I believe the spelling was Liddicoats. I remember it well from when I had an office in PA.

We used to refer to it as the Vomitorium

A couple of my staff got food poisoning there, it would not pass health code these days.

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.

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?

Hi Mike, William and fan,

All of your recollections are correct. Peter Gauvin wrote a story for the Palo Alto Weekly in 1994.

It was first a meeting hall then a grocery store before it became the lunch place we knew (here’s the link).

Web Link

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).

Andy

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.
Marcia

Menu Tree! The greatest ever! Spacious, yes, good food, inexpensive and the animated birds were wonderful. Who doesn't remember good times at the Menu Tree? The upper level always seemed to be empty. The balcony seats were great for people watching. Part of growing up in the Bay area, cherished memories.

Hey Joe (Marisol?),

Long time no see - I recal you from Wilbur, but we must have bumped into each other over the years, like maybe at one of Romel's famous parties!!

Yes, the upper level at Menu Tree was perfect for blowing straw rappers off to unsuspecting tables below.

Mark H and I get together once a week for Brew-ha-ha's at the Tide House. Good variety of beer. Are you still living in the area?

Just me - Andy