Syracuse, Shenango, Jackson, Mayer China: Collecting Restaurant, Hotel Ware

We have been selling on the internet since May of 2000 and have often listed dishes called ‘restaurantware.’ It is still pretty amazing to see what some of these pieces go for. And it’s neat when you are informed of the rationale for their purchase!
The makers are many and varied with a few ‘leaders’ such as Syracuse, Shenango, Mayer, Sterling and Jackson.

These companies made a good living out of providing hotels and all types of restaurants with their china to serve and impress guests. Many of the pieces ‘grew legs’ and were taken in larger purses, coats or up a sleeve. Considered to be ’souvenirs’ of a visit and brought back home to visually communicate the good time they had and delightful meals served. We don’t know what the viewpoint of the restaurant was about these ‘thefts’ because in a way, this was a good advertisement.
We have found some from long-gone restaurants, some with names, others with some type of logo that would indicate it was made ‘for retail.’

A restaurant we frequently visited was called Nino’s and it had a ‘cowboy’ or western theme with long-horn cattle decorating the rims. No, we did not take this, but found it at an estate sale.
We also found this delightful dresser tray, a beautiful china piece most likely meant to sit on the vanity of a room at the Hotel Washington. Guests could put their keys, jewelry and trinkets on the tray. Not sure where it was located but someone decided they wanted it on their vanity.
These pieces of restaurant ware are pretty common. You can readily find them in antique malls, at least in Wisconsin and Illinois where we’ve found ours. It is rather amazing that they are not all scratched or show other damage, but these were solid pieces and meant to serve the trade and have withstood the test of time.
The most expensive and highly sought after are those used on the railroads or cruise ships.

These can run into the hundreds of dollars, even if condition is not perfect! There are books on this railroad-ware and you’d be surprised at the variety and values.
It is always fun to ’send things home’ and we have sent items

with “Mueller” on them to a family with that name, also Schroeder Hotels pieces to other Schroeders.
Some folks tell us they collect them because of they have an initial of their family name. Others say they spent their honeymoon at that hotel, another tells us they went to a college and wanted a souvenir of a nearby abbey. A few have mentioned working at this particular restaurant and it is a fond memory.
We have also found some from fraternal groups. These groups would have their meetings and a dinner would follows. Members would be served on dishes with the group’s symbol such as these from the Elks and Odd Fellows.
Once or twice we’ve been told that they actually use these dishes, as an ‘every-day’ set.. One couple had collected over 75 pieces of one particular pattern and put them into service at home. Another lady says she mixes and matches, using whatever pattern she could find! Because they are so solid and inexpensive, they make a very functional set!
The next time you visit a restaurant or hotel, check out the dishes. Many may still have their logos, initials or location. It can be a fun hobby so why not collect them? Enjoy!
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