Joe King's Rathskeller
Posted by Don Manley on
I acquired an interesting souvenir (pictured below) from the former Rathskeller
Restaurant in NYC. They're not uncommon to find but the associated history is interesting. There's a photo and penned notations on the inside.
The folder is dated
Sept, 28, 1945. From as much as I can decifer, the group of young folks in
the photograph are engaged in a farewell celebration. Based on the handwritten notes, one of the women
photographed may be leaving her job and moving on to new adventures. The souvenir is from the former Rathskeller restaurant, known as "The Fraternity
House" and owned by Joe King and Jack Lichtenberg. Established in 1936,
it was located at Third Avenue and 17th Street in New York City. The
folder was printed by Bernat Press of N.Y. and sold by W. & L.
Concessionaires, 480 Lexington Ave., NYC.
The building that housed The
Rathskeller is know as "Scheffel Hall" and is located at 190 third
Avenue. Below is a photo of the building as it appears today. Click here to learn more about the history of Sheffel Hall and surrounding area.
Below is a photo of the interior as it appears today, compliments of the ephemeralnewyork blog. The former Rathskeller is now an exercise studio but the owners have not touched the facade or any of the original detailing on the inside.
The next photo is of "Joe King's Rathskeller." I'm not sure of the date.
The following article was written by "Edgar Schumacher" and
published in the November, 1955 edition of the NY Sunday Herald.
Schumacher published a regular column titled; "With Knife and Fork." It's an enthusiastic and detailed account of Edgar's visit to The Rathskeller.
"German Cuisine Attracts Gourmet"
Even though I have parted with the gourmets until the end of the
year, I find myself unable to resist reporting on my so-called "last
filing" with good food for 1955, which took place in New York last
week-end. This farewell celebration was held at the German-American Rathskeller, at 190 Third Av, at 17th St.
This establishment is known by its patrons as the "fraternity house of
the nation," and if you do not meet Joe King, owner of "this little bit
of New York," you are not really living, so to speak. One does not need a
floor-show or similar type of entertainment when in this Old
Heidelberg, "Student Prince" atmosphere. Joe King is always on hand with
his greetings, and you are entertained until early morning by groups of
songsters.
The food is, of course, German style and includes such specialties of
the house as sauerbraten, wiener schnitzel, bratwurst or knackwurst,
pigs' knuckles with sauerkraut, lentil soup with frankfurter, and many
other such dishes.
However, the main object of your visit will be a seidel of draft
Heineker beer, served with pumpernickel and Salzstangen. And let me tell
you –after you've had two seidels, you are ready to join the gang in
singing. The Rathskeller has on the walls about 2,000 photographs of
famous New York personalities of by-gone eras, such as George M. Cohan
and Al Jolson.
Since most of the guests are college men, you will see a great selection
of college insignia and fraternity emblems. The dinner trade consists
of residents of old New York who sit with happy people from all walks of
life and from all over the nation. Joe King introduced me to his
general partner, Jack Lichtenberg, a former wrestler who also makes sure
every guest is happy.
If you are ever in New York, and feel like enjoying good fellowship,
indulging in a tasty German dish, raising your stein and raising your
voice, visit Joe King's and learn at first-hand that a little bit of old
New York is still alive.
Click here to view the listing on Oldbrochures.com
What a trip down Memory Lane. I met my husband-to-be at the GA in 1957. Hard to explain the Ambience to our children & grandchildren.
I WAS A STUDENT ATTENDING CCNY ANDD FREQUENTED JOE KINGS REGULARLY.
I HAVE AN ORIGINAL MENU DATED MARCH 2ND, 1968 AND WONDER WHO WOULD APPRECIATED HAVING IT.
I ALSO HAVE A MINATURE STEIN ABOUT 2" TALL WITH A MISSING HANDLE.
Really appreciate the post. I have this same souvenir photo of my father in his navy blues with a pretty girl sitting on his lap on his way back from WWII. Have been curious about it for a while now.
Joe King’s Rathskeller….a fond reminder of a couple of high school German Club trips to NYC in the early ’60’s, including a great meal at this landmark eatery