Clifton's

  

Clifton's was a cafeteria in downtown Los Angeles.  During the great depression, Clifton's had an open-door policy for everyone, no matter how destitute a person was.  No one was turned away hungry.  And for all those who think that people will take advantage and expect to be fed for free, no matter how much money they may have, those who could afford to pay almost always did.   Eventually, Clifton's became a chain, and eventually, that chain failed.  The downtown location is still up and going though no longer owned by the Clifton family.  I haven't been there in years, so I'm not sure if this is right, but as I understand it, it's more of a hipster bar and hangout rather than a cafeteria for everyone.

Never mailed, the caption, "Clifton's Brookdale, Within these doors, a forest calls to you-A mountain land of redwood trees and sky-Offering woodland peace and beauty to The tired heart, the city-weary eyes.

So enter friend where brooklets run, Down rocky crevices, through fern and reed, Dine here and rest; and when your meal is done, May something more than food have met your need.  -Esther Baldwin York." 

Terry's Cafeteria

I love these old advertising postcards.  It reminds me of a time when people didn't eat at McDonald's because the damn things were so hard to find.  I admit it.  I made a huge mistake.  Fast food places were just beginning their strangle hold on fast and cheap meals when I was growing up, and back then, I was all for avoiding the local diners, with all their eccentricities in favor of the predictability of the posted menu.  I have to say, I'd love to find a chicken fried steak, a bowl of chili, or a piece of cream pie, all cooked from the cook's own personal recipe book, all served by a waitress who would have never offered to super size things for me.

So, I did run a search on Terry's Cafeteria, and I did find a Facebook page with that title, though absent pictures of the building, I suspect it's a nostalgia site as opposed to one operated by an existing restaurant.  I found an obituary for Cleo Terry, the owner of the cafeteria.  Born in 1919 in Knoxville, Iowa, died 2008, Delaware, Ohio.  A 1937 graduate of Piqua High School, he was a World War 2 veteran who served in the Normandy campaign.  He was a member of the Disabled Veterans of America, so he didn't come out of the war unscathed.  I couldn't find anything on when Terry's first opened it's doors, but it's a fairly safe bet it was after the war. 

This card was never mailed.  Captioned, "TERRY'S CAFETERIA, 105 E. Greene st., Piqua, Ohio 45356, 1/2 Mile from I-75, West on U.S. 36.  Seating Capacity 350.  Banquet and Party Rooms.  Phone (513) 778-0566   AAA Rated."