1970's

Nice photos set of popular Charlotte dining spots from the mid-'70's. How many do you remember? Can you identify the only one of the group that is still in operation today?

The Silver Grill

Exterior shot of the mall from 1973

Great shot of the Silver Grill at the Charlottetown Mall. The Silver Grill was owned by the S & W Cafeteria that was located upstairs. It featured the popular lunch counter choices of the day. Desserts were brought down from the cafeteria.

Stafford's Drive-In

Stafford's Drive-In opened on Wilkinson Blvd in the Spring 1959. Similar to many eateries of the time, Stafford's was part sit-down restaurant and part curb service. It also featured cafeteria-style dining which was unique. It would flourish over the span of two decades before ultimately closing.

Livery Stable Restaurant

1962 ad for The Livery Stable Restaurant. Not much is known about this eatery, but the ad is nice.

Byrums

Nice ad for Byrums from 1978. Located at Park Rd Shopping Center (next door to the then A&P), Byrums opened in 1978, filling the space vacated by Mayberry's Ice Cream. Byrums would have a successful run, ultimately closing in the early 1990's.

Slug's Rib - 1979

Menu from Donald Wright's wedding rehearsal dinner on February 2, 1979. Donald recalls having the Sir Lancelot cut of Prime Rib that night. This is a great peek in time when Slug's was one of the premier eating options in the city. Much thanks to Donald for sharing this great keepsake!

Click here for the original Slug's post. 

The Oriental Restaurant **HALL OF FAME EATERY**

Both shots above from the W. Trade St. location - 1960 

Independence Blvd location - 1968

Above 3 shots all from the mid-70's (all courtesy of Ronnie Yee)

1950's ashtray

1977 menu

1948 ad

1951 ad

1954 ad

1958 ad

1966 ad

The Oriental Restaurant opened at 126 W. Trade St in 1923. It would prove to be one of Charlotte's most famous and popular Chinese restaurants. It would also be one of Charlotte's longest running eateries -- staying in business for a span of seven decades. The Oriental was noted for its private booths, almond cookies, and a walking bridge over the indoor Koi pond. In 1967, the restaurant moved to E Independence Blvd (at Morningside Dr) after a fire destroyed the original location. It would flourish through the '80's before closing for good. 

The Open Kitchen - Pt II

From the Open Kitchen's webpage comes this great painting of a nighttime shot of the restaurant with downtown Charlotte in the distance. Click here for the original blog post. 

As always, click on the photo for a larger version...

Spoon's Ice Cream Parlor

Great mid-70's shot

Elizabeth Spoon a.k.a. "The Ice Cream Lady"

Spoon's opened on Hawthorne Lane in 1929 and was owned by Whitney and Elizabeth Spoon. Elizabeth earned the nickname "The Ice Cream Lady" from the generations of families that flocked to Spoon's for all of her homemade flavors. The Spoons would sell the business in 1978 and food was added to the menu. Ice cream was still served but not from Elizabeth's famous recipes. The standing building is all that currently remains of the Spoon's legacy and ice cream.

More 1950's shots...

A few more pictures of some of the teen hot-spots from the mid-50's. Click on the title to link back to the original posts.

Ivey's Soda Shop

Central Drive-In

Dairy Queen - Pt II

An interesting ad for the Central Avenue Dairy Queen from 1956. Not sure what the concept is they were aiming for, but it makes for a memorable ad. 

Click here for the original Dairy Queen post.

The Rebel Room

The Rebel Room was a lunch spot located inside the Liggetts Rexall Drug Store. Located on the Square, this was a  popular eatery during the 1950's.  

Tanner's Snack Bar - Pt II

Finally a picture of the famous Tanner's sign! This shot is from 1971. Also a nice look at one block in downtown Charlotte in the early '70's. Click here for the original Tanner's post.

AutoBurger

From 1960 comes this great picture of AutoBurger which was located at 4100 N. Independence Blvd. Also from 1960 is a sample menu. 

Barclay Cafeteria - 1968

Super 1968 ad for the Barclay Cafeteria on Independence Blvd. Original post here.

Welcome Soldier!

From a booklet called "Welcome Soldier! to Charlotte, North Carolina" comes this list of restaurants from 1942. The booklet was given to visiting soldiers during WWII and contained helpful info about Charlotte and things to do while in town. Great look at the dining scene in the Charlotte 1940's.

Booklet cover

First page of booklet

The Penguin - Pt II

The Penguin's website features this great shot from the early days. Click here for the original Penguin post.