1949 Desperate Stand Menu

We’ve previously seen Charles Russell’s painting “Desperate Stand” on a 1954 Western Star lunch menu (as well as a 1956 Western Star dinner menu). This menu from my collection is for lunch on the Empire Builder.

Click image to download a 1.2-MB PDF of this menu.

It is interesting to compare the Empire Builder menu with one used in the early years of the Western Star. The Builder‘s table d’hôte menu offered seven entrées: fish, veal cutlets, chicken pie, beef pot roast, minced ham omelet, hot beef sandwich, and cold meat plate. The Star offered five: fish, chicken pie, beef pot roast, cold fowl, and chef’s suggestion, whatever that was. Both also offered a “salad bowl,” though the Builder‘s was table d’hôte with bread, dessert, and beverage while the Star‘s was a la carte. The Star actually had one more dessert selection than the Builder. All in all, I’d say they were pretty comparable.


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