Decatur Street, New Orleans, LA. Signage is very similar to what Little Tavern was using in the late 1920s.
Morin’s Castle Hamburgers – New Orleans, LA
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Tag Archives: White Castle
Little Tavern Design
The first Washington DC Little Tavern, located at 814 E Street, NW, opened its doors in 1928. It appears the site is now the home of a twelve story apartment building and a Bank of Georgetown.
Early Little Taverns seem to have had a design similar to that of 1920s White Castles and White Towers.
By 1931, the Tudor Cottage Design had been adopted
In 1937, it was updated with a bit more of a moderne syle
Typical Plans and detail
A design from 1949
And a later, simplified design. What I’ve found on this one points to a date of construction in 1974
This one was found in Silver Spring, Maryland until relatively recently. When it was torn down, it had been painted yellow and was operating as a Chinese restaurant.
White Rose System- Linden, NJ
Here are some photos, taken on a Linden area diner trip a few years back, of the White Rose System, a little ’50s kullman dinette.
White Diamond Hamburgers- Linden, NJ
sign- white diamond. font is reminiscent of white castle
side
Blue Tower enamel signs were painted over when it changed names. The paint is fading/ peeling now.
Centrally located grill- I’ve never seen another diner in person with this setup.
Blue, white, and metal
View through grill vent window.
White Tower – Richmond, Virginia
Here’s a before and after shot.
late 1930s
2006
Photo Copyright Spencer Stewart
Laurel Little Tavern
Here’s the current status of the Laurel Little Tavern, Now the Laurel Tavern, post remodel.
January 2006
March 2007
August 2008
To see some older photos of this one, look at the Diner Hotline, a wonderful blog, and a wonderful resource.
According to wikipedia,
Little Tavern(Laurel Md.)was closed by Little Tavern Shops LLC.(Parent Co.)All Use of Licensing Agreement and Trade Marks canceled for said Property at said time. Little Tavern Shops has nothing to do with present on site operation and the (new on site operation)is not licensed to operate as Little Tavern Shops or use any of Little Tavern Shops Logo’s, Sayings, or Trade Marks. As of April 30.2008, the last little Tavern Shop was closed, with all othes being closed over the past two years as leases expired, under a long term plan for a New Little Tavern Store Operation, to fit within Fast Food Market Resturant Operation of today. Little Tavern Shops is now moving ahead with It’s New Operation’s and the planned Licensing of, Free Satnding and Shoppiong Center Stotr Loction in, Md-Del-Pa-Va-Area’s. But Still Maintaining It’s old time Qualtiy of “Style and Food Service” For Futher Information please contact Little Tavern Shops LLC. C/O (Marketing) Jecco Co. Inc. 410-661-4394 Fax 410-661-4394 The Hereof statement has been prepared, approved and authorized by James E. Cumbest Jr. T/A Little Tavern Shops LLC. Carroillton Bank Building 1740 E. Joppa Rd. Balto. 21234
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The original is gone. The beautiful original neon signage, the last remaining is gone. The backbar with the green mirrored panels, built as per Harry F. Duncan’s original 1933 Patent, D89950, is gone. The stools, the tile, everything that made it the original is gone. The rest, closed, their buildings converted or torn down. We lost the Silver Spring Little Tavern, the one with the yellow roof, just a few months ago.
I am saddened by the passing of the original, the real Little Tavern. May she rest in peace.
Diner Hunter 
