In the south-west part of Georgia
there once was a popular landmark, the Steak House Restaurant was situated
next door to the locally owned Kay Lyn Kourt, and located on the section of
highway that was frequented by tourist on their way to and from Florida.
This historic stretch of the road was part of the old Georgia State Route
55; it was well traveled; especially by the snow birds from the northern
United States and Canada, and passed through Richland, directly in front of
the motel and café.
For countless years Otto’s maternal
aunt, Nadine Woody Carter Bridges, owned and operated the Steak House, which
besides the tourist traffic, was frequented by coffee drinkers, journeying
family units and hungry local teenagers. It was not unusual for diners,
especially on the weekend, to circle the building several times seeking a
suitable parking place because the enormous parking lot was filled to
capacity.
In those days local business
establishments depended on the tourist trade and welcomed them with open
arms, in fact there were several enterprises that courted the travelers with
coupons, green stamps and special treatment that caused them to stop, shop
and spend the night in Richland. The Georgia Motel, T & T Restaurant, the
Dairy Queen, and Hill Top Grocery, plus numerous gasoline service- stations
befriended the visitors and encouraged them to come back next year.
The Steak House extended the hand of
friendship to the travelers with excellent food, a spotless dining area with
plenty of booths and tables, and an autograph book on each tabletop, which
the waitresses encouraged the visitors to comment and sign before their
departure. It is little known except by close family and friends that in
early November, Aunt Nadine, her daughter Linda, and available volunteers
searched the books for current information and distributed Christmas cards
to those who left their mailing address.
There were printed menus that were
delivered by the friendly wait staff, and for short orders, there was an
enormous RC Cola lighted board that displayed the available items that were
ready to-go. One of the popular items on the extensive menu was called a
hot-hamburger that was served with real French fries and a small salad
topped with fresh cucumber slices and tomato quarters; the two all-beef
patties were served open face on burger buns and smothered with rich brown
gravy.
Later I will share additional
memoires of the Steak House in my hometown of Richland, Georgia.
