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Good Housekeeping

Eating at Restaurants Today Is Not at All Like Dining Out 50 Years Ago

Good Housekeeping

March 2, 2020 at 11:54 AM

Eating at Restaurants Today Is Not at All Like Dining Out 50 Years Ago

Having a phone at the table was a huge deal.

Customers always carried cash.

Checks were written by hand.

Soda shops were on their way out.

But milkshakes were still loved by all.

Fountain Coke was all the rage.

Then drive-ins took over.

McDonald's was having a moment.

Take-out was a new concept.

Menus were much shorter.

But had very elaborate covers.

And the food was way cheaper.

Sparkling water wasn't an option.

And the tap water probably didn't taste great.

Cocktails were king.

And smoking was allowed.

Segregation was a still major problem.

Department stores had dining rooms.

And so did airplanes.

Anyone who was anyone had a Diner's Club card.

Howard Johnson's was a go-to on any road trip.

Air conditioning was a big selling point.

Customers controlled the music.

24-hour restaurants were scarce.

But chains started getting more competitive.

Gourmet dishes became more mainstream.

Menus started using more sophisticated language.

Booths were the most common seating arrangement.

Table-side flambé was all the rage.

Pancakes were more popular than ever before.

TV dinners rivaled restaurants.

Tiki restaurants exploded in popularity.

As well as other international food.

People loved cafeterias.

Reservations were made in person.

The lunch counter was always busy.

Bathrooms were way fancier.

But the staff wasn't making much money.

Supper Clubs were the see and be seen spot on Friday nights.

Drive-ins, fountain Coke, and milkshakes were all the rage.

From Good Housekeeping

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