Liddacoat's (vs Menu Tree) Historic Photos, posted by Andrew L. Freedman, a resident of the College Terrace neighborhood, on Apr 7, 2008 at 2:34 pm Andrew L. Freedman is a member (registered user) of Palo Alto Online
This picture is from the Palo Alto Historic Association's Website.
I recall when Liddacoat’s had about 20 different food businesses competing for your lunch money. When I was working in downtown Palo Alto, I'd eat lunch there almost every day. As soon as you'd walk in, if you made eye contact with anyone behind the food counter, they would practically start to dish out what they think you had previously ordered from them. Then you'd have to say (lie), "Oh, I'm just looking. I'll be back." Sometimes they’d put on a pitiful look like, they’re going to go out of business if you don’t get your lunch from them. A little bit of a guilt trip before lunch. I recall the day that Mrs. Fields came to dedicate her cookie shop. I kissed her!
Liddacoat's was a little like Menu Tree at the Sears Shopping Center, except Menu Tree was much, much, more spacious and was geared for lunch and dinner. My dad would take me and my two brothers there for dinner once a week. He’d get us situated on the second floor at a table and then he’d go down to get his dinner. My older brother and I would then shoot straw wrappers off the second floor, occasionally hitting some unsuspecting patron, until my dad came up to join us.
Posted by Liddicoats fan, a resident of another community, on Apr 7, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Ah, yes, Liddicoats. I still miss the place. Some of the food there was great. Sako's and the middleastern booth at the entrance were my favorites. When I worked downtown it was a favorite lunch spot when we went out as a group. We could split up, grab our favorite food, and regroup to eat. No need to pick a cousine that suited everyone's tastebuds. The cockroaches and grimy tables were something we tried not to think about.
Posted by WilliamR, a resident of the Fairmeadow neighborhood, on Apr 7, 2008 at 6:50 pm
My recollection of Liddicoat's was that it was a regular grocery store that was converted into a food court, probably in the early 60's. Am I remembering correctly?
And yes, the story mentioned that it did have some health code violations. Well, I guess that explains why I spent more time in the bathroom then at my desk (just kidding).
Posted by Marcia (Temme) Hardcastle, a resident of the Duveneck/St. Francis neighborhood, on Jul 21, 2008 at 6:00 pm
I grew up in Palo Alto in the 50s. Liddicoats was an upscale grocery. We would grocery shop once a week, first at Safeway for the staples then off to Liddicoats for fresh seafood. Everything was fresh, clean and good in those days. No one ever had to concern themselves about tainted food or food poisoning. Sad that we have to seek out quality in American markets these days. Glad I was alive then; we had a great neighborhood on Embarcadero Road and no one ever locked their doors. We made up our own plays in the garage and played games outside, no video games or color tv then. Community Center was one of my fav places. I participated in classes, theater, May day events and more. I also braved swimming lessons at Riconada freezing pool. Many good times then. Also wrote for Palo Alto Times when at Paly High where we plan a 45th reunion gathering this year on Labor Day. Life was most excellent then. Eichlers were around the corner, a big field across the street all the way to Bayshore HIghway. Enjoyed the recent Eichler remod video. Duvenek was Green Gables Elementary, which it will always be for me.
View in an RSS Reader
E-mail this topic.
Print this topic.
This picture is from the Palo Alto Historic Association's Website.
