Beautiful Vintage Postcards of Chicago’s Restaurants from the 1950s and 1960s

After returning from World War II, American service members brought back memories and souvenirs from the South Pacific. In the 1940s and 1950s, and even into the 1960s, tiki bars popped up all over the United States, including in Chicago, as people found escape from drudgery and horror.

Chicago has contributed countless dishes to global food culture, from the obvious (deep dish pizza) to the less obvious (chicken a la king). Many people are unaware that Chicago is where flaming saganaki, a famous Greek dish, was developed. A staple of Greek cuisine, the fried cheese dish is flambéed in brandy tableside by owner Chris Liakouras.

Take a look at these old photos to see what Chicago’s restaurants looked like in the 1950s.

#1 Club El Bianco at 2747 West 63rd Street, Chicago

3 Points

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

3 Points

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

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#4 Martinique Restaurant and Drury Lane Theatre, Chicago

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#5 Porterhouse Room, College Inn, Sherman Hotel, Chicago

3 Points

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#6 Stouffer’s Top of the Rock, Prudential Building, Chicago

3 Points

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#7 Cape Cod Room, Drake Hotel, Chicago

2 Points

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#8 Cape Cod Room, Drake Hotel, Chicago

2 Points

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#9 Elizabethan Room, Congress Hotel and Annex, Chicago

2 Points

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#10 Glass Hat Restaurant, Congress Hotel, Chicago

2 Points

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#11 Jacques French Restaurant at 900 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago

2 Points

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#12 Myrtlewood Bar, Indian Room, Blackhawk Restaurant, Chicago

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#13 Stouffer’s Top of the Rock, Prudential Building, Chicago.

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#14 View from the Allerton Hotel, “Tip Top Tap” Cocktail Lounge, Chicago

2 Points

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#15 Swiss Chalet, Bismarck Hotel, Chicago

1 Point

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#16 Antonio’s Steak House at 1528 N. Wells Street, Chicago

1 Point

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

1 Point

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#18 Cafe Bonaparte Sheraton, Blackstone Hotel, Chicago

1 Point

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#19 Cafe Bonaparte Sheraton, Blackstone Hotel, Chicago

1 Point

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#20 Camellia House Restaurant, Drake Hotel, Chicago

1 Point

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#21 Fireplace Inn at 1448 N. Wells Street, Chicago

1 Point

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#22 Henrici’s Restaurant at 67 West Randolph, Chicago

1 Point

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#23 Honolulu Harry’s Waikiki at 204 Wilson Avenue, Chicago

1 Point

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

1 Point

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#25 Kungsholm Scandinavian Restaurant at 100 E. Ontario Street, Chicago

1 Point

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#26 La Tour Cafe Francais, Chicago

1 Point

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

1 Point

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

1 Point

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#29 Southwest Inn at 4501 South Cicero Avenue, Chicago

1 Point

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

1 Point

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