Georgian On My Mind
The State Journal-Register has the sad news today that the Georgian restaurant building on South Grand will face the wrecking ball. It opened in 1941 and closed (as a restaurant) in 1986; in between it was one of the first 24-hour eateries in Springfield. I may have eaten there once as a child (I have a very vague memory of it); by the time I hit college-age, Mr. Ted's or Denny's had become the overnight food hangouts. I also dined once in the wee hours at the old Steak and Egg on S. MacArthur, where I was stunned to learn that they didn't have French toast on the menu. The waitress offered to have the cook make up some special for me, which was great, except apparently the cook didn't know how to make French toast. I don't really know what he did to it, but God, it was horrible.
Let's have your memories of the Georgian and the other places to get a burger (and God knows what else) at 3 a.m.
Let's have your memories of the Georgian and the other places to get a burger (and God knows what else) at 3 a.m.
posted by Jim at 6:07 AM
16 Comments:
I'm afraid I was in the same Mr. Ted's group you were, Jim.
But your question did bring something else mind: a place I used to go BEFORE the 3:00 AM visit to Monsieur Thoedore's.
I'm talking about the Aloha on South Sixth St near, I think, where the McDonald's is now. It was about the size of a phone booth but, somehow held a hundred people after 1:00 AM. Decorated in Polynesian Tacky, it was the most fun place in town.
And what was that specialty drink they served? It was blue. Or I was drunk. Or both.
I thought about starting a thread on the Aloha, but let's face it. If you remember anything about a night at the Aloha, you never actually had a night at the Aloha.
Dave you were drunk after drinking that Hurricane. The best part of the old Georgian were the wonderful delicious cream pies. They made one of the best coconut cream pies I have ever had.
Now for my former favorite place to get a burger....how about Jack Robinson with the greasy onions and Tops Big Boy.
Back to the Aloha topic, I met and went home with more women there than any other place in town. I kept telling Hilda that whatever she is giving the women to drink...keep doing it because it was working. LOL. You knew you had too much to drink when the sisters started to sing and you enjoyed it!!!!
For as many times as I went to the Aloha, I'm ashamed at the fact that I have just about zero recollection of the place.
For an early morning breakfast, besides JRS and Mr Ted's, there was Ace and Kelly's, out on west Jefferson IIRC. Great waffles and/or eggs.
Mr. Ted's? Check.
Jack Robinson System? Check.
Top's Big Boy? Check.
Ace and Kelly's? OK, you've stumped the band. Anyone remember anything more about that place, where it was, decor, etc. 'Cause that doesn't ring a bell with this lifelong Springfield boy at all.
Aloha had Miles on piano bar and the sisters would occasionally sing (especially when everybody was drunk). Hawaiian atmosphere, Mort the patch wearer behind the bar and Jimmy the queer was behind.... well lets not think about that one. Always a lot of women who loved that place. PLus it was open till 3am.
HOW ABOUT THE MARY JANE HANSELMAN WHO WAS MURDERED AN HER BODY DUMPED WHERE THR OLD DOG POUND IS. FROM THE VERY BEGENING IT WAS HUSHED UP.
LOL ~ we got kicked out of the Aloha one night for shaking all those rattles that they kept on the tables and making too much noise.
I was suprised by ANONYMOUS who said "HOW ABOUT THE MARY JANE HANSELMAN WHO WAS MURDERED AN HER BODY DUMPED WHERE THR OLD DOG POUND IS. FROM THE VERY BEGENING IT WAS HUSHED UP."
I've been investigating this case on & off since 1998 and would love any thoughts from someone who may be able to give me information other than what little I can find in print.
how about it ANONYMOUS, contact me at secretsquirel68@aol.com
Miles Reese, who used to sing at the Aloha, was (last I heard) the manager at the White Hen Pantry on 11th and Stanford. I read that in the paper a couple of years ago. He was the worst singer, but if you were drunk, he sang like a bird. What fun!!
Thanks for this post! I have pictures of my family having dinner in 1965, and the pictures are labeled that they were taken at the Georgian. My family is from Louisiana, and they were visiting relatives in Taylorville. Now it all makes more sense to me.
When the Supper Club would close at 3 or 4 AM everyone headed for the Georgian for breakfast and a "sobering" up session. Even Mickey Patty, the piano player at the Supper Club would grace the place. Great food - I was a senior at Sacred Heart when Mary Jane was murdered. What a grand cover up the entire case was and has been. Lots of drama, side stepping and mishandled evidence!
SECRETSQUIREL68@AOL.COM? I BELIEVE MY FATHER KILLED MARYJANE HANSELMAN. YOU CAN CONTACT ME ON FACEBOOK...MY NAME IS JOMARIE SCOTT(NASTASIO).
I am Mary Jane's sister. Do you have proof of this? I have my doubts about your father. I have my own thoughts about her murderer.
I was only 10 years old at the time of the murder, but I remember two things about it. One was that it was the main topic of conversation and speculation for quite a while, and the other was that a lot of people thought someone associated with the Georgian was responsible for her death. Anybody else hear that?
Post a Comment
<< Home