30 Vintage Postcards Show Chicago’s Restaurants in the 1950s and ’60s

   

When American servicemen returned home from World War II, they brought with them stories and souvenirs from the South Pacific. This newfound interest, and a need to escape drudgery and horrors of WWII, led to the establishment of tiki bars across the country, including in Chicago, during the 1940s and 1950s, and all the way into the 1960s.

 
Chicago has made countless contributions to global food culture, from the obvious (deep dish pizza) to the less-so (chicken a la king). But few know that the popular Greek specialty, flaming saganaki, was created in Chicago. Though the fried cheese dish is a staple of Greek cuisine, flambéing it tableside in brandy is a touch created by Parthenon owner Chris Liakouras.
 
Check out these old photos to see what Chicago’s restaurants looked like in the 1950s.
 
 
    Swiss Chalet, Bismarck Hotel, Chicago

Vintage Postcards Show Chicago’s Restaurants in the 1950s and ’60s

 
Antonio's Steak House at 1528 N. Wells Street, Chicago

Vintage Postcards Show Chicago’s Restaurants in the 1950s and ’60s

 
Bamboo Inn Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge at 11 N. Clark Street, Chicago

Vintage Postcards Show Chicago’s Restaurants in the 1950s and ’60s

 
Cafe Bonaparte Sheraton, Blackstone Hotel, Chicago

Vintage Postcards Show Chicago’s Restaurants in the 1950s and ’60s

 
Cafe Bonaparte Sheraton, Blackstone Hotel, Chicago

Vintage Postcards Show Chicago’s Restaurants in the 1950s and ’60s

Camellia House Restaurant, Drake Hotel, Chicago

Vintage Postcards Show Chicago’s Restaurants in the 1950s and ’60s

Cape Cod Room, Drake Hotel, Chicago

Vintage Postcards Show Chicago’s Restaurants in the 1950s and ’60s

Cape Cod Room, Drake Hotel, Chicago

Vintage Postcards Show Chicago’s Restaurants in the 1950s and ’60s

Club El Bianco at 2747 West 63rd Street, Chicago

Vintage Postcards Show Chicago’s Restaurants in the 1950s and ’60s

Elizabethan Room, Congress Hotel and Annex, Chicago

Vintage Postcards Show Chicago’s Restaurants in the 1950s and ’60s

Fireplace Inn at 1448 N. Wells Street, Chicago

Vintage Postcards Show Chicago’s Restaurants in the 1950s and ’60s

Glass Hat Restaurant, Congress Hotel, Chicago

Vintage Postcards Show Chicago’s Restaurants in the 1950s and ’60s

Henrici's Restaurant at 67 West Randolph, Chicago

Vintage Postcards Show Chicago’s Restaurants in the 1950s and ’60s

Honolulu Harry's Waikiki at 204 Wilson Avenue, Chicago

Vintage Postcards Show Chicago’s Restaurants in the 1950s and ’60s

Jacques French Restaurant at 900 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago

Vintage Postcards Show Chicago’s Restaurants in the 1950s and ’60s

Kon-Tiki Ports Restaurant, Sheraton-Chicago Hotel at 501 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago

Vintage Postcards Show Chicago’s Restaurants in the 1950s and ’60s

Kon-Tiki Ports Restaurant, Sheraton-Chicago Hotel at 505 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago

Vintage Postcards Show Chicago’s Restaurants in the 1950s and ’60s

Kon-Tiki Ports Restaurant, Sheraton-Chicago Hotel at 605 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago

Vintage Postcards Show Chicago’s Restaurants in the 1950s and ’60s

Kungsholm Scandinavian Restaurant at 100 E. Ontario Street, Chicago

Vintage Postcards Show Chicago’s Restaurants in the 1950s and ’60s

La Tour Cafe Francais, Chicago

Vintage Postcards Show Chicago’s Restaurants in the 1950s and ’60s

Martinique Restaurant and Drury Lane Theatre, Chicago

Vintage Postcards Show Chicago’s Restaurants in the 1950s and ’60s

Myrtlewood Bar, Indian Room, Blackhawk Restaurant, Chicago

Vintage Postcards Show Chicago’s Restaurants in the 1950s and ’60s

Porterhouse Room, College Inn, Sherman Hotel, Chicago

Vintage Postcards Show Chicago’s Restaurants in the 1950s and ’60s

Sayat Nova Armenian Restaurant at 6465 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago

Vintage Postcards Show Chicago’s Restaurants in the 1950s and ’60s

Shangri-La Restaurant at 222 N. State Street, Chicago

Vintage Postcards Show Chicago’s Restaurants in the 1950s and ’60s

Southwest Inn at 4501 South Cicero Avenue, Chicago

Vintage Postcards Show Chicago’s Restaurants in the 1950s and ’60s

Stouffer's Top of the Rock, Prudential Building, Chicago.

Vintage Postcards Show Chicago’s Restaurants in the 1950s and ’60s

Stouffer's Top of the Rock, Prudential Building, Chicago

Vintage Postcards Show Chicago’s Restaurants in the 1950s and ’60s

The Three Graces Blue Fountain Room, Hotel La Salle, Chicago

Vintage Postcards Show Chicago’s Restaurants in the 1950s and ’60s

 
View from the Allerton Hotel, "Tip Top Tap" Cocktail Lounge, Chicago