Department Store dining...any memories?

In my Pittsburgh youth, even though The Joseph Horne Co. & Kaufman's had a nice places, the best "shopping" lunch was always at Stouffer's - next to The Jenkin's Arcade.

Back when the two main department stores in Atlanta were Rich's and
Davison's. Rich's had the Magnolia Room where I ate several times with my church choir after we had sung for the lighting of the great tree Thanksgiving night on the bridge between the main store and the store for homes. Davison's also had a restaurant on the third floor, if I remember correctly. My aunt used to take me there for lunch and I would always order the "old number 7" which was a turkey club sandwich doused with 1,000 island dressing. Then for dessert, a scoop of vanilla ice cream rolled in pecan bits and served with a cup of chocolate fudge sauce!
Rich's is gone and Macy's took over Davison's many years ago, but these memories linger on.

Doctor Dan

Famous and Barr's tea room in St. Louis hsd the best onion soup in town, or so my mom used to say.

I remember eating lunch at the fancy restaurant in Diamond's Department Store and JC Penney's Phoenix, AZ in the early to mid 1970's with my Mom and Grandma. The only part I didn't like was having to dress up. I was 100% tomboy back then. I much preferred the lunch countes at Penney's, Diamond's, and Woolworth.

quote:

Originally posted by kland01s

My grandmother would always take me to Marshall Fields in downtown Chicago at Christmas time and at Easter to have lunch. At Christmas there was a huge tree that went up 3 or 4 stories, I don't remember what the Easter decorations were like, this was 50 years ago! There was a great amount of decorations and a Christmas train that ran overhead, I remember it being almost magical and certainly special. I have eaten at their suburban stores a few times and the food always seemed upscale and trendy. I have not been in a Field's in 10 years now so I have no idea if they still have a restaurant.

I remember my roommate at Northwestern taking me there after finals when I was a freshman, 1975. I looked like the real gawking Ohio tourist staring up, mesmerized by the grand Marshall Fields Christmas tree as we ate lunch. I hope the Marshall Fields restaurant is still alive and well

Kaufmann's in Pittsburgh was always a treat.... I went to school in Philadelphia and enjoyed a lunch at Wanamakers a couple of times... As recently as a couple of years ago, lunch at Liberty House in Hawaii (now Macy's - - they have taken over the world) was a wonderful experience... I usually grabbed a sandwich in their casual restaurant, but I was treated to a lunch at the Ala Moana store with a couple of friends, and the ambiance and food presentation were perfect....

Now, unfortunately, the reality of a 'Store lunch' is a Big Mac and fries!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Capybara91

quote:

Originally posted by kland01s

My grandmother would always take me to Marshall Fields in downtown Chicago at Christmas time and at Easter to have lunch. At Christmas there was a huge tree that went up 3 or 4 stories, I don't remember what the Easter decorations were like, this was 50 years ago! There was a great amount of decorations and a Christmas train that ran overhead, I remember it being almost magical and certainly special. I have eaten at their suburban stores a few times and the food always seemed upscale and trendy. I have not been in a Field's in 10 years now so I have no idea if they still have a restaurant.

I remember my roommate at Northwestern taking me there after finals when I was a freshman, 1975. I looked like the real gawking Ohio tourist staring up, mesmerized by the grand Marshall Fields Christmas tree as we ate lunch. I hope the Marshall Fields restaurant is still alive and well

I believe the Walnut Room at Marshall Fields is still going strong. We ate there a couple of years ago and it was a wonderful experience. I would love to see it at Christmas time.

I used to love going to Eatons with my mom to eat. I went there a few times after my mom died just to remember the times we spent there....until they closed down.
The food was pretty good and not too expensive. They had all you can eat on Fridays as well as regular meals during the rest of the time.
Robinsons was pretty good too.

Having a Maurice Salad, with Warm Popovers at J.L Hudsons in Detroit.........Memories

Younkers Tea Room in downtown Des Moines.
Rarebit burgers, Fruit plates, sticky buns,
chicken salad, and chocolate malts.
Mom & I always went on a day of Christmas shopping!

Higbee's Department Store in downtown Cleveland Ohio had a variety of restaurants scattered around its several floors. The one we spent the most time at was The MINOTAUR ROOM. The room was decorated wall-to-wall with a panoramic mural depicting scenes from Greek mythology. If you were unfamiliar with Greek myths, there was a free flier at the hostess station with synopses of all the myths portrayed.
On Saturdays the waitresses were given the day off and the Minotaur Room became a smorgasbord. It was a great place for a kid to discover how to make his own food choices and to explore new foods.

Literally at the other end of the store-- the basement-- Higbee's had a standup snack bar. I remember buying a cup of Tahitian Treat there. A few steps from the snack bar and you were out in the vast commercial area of the downtown train station in the base of The Terminal Tower.

I remember one of the department stores had a fancy restaurant with white latticed interior dividers and faux skylights; the effect was eating is an elaborate outdoor pavilion. My younger sister loved ordering the Hobo Meal-- a burger or hot dog and fries wrapped in a red bandanna on a stick. You kept the bandanna and some of them remained in family possession for decades! My preference was the chicken casserole that came in a white glass chicken.

L.S. Ayres Tea Room in Downtown Indianapolis, an institution!!!