked by three carhops and five waitresses as he stands in the center of the service area. Peering out from the kitchen are his crew of chefs with more than 50 years of total experience. The modern interior is decorated with indirect lighting and lots of stainless steel. It was built by Bonnell Construction of Tacoma for a total cost of $29,000. The drive-in featured counter service, booths and curb service by brightly uniformed girls with parking for almost 100 cars. The restaurant had a staff of 18. (T. Times 6/4/1940, pg. 7; TNT 6-4-40, p. 4)

Fast food restaurants--Tacoma; Bevington's Triple XXX Root Beer Restaurant (Tacoma); Bevington, Dick; Drive-in restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Dick Bevington's new Triple XXX Root Beer Barrel drive-in. Exterior of restaurant at night, giant root beer barrels on top of building, neon signs on cornice, automobiles parked in front. The restaurant was built at a cost of $29,000. Mr. and Mrs. Bevington resided in an apartment on the premises. The restaurant had booths, counter service, car hops and round the clock service.

Fast food restaurants--Tacoma; Bevington's Triple XXX Root Beer Restaurant (Tacoma);