Designed to highlight the efficiency of gas appliances, The Flame restaurant provided visitors to the Gas Exhibits Building a pleasant spot to rest and fuel up during a busy day of fair going.
I’m having the French Meat Loaf with iced tea and cherry pie

The Flame
World’s Fair NY 1940
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Nothing says classy Hawaiian cuisine like a come-hither naked lady propping up a palm tree, right? This joint is pure tiki tackiness, serving up “tropical” fare from 1947-2006.
I’m going for the bbq Spare Ribs Ala Moana with ice tea and sherbet 🍽️

Royal Hawaiian
Laguna Beach CA 1950s
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I love this menu. The cover looks like it’s an episode of Sea Hunt. Sorry in advance if you have a shellfish allergy. You can have a steak.
I’ll have the Combination Crab and Shrimp Louie with pie for dessert and ice tea, please 🍽️

Olympia Oyster House
Olympia WA 1960
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Located next to Shenandoah National Park, Skyline Terrace was a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. I had to double check that this is 1940 because the prices are fantastic.
I’m having a cuppa Joe, 2 sinkers and cantaloupe for 20¢ 🍴

Skyline Terrace
Front Royal VA 1940
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The largest hotel in NC at the time, the Sir Walter (1923-1978) was known as the “third house of the legislature” by politicians, lobbyists and journalists. Many deals were struck in the lobby.
I will have the Lobster Thermidor with iced tea please

Hotel Sir Walter
Raleigh NC 1940
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The graphics on this menu are enough reason to give this place a shot. The fonts are willy nilly but that map is spectacular.
This is the place where locals come for an upscale meal, and I’m having the Shore Dinner while enjoying the air conditioning

Canary Cottage
Lexington KY 1940
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At the Hotel New Yorker (1930-1972) you might run into Benny Goodman, the Brooklyn Dodgers or Nikola Tesla. Great place for people watching.
This seems expensive for 1940 ($2.25) but I’ll have the Half Alligator Pear with chicken salad, Cherry Pie and iced tea 🍴
Terrace Room
NYC 1940
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Revere House (1847-1912) was Boston’s most prestigious hotel, hosting presidents, royals and literary giants like Dickens and Whitman. Very Fancy.
Even with war raging to the north and south, travelers can still get a lobster Table d’Hote dinner for a dollar

Revere House
Boston 1862
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Opened on Herald Square in 1912, the Hotel McAlpin (still standing, its condos now) must have been very fancy to justify a $1.75 Table d’Hote dinner in the depths of the Depression.
I’ll have the Salisbury Steak Blue Plate lunch with a cider. Pinkies up!

Hotel McAlpin
NYC 1932
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I swiped this abomination from a mutual because it’s just too abominable to not share.
Firstly, there are more ingredients than cauliflower and mayonnaise.
Secondly, those olives and capers make it look infected.
Thirdly, there’s no Real Bonus. There’s no upside.

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#Abominations

Brantford, Ontario is known as “Telephone City” as a nod to the spot where Alexander Graham Bell figured out how to transmit voice over wires in 1874.

I’ll have the prime rib dinner with a baked potato, pie and iced tea 🍴

Bell City Motel
Brantford, Ontario 1950s
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The origin story of Rosoff’s is a bit murky, with dates ranging between 1899-1918. During the Depression founder Max Rosoff gave away leftover food each night, at the same time paying protection money to associates of Dutch Schultz.
I’ll have the #1 Club Dinner 🍽️
Rosoff’s
NYC 1940
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It’s pay day in 1969 and you’re the hero because it’s KFC for dinner tonight. Much respect for being a straightforward chicken menu with just a few concessions in the sandwich section. I’m getting the Family Bucket with a quart of mashed potatoes and cole slaw

KFC
Iowa 1969
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The kids of the colonizers in Salisbury (Harare) had a very Happy Days-style drive-in with carhop service to enjoy after school.
They were known for their double thick shakes, so I’ll have a chocolate shake, burger and chips

Gremlin’s Drive-In
Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) 1977
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