christmasdinners

Another Bain/LOC photo connected with the Salvation Army's 1913 Christmas Dinner campaign in New York City:

The people in this photo seem rather well-to-do, to be getting a dinner from the Salvation Army. Maybe they're delivering?

I think you may be right. I also wonder about that grim fortress in the background. Could it be a prison? Or perhaps an armory? (I don't know NYC.)

I think that's the old 244th Coast Artillery Armory, which according to nysonglines.com was "oppressive" and located at 125 14th St. , next door to what was then the 14th St. Theater (on the right in the photo) -- it used to be the Lyceum Theater. Both buildings were demolished, and the McBurney YMCA is now on the old Armory site. The Salvation Army headquarters is and was just down the street. (The internet is like magic sometimes.)

Thanks, rjones. You're a fast operator!

Betty's Restaurant (and Lobo Lounge)
1440 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, Florida
Established 1931 • Phone 9-9426

Here's a postcard from about the same time that also shows the interior.

by Boston Public Library   The Tichnor Brothers Collection (postcard) c.1940

A couple of newspaper ads for Betty's in the 1950's:
            Betty's Restaurant • Christmas Dinner Ad  •  1952


    Ad for Betty's Lobo Lounge • Miami Daily News • Feb. 4, 1957


The American Legion held their 42nd National Convention in Miami Beach in October, 1960. Their official program had reviews of suggested restaurants and had this to say about Betty's:

"Betty's Restaurant, 1440 Biscayne Boulevard, is
famed for her well planned, medium-priced meals
and the Lobo Lounge is quite the gay spot at
night."

Then & Now 70+ years later:
Google Street View (January, 2017)

Nice!