Reopening of the Central Cafe, for Nick A. "Vic" Zvolis. Mr. Zvolis, the owner, is standing behind the counter on the right in this October 24, 1942, photograph. To the left of Mr. Zvolis are four women and two other men, probably employees. Mr. Zvolis was widely known in wrestling circles as a former competitor and a referee.

Central Cafe (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Zvolis, Nick;

Reopening of the Central Cafe, for Nick A. "Vic" Zvolis. Mr. Zvolis, the owner, is standing behind the counter on the right. To the left of Mr. Zvolis are four women and one other man, probably employees. Mr. Zvolis was widely known in wrestling circles as a former performer and a referee.

Central Cafe (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Zvolis, Nick;

Three of the cooks at the Husk Cafe pose with a man in a suit, believed to be Thomas C. Hardwick, owner.

Husk Cafe (Tacoma); Cafes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Diners (Restaurants)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cooks;

Six uniformed waitresses pose with a woman in a dark dress at the Husk Cafe, 1211 Pacific Ave., in January of 1943. The women wear little caps, almost like a small nurses cap, pinned in their hair.

Husk Cafe (Tacoma); Cafes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Diners (Restaurants)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waitresses--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The cooks and waitresses of the Husk Cafe at 1211 Pacific Avenue posed at 3:30 pm on January 25, 1943 following the lunch hour rush. They are standing behind the lunch counter with its miniature juke box selectors. Mrs. C. Isabelle Hardwick and Thomas C. Hardwick opened the Husk in 1934. According to a posted sign under the clock, customers could not get counter service unless they were prepared to spend at least 10 cents. For 20 cents, you could get a bowl of hot chili or some pie and ice cream to go with your coffee. The Husk Cafe closed in the late 1950s.

Husk Cafe (Tacoma); Cafes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Diners (Restaurants)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waitresses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cooks; Counters;

ca. 1943. End cup of coffee rationing. A smiling waitress happily holds a trayful of coffee mugs as her co-worker begins to fill them for waiting customers in this circa 1943 photograph. WWll saw many shortages for common items as Americans learned to be patient and abide by federal rationing regulations. (T. Times).

Restaurant workers--1940-1950; Coffee; Coffee cups; Consumer rationing--1940-1950;

In August of 1943, the new Antlers Tavern, owned by Jeo E. Andreo, opened at 1142 Pacific Avenue. The original Antlers Tavern, located at the intersection of the Mountain highway and the county highway road, was destroyed by fire on February 4, 1943. The 60 foot long bar in the new tavern was one of the longest in the city. Several mounted deer's heads are hung on the wall above the back of the bar. The man standing at the right behind the bar is believed to be Joe Andreo.(T.Times, 8/9/1943, p.9)

Bars--Tacoma--1940-1950; Antlers Tavern (Tacoma);

ca. 1943. Rudder Club, Mr. Avge. Two cooks in the kitchen, one at the griddle. Large pots, baskets, bowls, and utensils are also shown.

Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Restaurant workers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rudder Club, Inc. (Tacoma); Kitchens--Tacoma--1940-1950;

ca. 1943. Rudder Club, Mr. Avge. Interior of dining room with tables and chairs, doorways leading into additional seating. Floral wallpaper, a figured carpet draperies and lighting add to the ambiance.

Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rudder Club, Inc. (Tacoma);

ca. 1943. Rudder Club, Mr. Avge. Photograph of the interior of the Club, showing the restaurant counter with the kitchen seen through the doorway at the rear. Floral wallpaper, a figured carpet and gleaming linoleum are also shown. Coffee pots are at the ready and the cash register is, too. The Club facilities included a restaurant, bar and club room and lounge. (TNT 8/26/1943, pg. 19)

Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rudder Club, Inc. (Tacoma);

Pianist Bert Kool (far right) led the distinctive quartet of musicians who provided dance music at the grand opening of the Olympus Cafe and Supper Club in August of 1944. The new club opened on August 12, 1944, and was located directly below the Olympus Hotel, 815 Pacific Avenue, in what was then the heart of Tacoma's civic center. Bert Sundgren, the new owner, stated it was "Tacoma's newest and Washington's finest" restaurant and pledged dance music nightly with no cover charge. The saxophone player has been identified as Gus DeBock, a lifetime member of the Musicians Union. The last dance he played was with his band, Gus DeBock and the Fabulous 4, on August 9, 1991, two months before his death. (T. Times, 8/11/44, p. 11-article; T.Times, 8-12-44, p. 3-photograph used in ad). (Additional identification and information provided by a reader) TPL-10200

Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Olympus Cafe (Tacoma); Kool, Bert; DeBock, Gus; Musicians--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The entrance to the Olympus Cafe at the Olympus Hotel showing the stairway down from Pacific Avenue and the lobby. The newly opened "Olympus Cafe" and Supper Club, located in the Olympus Hotel, is celebrating their grand opening. Bert Sundegren, owner, stated it is "Tacoma's newest and Washington's finest" restaurant. The location had large columns, a tile floor and ornate chandeliers. TPL-6421

Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Olympus Cafe (Tacoma); Olympus Hotel (Tacoma);

The newly opened "Olympus Cafe" and Supper Club, located in the Olympus Hotel, is celebrating their grand opening. Lettering on the column at the back of the room reads, "Activian Room". Draperies are open showing another room beyond. TPL-6422

Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Olympus Cafe (Tacoma); Olympus Hotel (Tacoma);

The Steak House and No. End Tavern, exterior.

Diners (Restaurants)--Tacoma; Steak House (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma;

The staff of The Steak House posed for this photogragh on March 24, 1945 shortly after it expanded by taking over an adjoining building. The Steak House was located at 2622-24 No. Proctor, across the street from the Proctor (now Blue Mouse) Theater. At the time this picture was taken, it was owned by Ted Clark. It closed in the mid-50s.

Restaurant workers--Tacoma; Restaurants--Tacoma; Waitresses--Tacoma; Cooks; Uniforms; Steak House (Tacoma);

The Steak House interior of dining room. TPL-9326

Restaurant workers--Tacoma; Restaurants--Tacoma; Waitresses--Tacoma; Uniforms; Steak House (Tacoma);

Ray Gamble banquet at Rau's Chicken Dinner Inn located at the corner of Pacific Avenue and John's Orchard Hill (the Mountain Highway). Ray Gamble was born in Lexington, Nebraska, and arrived in Tacoma in a boxcar in 1892. His was a rags-to-riches story. He started in business opening a fish market in 1913 and developed the world's largest wood flour business which furnished stabilizing materials for the explosives manufacturers. He owned several pieces of real estate including the exclusive Casa Blanca Apartments. He was also well known for his hobbies of collecting elephant statues and performing magic. Rau's Club was opened March 2, 1939. In August 1946 the name was changed to the "Country House Restaurant". (TNT 7/27/1941, p. A2; Genii, March, 1939)

Restaurants--Graham; Banquets--Graham--1940-1950; Group portraits; Gamble, Ray, 1886-1972; Rau's Club (Graham);

Exterior of Murphy's Cigars, Cafe and Tavern. The sign over the entrance has neon lights and the front of the cafe is made of glass blocks; electric jewelry sign in background. Photograph was taken on December 6, 1946. TPL-7949

Bars--Tacoma--1940-1950; Taverns (Inns)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beer halls--Tacoma--1940-1950; Murphy's (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; City & town life--Tacoma--1940-1950

This photograph of Murphy's at 938 Pacific Avenue was taken on December 6, 1946. Nine months earlier, on March 28th, Murphy's was one of seven tavens in Tacoma subjected to a surprise gambling raid by appoximately forty Tacoma policemen. The raids, which happened without orders from the chief of police, resulted in 54 people being arrested for illegal gambling. (TNT 3-30-1946 p.1)

Bars--Tacoma--1940-1950; Taverns (Inns)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beer halls--Tacoma--1940-1950; Murphy's (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; City & town life--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Exterior view of the "Top of the Ocean". Automobiles are parked outside and banners are hung from the upper deck and over the top of the new restaurant and night club. The Top of the Ocean provided an invitation to all to dine and participate in an informal opening December 7th, 1946, at 5 p.m. It was called, the "most beautiful luxury dine and dance liner". She was not, however, a ship but was constructed on pilings at a cost of $262,000 by her owners Allen Rau and Bert Sundgren. Paul and Mendle Riggs were in charge of the boat facilities which provided docking sites for visiting yachts. There were four dining rooms on the main deck and a private suite for the Tacoma Athletic Club upstairs. Prices on complete dinners began at $1.50. The Top of the Ocean was destroyed by fire on April 3, 1977. (TNT, 3/21/1946; T.Times, 12/5/1946, p.11) TPL-423, TPL-2395

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Nightclubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950;

New Yorker Cafe for Dohrman Hotel Supply. A lunch counter and booths. A jukebox and a game machine are at the far end of the cafe. The lunch counter has fountain service.

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Cafes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Soda fountains--Tacoma--1940-1950; Jukeboxes; Coin operated machines--Tacoma--1940-1950;

New Yorker Cafe for Dohrman Hotel Supply. A view of the dining room showing the tables set for dinner. A column has been surrounded with a circular brick base, glass block with neon lighting and mirrors above. Sconces and torcheres provide light around perimeter of the room. TPL-9278

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dining rooms--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tables; Chairs;

New Yorker Cafe for Dohrman Hotel Supply. A view of the sparking, new kitchen with stainless steel cabinets, coffee makers and overhead hoods.

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Kitchens--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stoves--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cupboards--Tacoma--1940-1950;

New Yorker Cafe for Dohrman Hotel Supply.The double grill in the kitchen provides a large cooking area. The large stock pot on the left has a spout with a turn off valve at the bottom of the pot and a water line is provided with a faucet above the pot. The exit flues for the venting hoods over the grills bend towards each other before exiting through the ceiling forming an almost decorative look.

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Kitchens--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stoves--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fans (Machinery); Pots & pans;

Tacoma Athletic Commission celebrated the formal opening of the organization's new headquarters, now located at the Top of the Ocean. The Tacoma Athletic Club had arranged for a permanent private suite on the upper level of the Top of the Ocean. Over 1,500 members and associate members attended the celebration. Interior view of dining room. The Tacoma Athletic Commission purchased the restaurant building, site and equipment of the Top of the Ocean in October 1948. (T. Times, 12/31/46, p. 12; TNT, 10/21/1948, p.1).

Banquet halls--Tacoma; Restaurants--Tacoma; Table settings & decorations; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

Bill Slater was the head chef in charge of the Top of the Ocean galley crew. Slater was a world famous chef who had been featured in "Ripley's Believe It or Not". View of stainless steel finished kitchen, stoves and oven are below "Top of the Ocean" sign. Photo ordered by Dohrmann Hotel Supply.

Kitchens--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stoves--Tacoma; Appliances; Restaurants--Tacoma; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma);

The Towers' kitchen measured 33 feet by 66 feet. It had all electric appliances and was finished in stainless steel. Bruce Parkers was the head chef, he was very well known throughout the Pacific Northwest. Interior view of the Towers' kitchen and dinner china, photo ordered by Dohrmann Hotel Supply.

Kitchens--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tableware; Cooking utensils; Nightclubs--Tacoma; Restaurants--Tacoma; Towers Restaurant (Tacoma);

The Top of the Ocean restaurant had their grand opening in December 1946. They were one of the most beautiful and luxurious dine and dance liners in the Northwest. View of Hal Gullett and his orchestra playing at the Top of the Ocean restaurant. Hal Gullett is playing the saxophone and Micky McDougall is singing (T. Times, 1/13/47, p. 7).

Restaurants--Tacoma; Music ensembles--Tacoma; Musicians--Tacoma; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Gullett, Hal;

The Top of the Ocean had a private suite for the Tacoma Athletic Commission on their top deck. An advertisement stated they have the "most beautiful dance floors in the Northwest"and would be featuring Hal Gullett and his orchestra nightly. View of Micky McDougall on left, and Hal Gullett on right side (T. Times, 1/13/47, p. 7).

Restaurants--Tacoma; Music ensembles--Tacoma; Musicians--Tacoma; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Gullett, Hal; McDougall, Micky;

On the afternoon of June 30, 1947, a bevy of women fromTacoma's social set turned out for a reception at the Tacoma Athletic Club's Clubhouse, located at the Top of the Ocean, 2217 Ruston Way. The reception was to honor the "Queen for a Day" that had been chosen on the 10 a.m. broadcast from the Ice Palace the same morning. Unfortunately, neither of Tacoma's daily papers listed the name of the lucky winner. The Henry Mill and Timber Co. burner can be seen in the background.

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts;