When American servicemen returned home from World War II, they brought with them stories and souvenirs from the South Pacific. This newfound interest, and a need to escape drudgery and horrors of WWII, led to the establishment of tiki bars across the country, including in Chicago, during the 1940s and 1950s, and all the way into the 1960s.
Chicago has made countless contributions to global food culture, from the obvious (deep dish pizza) to the less-so (chicken a la king). But few know that the popular Greek specialty, flaming saganaki, was created in Chicago. Though the fried cheese dish is a staple of Greek cuisine, flambéing it tableside in brandy is a touch created by Parthenon owner Chris Liakouras.
Check out these old photos to see what Chicago’s restaurants looked like in the 1950s.
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| Swiss Chalet, Bismarck Hotel, Chicago |
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| Antonio's Steak House at 1528 N. Wells Street, Chicago |
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| Bamboo Inn Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge at 11 N. Clark Street, Chicago |
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| Cafe Bonaparte Sheraton, Blackstone Hotel, Chicago |
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| Cafe Bonaparte Sheraton, Blackstone Hotel, Chicago |
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| Camellia House Restaurant, Drake Hotel, Chicago |
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| Cape Cod Room, Drake Hotel, Chicago |
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| Cape Cod Room, Drake Hotel, Chicago |
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| Club El Bianco at 2747 West 63rd Street, Chicago |
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| Elizabethan Room, Congress Hotel and Annex, Chicago |
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| Fireplace Inn at 1448 N. Wells Street, Chicago |
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| Glass Hat Restaurant, Congress Hotel, Chicago |
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| Henrici's Restaurant at 67 West Randolph, Chicago |
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| Honolulu Harry's Waikiki at 204 Wilson Avenue, Chicago |
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| Jacques French Restaurant at 900 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago |
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| Kon-Tiki Ports Restaurant, Sheraton-Chicago Hotel at 501 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago |
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| Kon-Tiki Ports Restaurant, Sheraton-Chicago Hotel at 505 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago |
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| Kon-Tiki Ports Restaurant, Sheraton-Chicago Hotel at 605 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago |
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| Kungsholm Scandinavian Restaurant at 100 E. Ontario Street, Chicago |
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| La Tour Cafe Francais, Chicago |
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| Martinique Restaurant and Drury Lane Theatre, Chicago |
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| Myrtlewood Bar, Indian Room, Blackhawk Restaurant, Chicago |
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| Porterhouse Room, College Inn, Sherman Hotel, Chicago |
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| Sayat Nova Armenian Restaurant at 6465 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago |
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| Shangri-La Restaurant at 222 N. State Street, Chicago |
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| Southwest Inn at 4501 South Cicero Avenue, Chicago |
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| Stouffer's Top of the Rock, Prudential Building, Chicago. |
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| Stouffer's Top of the Rock, Prudential Building, Chicago |
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| The Three Graces Blue Fountain Room, Hotel La Salle, Chicago |
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| View from the Allerton Hotel, "Tip Top Tap" Cocktail Lounge, Chicago |