The postcard shown above features the interior of the Town Steak House #2 at Thruway Shopping Center. Do you remember the plush seating that was featured in the front section of the restaurant?
The first Town Steak House opened in 1940 at Lockland Avenue and Hawthorne Road. The restaurant relocated around the corner when Interstate 40 came through town. The second Town Steak House opened in 1956 at the new Thruway Shopping Center. See a feature article about this location at this link: http://winstonsalemtimetraveler.com/2014/07/18/july-181956-smokehouse-remodeled-thruway/
Since the two restaurants had the same name but with a different number, which can be confusing for a restaurant, an attempt was made in 1966 to add a location to the names. They would be called Town Steak House Lockland and Town Steak House Stratford, at least on paper. Mrs. Mary Chamis owned the restaurants in a sole proprietorship, but wanted to provide a more permanent ownership structure.
Town Steak House #2 was a restaurant that could accommodate small and large groups. It was a favorite location for special occasions and worked well for business meetings and family gatherings. The photo above was taken at a dinner meeting at the restaurant. Mayor Marshall Kurfees is seated at the far left and an accordionist is standing behind him, with a drum set at the right. Do you remember the shredded lettuce salads that were so popular at the restaurant?
George Xekalos and his wife, Alexandra, (shown above), bought the restaurant in 1971, following the death of previous owner, Mary Chamis. George began working at the restaurant as a bus boy in 1956.
Town Steak House #1 closed in 1975 and the building was used later for the Rose and Thistle Restaurant. The photo shown above is Town Steak House#1 in 1962, at left. Bobbitt’s College Pharmacy is shown at the right. A new median was recently installed in the street between the restaurant and the pharmacy.
Town Steak House #2 closed about 1984.
Postcard courtesy of Molly Grogan Rawls. Black and white photographs courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
I remember the Town Steak House on Lockland and Hawthorne across from Bobbitt’s. When we were kids walking home from Brunson Elementary on a hot afternoon, my siblings and I would stop in and request a glass of iced water at the bar. The lady behind the bar was always so gracious.and we’d leave her a tip of 10 cents.
My younger sister’s late dad was a cook at Town Steak House #2. George used to give candy bars to my brother and me.