I’m not familiar with Kresge five and dime stores, probably because they started turning into Kmarts in 1962.
Anyhoo, it’s 1951 and we might as well take advantage of the lunch counter and rest our feet for a bit after a day of shopping. What are you having?
Kresge 1951
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It’s 1937 and if we’re being looky loos in Hollywood we might as well go somewhere with good prices and this Newberry’s on Hollywood Blvd. fits the bill!
I’m going for the pork chop luncheon special with fries, blackberry cobbler and iced tea for 25¢!

JJ Newberry
Hollywood 1937
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I’m down for eating anywhere that has a candy factory on the premises, and this delightful Fountain/Tea Room has a nice selection of tasty looking offerings and shoppers luncheons starting at 25¢
Save room for peanut brittle and let’s go!

Jones Dept. Store
Unknown Southwest 1940
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Would you just look at these prices? When some place is called a Steak House I don’t expect a 50¢ full T-bone meal. Don’t be embarrassed when you see Tupperware and Ziplocs in my purse. Who’s hungry?

Peanuts
Los Angeles circa 1930
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We didn’t go out to eat much when I was a kid (dad was a public school teacher) but once a month we’d have an outing to Taco Bell and if I remember right everything except the Enchirito was 20¢ so I’d get a couple burritos, a tostada and a BellBurger with an orange soda. Good times
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Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour 💖 What happy memories from a time when I didn’t care how loud a place was. I’m pretty sure I didn’t know they had actual food there because with all of that hot fudge and whipped cream who needs a sandwich? Let’s order a Zoo!

Farrell’s
PNW 1970s
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It’s 1937 and the Tacoma Chinese community was slowly returning to downtown after a mass expulsion in 1885.
A night out at a Chinese restaurant was surely a big deal, but boy were they strict!
If they messed up your order it’s on you!
1/2
Chinese Garden
Tacoma WA 1937
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Longchamps (1919-1975) was an NYC chain restaurant that had at least 20 locations in its heyday. Known for its “haute cuisine for all” and snazzy deco designs, it was a favorite among “ladies who lunch”
So pinkies up, guys and gals, we’re going in!
Longchamps
NYC 1943
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Located in the Camlin Hotel, the Cloud Room (1942-2003) replaced the penthouse floor with a 4 star restaurant that had the vibe of a speakeasy. Considering they had entertainment including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Elvis these prices are great! 1/2

Cloud Room
Seattle 1950
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I know this is in English but there are so many words I don’t understand here. This is a 1974 Australian school canteen/tuck shop menu. As a person who was in American school in 1974 these prices seem really good
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Built in 1915 for the Pan-Pacific Expo in San Francisco, the Big Tree Inn was relocated to Des Moines, WA in 1921 where it was reconfigured with a dining room and kitchen, an early example of programmatic architecture. Great prices, fun building! 1/2

Big Tree Inn
Des Moines WA 1934
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What in the New Age of Carl Sagan Aquarius is this?
This was Pan Am’s fancy pants restaurant and lounge in terminal 3 at Idlewild (now JFK) It featured Lucite chairs and an aesthetic that combines the Jet Age with the Space Age. This is a trip 💫 ✈️ 1/3

Panorama
Idlewild Airport 1960
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I love both the shape and the content of this menu. I was hoping it was curling-themed, but turns out the owner’s name was Carl Broome and he milked that pun for all he could.
Open 24 hours, a burger and fries was 20¢ and an ice cream soda was 10¢. Who’s hungry?
Broome’s
Seattle 1937
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In 1935 FDR and staff hopped a midnight train going anywhere 🎶 Actually it was at 10:40 and going from DC to San Diego (according to his daily schedule the menu is wrong) with a stop at Boulder Dam along the way. I wouldn’t be surprised if he hit the bar car first
Union Pacific 1935
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Beginning as a speakeasy in 1928, Leon and Eddie’s was known for its bawdy and risqué atmosphere. Leon kept track of the elites in the mob and on Broadway and Eddie entertained. Say what you will, that $2.25 Dinner De Luxe is a great deal but mind your wallet

Leon and Eddie
NYC 1937
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Opened in 1921, the fancy schmancy Stacy-Trent hotel had a lovely dining room overlooking a park. We, however, are eating in the coffee shop in the basement.
After a 50¢ breakfast how about we order an Automobile Luncheon Box and and motor to the shore?

Stacy-Trent
Trenton NJ 1930
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I don’t know where this Macy’s is but this menu is quirky. It’s got super specific prices (34¢ sandwiches and 14¢ fries)
Their definition of a Metropolitan Luncheon is questionable and they encourage cigar smoking. I’m not sold, but I’m hungry so let’s go
Macy’s
Location unknown 1939
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Boy do I love a good menu map. This shows the Del Camino just north of the Rio Grande and I would bet cash money that the Mexican food is a slam dunk here, but if you prefer gringo food you can get lunch for as little as 50¢ and dinners starting at 75¢. ¡Vamos!
Del Camino
El Paso 1949
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Mamma Leone’s was a staple in NYC for almost 90 years, featuring kitchy Italian decor and strolling accordion players. The dinners are expensive at $4.25 but they’re huge and everything looks delicious. Good luck figuring out who those caricatures are
Mamma Leone’s
NYC 1958
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Located in Mojave, home of Edwards AFB, White’s had all of your needs covered with a restaurant, motel and gas station. It’s not often you see frog legs and sweetbreads on a desert motel menu so I’m intrigued (but will stick with a club sandwich) Let’s go!
White’s
Mojave CA circa 1960
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I’m not sure where in California this restaurant was other than somewhere Sequoia related. That beautiful cover featuring an Indian elephant and palm trees doesn’t help pinpoint the location.
Great prices and house baked breads and pastries? Let’s do lunch!
Sequoia
California 1945
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Things I don’t understand about this place:
•Why is a showgirl the advertisement for a family establishment?
•Why is there no apostrophe in Topps?
•What makes it “America’s Most Beautiful Diner?”
There’s only one way to find answers. We’re going in!
Topps Gaylord
Providence RI 1949
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Would you just look at this gorgeous cover art? This is Sam Spade’s San Francisco. Check out the margins on this menu. Who wants to see Clark Gable in Comrade X after dinner at the Fox Theater?
Bay City Grill
San Francisco 1941
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The Harvey Girls underwent a rigorous 30 days of unpaid training in Kansas before being assigned to their outposts where in 1910 they got $17.50 a month plus room and board, working 12 hours a day/6 days a week. Please tip your overworked/underpaid server
Harvey House
El Paso 1910
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The original Waldorf-Astoria (1893-1929) was a hotel built out of spite between feuding Astors.
This menu is geared towards the carriage trade, with that pheasant entree alone costing two days’ wages for the average Joe.
So let’s get fancy and pinkies up!
Waldorf-Astoria
NYC 1915
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The Hotel Cornhusker (1926-1982) claimed to be “Nebraska’s Finest Hotel” serving generations of travelers.
This is a comfortable looking restaurant with great mid-century choices, but why is the steak so expensive? Isn’t this cattle country?

The TeePee Pow Wow Room
Lincoln, NE 1957
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I did not know that the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel went through a tiki phase, and by tiki I mean Chinese food with an impressive array of rum drinks, but the food looks tasty and there’s nightly entertainment with the iconic Hilo Hattie 🌺 Let’s go!
The Islander
Hollywood circa 1950
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Named for Cornelius Vanderbilt, the Commodore was a looming presence in midtown Manhattan, adjacent to Grand Central Terminal. The rooms rates were good but the cafe was pricey for 1941 with 25¢ iced tea! The chow looks tasty, though, so let’s do lunch
Hotel Commodore
NYC 1941
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This folksy cover art is great. It just screams “We’re open 24/7 at the corner of 43rd and Broadway in NYC”
I assume “Famous For Ham and Sweets” refers to sugar cured hams because I see neither an extensive dessert menu nor sweet potatoes, but it looks good!
Toffenetti’s
NYC 1940s
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I’m just spitballing here, but I’m thinking that a classy looking restaurant, cocktail lounge and bungalow motel adjacent to every military base in WW2 San Diego did a pretty brisk business. They will also make any dish you desire at your request!
Top’s
San Diego 1942
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