Interiors of Z's Coffee Shop. The new coffee shop on Highway 99 South, owned and operated by Morris & Gertrude Zelinsky, would be celebrating its Grand Opening on April 28, 1956. The newly completed and modern highway restaurant would feature breakfast, lunch and short orders for hungry travelers and residents of the Lakes District. A lunch counter with round stools runs the length of the room. A formica table and chairs sits on the checkerboard floor. Behind the counter can be seen a sink, glass fronted shelves, freezer cabinets and the grill. The cash register sits on the counter next to the window. In front of the counter is a refrigerated self serve Coca-Cola box. Through the window behind the sink can be seen a pole sign for the Colonial Motel. (TNT 4/27/1956, pg. B-11)

Diners (Restaurants); Counters; Stools; Z's Coffee Shop (Parkland);

Portrait of Jane McKee, formerly Powers, organist at Steve's Gay '90s. Monday through Saturday night McKee played dinner music on the Hammond organ from 6:15p.m.- 8:15p.m. She was one of the featured performers at Steve's.

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; McKee, Jane; Powers, Jane;

Steve's (Gay 90's) Cafe, photographed for the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. Steve's was owned and operated by Steve Pease and John Stanley. The fantasticly popular restaurant and nightclub included many internal rooms like this one. All were decorated with an old time flair. This room features tall wooden booths and round tables. Above the wainscoting is wallpaper picturing nineties gents stepping up to the bar and ladies at round tables, just like the ones in this room. On the walls are museum framed and lighted photographs of the original Red Front Saloon where Steve's back bar came from. Through the open doorway to the right, you can see a counter with seats or stools. These two rooms may have been the original 20 seat coffee shop and tavern run by Stanley and Pease.

Steve's Gay '90s (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;

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.

Oregon Trail Restaurant;

Exterior of the Oregon Trail Restaurant. The restaurant featured a special dining room called the Pioneer Room, as well as dining and dancing.

Oregon Trail Restaurant;

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;

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

Bars; Alcoholic beverages; Heidelberg Brewing Co. (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

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

Diamond Jim's (Seattle); Restaurants--Seattle; Facades--Seattle; Electric signs--Seattle--1950-1960; Aurora Cycle Shop (Seattle); Bicycle shops--Seattle;

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.

Restaurants--Seattle; Organs;

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;

This was the crowded Little J.E.M Dining & Dancing Cafe parking lot on July 16, 1958. Every Wednesday night from 8-12 was "Teen-age Hop" night with admission at 75 cents. The place was packed that Wednesday, crammed with kids anxious to listen and rock to the sounds of the Bluenotes, one of first rock bands in the area. In July of 1958 the Bluenotes included Robin Roberts on vocals, Bill Engelhart on guitar, Buck Ormsby on bass, Frank Dutra on sax and Lassie Aanes on drums. The Little J.E.M. was located on Highway 99 just past the Puyallup Bridge, and outside of Tacoma's city limits. On Fridays and Saturdays, the Little J.E.M was opened from 11 am to 2 am for dancing with live music. (TNT ad 7-23-58, A-10)

Little J.E.M. Cafe (Tacoma); Parking lots--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior - Max Frolic's cafe. Well-known entertainer Max Frolic opened his restaurant in 1938 at the (then) South Tacoma Way location. It was designed and built by Mr. Frolic and William Thornburg because of the rerouting of U.S. Highway 99 from Lakeview Drive to the newly extended South Tacoma Way. On June 20-22, 1958, Max Frolic's celebrated its grand opening to highlight its new exterior and new dining room. Neon signs advertised sea foods and fried chicken as part of the menu. Colorful awnings help to shade the windows of this brick and wood building. Max Frolic was a former vaudevillian, violinist and band leader. He directed the Elks Club Extravaganzas for many years. He also was the music director, arranger and conductor of the Pantages Theatre orchestra from 1920-1932. Mr. Frolic died at the age of 89 on December 14, 1974. Photograph ordered by Max Frolic's Restaurant. TPL-5799. (TNT 6-20-58, p. 4, History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, p. 421)

Max Frolic's Restaurant (Lakewood); Restaurants--Lakewood; Electric signs--Lakewood;

Interior - Max Frolic's cafe. Well-known entertainer Max Frolic opened his restaurant in 1938 at the (then) South Tacoma Way location. It was designed and built by Mr. Frolic and William Thornburg because of the rerouting of U.S. Highway 99 from Lakeview Drive to the newly extended South Tacoma Way. On June 20-22, 1958, Max Frolic's celebrated its grand opening to highlight its new exterior and new dining room. Neon signs advertised sea foods and fried chicken as part of the menu. Colorful awnings help to shade the windows of this brick and wood building. Max Frolic was a former vaudevillian, violinist and band leader. He directed the Elks Club Extravaganzas for many years. He also was the music director, arranger and conductor of the Pantages Theatre orchestra from 1920-1932. Mr. Frolic died at the age of 89 on December 14, 1974. Photograph ordered by Max Frolic's Restaurant. TPL-5799. (TNT 6-20-58, p. 4, History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, p. 421)

Max Frolic's Restaurant (Lakewood); Restaurants--Lakewood; Interiors--Lakewood;

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)

Pantry (Lakewood); Restaurants--Lakewood--1950-1960; Facades--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Exposure of architect's scale model for the new expansion at Busch's Restaurant, ordered by architect Percy Ball. Photograph shot near the Top of the Ocean. Through the power of photography, Buschs seems to have been magically transported from 3505 South Tacoma Way to Tacoma's waterfront. Clouds could have been added later through super imposition of Richards' stock footage.

Drive-in restaurants--Tacoma; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buschs Drive In (Tacoma); Architectural models;

Busch's Drive In restaurant on South Tacoma Way. Busch's had long been a Tacoma landmark famous for its car hops, waitresses that came directly to your car to take and deliver orders. They also featured dine in service. Built in 1936 as the Triple XXX Barrel and purchased by Bill & Thelma Busch in 1943, the building remains today.

Buschs Drive In (Tacoma); Drive-in restaurants--Tacoma;

Interior of restaurant, ca. 1961. This is believed to be the interior of Busch's Sixth Avenue Drive-In Restaurant which opened in 1960 and was owned by William Busch. A long curved laminated counter has room for ten seats; miniature jukeboxes on counter for patrons' listening pleasure. Padded booth seating is also available. Glimpse of diagonal parking with covered walkway.

Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Counters--Tacoma;

The Opera House at Steve' s Gay '90s Restaurant. The Opera House opened in 1956 and was the main entertainment venue at Steve's, where a full floor show was performed every Friday and Saturday night. Its crystal chandeliers came from the Seattle Opera House and its walls were adorned with photographs of the beautiful old homes of Tacoma. It was furnished with antiques gathered by owner Steve Pease at estate sales and auctions. In mid June of 1959, Steve's was celebrating its 10th anniversary with "continuous" entertainment Wednesday - Saturday. (TNT 6/16/1959, pg. 8-9)

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

Staples at Steve's Gay '90s restaurant, 54th & South Tacoma Way, were his talented staff who entertained diners on weekends in the Gay '90s Revue, providing fun for the entire family. Gathered around the newly restored Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ in October of 1971 were believed to be Dorothy Jean, "gay '90s queen;" Mr. Banjo, Ray Johnston; Bob Shonack & his Cable Car Conductors; and Steve's trio of can-can dancers. Diners were invited to enjoy the clean entertainment while devouring Steve's " mile long smorgasbord" for $3.80. Photograph ordered by Steve's Gay '90s. (TNT ad 9-3-71, p. 8; TNT ad 11-5-71, p. 11) TPL-6700

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1970-1980; Organs; Entertainers--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Two can-can dancers appearing at Steve's Gay '90s pose for a hoe-down on June 2, 1970. These barefoot young ladies have their knees held very high, showing the edges of their polka-dotted pantaloons. Steve's had celebrated its 20th anniversary in October of 1969. The South Tacoma eatery was well known for its nourishing yet inexpensive menu and wholesome family entertainment. Photograph ordered by Steve's Gay '90s.

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

The chef at O'Brien's Restaurant prepares to slice a large, luscious roast for several admiring guests on January 29, 1971. Owner Jim O'Brien, a former bailbondsman, had hosted a special sneak preview that evening. The restaurant would open officially in a few days; it was located in the Bank of Washington Plaza, at the foot of the curving staircase. Photograph ordered by O'Brien's Restaurant. (TNT 1-28-71, A-2 - "Faces & Places" column- article)

O'Brien's Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1970-1980; Cooks;

ca. 1979. View of native American style graphics on the window glass of the Anchor Tavern, 1352 Pacific Ave., as well as a neon representation of the emblem for Rainier Beer. The Tavern was located in the former McCormack Bro. Department Store, 1348-56 Pacific Ave, in 1979. McCormack Bro. was located in the Baker-Dickson Building; constructed in 1911, Russell & Babcock, architects. The building was demolished in 2003.

Anchor Tavern (Tacoma);

ca. 1979. Sign with Chief's head graphics for "Ladies' Nite" on every Tuesday. All drinks 75 cents, pitchers 2.00.

Bars;

ca. 1979. Photograph, circa 1979, of the C St. Cafe, top of building and signage. In the background is the tower and the top of the Carling (previously the Heidelberg) Brewery Co. at 2120-32 So. C St.

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

Back of Photo:
Many Asian businesses can be found along South Tacoma Way.
Story by Dorian Smith
Photo by Bill Hunter

“Signs in two languages light up the Royal Box in South Tacoma.” There were seven Korean nightclubs along South Tacoma Way and Pacific Highway NW, possibly making the highest concentration of Korean nightclubs on the West Coast according to the New Tribune. Along with serving food and drinks, they served as cultural meeting places for Tacoma’s Korean community.

Back of Photo:
Old Barnacle Bill's Leveled- A longtime Tacoma waterfront landmark, Barnacle Bill's Cafe at the intersection of 11th Street and Port of Tacoma Road, was leveled early last week. The structure has been a cafe since the 1930s and was moved to the site from across 11th Street in 1941, according to owner Ben Erhart, who bought the establishment in 1950. The cleared site will be developed as a parking lot for the new, enlarged Barnacle Bill's, which has opened its doors to the rear of the site.

Back of Photo:
Restaurants and Nightclubs

Two people hold toast with glasses of wine in front of windows overlooking the water. A wine menu on the table says, "The Cliff House."

Back of Photo:
Perry Smith (eats his own)

Rudsit photo