Many restaurateurs resorted to humor to market their establishments and Irving’s Chuck Wagon certainly took this advice to heart. This Pennsylvania-based restaurant claimed to be” under very poor management” and to have lousy service and discourteous employees.” The rest of this 1940s menu proudly talks about its “terrible burgers” and “lousy pizza.” There are wise-cracking gags on the back including: “if you really hate someone, bring ‘em here. Watch them suffer.”
Of course, this was probably a delightful restaurant with good food and attentive management. We are sure the customers were in on the joke.
The Chuck Wagon closed for good in the 1970s.

Courtesy Lou Greenstein Collection.

Gallery quality Giclée print on natural white, matte, 100% cotton rag, acid and lignin free archival paper using Epson K3 archival inks. Custom printed with border for matting and framing.

All printed in USA.

Each product is accompanied by a copy of the interior menu where available.