Little Tavern facts for kids
Little Tavern Shops was a popular chain of small hamburger restaurants. They were mostly found in and around Baltimore, Maryland, Arlington, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.. These shops were known for their tasty burgers and unique look.
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History of Little Tavern
The very first Little Tavern opened its doors on March 24, 1927. This happened in Louisville, Kentucky, thanks to a person named Harry F. Duncan. The idea quickly grew, and the first shop in Washington, D.C., opened in October 1928.
Just two years later, in June 1930, the first Little Tavern in Baltimore began serving customers. The chain grew quite fast. By 1937, there were 33 shops open for business. At its busiest time, there were almost 50 Little Tavern locations.
Changes Over Time
Harry F. Duncan, the founder, sold the entire chain in 1981. After many successful years, the restaurants faced some challenges in the 1990s. The very last Little Tavern restaurant closed on April 29, 2008.
However, one location in Laurel got a new life. It reopened that same year as "Laurel Tavern Donuts." The new owners even received the original burger recipe. So, as of 2022, you could still enjoy a classic Little Tavern burger there!
What Made Little Tavern Special?
Little Tavern Shops had a few things that made them stand out. Their main slogan was "Buy 'em by the bag." This meant you could buy many burgers at once to take home. Their signs also promised "Cold Drinks * Good Coffee."
Tiny Shops, Big Flavor
These restaurants were quite small inside. They usually had space for only a few people to sit down. Most customers would order their food to go, which is called "take-out." This made them a quick and easy stop for a meal.
Unique Building Style
When Little Tavern first started, from 1928 to 1931, their buildings looked like small castles. They were made of blocks and were similar to other popular burger chains like White Castle.
But soon, they changed their style. The Baltimore No. 3 shop was the first to use a special "Tudor cottage" design. This look became very famous for Little Tavern. It made their shops look like charming, tiny houses with steep roofs and decorative timber.
Other Similar Restaurants
Little Tavern was part of a trend of small, quick-service burger chains. Here are a few others that were similar:
- White Tower Hamburgers
- White Castle
- Krystal
- McDonald's in its early years also started with a similar focus on quick, simple meals.
