Cathy2 wrote:I arranged this program on postcards, though not specifically restaurants, which may be of interest.

The Happy Invention
The History and Significance of Picture Postcards

Thanks for an excellent program! The retouched South Dakota diner sans "farmer" makes me wonder how much improvement some of the Chicago restaurant postcards had.

Glad you enjoyed it.

For those who may want to see it for yourself, it is available to see on facebook.

I will update this post later with the podcast.

Regards,
CAthy2

Cathy2 wrote:Glad you enjoyed it.

For those who may want to see it for yourself, it is available to see on facebook.

I will update this post later with the podcast.

Regards,
CAthy2

I agree that it was a fascinating program. In the category of "who knew," this would be pretty much at the top. I have both sent and received postcards over the years, but had no idea they represented such an important part of history and important record of history. Remarkable.

tjr wrote:The retouched South Dakota diner sans "farmer" makes me wonder how much improvement some of the Chicago restaurant postcards had.

Retouching (or beyond) of postcards was very common, of course. Here are a few favorite examples from my collection.

The DeJonghe Hotel and Restaurant is now best known for introducing Shrimps DeJonghe to Chicago around the turn of the century (this card was mailed in 1905). Such a grand building! Or were horses a lot smaller back then?



Henri Charpentier, often credited with introducing Crêpes Suzette, was a famous but brief presence in the early 1940s at Chicago's Café de Paris ('A Charming Room for the Discriminating Epicure'). Here you can see him flaming away.



When Chef Charpentier left Café de Paris, he also left the restaurant's postcard.



I'm not quite sure what to make of this next one (with a bit of research I'm sure I can find out more). Chef's new face reminds me of 'Monkey Christ' and other botched art restorations.

A couple new postcards went up today.

Four Farthings
George Hessberger's
Goldberg's Modern Restaurant
Eitel's Old Heidelberg
The Dugout at the American Legion Post 746
The Gallery at the County Club Hotel

Sorry, it's not more, but between covid shutting down shows and just a general restaurant postcard drought, pickings have been slim. I did just purchase a beauty, but I don't have it yet, so that will be a surprise for next post!

Just one new postcard today, but it is a goodie. Check out the kitchen of the Grand Pacific Hotel. This will get you to the page. http://chicagopc.info/hotels/hotels-g-k/

Got several new postcards today, just posted.

Harding's Presidential Grill, with red marked wallpaper in the room
Heidelberger Fass Restaurant
newer card of The Nantucket Restaurant
Nielsen Restaurant table
newer card of Villa Sweden

Hope everyone is getting back to eating out again!

Got a few more food related post ards up today.

Bismarck Hotel - Swiss Chalet
Calumet Club - Terrace Dining Room (listed under Entertainment - Clubs)
Chiam Restaurant
Georgis Restaurant & Lounge
La Margarita Restaurant
Morrison Hotel - Boston Oyster House
Palmer House - Victorian Room
Su Casa
Winona Hotel Dining Room

not food related but an interesting card is the Grand Pacific Hotel cigar stand.

Enjoy!

Just a few new food related Chicago postcards added to the website lately.

Barney's Market Club
Gimbel's
Joy Yen Lo Co.
Lauer Sisters Restaurant
McKowns
Eitels Old Heidelberg, the Hans Muenzer band

Sorry, no huge group this time, but pickins have been slim in this department for a while. No idea why.

Check out my Chicago postcard website at chicagopostcards.info.

Finally, more restaurant postcards! Been a while, but I have some good ones. For those of you who are new here, I have a website of old Chicago postcards that I own, and post here when I get new restaurants. Website is chicagopostcards.info.

In the Newer Restaurant section -
Club Suzette
The Town House

In the Older Restaurant section -
Best Ever Lounge and Restaurant
Devil's Rendezvous
Heidelberger Fass
Military Inn
Rhumba Casino
Siegel's Barbecue Restaurants
Silk Hat Cocktail Lounge
Terminal Restaurant
Tip Top Grill

Too bad these are gone! Enjoy!

Hi,

Someone recently contacted me about the Tip Top Inn. I was really glad to immediately forward them a link to your restaurant postcard pages.

Thanks!

Regards,
CAthy2

Thanks! That must have been quite the place, although there appears to have been two places with that name. One was in the Pullman Building, and has many different rooms. Not sure offhand where the other one was.

A few more restaurant postcards for you!

Older Section
Henrici's
Math Igler's Casino
Mrs. Knox Lunch Club, coffee section
Palm Grove Inn
Silver Frolics

Newer Section
Azuma House Japanese Restaurant
Diana Grocery & Restaurant
Golden Ox Restaurant

Not a lot this time, but that Mrs. Knox Lunch Club is really intriguing!

npchicago wrote:Diana Grocery & Restaurant

Long ago, in a previous life (still pre-college and living with parents), my dad exploded into the kitchen one night, having just come from the train station, and excitedly announced that he'd found a new restaurant. It was Diana Grocery. We went that weekend. There was a line, but not too bad—but on each return trip, the line was longer, They handed out ouzo and sometimes cheese to those standing in line (which went through the length of the Grocery to the back room, where tables were set up). Always seemed like an adventure -- especially at New Year's, when we were expected to smash our plates when we finished eating!! Lots of fond memories.

Cynthia wrote:

npchicago wrote:Diana Grocery & Restaurant

Long ago, in a previous life (still pre-college and living with parents), my dad exploded into the kitchen one night, having just come from the train station, and excitedly announced that he'd found a new restaurant. It was Diana Grocery. We went that weekend. There was a line, but not too bad—but on each return trip, the line was longer, They handed out ouzo and sometimes cheese to those standing in line (which went through the length of the Grocery to the back room, where tables were set up). Always seemed like an adventure -- especially at New Year's, when we were expected to smash our plates when we finished eating!! Lots of fond memories.

Diana Grocery was one of the Greektown locations that turned a blind eye to a group of high school kids without fake IDs dining and getting drunk on Roditis. Fortunately said high school kids were smart enough to have a designated driver. Or so I heard.

Diana Grocery was one of the Greektown locations that turned a blind eye to a group of high school kids without fake IDs dining and getting drunk on Roditis. Fortunately said high school kids were smart enough to have a designated driver. Or so I heard.

Circa 1975, Psistaria when it was on Lawrence Ave. Bunch of us 17-year-olds dined there with our dates, impressing them by saying that we knew the owners and that they'd serve us wine, no problem.

Actually it was just a matter of my Greek buddy--whose family did know the owners--knowing that the house would 'pad' the bill accordingly, over & above the cost of the Roditys.

A few new restaurants for you!

Newer ones:
Golden Tiara Ballroom
John Barleycorn Pub

Older ones:
Blue Danube Grill
Drake's Bryn Mawr Restaurant
Gimbel's

Sorry, not a lot but a couple goodies!

Some new restaurants just loaded up to my website, chicagopostcards.info.

Newer:
Di Leo's Restaurant
Mr. K's Restaurant

Older:
Guey Sam's
Marty's
Polo Italian Restaurant
Tower Cocktail Lounge

I like to look these addresses up on Google maps to see what is there now. The closer to downtown, the more likely they are totally gone, but once in a while you can see a building still remains, though usually being used for a different purpose. Enjoy!

npchicago wrote:Older:
Guey Sam's

Family destination from my childhood! First place I ever had pressed duck.

Finally got a few more restaurant postcards, but they are good ones! Here is the list, and where they are located on my website, www.chicagopc.info.

Heidelberger Fass Restaurants - New G-K

Duffy's Tavern Restaurants - Old D-J
Honolulu Harry's Club Waikiki Restaurants - Old D-J
Jack Huff's Restaurant & Bar Restaurants - Old D-J
Jack's Triangle Theatre Restaurant Restaurants - Old D-J

Enjoy!