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Random Wed Nov 26 2008
Blackhawk Grill 1929 Thanksgiving Menu
One of my favorite online resources is the Los Angeles Public Library Menu Database. Images of menus from their rare books collection are available to browse for free. A search for "Thanksgiving" yielded one Chicago menu. This menu was an advertisement for the Blackhawk Grill Downstairs (139 N. Wabash), published in a 1929 issue of the Chicago Tribune. The menu appears to have been their $1.00 "Sunday Dinner" menu, rather than a strictly holiday offering. In its heyday the establishment offered, "The choicest foods--liberal portions--attractively served--in a pleasant environment."
The Blackhawk Restaurant was highlighted on the Gapers Block Subterranean City Tour by Alice Maggio in 2004. "In the 1920s and 30s, the building became renown as the location of the Blackhawk restaurant, which was famous for its live jazz and big band performances." The building was unfortunately demolished in 2003 to make way for a condo development.
Menu highlights include:
Anchovy Canape
Fruit Cocktail
Cold Tomato Juice
Chicken Consomme with Rice
Baked Sugar Cured Ham with Champagne Sauce
Chicken a la King on Toast
Vegetarian Dinner, Poached Eggs
June Peas
Combination Salad
Click here to see the full menu. There is still a Blackhawk Restaurant in Wheeling, IL. Though, good luck asking for the $1.00 Sunday dinner.
Postcard from Card Cow.
