Guide to the California Menus Collection M2125

Franz Kunst
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
2016
Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford 94305-6064
specialcollections@stanford.edu


Language of Material: English
Contributing Institution: Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Title: California Menu Collection
Identifier/Call Number: M2125
Physical Description: 1.3 Linear Feet (2 boxes, 2 flat boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1866-1980s
Date (bulk): early-to-mid 20th century
Abstract: Collection of menus from California, especially San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Physical Location: Special Collections and University Archives materials are stored offsite and must be paged 36 hours in advance.
Language of Material: Most menus are in English, but a few are in French (or an appoximation of it), and the Chinese menus have sections in Chinese.

Scope and Contents

A collection of menus from events and restaurants from California, with a few from other states and countries. In all, more than 120 items ranging from 1866 to the 1980s, with most from the early-to-mid 20th century. More than half of the menus have specific dates. Arrangement is approximately geographical from north to south, with series for San Francisco, Los Angeles and the Bohemian Club among others. All items are menus unless otherwise stated; there are also a few advertisements, invitations, and postcards, as well as a set of nametags and a placemat. Condition is generally fair. Many have holes from scrapbook removal as well as rusty paperclip stains. Some silk and other bindings are untied, missing, or disintegrating.
Highlights include banquet menus from early visits by sitting U.S. Presidents to California, pre-1900 event menus on silk, menus from the 1929 Kyoto Conference, the Panama-California Exposition and Panama-Pacific International Exposition, Disney & 20th Century Fox-related menus from Southern California, and menus from both early and iconic restaurants in SF & LA.

Conditions Governing Access

Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use.

Conditions Governing Use

While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was purchased by Stanford University, Special Collections in 2016.

Preferred Citation

[identification of item], California Menu Collection (M2125). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Related Materials

The California Historical Society holds a California Menu Collection (http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8qn68hw). The Los Angeles Public Library also has a menu collection (http://www.lapl.org/collections-resources/visual-collections/menu-collection).

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Menus -- California
Restaurants -- California

 

Series 1. San Francisco menus

Arrangement

Menus for the Palace and St. Francis Hotel are grouped first, followed by three Chinatown menus. The remainder of this series has been arranged chronologically, beginning with undated menus.
box 1, folder 1

California Commandery (Military Order, Loyal Legion, United States) Year-End Banquet, Hotel St. Francis 1907-12-14

box 1, folder 2

Hotel St. Francis dinner 1930-12-18

box 1, folder 3

Hotel St. Francis Tea Time circa 1930s

box 1, folder 4

The Mural Room, St. Francis Hotel 1951-08-07

box 1, folder 5

Palace Hotel

box 1, folder 6

Banquet Tendered to Benjamin Harrison, President of the United States By The Citizens of San Francisco. Palace Hotel 1891-05-01

box 1, folder 7

Ohio Society of California Banquet Tendered to President William McKinley At The Palace Hotel 1901-05-16

Scope and Contents

Two copies, one annotated. The banquet was cancelled due to Mrs. McKinley's illness.
box 1, folder 8

Palace Hotel, Christmas [hand painted Chinese-themed cover by LeLong] 1902-12-25

box 1, folder 9

Luncheon Honoring Old-Time Boxers, Palm Court, Palm Court, Palace Hotel 1941-06-21

box 1, folder 10

State Dinner in Commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of Signing of the Charter of the United Nations. Garden Court, Sheraton-Palace Hotel 1955-06-25

box 1, folder 11

World Branches' Conference Dinner of the English-Speaking Union in the Presence of...Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Sheraton-Palace Hotel 1961-11-14

Scope and Contents

With place cards and letter concerning the waiters for the head table.
box 1, folder 12

Tao Lee Yun [In English & Chinese]

box 1, folder 13

Shanghai Low

box 1, folder 14

Kuo Wah Cafe [In English & Chinese] circa 1952

box 1, folder 15

Blum's Fountain and Ice Cream Suggestions

box 3, folder 1

Bernstein's Fish Grotto

box 1, folder 16

The Manger [menu and postcard]

box 1, folder 17

Occidental Hotel pre-1906

box 4

Dodge Brothers [padded, hand-painted] 1887-03-08

Scope and Contents

Dodge Brothers was a stationer & engraver located at 225 Post Street; this menu (for a special event, presumably) lists Ernst H. Ludwig as caterer.
box 1, folder 18

The Roof Garden circa 1930s

box 1, folder 19

San Francisco Dental College Annual Banquet, Cosmos Rotisserie 1902-05-20

box 1, folder 20

The Louvre 1904-01

box 1, folder 21

North Beach Thanksgiving Carnival Banquet, Fior d'Italia 1910-11-27

box 1, folder 22

Banquet to the President of the United States [William Howard Taft]...by the Directors of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition...on the Occasion of the Ground Breaking Ceremonies 1911-10-13

box 1, folder 23

Carnival Night at the Portola-Odeon 1920-01-15

box 1, folder 24

Women's Athletic Club 1931-02-10

box 1, folder 25

Mark Hopkins 1931-02-26

box 1, folder 26

Solari's [two menus] 1931-09-24 ; 1932-05-11

box 1, folder 27

The Front Porch 1932-05-11

box 1, folder 28

Bal Tabarin [three menus] [1932] ; 1933

box 1, folder 29

El Cortez 1933-03-23

box 1, folder 30

The Golden Pheasant 1937-09-03

box 1, folder 31

Exposition Flyer. Western Pacific Special Luncheon ; Western Pacific Special Dinner [two menus] 1943

box 1, folder 32

Omar Khayyam's 1944-08-13

box 3, folder 2

Club Savoy Theatre Restaurant. Welcome United Nations Conference 1945

box 1, folder 33

Touchdown Club 2nd Annual Awards Dinner, Marines Memorial Club 1949-01-11

box 1, folder 34

33rd Annual Conference, National Association of Secretaries of State, Hotel Fairmont 1950-10

Box 1, Folder 45

Republic Cafe, "finest Chinese cafe on the coast"

 

Series 2. Bohemian Club menus

box 1, folder 35

Bohemian Club: Breakfast in Bohemia Encampment 1910-08-07

box 1, folder 36

Christmas in Bohemia [Bohemian Club] 1910-12-28

box 1, folder 37

Dinner in honor of His Admiral Tejiro Koroi, Staff and Executive Officers of His Imperial Japanese Majesty's Training Squadron, The Bohemian Club [San Francisco Chamber of Commerce embossed stamp on cover] 1914-06-10

 

Series 3. Northern California menus [Sacramento - Monterey]

box 1, folder 38

Roarin' Camp. Eagle Theatre & Danse [sic] Hall. Sacramento Golden Empire Centennial 1939

box 1, folder 39

Hotel Senator Coffee Shop [Sacramento] 1932-02-17

box 1, folder 40

Del Webb's Sahara Tahoe Souvenir Menu [Elvis Presley image & advertisement] circa 1970-1973

box 1, folder 41

Hotel Carlton, Berkeley [advertising pamphlet]

box 1, folder 42

Woody's Creamery, Berkeley

box 1, folder 43

Banquet Honoring Joseph R. Knowland [publisher of Oakland Tribune], Athens Athletic Club, Oakland 1952-05-17

Scope and Contents

Seller notes: Letterpress by Kennedy?
box 1, folder 44

Food First Restaurant, Oakland [Chinese food] pre-1991 (415 area code)

box 2, folder 1

Dinah's Shack, Palo Alto circa 1931

box 2, folder 2

Bird Cage Cafe, Mountain View

box 2, folder 3

Hotel Saint Claire Luncheon, San Jose 1933-08-16

box 2, folder 4

Touchdown Club of San Jose Testimonial Dinner Honoring University of Santa Clara Football Coaching Staff, Hotel Ste. Claire 1950-04-24

box 2, folder 5

The Trocadero, Hotel Del Rey, Santa Cruz

box 2, folder 6

Welcome to Santa Cruz. Published by Boyden Publishing Co., Stockton. Expires April 28, 1955 [advertising brochure 1954-1955

box 2, folder 7

Barreto's Famous Mexican Restaurant, Mission Inn, Monterey circa 1943

box 2, folder 8

Alpine Tavern, Gonzales

 

Series 4. California menus [unknown or multiple locations]

box 3, folder 3

Blue Bell Coffee Shops (Salinas, Placerville, Monterey)

box 2, folder 9

Hotel El Camino Real Grill Breakfast

box 2, folder 10

Rockaway Beach Inn, Rockaway Beach, Ca. [advertising placard, Pacifica?]

box 2, folder 11

Saddle & Sirloin (Palm Springs, Bakersfield, Studio City)

 

Series 5. Los Angeles & Hollywood menus

box 2, folder 26

Mme. Zucca Inn

box 2, folder 27

Bullock's Wilshire Luncheon

box 2, folder 35

Casa La Golondrina

box 2, folder 28

Jonanathan Club Victory Happy New Year 1919

box 2, folder 29

Los Angeles Biltmore [opening] 1923-10-02

box 2, folder 30

Hotel Biltmore 1930-12-26

box 2, folder 31

Katie Kohn's Kosher Restaurant, Real Hungarian 1930-11-09

box 2, folder 32

Pig'N Whistle. 439 Broadway, 1930-10-31 ; 6714 Hollywood Blvd., 1930-11-02 ; 439 Broadway, 1931-06-09 [three menus] 1930-1931

box 2, folder 33

Herbert's [Xth Olympiad] 1932-02-26

box 2, folder 34

Banquet Honoring The Secretary of War and The Visiting Governors of the United States, Ambassador Hotel [annotated] 1933-07-28

box 3, folder 5

Twentieth Century-Fox Studios Banquet and Ball Honoring Convention Delegates, Coconut Grove, Ambassador Hotel 1937-06-03

Scope and Contents

Correspondence from Walter Leimert to his mother 6/4/1937 enclosed.
box 3, folder 7

Mike Lyman's Grill (Los Angeles/Hollywood) 1942-03-13

box 3, folder 6

The House of Murphy [humorous placemat with anti-Axis image and text] 1942-1945

box 2, folder 36

The Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce Salutes The Natural Gas Industry of Southern California [program with menu] 1957-12-03

box 2, folder 37

State of Israel Commendation Dinner, L.A. Committee, State of Israel Bonds [Bevery Hilton] 1962-11-18

Scope and Contents

Inscribed "Kind Regards to Maurice Turner From Harry Truman 11-18-62" ; Turner was Chairman of Building Funds and Endowments for the State of Israel Bonds, Los Angeles Committee.
box 2, folder 38

Roosevelt Hollywood, Dinner 1930-11-05

box 2, folder 39

Blossom Room, Roosevelt Hotel. Christmas 1930-12-25

box 2, folder 40

Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel Dinner 1933-11-08

box 2, folder 41

Hollywood Barn pre-1933

box 2, folder 42

Gotham Delicatessen Shop, Hollywood

box 2, folder 43

Assistance League Tea Room, Hollywood

box 2, folder 44

Musso & Franks Grill, Hollywood 1941-11-18

Box 2, Folder 52

Yee Hung Guey, Chop Suey and Noodles, Los Angeles

 

Series 6. Southern California menus [San Luis Obispo - San Diego]

box 2, folder 12

Motel Inn Coffee Shoppe, San Luis Obispo

box 3, folder 4

Rancho Bakersfield

box 2, folder 13

Occidental Hotel, Santa Barbara [handwritten dinner] 1873-02-28

box 2, folder 14

Hotel Potter, Santa Barbara [11 menus] 1909-1910

box 2, folder 15

Sky Room, Union Air Terminal, Burbank. Wines & Liquors

box 3, folder 8

Walt Disney Studio Restaurant, Burbank

box 3, folder 10

The Coral Room, Bullock's Pasadena 1949-09-27

box 3, folder 11

73rd Annual Tournament of Roses Participants Dinner, Huntington-Sheridan Hotel, Viennese Room [Pasadena] 1961-12-07

box 2, folder 16

Las Flores Inn, Las Flores Canyon [Malibu]

box 2, folder 17

The Ship Cage, Venice

box 2, folder 18

Sally's, Inglewood

box 2, folder 19

Frank Sebastian's New Cotton Club, Culver City

box 3, folder 9

McDonnell's Plantation, Southgate 1950-06-13

box 2, folder 20

Mission Cafeteria, Long Beach 1931-12

box 2, folder 21

Solomon's, Palm Springs

box 2, folder 22

Bradley's Malt Shop, Santa Ana

box 2, folder 23

Mission Cafe, San Juan Capistrano

box 2, folder 24

Panama-Pacific Exposition Official Banquet, Cafe Cristobal, San Diego 1915-01-01

box 2, folder 25

Grand Banquet Given By Al Malaikah Temple, AAONMS [Shriners], Hotel Del Coronado, Coronado 1889-08-10

 

Series 7. Non-California menus

box 2, folder 45

Owl Drug Company [California, Oregon, Washington, Utah] after 1930

box 2, folder 46

Pantheon Saloon, Portland [Oregon] 1887-12-25

box 2, folder 47

Wigwam Inn, Indian River Park Souvenir Menu (Harbour Navigation Company, Vancouver, B.C.) 1930-07-01

box 2, folder 48

Schlesinger and Mayer: A New French Cafe, Chicago 1898-01-13

box 2, folder 49

Chesapeake and Ohio, United Forces Menu

box 2, folder 50

Anglo-American Telegraph Company, Law Association Rooms. Liverpool Chamber of Commerce Dinner for The Layers of The Atlantic Cable [S.S. Great Eastern] 1866-10-01

box 2, folder 51

Luncheon In Honor of...The Kyoto Conference of the Institute of Pacific Relations by Viscount Eiichi Shibusawa at the Tokyo Kaikan 1929-11-12

box 3, folder 12

Bombay Restaurant, Kowloon [inscribed] 1968