259 results for: Restaurants
Poster
Seattle Commons Draft Plan poster, 1992
In 1991 Seattle architect Fred Bassetti and Seattle Times columnist John Hinterberger first proposed the idea for a 61-acre park stretching from downtown Seattle to Lake Union, envisioning a vast civic lawn framed by high-tech laboratories, condos, restaurants, and urban amenities. Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen donated $20 million to buy property for the Seattle Commons, but the plan eventually failed…
ID Number:2020.51.2.1
Date:1992
Menu
Chung Sun Cafe menu, circa 1943
The Chung Sun Cafe in Ballard was owned and operated by Hoisan Chinese immigrants Thomas Tan Chinn and Fong Ten Ng Chinn. Located at 5133 Ballard Avenue, the restaurant operated from the early 1940s until Thomas Chinn's sudden death in 1974. Mr. Chinn, a resident of Ballard, was also a member of the Chong Wa Benevolent Association and the Gee…
ID Number:2021.15.2
Date:Circa 1943
Menu
King Fur Cafe menu, circa 1945
In the 1930s, several Chinese nightspots opened in Seattle's Chinatown neighborhood (now the Chinatown - International District), catering to both Asian and non-Asian customers. Among them was the King Fur Cafe at 709 1/2 King Street, run by long-time manager Fred Eng until around the 1960s. King Fur's menu offered both Chinese and American dishes, in addition to music and…
ID Number:2021.15.9
Date:Circa 1945
Menu
Louie's Chinese Garden menu, 1943
Charles Louie opened Louie’s Chinese Garden on South Main Street in Seattle’s Chinatown (now the Chinatown - International District) sometime in the 1930s. In the 1940s, the restaurant served both American and Chinese food, and was also a nightclub, offering dancing with a regular orchestra. During World War II, patrons could buy War Stamps at the cashier’s counter. Louie’s sons…
ID Number:2021.15.10
Date:1943
Menu
New Chinatown restaurant menu, 1943
Daniel Woo opened his New Chinatown restaurant and supper club in the early 1940s. Located on 6th Avenue South and Main Street in Seattle’s Chinatown (now the Chinatown - International District), it offered both dining and dancing. A January 1944 newspaper ad promotes the New Chinatown as a great place for an evening of fun. It opened at 6:00 pm…
ID Number:2021.15.11
Date:1943
Ephemera
Great Northern Secrets cookbook, circa 1925
The “Oriental Limited” was a train route between Seattle and Chicago operated by the Great Northern Railway. In response to the popularity of the food served on the Oriental Limited, the Great Northern published this cookbook of “secret” recipes from the chefs on the train, and photographs of some of the chefs. Several of the recipes feature ingredients sourced from…
ID Number:2023.14.35
Date:Circa 1925
Ephemera
Seattle's International Settlement brochure, circa 1960
The Jackson Street Community Council (1946-1967) was established to represent both Seattle's Asian and African American communities in part of the Central District and the Chinatown - International District, supporting businesses, volunteer organizations, and social groups. The JSCC linked these two communities of color and later advocated for civil rights for both. This brochure, titled Seattle's International Settlement, gives an…
ID Number:Lib1991.30.19
Date:Circa 1960
Ephemera
22 Mercer menu, circa 1945
The menu pictured here for 22 Mercer features a bullet and the slogan "Shoot Straight for 22." At the time, the restaurant offered tenderloin steaks for $0.60 and pints of chili for $0.25.
ID Number:Lib1991.38.6
Date:Circa 1945
Menu
Shanghai Restaurant menu, circa 1960
The "Shanghai Cafe" opened in 1916 on Second Street in downtown Seattle. Later, a second location was opened at 711 Pike Street, which was named the "New Shanghai Cafe" after the original location closed. According to his obituary, Wing Pon Lock (1906-1969), a Chinese immigrant and naturalized U.S. citizen, bought the New Shanghai Cafe in 1948. It appears that his…
ID Number:Lib1991.38.8
Date:Circa 1960
Ephemera
Valentine's Suburban Café menu, circa 1944
The menu pictured here calls Valentine's Suburban Café "the popular rendezvous of the highway" due to its location on Aurora Avenue at 96th Street. However, in 1944 the establishment was referred to as a "roadhouse" and charges of illegal gambling were brought against owner Robert Jacobs. The restaurant doesn't appear in Seattle directories before 1943 or after 1945, so the…
ID Number:Lib1991.38.9
Date:Circa 1944