Before cruise ships became floating amusement parks there were ocean liners. Beautiful, sleek, classy and expensive.
I’m guessing this clever menu was for a Halloween masquerade night and kudos to whoever came up with Killed Barracuda

SS President Cleveland
Pacific Ocean 1960s
#VintageMenus

Let’s address the burro in the living room: this isn’t Spanish food. It’s Mexican food. I grew up in California. I know the difference. They made their own tortillas so I’m in.
I’ll have the Taco Dinner with iced tea if they have it

Jose’s Spanish Food
Bakersfield CA 1950s
#VintageMenus

The Pig ‘n Whistle (1929-1966) was the happening spot in Memphis. Yes, Elvis ate here. The carhops hustled for tips only and the dining room was usually packed. What a great joint!
I’ll have a burger with chips (no fries?) with a Coke

Pig ‘n Whistle
Memphis TN 1930s
#VintageMenus

Club Lido sounds so fancy and it might have been, although the only picture I could find looks like a bit of a hole in the wall adjacent to Marge’s Celebrity Lounge.
I’ll try the Imported Caviar sandwich with Strawberry Shortcake and iced tea, please

Club Lido
South Bend IN 1940s
#VintageMenus

XXX Drive Ins (1930-1970s) were a chain of 24 hour “root beer” drive ins in the Seattle area, selling their popular home brew alongside burgers and sundaes for decades. American Graffiti in the PNW.
I’ll have the Fish and Chips and iced tea 🍽️

XXX Drive In
Seattle/Renton WA 1950s
#VintageMenus

I’ve never been to a White Castle because of a west coast upbringing, but have had the frozen grocery store kind. I assume they taste better fresh made.
You could get 20 for a dollar in 1952?!
Did you have a bargain burger joint back in the day?

White Castle
1952-1961-1965-2026
#VintageMenus

Ah, who doesn’t want a bit of the Old South in mid-century Seattle?
I have a few questions. What does England have to do with this seafood, and is Southern Barbecued Crab really a thing?
I’ll have the Seafood Plate with pie and iced tea , please 🍽️

The Broiler
Seattle 1950s
#VintageMenus

The (Canadian) Board of Trade was the precursor to the Chamber of Commerce, and this luncheon is a great example of how Canadians have been proudly eating locally for nearly 100 years.
That’s a lot of ham. And mystery meat.
I like my butter with provenance

Edmonton, Alberta 1928
#VintageMenus

The Highland Hotel (1902-1961) was known for its society gatherings and good food, where they promised “Every Meal a Special Memory.”
I’ve got two menus for you, so choose your own adventure.
I’m having the New England Boiled Dinner from 1927

Highland Hotel
Springfield MA 1927 & 1952
#VintageMenus

Taco Tuesday is so passé. Let’s do Tamale Tuesday!
This joint is quintessential San Francisco, a little hole in the wall in the Mission District in a converted Victorian.
I’ll start with two enchiladas and two tamales with rice and beans
🍽️
Johnson’s Tamale Grotto
San Francisco WW2
#VintageMenus

First opened in 1855, the hotel suffered a fire in 1909 and was rebuilt in the manner of grand hotels of the day, rooms costing between $1 and $14.
I’m guessing they had a French chef, so I’ll try the Cassolette of Crab Meat Commodore 🍽️

Fort William Henry Hotel
Lake George NY 1915
#VintageMenus

It didn’t take much to get stuck in an insane asylum back in the day. PMS? Sorry, Agnes, we’re gonna need to lock you up.
Here are menus for the NY State
Custodial Asylum for Feeble Minded Women (1910) and the Dane County (WI) Insane Asylum (1883)
The Wisconsin one has pie 🥧

Asylums
#VintageMenus

This menu cover reminds me of a Pee-Chee folder from school with all of the little people on it. Whoever was in charge of fonts went a little giddy with power I think.
I’ll have the Fruit Plate, Chocolate Pudding and an iced tea please 🍽️

Boxman’s
Bloomington IN 1930s
#VintageMenus

This menu has a lot going for it. The graphics are really nice and the layout of the menu items is unique in that they’re spread out over a fishing net. Points for creativity.
I’ll have the Lobster Thermidor, huckleberry pie and iced tea please 🍽️

Sea Fare
Greenwich Village 1950
#VintageMenus

I did not know that many suffrage groups ran lunch rooms, often in their headquarters, to raise funds for the cause. The sunflower was a national symbol of the movement.
I’ll have the corn fritters, cantaloupe and tea please 🍽️

Sunflower Lunch Room
Boston 1916
#VintageMenus

Who wants to check out a short order joint that’s open all night? I know I do!
The Liberty Cafe was a mom and pop shop that opened in 1932 and served up classic fare for decades.
I’ll have an Olympia Oyster Sandwich with fries and iced tea 🍽️

Liberty Cafe
Olympia WA 1940s
#VintageMenus

Sharon’s was your destination if you were craving a hearty duck dinner. Or duck salad. Or duck soup. Or duck pie. Or duck pate.
This joint is ducky!
I’ve only had duck a few times and am not a fan, so I’ll have a Waldorf salad, pie and iced tea 🍽️

Sharon’s Duck Inn
Wrentham MA 1940s
#VintageMenus

For a place that offers dining and dancing this joint has a lot of rules. No cover charge but there’s a “minimum charge per person” which is a clever workaround.
I’ll have the Italian Spaghetti Dinner for $1 🍽️

Boulevard Farms
Alexandria VA 1930s
#VintageMenus

Hopefully y’all can read old timey cursive or you’re out of luck with today’s specials.
Everything is à la carte and there’s a good selection of vegetables, so I’m having the Sirloin Steak with American Oyster Bay Asparagus and banana fritters 🍽️

Hotel Studio
Maryland? 1920s
#VintageMenus

I triple checked the date for this menu and somehow 1938 is correct. How on earth did they stay in business with these prices?
I’ll have a liverwurst sandwich and a bottle of Western beer 🍺

Bradley’s 5¢ and 10¢
San Diego 1938
#VintageMenus