Berretta's

Berretta's Matchbook

Breakfast Plate

Greek Omlette

The Bon Ton Cafe opened in 1890 and was at the 150 Monroe location from 1904-2008.  It reopened in 2011.  There's 30 years worth of Memphis memorabilia on the walls and the restaurant feels like a 50's style diner.  In this modern age, one advantage Bon Ton has over other diners is they offer free Wi-Fi

Britling's was a chain of cafeteria-style restaurants, which originated in Memphis during the 1920's.  The company was owned by John H. Holcomb of Birmingham and a Memphis partner.  About 1930 the partners split but they agreed the Britling name be continued.  Britling cafeterias were local institutions.  Their motto was:  Good food is good Health".  Sunday afternoon lunch at Britling's was a tradition.  One of the downtown Memphis locations is noteworthy for one of it's former employees:  Gladys Presley, mother of Elvis.  Britling's fell into decline in the 1970's as fast food restaurants became more popular, and they were never as successful in moving to the suburbs.  The Britling's on Madison opened in 1921.  the Britling's on Union opened in 1938 and featured murals by prominent Memphis artist, Burton Callicott.  This building was demolished along with the next door Loew's Palace Theater for a parking garage. 

   Union location

Union location 1984

Britling's interior

Matchbooks

1970s Menu

Burkle's Bakery was established when Herman Burkle moved his little bakery from downtown to Madison and Cooper.  At the time, this was a busy intersection in East Memphis.  The bakery was located in a narrow building that formerly housed the Idle Hour Billiard Parlor, which was squeezed into a row of businesses that included Purdy-Jester Drugs, Piggly Wiggly, and La Vogue Beauty Salon.  Burkle's Baker would remain here for the next four decades.

Burkles Bakery - 1973

Herman and his sister Ruth Lee took over the business in the 1950's.  They added "Restaurant" to the name, and this address soon became a Memphis institution - for breakfast, lunch, dinner and a gathering place for just about everyone.  The restaurant never expanded or "spiced its menu".  It was satisfied to offer well-prepared bakery and food items without costly frills and that satisfied its customers as well.

Clara and Herman

Coletta's

Coletta's Ad

Coletta's Matchbook

The popular Cotton Boll was a "Fountain-Grill" including a drive-in with "car-hops".  The location on Parkway was  across from Overton Park near Summer.   The Cotton Boll was owned by the Fortune's change.

The Cotton Boll -  Favorite Tech High Hang-out.  It was located on Parkway, close to Summer, across from Overton Park.  You'll find some interesting stories from many of the old Tech guys about the Cotton Bowl.  It was a Drive-In and had waiters come to your car.  Lots of make-out-goings-on in back.  GREAT DAYS."   - Rex King

I agree with Rex King about The Cotton Boll being the number one Tech High  hangout in the late 1940's and early 50's. - Roy Johnson

The Luau was Memphis' answer to the Polynesian-themed restaurant craze of the 1960s.  In 1959, Dobbs house transformed an older restaurant at this location into the Luau, where diners walked past a 12 foot Tiki God at the entrance and then entered a lush tropical paradise with tables framed by palm fronds.  It was extremely popular.  The postcard on the left states "A unique experience in dining.  The exotic setting of a Polynesian paradise with the exquisite flavor of authentic Polynesian dishes imported from the islands".   Eventually the novelty of Polynesian-themed restaurants wore off and the Luau closed in 1982 - "... the end of an era".

Tiki God

Luau Ad 1961

Luau Menu Cover

Luau Menu 1950-60's

Embers Menu

Embers Park Av Location

Matchbook

Presley shower - 1967

An 1883 book describes Floyd's:  "...the finest ladies' and gentlemen's restaurant in the city, where all the delicacies of the season are provided for those who visit this model establishment, which is largely patronized by the ladies, merchants and business men of the city, as well as by strangers visiting Memphis.  Experienced clerks and waiters are kept constantly employed, who are always polite, attentive and courteous to the visitors of the establishment and ready to attend to their every wish".

An 1891 Banquet Menu in honor of J. S. Menken, the founder of Menken Brothers Dry Goods on Main.   = >

Pains de Caviar-a la Russe, Consomme en Tasse, Drink: Amontillado. Pompano Grilles a la Maitre d-Hotel, Pommes de Terre Parisianne, Drink: Haut Sauternes.  Ris de Veau Glaces aux Petit Pois, Pommes de Terre Croquettes, Drink: Pontet Canet.  Filet de Boeuf Pique aux Champignons, Asperges en Branch Chouflour a la Creme, Drink: Pommery Sec.  Punch, au Kirsch, Poulets Grilles au Cresson, Salad de Laitue, Drink: ; Mumm's Extra Dry.  Fruits, Nuts, Raisins, Gateaux Assortis - TuttiFruitti Glace, Fromage Roquefort, Cafe Noir.

Floyd's Restaurant

Floyd Touring Car c 1915

Candy Ad 1910

Mrs. William Floyd

Rare Postcard: 'World's First Drive-in'

Fortune's Jungle Garden

The Drive In

First Drive-in

Match Book

Ice Cream

Ice Cream top

Vintage Jungle Garden Menu Cover, Inside, Back  ... Collection Brenda and Chuck Russell

 Fortune's Belevedere "Palm Room"

Opening in the early 50's, Ray Gammon's was a popular Memphis restaurant for over 25 years.  It was a favored hangout for Southwestern College students and their families.  The menu consisted of catfish, barbecue, and all sorts of home-cooked meals.  Ray was well-known around Memphis since he had been the golf pro at Galloway, Cherokee, and the Alicia golf courses.  He operated this restaurant until poor health forced him to retire in the 1970s.  Ray died in 1975 and the restaurant closed.  The site is now a Family Dollar Store.

John Gaston opened his restaurant on Court Avenue around 1870 and called it "Gaston's".  It became an instant success and was termed by connoisseur's as "the Delmonico's of the South".  Shortly afterwards, Gaston opened a hotel next to the restaurant and became a very wealthy man.  The restaurant and hotel closed about 1912.  These buildings next to Court Square, did not become part of "Lost Memphis" and have now been renovated into condos.

This is the same John Gaston of the John Gaston Hospital in Memphis.

Ask Memphians for the best hamburger and you'll probably be directed to Huey's.  And you'll also find an extensive beer selection.  The original Hueys at 1927 Madison opened in 1970 and is still in business.  The burgers were voted "best burger" by Memphis Magazine every year since 1984.  Also voted "Best Pub Grub" and "Best Beer Selection" by readers of the magazine. 

Huey Burger

Huey's Madison

Huey's Poplar

Huey's interior

154 Union in 1950

Jim's Place No 1

Jim's Place Ad

Perkins - Poplar in 2011

Jim's Place East .  Closing Day October 21, 2010  .  Special Thanks to Roger and Margie Bishop for the photos.

 

For many Memphians, the Joy Young Restaurant was their introduction to Chinese Food.  The restaurant opened in 1952 across from the Peabody, and was for many years the only Chinese Restaurant in Memphis.  Later, another location opened at 861 S. White Station Road.

Joy Young - 1958

Joy Young Sign

 Books

Match Books

1975 Joy Young Ad

Krystal on Summer   

Getwell

Krystal on Getwell

Loeb's - Summer-Whitestation

Items

Matchbooks

Pappy and Regina

Glass

Wind Damage 2003

Ashtray

This was the legendary late night Memphis hangout for almost 50 years.  It was a favorite among actors, artists, insomniacs and musicians - including Elvis Presley.  It was run by Pat and his wife Lois.  You pressed a buzzer to enter the restaurant and the first thing you saw after being allowed inside was a recliner in front of a TV set.  The pizza's were served on tall pedestals.  Read the letters below.  You had to have been there to fully understand.  Prior to the 1960s, the restaurant was called "Pat's Dinette"   

Pat

Lois

The back booth

"Miss Pat" serves Pizza

Pizza on Pedestal

The Juke Box

Pat grates cheese

Pat's Ad

In 1948 Sam and his cousin Pete shared an idea of opening a Memphis Italian restaurant.  After only 6 months Pete got out of the business but Sam never got around to changing the name on the sign.  The recipes of traditional Italian favorites at the restaurant have been passed down from generation to generation and the popular restaurant has now been serving Memphians for almost 7 decades.

The very successful Riviera Grill on Jackson was owned by John George Morris.  It was particularly noted for its grand neon sign as well as Morris' copyrighted slogan "The old master says".  Later, Morris will open an infamous restaurant on Poplar called "The Old Master Says" - and top it with a 14-foot replica of his own head.

John R. Thompson opened his first restaurant in Chicago in 1891 and immediately prospered and expanded throughout the U. S.  By 1920 the Thompson Company had become one of the largest self-service  lunchroom chains of the 20th Century.  In 1915, Thompson opened his first restaurant in Memphis at 11 South Main.  It was still listed at this address in the 1943 Memphis Directory.  In 1925, Thompson opened a 2nd restaurant at 142 South Main.  According to the Memphis Directory, it was still there in 1938.  Thompson operated his restaurants by stressing cleanliness, nutrition, quality, and low prices.  His motto was "Eat Thompson's Way for a Better Day".

Rubye and Maurice Keathley started out with the Keathley Pie Company which became enormously successful.  By the 1940s they were selling vending machine pies in 26 states.  Then they opened their popular Town and Country restaurant.  It too was successful growing into two locations at 2262 Young and 2842 Poplar.   They sold it in the early 1970s to a national company called Fairmont Foods.

Waldorf  Cafe 1909

Waldorf Cafe 1909

Waldorf Ad 1912

"After WWII my Dad and Mom, both USN, moved to Memphis from New Orleans where they were stationed.  His favorite restaurant was The Davis White Spot.  They were famous for their salad dressing.  It was out east on Poplar near where the Cadillac Dealership is now".  - Porter Cooper, "47 War Baby, 11/8/2012

After receiving Porter's email, we learned that this restaurant was located at 5341 Poplar Av, and is one of Memphis' biggest mysteries.  Many have heard about it but almost no one knows exactly where it was located - or anything else about it.   We have located a 1945 menu, which confirms the exact name of the restaurant and the two owners, Robert and Pearl Winfield.  Their full names are Robert Ervin Winfield and Pearl Jewel Winfield.   Why was the restaurant named Davis' "White Spot"?  Robert's widowed sister, Ruby Margaret Davis purchased the house on Route #5, in the County, in 1935 (See Deed below), and ran a Tavern there.  Robert managed the business.  After Ruby died in 1944, Robert and his wife inherited the house and continued the business as a Restaurant.  The restaurant is listed in the 1955 Memphis Directory as "Davis White Spot - 5341 Poplar Av" and is listed continuously until 1960.  Robert died in 1961 at the age of 61.   After Pearl's death a few years later, their daughter Ruby A. Vickers inherited the property and it was sold upon her death in 2008 (See Deed below).  The house has now been demolished.  All that's left is to find that elusive photo of the house-restaurant .  Please check back.

Update - February 2013:  We now have that elusive photo of Davis White Spot Restaurant.  Robert Wire, of Indianapolis, and relative of Pearl Winfield,  contacted Vance Lauderdale of "Ask Vance"  and sent him photos of the Wire family in the Living Room of Robert and Pearl Winfield, which was attached to the restaurant.  Shortly afterwards, Robert's daughter Elisabeth found "the photo" and Robert sent it to Vance.  Thanks to all who helped solve this mystery.

     John Wills Memphis Bar - Grill  .  5101 Sanderlin Drive                                

John Wills Bar-B-Que Pit wasn't around very long (1983-1990), but so many people still remember it that it truly belongs on this page.  In 1980 and 1981, John Wills won back-to-back Grand Championships of the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest.  Shortly afterwards, he leased a former Burger Chef location at 2450 Central, near the entrance to the Fairgrounds, and opened his first restaurant - John Wills Bar-B-Que Pit.  There were rave reviews and immediate success.  In 1988 he opened his 2nd restaurant at 5101 Sanderlin Drive - John Wills Memphis Bar and Grill.  The new restaurant was also well received.  Wills' Central Av restaurant was plagued with crime problems and plumbing problems and he closed it in 1990.  In 1997 he closed the Sanderlin Drive restaurant.

...and if you have additional recommendations, please send us a photo, the address, and general information about your restaurant.

"Great job! Sorry there's no Cotton Boll -  Favorite Tech Hang-out.  I wish I did have some old pictures.  It was located on Parkway, close to Summer, across from Overton Park.  You can find some interesting stories from many of the old Tech guys about the Cotton Bowl.  It was a Drive-In and had waiters come to your car.  Lots of make-out, goings on in back.  GREAT DAYS."   - Rex King

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"Do you remember The Four Flames on Poplar?  No photo of restaurant but I did find a photo of a plate and that the restaurant closed in the 1980's and that Elvis ate there in 1971."  - Sarah Barrett Cave  (Sarah, we have found a photo of the Four Flames at 1085 Poplar, plus info on the restaurant that actually dates back to 1958.  Four Flames has now been added to the main page.  Gene Gill)

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"Robilio's was very good.  It wasn't a hangout though.  I think it was on the corner of Linen and East St.  The market was on the corner with the cafeteria style restaurant behind it.  I knew the son, Marshal Robilio.  He went to CBC, then to Notre Dame, where he was a cheerleader.  He was good on the horizontal bar and gymnastics, like Konrad Dignowity, who went to Tech.  Konrad taught me the horizontal bar and hand-balancing.  Robilio's was there for many years.  Delicious raviolis."  - Fred Regenold 

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"There was another excellent deli and cafe named Cooper"s.  It was on Madison downtown about a block east of Third and on the north side of Madison.  They had the best egg and olive sandwiches - and great milkshakes... A lot of attorneys and businessmen ate there.  The summer between my junior and senior years at Tech I worked as a shipping clerk at Pittsburgh Plate Glass and Paint...and I used to eat lunch just about every day there.  I went from 150 to 178 lbs in two and a half months.  Coach Vaughn didn't recognize me when school started.  It was all muscle too, because I was exercising."  - Fred Regenold

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"Any Techite who went to the Lamar Theater, and I know there are hundreds, (The best/worst street fight I ever saw was out front of the Lamar Theater between Arthur Tait of Central and our Jimmy Crawford. Wow!) will remember Mr. Luck's across the street. His Krystal-type hamburgers were homemade, tasty and inexpensive. Almost next door to him was Reeves Drugs where you could get the best 15¢ milkshake in town. And down the street from the Lamar, just a few doors, was Charlie's. He reportedly had worked previously at Leonard's, and his barbeque sandwiches were just as good. Charlie's was the only place I know where a hot dog was split down the middle, then fried on the grill, and then put on a hamburger bun with some unique slaw. The best!" - Fred Regenold

"... Berretta's stands out for the most frequent visits for after movies and rehearsals. My mother and sister took me to Pappy & Jimmy's (Madison Ave) after my graduation from Memphis State. It was normally out of our price range. Other restaurants hold many memories. When I finally got to go to Justine's, I thought I had "died and gone to heaven."  ... These pages ... are real treasures for displaced Memphians! Thank you!"  - Joan Smith Ludwig

"...One of my High School hangouts is missing - Tony's Pizza on Central.  I have a couple of photos if you would like to post.  It was a hangout for Tech, Immaculate Conception and Catholic High."   - Dave French

"...Wasn't Pappy & Jimmy's on the corner of Poplar & Hollywood in the 70's?  (Yes, but it was the SECOND Pappy-Jimmy's).  I also remember Bill & Jim's on Madison, east of Anderton's, and on the south side of the street.  Embers was a great steak house.  Can't remember where it was originally located, but it moved to Park Avenue, I think.  In the 60's and 70's we went to Knickerbocker on Poplar, where Dixie Cafe is now.  Remember all the dark wood, tartan upholstery, and suits of armor.  For special dates in the 60's there was the Luau on the south side of Poplar across from Moody's Garden Center".   - Freddie McEwan

"...I agree with Rex about The Cotton Boll being the number one Tech hangout in the late 1940's & early 50's. Running a close second would be The Pit drive-in on the north side of Poplar Ave. close to Hollywood Street. There was a nice sized dining room & an open air patio area with seating. The parking lot was a large wooded area where service was handled by carhops. The Pit was owned by Ray Gammon who was a real nice & patient guy".   - Roy Johnson

"...One of my favorite barbecue restaurants was Robilio's on the south side of Summer Avenue between Mendenhall and White Station. It was a combination dine-in and drive-in eatery. I also remember going to two other barbecue joints in the Summer Avenue-Jackson Avenue area. There was Monte's on the south side of Summer, east of the old viaduct and Fracchia's, at the corner of Jackson and Hollywood Street.  All those long gone places had some good BBQ!   (Tom, we have found a photo of Monte's and a little info.  Click here to see the photo.  -  Gene Gill )

"...By the way, wasn't there a restaurant called the 'Cavalier' on the west side of Main Street back in the 50s and 60s?  I have faint memories of going to a nice restaurant with great hamburgers which I think was called the 'Cavalier' where I went with my Mother on our downtown shopping trips to goldsmith's, Lowenstein's, etc". - Tom Russell 

"...I am surprised that you did not include any information about Bob’s on Cooper. I believe there has been a meat n’ three there for many, many years. My aunt, Nadia Price Strid, had her photography studio at 187 South Cooper. She went to the diner (Bob’s) every day for lunch. They would see her walking and would have the “special” ready for her when she walked in. When I worked for her in my teens, we would walk down there together. Good memories".  - Pixie Woodall  (Pixie, we have found a photo of Bob's Barksdale Restaurant and it has now been added to the main page.  -  Gene Gill )

" My Grandfather and Father, Adolph and Leo Grisanti, had a restaurant at Trezvant and Summer in the Forty's.  It was located on the north side of Summer between McConnell and Trezvant.  We later sold out to Ray Gammon.  It was a Drive-in and Eat-in restaurant and was quite popular.  Later Adolph and Leo opened a restaurant on summer Ave across from Kittle Pontiac.  Johnny Cash use to be a regular before he became a recording star.  He worked at Home Equipment across from the restaurant.  Sorry, no photos at this time".   - Pat Grisanti

" Very nice compilation of restaurants and history.  My father sent this to me via email and I really enjoyed reading and remembering going to almost all of them.  Sad about Justine's.  Nice memories though.  As a native Memphian (and my parents), I would like to ask why on earth you left out Pete and Sam's"?  - Gina  

"  I well remember Mr. Lux's (Webmaster note:  It's "Luck's") hamburgers near the Lamar Theatre.  They were really good, but what amazed those of us who ate there, was just how thin he could slice the onion and pickle.  Many customers commented that you could read the newspaper though them, but it didn't bother him at all. The best thing about these "Golden Years" are the MEMORIES".  Glenn Lockhart.

" ...I think the boat was missed on Pete & Sam's Italian Restaurant on Park Av.  Guess it was too far out east from Tech.  It's been there since 1950.  Before that, during WWII, it was on Alcy near WhiteHaven.  It still has the 87 year old owner Sam Bomatito.  Pete died.  I took my wife there in 1958 on our first date.  Goes to show, first impressions are lasting!  - Don Arant 11-2011  (Don, we really haven't "missed the boat".  Please see Gina's letter above.  We told her, last year, we'd be happy to add the restaurant if she'd send a photo and information.  Now we offer the same incentive to you?  -Gene Gill). 

"  ...Enjoyed reading about the historic restaurants of Memphis.  I hope you can help with the name of the barbecue restaurant on Central on the same side of the street as CBCC.  It moved to the shopping center in the Sanderlin area, but closed some years ago.  Can you find out the name of that restaurant"?  - Harold Katz  11-2011   (The name of the restaurant is John Wills.  -Gene Gill)

" ...I don't have the photos of them, but do you remember Willie King's BBQ on Poplar-Union Extended?  The car hops would jump in our cars and buy us liquor.  Oh yes, and Monte's on Summer, had a back lot for making out.  And the Toddle House way out Poplar where we'd congregate until the Tiller brothers chased us out.  Thanks for the memories".   -Randall Shepard 11-2011

"  ...Town and Country Drive-In on north side of Poplar just before the Union Ave overpass?  Approximate address was 2839 Poplar.  The original building is still there.  Some of the awnings that you would park under are still there.  What I remember specifically from the early 1950s when we went there was that they served french fries with honey.  Sweet!  The Krystal across from East High School was our main hang out.  I still have two titanium staples in my shoulder from an accident while showing off in the Krystal parking lot during the December 1963 snowstorm..."  - Tom (Lee) McKnight III, 11-2011

" ...How about Mario's Restaurant on Park?  Chef Mario made his food and his own wine from scratch and would preach on the evils of soft drinks.  I believe it burned down in the 70's".  -  Anna M. Whalley, 11-2011

" Enjoyed reminiscing the restaurants but one of my old favorites wasn't on the list - Vanucci's, Hwy 51 in South Memphis.  That was my first experience in Italian eating.  I loved the veal cutlets, too.  I always thought I was big stuff when my parents took me there". Jackie Mann, 2011

" ..My date and I were at Mario's and he said that he didn't want any parmesan cheese sprinkled on his spaghetti.  Mario looked at his palms and said that he could tell that.  Then he held my date's nose and made him eat a bite.  What I remember most about Mr. Luck's was that you could get a hamburger for 10 cents or double meat for 15 cents.  The meat was pretty thin too.  He stayed open until he'd sold all the meat/buns he had for the day and then closed.  He had no set closing time".  -Cookie Dale, 12-2011

"  ...love your page so much I posted it to some Memphis friends on Facebook.  Left Memphis in 1992, but remember many of these places fondly.  The one I don't see is The Conestoga with its frog legs!  I couldn't even remember the name, but my friends did.  Thanks for the great page.  - Geri Rybacki, Great Barrington MA  3-2012

"...Mr. Lucks  restaurant (tiny footprint is still there - a wonder how small it was). He made burgers from a ball of meat about the size of a golf ball and kept mashing it until it was the size of a standard bun. The bun was on the grill soaking up the grease. Lots of salt and pepper to make your mouth water. Pickle sliced lengthwise so thin it was a wonder he still had his thumb. Onion the same way. He sliced his hot dogs lengthwise twice, once on each side (but not all the way through), and folded them out so they would would still be one piece and take up the whole bun. I still grill mine the same way. Just a few stools. The grill was under the front window and blacks could order there. Ten cents and a full size burger or grilled dog. I ate there every Saturday night on the way to the Lamar theater with my little sister and brothers. Burger drink and chips-25 cents.. I still look at the spot every time I pass. It was there I met Lonnie the blind broom salesman who was a walking calendar. Lamar Billiards was between Lux-Reeves. Charlie's is where the MPD convinced the Hell's Angels that Memphis wasn't the place for them". - Michael Beck 3-2012

"  ... This is a time that we'll never be again. It is so sad that our children and grand kids will never know of this time ... with your Web site maybe future generations can see and get an idea of the great times we went through.   We thought of two other drive-ins that were real popular in the fifties. Porkys Bar B Q, located at Chelsea and Thomas and Kay's on Crump Blvd. We use to drag main from one end  to the other all night, on 50 cents worth of gas and a 25 cent hamburger..." - Roger and Margie Bishop 5-2012

"It was great to read about all of the restaurants on your webpage, but the one I frequented the most was Mr. Luck's.( Not Lux ). We lived only about 5 blocks away from that Kyle and Lamar area.  Our family did takeout from there every Friday for many years. He would wrap up your order in his empty Wonder Bread bun packages. He also sold Dodger drinks that were great and had many unique flavors.  In the 6th Grade at Rozelle Elementary, a group of us forged off campus lunch permits and rode our bikes there one day a week to spend our quarter lunch money for 2 burgers and a Dodger Root Beer or Cream Soda. He knew all of our names and food preferences.  Among our merry band was Thomas Boggs who sold lots of burgers at Huey's , but none better than Mr. Luck's. I was told years later that Mr. Luck sent at least one son through College and Law School with the money he earned from that small burger place. Thank you for the memories".   -David Van Hoozer, 6-25-12

"Tony’s Pizza was the best. I used to go there after public ice skating at the Mid-South Coliseum in the late 60’s. Come to find out my wife, Trilby Tipler Duncan, hung out there the same time. We probably ran into each other and didn’t know it. Small World " -.Ray Duncan, 7-16-2012

"The website is a trip down memory lane.  I wonder if anyone remembers the old K's Restaurant (maybe it was Kay's) out on Highway 51?  The car hops were black men and they usually had something humorous to say to customers.  No photos".   - Harriett Bohnet, 9-13-2012

"The International House of Pancakes at Oak Hall, SW corner of Poplar and Perkins, was THE place if you went to White Station High School in the 1960s. It became a polished aluminum 'diner' for a while, but is now a barbecue place with the original name 'Barbecue'. I don't know if it is still a White Station hangout.  - Jan & Dad, 11-5-2012

"We have lived in Memphis all of our lives and really enjoyed seeing all of our old "haunts" on your website. Please add "The Belvedere" at the corner of Union and Belvedere where Central, Hutchisons etc. used to hang out. It was a neat place for many years back in the late 40's and early 50's. I wish I had a picture for you".   - Dale and David Parker, 11-9-2012  (Note:  Thanks to our friend George Whitworth, we now know that "Fortune's The Belevedere"  and "Fortune's Jungle Garden" were BOTH on the corner of Union and Belevedere.)

" Wish we could get some recipes from some of these old places. I miss the Sombrero (last out on Lamar) and the Moonraker in Germantown. Sorry, no pictures or either one, but maybe someone has some???"   - Blou Carter, 11-12-2012