An introduction to the typical eating habits of Americans during the 1940's when McDonald's first stating becoming a big business. By examining the typical meal we know that McDonald's provided an easy and efficient meal for those who needed it. By studying a typical menu from the 1940's, we know that the difference in price made a significant difference when people found out they could get more for their money.
The Basic 7
A U.S. government chart recommends that Americans eat some food from each of the 7 basic food groups. (Archives)
American Home Menus: 1944
These are extracted from the Good Housekeeping Cook Book, New Edition, completely revised 1944 [Farrar & Rinehart:New York]. (Marsh)
BREAKFAST (p. 161)
BRUNCH (p. 894)
LUNCH/SCHOOL LUNCH BOX MEALS (p. 846-7)
LUNCH/BOXED LUNCHES FOR HARD WORKERS (p. 848-9)
DINNER/OVEN (p. 277-8)
DINNER/TIMESAVING (p. 870-1)
DINNER/WHEN LIVING ALONE (p. 873)
BREAKFAST (p. 161)
- Orange juice, choice of cereal, scramble eggs with cheese, whole wheat toast, coffee, milk.
- Halves of grapefruit, choice of cereal, bacon omelet, tosted English muffins, coffee, cocoa.
- Strawberries, cream, choice of cereal, poached eggs on toast (with deviled ham), coffee, milk.
BRUNCH (p. 894)
- Orange juice topped with mint, creamed ham and mushrooms, waffles de luxe, maple syrup, apple butter, coffee, milk.
- Sliced peaches and raspberries, choice of cereal, Canadian bacon, baked eggs with cheese sauce, brioche, coffee, milk.
- Chilled honeydew melon, pan-fried sausages, fried tomatoes in cream gravy, cornmeal muffins, coffee, milk.
LUNCH/SCHOOL LUNCH BOX MEALS (p. 846-7)
- Cream of tomato soup, crackers, raw minced carro and cabbage sandwich (add a little mayonnaise), deviled eggs, soft molasses cookies, apple.
- Vegetable chowder, crackers, peanut butter and orange marmalade sandwiches, celery, packaged cookies, pear.
- Salad of mixed vegetables, pimiento cheese sandwiches, hot water gingerbread, banana, milk.
LUNCH/BOXED LUNCHES FOR HARD WORKERS (p. 848-9)
- Meat loaf sandwiches, spreading cheese and piccalilli sandwiches, celery, peaches, chocolate brownies, milk.
- Sliced ham and egg salad sandwiches, cottage cheese and pickle relish sandwiches, grapes, fig bars, milk.
- Liverwurst sandwiches, egg sandwiches on brown bread, cole slaw, mince turnovers, hot cocoa.
DINNER/OVEN (p. 277-8)
- Liver loaf, mashed potatoes, buttered spinach, hearts of lettuce, French dressing, Melba toast, apple-cheese crisp, cream, coffee.
- Scallopine of veal, boiled white rice, baked pared hubbard squash, cole slaw, whole wheat bread, jellied coffee souffle.
- Tomato juice cocktail, baked mustard corned beef, scalloped potatoes, buttered Brussels sprouts, rye bread, orange sherbert, coffee.
DINNER/TIMESAVING (p. 870-1)
- Quick-seared hamburgers, sauteed bananas, buttered spinach, radish salad, French dressing, bread, applesauce, sponge cake, tea, milk.
- Canned onion soup, canned baked beans, tomato salad with cheese dressing, toasted canned brown bread, canned grapefruit sections in grape juice, coffee, milk.
- Pan-fried sausages, canned spaghetti with tomato soauce, cold cooked broccoli on lettuce calad, French dressing, rolls, coffe ice cream, tea.
DINNER/WHEN LIVING ALONE (p. 873)
- Sauteed fish fillets, buttered limas (add some minced onions), radish and cucumber salad, bread, coffee ice cream, canned chocolate sauce, tea.
- Liver and bacon, buttered asparagus, individual tossed mixed greens salads, sliced peaches, cream, coffee, milk.
- Tomato juice, sausage cakes, corn on the cob, packaged Melba Toast, pineapple and apple salad, cheese, crackers, coffee, milk.
Menu from a popular restaurant from the 1940's.
Already in existence, Hamburg Heaven had been charging more for a burger than the great and powerful McDonald's. Once McDonald's gained popularity, people were more attracted to the the lower prices McDonald's had to offer. McDonald's became successful due to it's fast and efficient service as well as it's low price and deliciousness. Customers did not have to sit and wait for service at Hamburg Heaven when they could visit the closest McDonald's and pick up a hamburger for 1/3rd of the price and three times the speed.
Hamburger at Hamburg Heaven: $0.45-$0.50
Hamburger at McDonalds: $0.15-$0.19
Hamburger at Hamburg Heaven: $0.45-$0.50
Hamburger at McDonalds: $0.15-$0.19