Here's a Real Blast from the Past: 1957 Woolworth's Lunch Menu

Reaganite Republican ^ | April 8, 2011 | Reaganite Republican

[Reaganite Republican]

Couple years before my time, but I sure remember eating there and similar places back in the sixties.  

I also recall when prices were in this vicinity, too... back when a dollar was a dollar:

One time when I was about twelve, just walking through the isles of Woolworth's with my buddy for what I don't remember... 

I found a $20 bill on the floor.

There was nobody around, so I kept it... a lot of money to a kid who mowed lawns for like $3 apiece. 

BUT, I insisted my friend take half, 'cuz he was there providing luck... then we spent it on 100+ packs of Topps baseball cards lol...

Woolworth Building, Manhattan
-tallest building in the world from 1913-1930:

-via email/thanks Speedunque-   Wikipedia photo

_________________________________________________________________

More at Reaganite Republican

[paulycy]

Cool menu!

[Daisyjane69]

I sure miss the food from Cleveland. In that same carry on bag, I had 8 loaves of Orlando Italian Twist bread. I am hoarding 1/2 loaf of it in my freezer.

Here is how you know you have a REALLY GOOD FRIEND:

On Christmas Eve, as I returned from our family celebration at my sister’s house, I nearly broke my neck tripping on a box that was left by the USPS on my porch.

When I raced inside to open it (from one of my best friends back in Ohio), it contained Orlando bread & rolls! Double and triple packed, without a scratch on them. I have no idea how they survived a 2,500 trip cross country without resembling pita bread.

THAT is how you know you picked out really good friends. I was in absolute hog heaven (breadwise) right through Valentine’s Day. :)

[Huck]

Meanwhile people scream and howl as if inflation is something new.

[Daisyjane69]

Fair warning:

If anyone wants the recipe for the tuna salad recipe that they used to sell at the Kresge lunch counter, FReepmail me.

Something tells me this is going to become a “all food all the time” thread.

If anyone knows the Kenny King’s onion ring recipe, holler! My sister and I have been looking for it for 20 years.

[AppyPappy]

When I was growing up, we went to the most famous Woolworth’s in the world. My kids read about it in school.

[aruanan]

I also recall when prices were in this vicinity, too... back when a dollar was a dollar:

And hourly wages were about that or less. I remember making about $1.55/hour in 1971. So the average price of a Woolworth sandwich was somewhere around 40 cents. This means for a dollar/hour, you could get two and a half sandwiches, taxes not included. Now at a federal mininum wage of $7.25, you can get about 7 McDouble or McChicken sandwiches and you can do it at more locations than you ever could in 1957 and, unlike most restaurants in 1957, in many locations 24 hours/day.

[DooDahhhh]

Actually I have pimento cheese in my refrigerator right now!

[COBOL2Java]

I grew up in Ridgewood, NY (right on the border between Brooklyn and Queens). The “main street” in our neighborhood was Myrtle Avenue, and there was a Woolworth’s and an S.S. Kresge right next to each other; we called them the “five and ten” (”Mom I’m going to the five and ten.” “Which one?” “Kresge’s.” “OK, but be home for dinner!”). The Woolworth’s had a better diner, as I recall.

[Dumpster Baby]

Oh, I remember the fantastic glass candy counter islands and the periodic “bong bong” signals to the staff.

[9YearLurker]

I really only had it at home growing up too—rather than out at a restaurant, but I remember it having a nice sweet-piquant flavor.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

I look back on Woolworth’s with nostalgia.

[DooDahhhh]

Well, make some. All you need is some grated sharp cheddar cheese. a jar of pimento and some mayonaise. Must have spelled that wrong; got the underline thing!

[AFreeBird]

Funny, I just picked up a pound of the stuff at the grocery yesterday. Incidentally, if you add up everything on that menu, it basically equals what I paid for that pound of ham salad.

Is that depressing or what.

[DeaconBenjamin]

Each silver dime today is worth $2.85-2.90. So 30 cents is now over $8.50; 50 cents over $14; and 60 cents over $17.

[Reaganite Republican]

You ain’t seen nothing yet, AFB- just wait till Helicopter Ben’s finished lol

[calex59]

And hourly wages were about that or less. I remember making about $1.55/hour in 1971.

You were being underpaid. In 1971, working at a Plywood Plant, which didn't pay all that well, I made $2.50 per hour, which was below the median wage at the time, but still fairly good pay. Which means I could have purchased 6 1/4 sands at .40 per for one hours wage, plus many places I knew sold hamburgers for .25 per burger which means I could have purchased 10 of them. Price to wage ratio was better back then, all the way around. I owned a house and TWO(used) cars in 1970 and my wife didn't work or need to work. In fact most of the couples I knew only had one wage earner.

Things were better and money went further. Also I remember gas being about .40 per gal then also, actually I looked it up on the internet and the median price for gas was .36 per gal.

I could buy 7 gals of gas for one hours work.

With Gas in my area at 4.10 I can now buy 4 gals of gas per hours wage and it will only get worse.

[Reaganite Republican]

Ha ha ha

Hey, on Friday... everybody’s thinking for the weekend maybe

And I LOVED Kenny King’s- but sure don’t know the recipe for those. But I’ve ate plenty, that’s for sure DJ-

[SteelCurtain_SSN720]

If we are talking Ohio, (I am from Medina County) I get to hankering for Troyers Trail Bologna and baby swiss cheese! Found in Amish country, these products always make the return journey home to Connecticut with me. Now, a BBQ chipped chopped ham sammitch, or pimento cheese on white is something I have not thought about for a long, long time. Thanks freepers for making me drool and my stomach rumble this early in the A.M.

[Daisyjane69]

You should see how I eat at Mr. Hero when my plane lands in Ohio!

[JoeProBono]