Harrill's Bar-B-Q

1961 photo

1962 photo

1964 photo

1965 ad

1966 ad

1965 ad

The Philadelphia Deli currently resides in the Harrill's building

1959 ad

Harrill's Bar-B-Q was located at 1025 Kings Dr across from the current location of CMC. It opened in 1955 and was owned by Albert Cleveland "Tab" Harrill. Before opening this location, he co-owned the Chick-R-Pig which was located across the street and down from Harrill's. Harrill's, like most eateries of this era, featured both interior seating as well as car-hop service. Its speciality was Western-style barbecue cooked over a charcoal pit. They also had a full menu of sandwiches, burgers, steaks, and chicken. Harrill's would run into the late-60's. For the last 30 years, the Philadelphia Deli has occupied the original Harrill's building.

Do-Nut Dinette

Phil's Dinette 1970's

All American Diner - Late '80's (courtesy of B. Baldwin)

Great photo ad from 1948. There are some of these still in operation in America, but all of the Charlotte locations are long gone. One Charlotte location (Central and The Plaza) would become the popular Phil's Dinette through the 1970's and later the All-American Diner.

Shoney's Big Boy Drive-Ins **HALL OF FAME EATERIES**

Shoney's #1 on Morehead St (1959 - 1979)

1962 saw the opening of a second location

By 1965, there were three locations

Close-up of the previous ad---not only are they perched on the sign, but how cool are those masks they are holding?

One of the hottest places to go in the '60's in Charlotte was the Shoney's Drive-In. The first one opened in 1959 on Morehead St in a building previously housed by the Borden Ice Cream Co. The second location (Shoney's #2) opened in 1962 on The Plaza and the third location opened on Independence Blvd just east of the Charlotte Coliseum in 1965. Many other locations would be added in the '70's, but the three original locations were widely considered the best and most symbolic for the era.

Marketing these locations involved an ad campaign that used area Charlotte students photographed at the three different locations from 1961-1968. Not only are the ads very interesting, but they give a great glimpse into the decor and ambiance of the restaurants.

Bygone eateries

Today's Charlotte Observer has a great list of dishes we miss from bygone eateries. Check it out by clicking here. Good to know that many of these places have been profiled on this site...

Belk's 1956

On Monday, November 12, 1956, Belk ushered in the new era of retailing with the grand opening of their newly renovated downtown store. $4 million dollars bought an extensive face-lift and an expansion that added over 200,000 square feet of new space. Included in the expansion was a new state of the art cafeteria in the basement and a new lunch counter on the mezzanine level. These great ads are from the opening week.

Pachi's

Located at the current spot of the Selwyn Ave Pub, Pachi's opened in May of 1989. Run by L.A. "Pachi" Diaz and his brothers Rick and Vince, Pachi's specialized in authentic Cuban cuisine. Cuban standards such as shredded flank steak, marinated swordfish, and roast pork shared the menu with unique Cuban offerings such as a Cuban oyster dish called Oyster Tente. Unfortunately, Pachi's would prove to be short-lived.

Tanner's revisted

Astute reader Rick Fisher notes there is a Tanner's in Greenville, SC that has been there since 1943. Officially named "Tanner's Big Orange", there must be a connection to the fabled Tanner's that was in downtown Charlotte for decades (see original post here). Thinking there must have been a franchise awarded to this Greenville location in the '40's. Anyone know?

Bo-Peep Grill

1952 ad

A nice postcard shot of a forgotten eatery from many years ago...

Carolina Diners Club 1975

From 1975 comes an ad for the Carolina Diners Club. Not sure what the deal was - it appears you pay dues and get free entrees. Nice list of restaurants at the time, though.

Space Stations

From February 1983 came news of the "restaurant of the future". Space Stations was to include "Space Cadet" servers in space-themed outfits, robots serving drinks, and a "Refuse Robot" trash can that said "thank you" when used. Alas, the concept never came to be and Charlotte was left wondering what dining in the future would really be like...

The Drum **HALL OF FAME EATERY**

The Drum as it appeared in 1948

The Drum as it appeared in the 1980's

Early 1960's menu (thanks to Rick Fisher)

Original Drum neon sign

The Drum's logo and motto

1953 ad

1975 ad

The Drum shortly after closing (note the "Drum" rising in the center)

The current eatery has a raised patio which gives a great view of the "drum"

The Drum Restaurant was located at 1520 East Blvd. and was opened in 1948 by Wad Smith. When the restaurant was first built, it was round and decorated like a drum. The original set-up included a lunch counter, two tables, four booths, and car-hop curb service. In 1955, it was enlarged to include 15 booths and in 1961, 10 additional booths were added. Curb service continued until 1968. Over time with the enlarging of the restaurant, the original drum structure was built around and was only visible along the roof-line.

Wad's son, Larry, began working at The Drum in 1960, became manager in 1973, and ultimately took over all operations in 1976 when his dad retired.

The concept of The Drum changed very little over the years. Consistently offering home-style cooked meats and vegetables along with daily prepared pies. The menu also offered king mackerel and black bass caught by Wad himself.

The Drum would run for 47 years finally closing on June 28, 1995 after the lunch service. The building has housed several restaurants over the years of varying success. The one constant is the visible drum still rising above the restaurant---a forever symbol of old Charlotte at its finest.

Do you remember these Charlotte restaurants?

Came across this list recently. Which eateries do you recall? Share your memories!

Charlotte Dining - 1972

1972 magazine insert showcasing the popular restaurants of the time. How many do you remember?