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Shrank’s Tasty Food Shop Menus

 Collection
Identifier: RH-A-4334

Scope and Contents

This is a collection of three daily specials menus from Shrank’s Tasty Food Shop from circa 1935-1936. Founded by Roy A. Shrank (who also founded Shrank’s Cafeteria in Battle Creek in 1932) the restaurant was located at 111 Michigan Avenue in downtown Kalamazoo.

These daily special menus advertise Shrank’s Supper Specials. The first special is given the heading “EXTRA SPECIAL SUPPER” and the other items are under the heading “SPECIAL PLATE.” An example of a special plate is:

Pot Roast of Baby Beef with Boiled Potato, Brown Gravy, Creamed Rutabaga, Cottage Cheese and Pineapple Salad, Hot Rolls and Butter, Drink…………35¢

Other meals include Grilled Pork Steak, Lamb Chops, Fried Deep Boneless Skinless Haddock, and Vegetable Plate. Homemade Pie or Cake is advertised at 10¢, a la mode is 15¢.

Dates

  • Creation: approximately 1935-1939

Creator

Biographical / Historical

Shrank’s Tasty Food Shop was founded by Roy A. Shrank who also founded Shrank’s Cafeteria in Battle Creek, Michigan and The Arcadia Brook Golf Club Grill in Kalamazoo. Shrank also ran the Columbia Hotel, in Kalamazoo. Over the years Shrank’s Tasty Food Shop was managed by Iris Kimble and owned and operated by Leon G. Agon, who was a restaurateur from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Shrank’s Tasty Food Shop operated from about 1935-1939 at 111 Michigan Avenue in downtown Kalamazoo.

Extent

.10 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Items were found in the collection.

Physical Description

This collection is .10 cubic feet and is composed of three daily specials menus printed on thin, poor quality paper that is yellowed. There are stains that are likely from kitchen grease. Some edges are torn and folded. One page has blue text and the other two are black. The menu printed in blue has some meals crossed out, probably by a server as they ran out of those specials. Blurry text and smudges make them all mildly difficult to read. The pages are in overall poor condition and have been encapsulated to prevent damage.

Title
Shrank’s Tasty Food Shop Menus finding aid
Status
Completed
Author
Stephanie Chapman
Date
2022-12-01
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Western Michigan University Archives & Regional History Collections Repository

Contact:
Charles C. and Lynn L. Zhang Legacy Collections Center
1650 Oakland Drive
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5307 US
(269) 387-8490