Comments on: Taste of a decade: 1930s restaurants http://victualling.wordpress.com/2008/11/04/taste-of-a-decade-1930s-restaurants/ Exploring American restaurants over the centuries Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:11:04 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: victualling http://victualling.wordpress.com/2008/11/04/taste-of-a-decade-1930s-restaurants/#comment-855 victualling Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:41:12 +0000 http://victualling.wordpress.com/?p=658#comment-855 Alexandra, The traditional way that restaurants gave away food in the Depression (and before -- and maybe now at times) was at the back door. They didn't want poorly dressed folks who needed a bath coming into their dining rooms. For that reason, I would say it makes more sense for you to have your characters stand in a bread/soup line. If you've seen photos of bread lines in the 1930s, you know it was usually men who did this (all wearing newsboy-style caps) so a well-dressed woman in their midst would make a striking scene. -- JW Alexandra, The traditional way that restaurants gave away food in the Depression (and before — and maybe now at times) was at the back door. They didn’t want poorly dressed folks who needed a bath coming into their dining rooms. For that reason, I would say it makes more sense for you to have your characters stand in a bread/soup line. If you’ve seen photos of bread lines in the 1930s, you know it was usually men who did this (all wearing newsboy-style caps) so a well-dressed woman in their midst would make a striking scene. — JW

]]> By: Alexandra http://victualling.wordpress.com/2008/11/04/taste-of-a-decade-1930s-restaurants/#comment-853 Alexandra Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:26:24 +0000 http://victualling.wordpress.com/?p=658#comment-853 I am currently working on a novel, a historical romance set in the 30’s of a banker’s daughter and a hobo/tramp (it’s an adaptation, per se, of "Lady and the Tramp".) I wanted a scene where the hero takes the heroine for a “free” meal, ala the spaghetti scene at Tony’s in the film. Would a restaurant in the 30's possibly give "hand outs" or the such or should he take her to a soup kitchen? ;-) Thanks! I am currently working on a novel, a historical romance set in the 30’s of a banker’s daughter and a hobo/tramp (it’s an adaptation, per se, of “Lady and the Tramp”.) I wanted a scene where the hero takes the heroine for a “free” meal, ala the spaghetti scene at Tony’s in the film. Would a restaurant in the 30’s possibly give “hand outs” or the such or should he take her to a soup kitchen? ;-) Thanks!

]]> By: victualling http://victualling.wordpress.com/2008/11/04/taste-of-a-decade-1930s-restaurants/#comment-775 victualling Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:57:17 +0000 http://victualling.wordpress.com/?p=658#comment-775 The only thing I can tell you about the Albiani Lunch Company, as it was known, is that I have found it in Boston directories beginning in 1892 (when there were 6 locations) and ending in 1973. In 1962 there were 4 locations. Some of the company executives were Alf and Dominic Albiani. There was also an Albiani's market, which may have been a butcher shop, but I don't know if it was related. It was a type of eating place known as a dairy lunch. Dairy lunches were usually small self-service establishments. They had limited menus of sandwiches, maybe oysters and baked beans, doughnuts, and pie, with coffee and milk to drink. They were inexpensive, fast, and plain, and there were small local chains of these eateries in cities and towns all over the country before the fast food hamburger chains came along. The only thing I can tell you about the Albiani Lunch Company, as it was known, is that I have found it in Boston directories beginning in 1892 (when there were 6 locations) and ending in 1973. In 1962 there were 4 locations. Some of the company executives were Alf and Dominic Albiani. There was also an Albiani’s market, which may have been a butcher shop, but I don’t know if it was related. It was a type of eating place known as a dairy lunch. Dairy lunches were usually small self-service establishments. They had limited menus of sandwiches, maybe oysters and baked beans, doughnuts, and pie, with coffee and milk to drink. They were inexpensive, fast, and plain, and there were small local chains of these eateries in cities and towns all over the country before the fast food hamburger chains came along.

]]> By: Carol Raymond http://victualling.wordpress.com/2008/11/04/taste-of-a-decade-1930s-restaurants/#comment-774 Carol Raymond Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:14:00 +0000 http://victualling.wordpress.com/?p=658#comment-774 What did you find on the cafeteria chain, Albiani's of Cambridge and Boston? I have scant information. My Dad worked there while a student at BU. What did you find on the cafeteria chain, Albiani’s of Cambridge and Boston? I have scant information. My Dad worked there while a student at BU.

]]> By: Purple State of Mind http://victualling.wordpress.com/2008/11/04/taste-of-a-decade-1930s-restaurants/#comment-147 Purple State of Mind Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:57:43 +0000 http://victualling.wordpress.com/?p=658#comment-147 [...] is Restaurant-ing Through History, the blog for people who love to eat out, or used to. Lately, Jan Whitaker has been writing about the 1930’s, and it soothes the tips of my anxious tastebuds to know that numbers of restaurants actually grew [...] [...] is Restaurant-ing Through History, the blog for people who love to eat out, or used to. Lately, Jan Whitaker has been writing about the 1930’s, and it soothes the tips of my anxious tastebuds to know that numbers of restaurants actually grew [...]

]]> By: Louise http://victualling.wordpress.com/2008/11/04/taste-of-a-decade-1930s-restaurants/#comment-140 Louise Sat, 08 Nov 2008 16:41:21 +0000 http://victualling.wordpress.com/?p=658#comment-140 I find this all so fascinating. I just can't get enough. I hope you don't mind if I add you to my blog roll, I know many of my visitors will find it tastefully satisfying. Thanks so much for sharing... I find this all so fascinating. I just can’t get enough. I hope you don’t mind if I add you to my blog roll, I know many of my visitors will find it tastefully satisfying.

Thanks so much for sharing…

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