Read the tragic tale of this diner’s move to Washington DC and subsequent demolition. HERE
I just ran across additional photos of it from when it was still operating in Pennsylvania in the courtyard of Adam’s Antique mall.
I went and hunted down the site of Washington No. 7 today, which opened on December 23, 1931. From the size of the tree growing up through the vacant lot, I would say its been gone for a while at this point. The building itself is gone, but the outline of the signature Little Tavern roof is still visible on the wall of the building next door. The brick basement is all still there, covered by a steel framework which I would assume was the floor of the LT. And what’s this I see? Green enameled steel roof tiles? Too bad they’re a story beneath street level and behind a plywood construction fence.
This entire section of G street looks like its waiting to be torn down or otherwise redeveloped. The buildings to the left are all vacant. The Hahn / Florsheim shoe store in the old bank building is also gone, though it seems the National Bank of Washington still occupies it and the buildings seem to have fallen on hard times. For those who don’t know the area, it’s all high priced offices and condos around this cluster.
The vacant lot
Next door to the National Bank of Washington
ghost of an LT
Sorry for the crappy pic- I may be tall, but the eight foot plywood fence is taller, and getting pictures through the 1/2″ gap between two of the panels just wasn’t happening. This is the steel framing over a brick foundation and basement. Lots of tree going on.
Rusty green tiles from the Little Tavern green roof.
Washington no. 7 was (is?) located at
1344 G street northwest Washington DC
I made a mini-roadtrip this morning to DC for some good old fashioned neon.
Clock Hands pointing down.
A&R Auto Parts. The neon appears it originally read something else.
1824 Bladensburg Road NE
Washington, DC 20002
http://www.aandrautoparts.com/
Ride With Safety – Yellow Cab Company.
Ohio Restaurant
1380 H St. NE
Now Closed
More pictures, including ones of the interior, can be found here.
Atlas Theater
1331 H St. NE
Built 1938
Architect John J. Zink.
S and S Shoe Repairing
1126 H St. NE
Storefront
New York Ave NE
Budget Motor Inn
1615 New York Avenue Northeast
Syd’s Drive In Liquor Store
2325 BLADENSBURG RD NE
Automatic Transmission
Former Roy Rogers?
Barn shaped building
Publick Playhouse
5445 Landover Road
Hyattsville, MD 20784
Opened 1947
Modern Dry Cleaning/ Electric Maid
Takoma Park, MD
Rayco Auto Seat Covers
7998 Georgia Avenue
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
Glenmont Arcade
Formerly home to “Tuffy” Leeman’s duckpin Bowling alley. Tuffy, a pro football hall of fame member, played for the New York Giants from 1936 to 1943. The duckpin alley closed several years back.
I visited the Capital City diner on May 24th, 2009, shortly after it arrived from Avoca New York to the Trinidad neighborhood of NE Washington. Since then I’ve been eagerly awaiting its opening.
Since I am currently at school in Halifax and could not make it myself, my father visited the Capital City diner this morning for breakfast along with a couple of his friends, fellow diner enthusiasts. The new owners, Matt Ashburn and Patrick Carl, have done an incredible job with the place, as you can see from the photos.
From Michael G. Stewart:
The breakfast was pretty good-Tasty & well prepared. The service was a bit spotty, but I guess to be expected this early on. The physical diner is pretty original, no silly updates or “Happy Days” isms. Despite being in a transitional part of town, there was a really good mix of young urban hipsters, some w/ families, professionals, & neighborhood locals. Good vibe, felt safe, fun & comfortable. So far, so good!
From SallyAnn Rogers:
We had a grand time at the Capital City Diner. My waffle was brown and crisp and not a bit mushy. The place is a little cramped, more like hobbit size, but it was filled to the brim and was a very nice experience. You are going to love it.
Red painted trimwork and roof really make the diner pop.
Blue and black
Silk City Diner manufactured by the Patterson Vehicle company of Patterson, NJ. Note that the background of the tag matches the tilework of the diner. I’m not sure if this is original, but it is a very nice touch.
The diner is located at 1050 Bladensburg Rd. NE washington DC
Become a fan of the diner on facebook.
This former Little Tavern is located at the corner of 6th and Morse St., NE Washington, DC. It is now a Subway. Despite having lost its distinctive color scheme and signage, the exterior still looks as though it is fairly in tact. Washington #24 appears to have been built c.1948. It stands to reason that No. 27 dates from the late 1940s or early 1950s. I will try to find more documentation regarding the exact date of construction.
For pictures from 1988, taken while it was still operating as a Little Tavern, please click here.
For a in the process list of all Little Tavern locations, click here.
This Little Tavern, the twelfth built in the district, located at 718 H. St, N.E. Washington DC, was built in 1935. My records show it was completed on November 11 of that year. According to building permit 183945, it was designed by Architect G.B. Wenner, and had an estimated cost of construction of $7,500.
The facade has been changed to accommodate floor to ceiling windows. The roof has been painted orange, though the original Little Tavern green is showing through in areas where the more modern paint has flaked off.
The current signage indicates it’s operating as “Super Nails”, though it is not clear if it currently in operation.
For a in the process list of all Little Tavern locations, click here.
I got some photos today from my dad, who went down on a food and photo safari this morning. All photos are copyright Michael G. Stewart.
Golden Bull – Liquor
Ohio Restaurant
This building will become a trolley station for the new line.
My dad
Uneeda Biscuit
S and S shoe repairing
Hen Lung Laundry
The old Kullman at Adams Antique Mall in PA was moved to Washington DC in 2005/06 and never opened. It was later demolished.
Photos in Pennsylvania.
It appears there is now nothing left.
According to their now non-existent website:
Opening Summer 2006
Fat Dog’s Hot Dog Bistro sells premium hot dogs with a variety of classic and creative toppings.
From our vintage bistro to our customer inspired menu, we are all about quality and excellence. At Fat Dog’s Hot Dog Bistro, we make good food that’s fast, fresh and fun!
We use only quality ingredients starting with an exceptional dog carefully selected for maximum freshness and flavor. Our dogs are grilled not boiled. Our veggies are fresh, not frozen. And our toppings are made to order. We make our twice-cooked Belgian fries fresh throughout the day. Our goal is simple – to serve the best hot dogs and French fries in Washington, DC.
Location
4903 Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue NE
Telephone: 202-448-2875
Fax: 202-448-1390
Fat Dog Enterprises
2526 Pennsylvania Avenue SE #201
Washington, DC 20020z
Everyone loves a Fat Dog!
Start with one the most popular foods in America and then let imagination be your guide. Have your dog, the way you want it. Try a classic chili-cheese with loaded with diced tomato or branch out and try the “Dog of the Week”. Fat Dogs come in as many flavors as there are Americans. So don’t settle for the ordinary – “Build a Better Dog!”
Fries cooked in 100% Peanut Oil
Hand-cut Fresh Fries (Small, Large)
Chili Fries (Cheese, chopped onion no x-charge)
Shakes
Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry
Cones
Chocolate, Vanilla
Skinny Dog
Grilled beef hot dog
Fat Dogs
“Hot Mama” Chili, Cheddar, Chili, Cheddar (try it with crushed corn chips )
“Big Poppi” – Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Barbecue Baked Beans, Diced Tomato
“Bubba Hog” – Bacon, Sautéed Mushroom, Tomato, Cheddar or American Cheese
“So Fresh” – Cucumber, Pickle, Celery, Onion, Tomato, Red Pepper, Ranch Dressing
“Bam Yankee” – Sauerkraut, Onion Sauce
“Call Me Slaw” – Creamy coleslaw, Onion
Mo Bettah – Skinny Dog Plus Choice of Any Four Toppings
Fry Daddy – Deep Fried Pork/Beef Dog
Veggie Dee-Lite – Sautéed Mushrooms, Sautéed Onions, Roasted Red Pepper, Cucumber, Celery, Sliced Carrot, Tomato, choice of cheese
Extras
No Charge:Onion, Hot Sauce, Ketchup, Brown Mustard, Yellow Mustard, Sweet Hot Mustard
35¢: Sweet Relish, Tomato, Onion, Black Olives, Roasted Red Pepper, Sport Peppers, Jalapenos, Ranch Dressing, Blue Cheese Dressing, Shredded Carrot, Peanut Sauce
50¢: Bacon, Chili, Sautéed Mushroom, Sautéed Onion, Garlic Mash
Soy Dog Available on Request ( add 50¢)
Sides to Go
$1.29: Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Chili, Barbecue Baked Beans
Beverages
Stinking Strong Coffee/Tea….$1.09
Soda ….$1.38
Water ….$1.39
Country Lemonade …$1.50
A friend sent photos of this former Little Tavern, located at 2537 Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E., Washington, D.C.
According to Library of Congress records, it was built in 1948; Architect Charles R. Zeller. Another record of it, “Working drawing showing assembly of porcelain enamel cladded panels for fast food restaurant as elevations, diagrams, and axonometrics projections”, exists from 1955. According to that record, it was Little Tavern Shop #24
I received this message today and thought it was best to share it as a post, rather than let it become buried in with the rest of the comments which have been posted on this blog.
In response to all that is written about the passing of Little Tavern Shops, the small size concept is dead.
However Little Tavern is not. . .We are moving ahead and will be opening New Stores in the MD-DC Area in the near future. We have retained every thing related to the past Little Taverns, from Design, Looks, Colors and Signage, including Pictures of the past & Harry F. Duncan, which will be incorporated in the Stores and Marketing.
I noticed somewhere in Your acticles about the Little Tavern Mugs. We have the Orginal One, which is being re-made and will be available for sale at reasonable Price.
James E. Cumbest Jr. T/A Little Tavern Shop LLC. 410-661-4394 Fax 410-66-4397
Diner Hunter 