This photograph shows the exterior of Steve's Cafe, 5238-40 South Tacoma Way, (later commonly known as Steve's Gay '90s.) as it appeared in April of 1951. Huge neon signs points the way to South Tacoma's newest dining hot spot. Owned & operated by Steve Pease and John Stanley, Steve's offered a smorgasbord every day (at $1 for lunch) and entertainment in the evening. As the restaurant grew in popularity, it swallowed up all the surrounding real estate becoming the huge conglomeration that became Steve's Gay '90s. Steve's closed in 1977. TPL-8691

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

The Viking Smorgasbord held their grand opening April 14, 1951, in their recently completed building. The restaurant featured American and Scandinavian foods with a la carte dinners as well as smorgasbord service offered in an atmosphere of old Sweden. A separate entrance has been provided for those attending functions in the banquet room.(TNT, 4/14/1951, p.C-5)

Viking Smorgasbord (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma;

The buffet table at the Viking Smorgasbord boasted one of the finest and largest Swedish smorgasbords in the Northwest with more than 50 Scandinavian and American delicacies displayed on the table which covered an area of 80 square feet. The waitresses wore attractive Swedish Peasant costumes lending authenticity to the Swedish environment. (TNT, 4/14/1951, p.C-5)

Viking Smorgasbord (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma;

Interior- Diamond Jim's. A customer at Diamond Jim's appears to be pretty happy to greet the chef bearing a platter of freshly cooked steaks in a January 31, 1958, photograph. Diamond Jim's, or "D.J.'s", per the advertising placard, was located at 7401 Aurora in Seattle. It specialized in family styled chicken dinners and steaks. Waiting patrons could observe daily activity on busy Aurora Avenue through the many view windows. Photograph ordered by Teleradio Advertisers, Inc., for KTVW.

Diamond Jim's (Seattle); Restaurants--Seattle; Signs (Notices); Cooks; Meat;

A young employee of Gil's takes an fast food order from a woman customer in January, 1958. Customers were not permitted inside the restaurant; the only contact with employees was through the small openings in the plate glass windows where food could be ordered and obtained. A wide variety of burgers, shakes, soft drinks and cones could be purchased at very reasonable prices. Gil's Hamburgers had three locations in the Seattle area. This particular location was not identified. Photograph ordered by Teleradio Advertisers, Inc., for KTVW. TPL-6190

Drive-in restaurants--Seattle; Fast food restaurants--Seattle; Gil's Hamburgers (Seattle); Signs (Notices);

Exterior of burger restaurant. Fords, Hudsons and Chevrolets line up in front of Gil's Hamburgers, a fast food restaurant of the late 1950's. The familiar Richards Studio station wagon is parked third from the left. Gil's had a large overhanging roof to protect customers placing orders for burgers, fried fish, and shakes. Prices looked extremely reasonable with hamburgers at 19 cents, sundaes at 19 cents, milk shakes at 20 cents and fish n' fries at a whopping 39 cents. Complete service was available at all windows and there may have been a small covered patio for outdoor dining. There were three Gil's Hamburgers in the Seattle area, one on East Pine, another on Rainier Avenue and the third on Avalon Way. This particular Gil's was not identified. Photograph ordered by Teleradio Advertisers, Inc., for KTVW. TPL6189

Drive-in restaurants--Seattle; Fast food restaurants--Seattle; Gil's Hamburgers (Seattle); Signs (Notices); Ford automobile; Chevrolet automobile;

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;

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;

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;

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);

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;

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;

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);

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. The drive in restaurant with car hops located at 3505 South Tacoma Way was so enormously popular that Percy Ball was designing its enlargement.

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

Interior - Primo's Wagon Wheel. The interior of Primo's Wagon Wheel appears to have been heavily decorated with wood panels, matching the rustic exterior of the tavern. A mounted deer's head would have been staring at the customers lined up on the bar stools before the polished bar. The Wagon Wheel had been at its 8602 South Tacoma Way location since 1938; the space had formerly been occupied by Babe's Inn. It had celebrated a grand reopening in 1940 after extensive remodeling, and another grand opening in June, 1958. Known as the "Home of the Singing Gondolier", the business was owned by Primo Gasperetti. It now had room for 350 people and offered dance music six nights a week. Photograph ordered by Primo's Wagon Wheel. (TNT 6-18-58, B-2, B-3)

Primo's Wagon Wheel (Lakewood); Bars--Lakewood; Bars (Furniture)--Lakewood; Hunting trophies;

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;

ca. 1959. Interiors of Steve's Gay Nineties Restaurant. Whenever the old famous structures of Tacoma were in danger of the wrecking ball, owner Steve Pease was first in line, with cash in hand, to purchase as much of the past as possible; and most of it ended up in his Gay Nineties Restaurant. This staircase came from the Hewitt mansion at 501 No. 4th St., once considered to be the most beautiful home in Tacoma. When it was razed in 1957 to make way for a parking lot, Pease purchased this staircase and panelling, among other things. To see a photograph of the staircase in the Hewitt home, see D97664 image 7.

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

Viafore's, a new restaurant located at 2409 Pacific Ave. The restaurant was owned by Edward Viafore and Matt Allegro. This is either the cocktail lounge or a quick service food area.

Viafore's (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Interior of Cliff House Restaurant. A busy floral patterned carpet greets customers of the remodeled Cliff House Restaurant in this February, 1960, photograph. Near the entrance is the kitchen/serving area where an enormous black fan catches the eye. It would provide excellent ventilation of cooking odors. The kitchen area appears well equipped with shiny metal appliances.

Cliff House Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Dining room of Cliff House Restaurant. Empty tables with starched tablecloths and napkins await diners of the remodeled Cliff House Restaurant on February 15, 1960. Picture windows facing the Tideflats have their shades removed to the side so that patrons can enjoy the beautiful views. A display of large ferns complements the leafy pattern of the dining room carpet.

Cliff House Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970;

A young family waits to select from a menu at Steve's Gay '90s as their hostess smiles in this July 27, 1960, photograph. Three can-can dancers and the m.c. are on the stage behind them in the restaurant's Opera Room. Mrs. LeRoy M. Curtis enjoys a free dinner at Steve's as Steve's Gay '90s was one of ten restaurants where Dine Out Every Month Club members utilized the "Buy one, get one free" method of receiving free meals. For $5.00, Dine Out Every Month Club members would receive a coupon book good for ten meals at participating restaurants. With Mrs. Curtis is her husband and daughter Terry; assisting the Curtis' family is Steve's hostess Vicki Tran. (TNT ad 8-2-60, p. 8)

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Families--Tacoma--1960-1970; Curtis, LeRoy M.; Curtis, LeRoy M.--Family; Curtis, Terry; Tran, Vicki;

The cast of "The Drunkard" posed for a variety of shots on February 27, 1967. The 1890's melodrama, directed by Dorothy Jean Heffernan, was held at Steve's Gay '90s, 5238-40 South Tacoma Way, in March and April of 1967. Kathie McCulloch, as Mary Wilson, is pictured above with her hands aloft and mouth open in dismay at the appearance of the play's mustached villain, Jack Richardson, who stars as Lawyer Cribbs. Photograph ordered by Steve's Gay '90s. (TNT 3-3-67, A-6)

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Melodramas; Richardson, Jack; McCulloch, Kathie; Actors--Tacoma--1960-1970; Actresses;

ca. 1967. Doughnut Shop at Fort Lewis. Fort Lewis was, in essence, a miniature city. The Army military base provided its soldiers and their families with goods and services that could normally be found off-base. Here in 1967 soldiers could enjoy doughnuts at the Doughnut Shop pictured above or "take 'em home." Color photograph ordered by Puget Sound Area Support Center, Fort Lewis.

Restaurants--Fort Lewis--1960-1970; Signs (Notices);

Cascade Room restaurant - Bon Marche. Sliding wood-paneled doors are partially opened to reveal a small lobby leading to the Cascade Room restaurant found within the Bon Marche. An assortment of modern furniture including black leather chairs can be glimpsed inside the restaurant which contain polished walnut paneled walls and brass wall sconces. A cocktail lounge and Corner House snack shop was included. Johnny Maddox would be the first performer in the Cascade Room Lounge once the Bon Marche opened at the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center in early August, 1964. Located on the lower level, direct entrance was also possible from the parking lot even when the rest of the store had closed. (TNT Ad 7-31-64, p. 21, TNT 8-2-64, B-6)

Bon Marche (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Signs (Notices); Sconces;

Three can-can dancers in fishnets, ruffles and plumes, entertain at Steve's Gay '90s in May, 1966. They included Connie and Callie Mernaugh. Steve's, a South Tacoma fixture for decades, offered good food and entertainment at very reasonable prices. Floor shows, including the above dancers and rollicking piano tunes, were suitable for the entire family. Steve's would be marking its 17th anniversary with a new show, "World of Burlesque" with performances on Friday and Saturday nights. Photograph ordered by Steve's Gay '90s. (TNT 6-16-66, D-11)

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Dancers--Tacoma; Entertainers--Tacoma; Costumes; Mernaugh, Callie; Mernaugh, Connie;

Two can-can dancers on stage at Steve's Gay '90s. Dressed in plumes, fishnet stockings, and ruffled costumes, the dancers were part of Steve's famous floor shows which provided family-oriented entertainment for its diners. Pamella Conner and Vickie Conner were part of a new trio of dancers who replaced the dancing Mernaugh sisters, Connie (Moisio) and Callie (Matthews) and Hazel Gjerde. The Mernaughs had been performing at Steve's for 14 years. Photograph ordered by Steve's Gay '90s. (TNT 11-9-67, D-11, TNT 12-22-67, p. 20)

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Dancers--Tacoma; Entertainers--Tacoma--1960-1970; Conner, Pamella; Conner, Vickie; Costumes;

Open kitchen area at the new Harbor Lights restaurant. The restaurant was opened in February of 1959 by noted Tacoma restaurateur Anton Barcott. Barcott had formerly operated the renowned California Oyster House, opened in 1919 by his father John Barcott Sr. Due to a lack of parking and limited seating space, Barcott had closed the Oyster House after 40 years of operation and chosen this waterfront location. Located 3 blocks north of the Old Tacoma Dock, the main portion of the restaurant was built over the waters of Commencement Bay with unobstructed views of Mount Rainier and the Cascade range. It could seat over 100 and had ample free parking. A 60 foot dock was planned for construction before the summer with moorage for boats. All food preparation was performed in the pictured all electric kitchen in eye view of all patrons. The kitchen also contained a charcoal broiler pit, enabling the restaurant to offer BBQ meats, fish and chicken in addition to seafood. Anton and his daughter LaMoyne (Mrs. John) Hreha represented the third and fourth generation of food catering. Anton was the son of the Oyster House founder John Barcott Sr. and the grandson of famed Yugoslavian inn keepers. Anton started in the business at 12 years of age as a dishwasher and apprenticed to his father for 12 years before taking over the reins of the business in 1946. Photograph ordered by Vermiculite Manufacturing Co. (TNT 2/17/1959, pg. 4-5)

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

ca. 1959. Steve's Gay Nineties restaurant. This is believed to be the entrance to the restaurant conglomerate. The intricately carved wooden panel to the right came from the recently demolished County Courthouse. A cardboard cutout of Steve's famous can can dancers sits atop the panel. To the left rear is a piano, that also appears to have percussion equipment located at the bottom. This is believed to be the "Orchestron," originally from the Red Front Saloon, and located in the lobby of Steve's. The hand carved, hardwood instrument could play drums, cymbals, chimes, mandolin, organ and xylophone music. Steve's was divided into five restaurant areas, the Golden Era Cafe, the Cable Car Room, the Opera House (with the floorshow), the Gay Nineties Smorgasbord (with the fringed surrey seating) and the Memory Lane Banquet Room. They were celebrating their 10th year in the restaurant and entertainment business. (TNT 11/26/1959, pg D-2 - D-3)

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