The Platter, Sacramento 1960s

Working in the kitchen of a busy restaurant can be a bit of a juggling act but this chef looks like he’s handling the workload rather well, balancing a veritable tower of plates with just one hand.

The multi-tasking chef was on the front cover of this delightful 1960s menu at The Platter restaurant in Sacramento, California.

The restaurant offered multiple breakfasts ordered by number, as well as an extensive list of pancakes. There was also a lunch and dinner menu that offered charcoal broiled steaks and hamburgers.

Originally, The Platter was open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The building was designed by a local mid-century modern architect Sooky Lee (1928-2025). A Sacramento native, his designs shaped the local community with distinctive projects including the McGeorge School of Law, Sacramento Public Library Carmichael Branch and Christ Unity Church.

The owners’ names Al Myrle and Ed Nahas are on the cover of the menu but former professional baseball player Hollis’ Bud’ Sheely also had a hand in the opening of The Platter.

He and his wife later opened Bud and Jo Sheely’s Pancake Parade, which turned into a small chain, and was also notable for its charmingly designed menus featuring breakfast ingredients in a marching band. This menu print is also available on our website.

The Sheelys sold the restaurant in the late ‘70s and it became Pancake Circus.

This beloved landmark circus-themed diner is still in business in Sacramento today, retains much of its original interior and exterior décor from the 1960s, and is open from 7am to 2pm seven days a week.