911 Commerce Street housed the Turf Smoke Shop, Turf Bar and Turf Restaurant. View of empty restaurant at 11:27 a.m.; glimpse of Smoke Shop portion can be seen through the arched doorway. There are plenty of stools at the counter for casual dining, along with booths for those who chose to have more space and privacy. The restaurant celebrated a grand reopening in November, 1951, as the dining area doubled in size. A customer could order a roast turkey special with all the trimmings for only one dollar. Frank A. Johnson is listed as the owner of the Turf enterprises according to the 1953 City Directory. (TNT 11-7-51, p. 26)

Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Turf Restaurant (Tacoma); Turf Smoke Shop (Tacoma); Stools; Johnson, Frank A.;

South Tacoma's Main Yon Cafe had the grand opening of their new dining room in early November, 1951. The Main Yon's new dining room had comfortable booth seating and was beautifully decorated with a Chinese themed wall mural. Orchids for the ladies and ice cream and coffee were offered free during the grand opening. Owned and operated by "Charlie" Eng Sing Poy, the Main Yon had been in business for 16 years. Originally from Canton, China, Mr. Eng Sing Poy received his naturalization papers in October, 1951. Photograph ordered by Udall Construction Company. TPL-8120 (TNT 11-6-1951, p. 7)

Main Yon Cafe (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Eng, Sing Poy; Murals--Tacoma; Udall Construction Co. (Tacoma);

Art Mineo, at left kneeling with hat in hand, and a group of raucous, laughing musicians. In the top row, third from left is the great jazz pianist Oscar Peterson. This photograph was taken at the opening of the newly remodeled New Yorker Cafe in November of 1951. Peterson, tenor saxophonist "Flip" Phillips (standing, far right) and trombonist Bill Harris (front row center) came down from Seattle, where they were appearing with the Jazz at the Philharmonic road show, to sit in and jam for the opening.

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

Attilio (Art) Mineo on bass, Dick Morehead on drums, Oscar Peterson on piano, Joe (Flip) Phillips on saxophone and Bill Harris on trombone "jam" in the Coney Island Room on the opening night of Mike DeVoto's New Yorker, in November of 1951. Peterson, Phillips and Harris were performing in Seattle with the Jazz at the Philharmonic road show when they saw a notice for the opening. They called Mineo and asked to sit in. Musical history was made as they jammed until closing, leaving Mineo's hired orchestra in the audience to enjoy the music. Art Mineo's career in music began in the 1930s with dance bands on the east coast. He moved to Tacoma after the Second World War and stayed after he married Toni Lento, whose father was a well-known Tacoma musician. The Art Mineo Quartet performed three nights a week at the New Yorker, 1501 6th Ave., for over 20 years. (TNT 11-15-51, C-10, 11& firsthand information supplied by Art Mineo)

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

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;

Oscar Peterson and Bill Harris express exaggerated shock at the prices on the menu of the newly remodeled New Yorker Cafe. Holding the menu are possibly owners Patricia and Michael DeVoto. The presence of the jazz greats at the opening was a happy surprise. Peterson and Harris were performing in Seattle with the Jazz at the Philharmonic road show when they called old pal Art Mineo, now settled in Tacoma and hired to provide music for the opening, to "sit in" with his orchestra. The rest is history as the group jammed until closing, providing a memorial night of jazz for the opening night club goers.

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Cafes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Peterson, Oscar; Harris, Bill;

New Yorker. This portion of the "new" New Yorker spotlighted the cocktail lounge, called the "Manhattan Room," with its subdued lighting and lighted replica of the New York City skyline. The "new" New Yorker, at Sixth & Cushman, celebrated its grand opening on November 16, 1951. It was owned and operated by Pat and Mike De Voto. (TNT 11-15-1951, C-11-alt. photo)

Bars--Tacoma--1950-1960; New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma);

Dining room with band in center right on elevated stage and dance floor below. This was the "Coney Island" room of the "new" New Yorker restaurant prior to its grand opening on November 16, 1951. Operated by Pat and Mike De Voto, it featured "big time floor shows and dancing nightly" and well-prepared food. The spacious "Coney Island" room had two stages with a permanent platform. Art Mineo's 10-piece orchestra performed there as well as special guest entertainers. (TNT 11-15-1951, C-11)

Dining rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Cocktail lounge with New York skyline against mirrored wall and upholstered boothes and chairs at tables. This was the "Manhattan Room," the cocktail lounge of the "new" New Yorker, located at Sixth & Cushman. Subdued lighting, comfortable seating and a eye-catching replica of the NYC skyline made the "Manhattan Room" a good choice for quiet reflection and conversation. (TNT 11-15-1951, C-11)

Bars--Tacoma--1950-1960; New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma);

The "Staten Room" was the main dining room of the "new" New Yorker restaurant located at Sixth & Cushman in 1951. It had a capacity of 150 diners. The rubberized folding walls made it possible to have smaller private rooms for special occasions. (TNT 11-15-1951, C-11)

Dining rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Coffee shop with long bar with stools, rows of booths on right, three rounded booths at rear. This was dubbed the "Long Island Coffee Shop," part of the "new" New Yorker restaurant in November of 1951. The restaurant was celebrating its grand opening on November 16, 1951. The coffee shop faced Sixth Avenue and was open from 7 a.m. to closing (either midnight or 1 a.m.) weekdays. Only food was served on Sundays at the New Yorker. (TNT 11-15-1951, C-11-article)

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flower arrangements;

Jane Powers is at the Hammond organ and Arnold Leverenz is holding the microphone at Steve's (Gay Nineties) Cafe. Jane Powers entertained diners with music during the dinner hour and Leverenz was the featured song stylist of Gay 90's music. These two performers both wear costumes from the 1890's to match the Gay Nineties theme of Steve's Cafe. A sign board lists the show times behind Arnold Leverenz. A scroll painting decorates the back of the organ and a mural of Mount Rainier has been painted on the wall by Knabel. (TNT, 1/10/1952, p.21) TPL-4542

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1890-1900; Powers, Jane; Leverenz, Arnold; Musicians--Tacoma;

Portrait of cooks and servers standing behind buffet-style table at Steve's (Gay Nineties) Cafe. Street scene on wall with representations of Tacoma businesses by Knabel.

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

The Golden Gloves Committee met at the Top of the Ocean. Amateur boxers from as far away as Vancouver, B.C. and Eugene, Oregon, were expected for the fourth annual Tacoma Golden Gloves tournament that was held at the College of Puget Sound fieldhouse. There were 48 entrants in the 1951 bout and 85 were expected this year. Shown are, L-R, seated: Carter Lee, Ken Purchase, Ples Irwin, George Sheridan, Ray Kelly, Henry Auge, and Charles Funk. Standing: Howie Welsh, John Rockway, Bob Martin, Jim Rondeau, Al Kemp, Vernie Reed, Clay Huntington, and Harry (Scotty) Weinstone. Ordered by Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT, 1/25/1952, p.C-9)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Boxing--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The exterior of the Avenue Cafe is shown at night with neon signs in the front windows, above the upper windows and on the sign perpendicular to the front of the cafe. Another neon sign spelling "Cocktails" over the entrance is not lit. The cafe advertises food to go. Vittorio Perniconi owned Avenue Cafe at 1516 Pacific Avenue and Reno Rose served as manager. The cafe was renamed "Bimbo's Avenue Cafe" in 1953. (TNT, 1/31/1952, p.12) TPL-3841

Avenue Cafe (Tacoma); Cafes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The interior of Avenue Cafe shows the cooking area in the left foreground with the lunch counter further along the left side. Tables and benches are placed along the right. The long room is divided with pillars that have been faced with mirrors. The newly remodeled cafe held a grand opening January 31, 1952. The cafe was opened in 1921 by Vittorio "Bimbo" Perniconi and John Teglia. It was named Avenue Cafe in 1935 and renamed Bimbo's Avenue Cafe in 1953. The restaurant closed in 2001 when the City of Tacoma bought the property to make way for the new convention center. (TNT, 1/31/1952, p.12) TPL-6414

Avenue Cafe (Tacoma); Cafes--Tacoma--1950-1960;

With its large, U-shaped bar down the middle of the room, the Kit-Kat Tavern was a fixture on Pacific Ave., across the street from the Olympus Hotel, from 1947 to 1971. In this photograph from March of 1952, a large crowd of men and women fills every booth and stool. The Kit-Kat claimed to have the "best draft beer in town", and a large California wine was only 25 cents. TPL-8249

Kit Kat Tavern (Tacoma); Bars--Tacoma; Bartenders--Tacoma;

The "Corral Room" at the Olympus Hotel. Wood siding, a rough beam ceiling and pastoral paintings give this banquet room a rustic feel. The impression of being in a barn is assisted by the painting of a horse peeking out a stall door. The table, chairs and flooring are very simple. The Corral Room was also used as a coffee shop and served cocktails.

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

Six men take a break from their duties at the Top of the Ocean. Three of the men wear white uniforms and chef's hats. Magazines and an ash tray are seen on the table in front of them.

Restaurants--Tacoma; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Men--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Washington State Tavern Association hosted a luncheon for women of the association and members' wives at the Top of the Ocean during the three day convention held in Tacoma. The large group of women are seen in front of and on the covered ramp up to the unique restaurant built in the shape of a ship. A sign advertises: "Smorgasbord Daily". (TNT, 10/21/1952, p.2)

Restaurants--Tacoma; Nightclubs--Tacoma; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Washington State Tavern Association (Tacoma); Women--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Combed redwood was featured in the Terrace Room that was added when Lakewood Terrace was remodeled in 1952. The face of the bar, the tops of the small tables and a portion of the walls were covered with redwood. To soften the back-of-the bar lighting a redwood egg-crate lattice was added overhead. The stools had redwood-slat seats on top of tall black iron legs. A brick floor was chosen to add to the textural highlights in the room. (TNT, 10/31/1952, p.C-1)

Lakewood Terrace (Lakewood); Eating & drinking facilities--Lakewood; Lounges--Lakewood;

The entrance to the new cocktail lounge, the Terrace Room, that was added when Lakewood Terrace was remodeled, has been decorated with a continuation of the highly textured theme that was chosen for the lounge. Black-framed panels of straw-woven linen separate the waiting room alcove from the lounge. One of the famous Terrace roosters has found a new home in the greenery of the red brick planter and vines and philodendron provide more texture. (TNT, 10/31/1952, p.C-1)

Lakewood Terrace (Lakewood); Eating & drinking facilities--Lakewood; Lounges--Lakewood;

The main dining room at Lakewood Terrace maintained its quiet reserve following remodelling in 1952. The grandfather's clock still ticks against the far wall. The huge colonial white-paneled fireplace with its 20-foot mantel still dominated the room. An "Anglo-Persian" carpet was added, however, as well as new wallpaper featuring huge clusters of rose-red blossoms and a dado which topped the wainscot for an extra colonial touch. Harold F. Chavis was manager of the restaurant and cocktail lounge at this time. Ordered by the Lakewood Development Company. (TNT, 10/31/1952, p.C-1)

Lakewood Terrace (Lakewood); Eating & drinking facilities--Lakewood; Restaurants--Lakewood;

A new cocktail lounge, the "Terrace Room", was added when the Lakewood Terrace was remodeled in 1952. Mrs. Edwin Booth created a unique atmosphere decorating with combed redwood, black wrought iron against stark white, with bits of brick here, panels of grass-woven linen there and living greenery. The small tables set about the floor were made of redwood planks. The chairs were white matchstick plastic and each table had a white ash tray and a black plastic basket housed a big white candle. (TNT, 10/31/1952, p.C-11)

Lakewood Terrace (Lakewood); Eating & drinking facilities--Lakewood; Lounges--Lakewood;

The remodeled Lakewood Terrace included the Snack Shop for lunches, dinners, after-the-show snacks. It had been re-done and enlarged. A lunch counter with stools is seen on the left and tables and booths are seen along the right an in the rear. (TNT, 10/31/1952, p.C-4).

Lakewood Terrace (Lakewood); Eating & drinking facilities--Lakewood; Snack bars--Lakewood;

Hugh O. Smith owned two restaurants in Tacoma; Smitty's Drive In on Puyallup Avenue and Smitty's Coffee Mug on South Tacoma Way. View of interior of Smitty's Coffee Mug in November, 1952; a customer could either sit at the U-shaped counter on a stool or choose to sit in a booth. Besides purchasing a cup of coffee, one could select a soda from their "soda bar" or enjoy some Medosweet ice cream. Photograph ordered by Smitty's Coffee Mug.

Smitty's Coffee Mug (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stools;

Smitty's Coffee Mug was a small restaurant located at 3838 South Tacoma Way. It was owned and operated by Hugh O. Smith. Besides offering coffee as a beverage, a large sign also promises a "soda bar". View of business storefront with large electric sign, other signage. The Tahoma Motel, "best known motel in Tacoma", is located next door at 3836 South Tacoma Way. Photograph ordered by Smitty's Coffee Mug.

Smitty's Coffee Mug (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Storefronts--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tahoma Motel (Tacoma);

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;