Rathbun's Blue Plate specials

The History of the Blue Plate

The history of the blue plate special goes back many years to kitchens and restaurants during the 1930's.  Specifically, the blue plate special consisted of a low priced meal at a local diner.  

During the depression, plate manufacturers began making a sectional blue plate that was sectioned off into three sections.  The sections were meant to have a "meat and three" so that the diner could have a "full" square meal. Why were they only made into a "blue plate" is still a mystery.

One could not substitute a "Blue Plate" special meal and the cost was frequently less than twenty five cents.

In most recent terms, a "blue plate special" can be an inexpensive full meal in kitchens or restaurants throughout the country. One can also find a "blue plate special on the popular Turner South cable channel during its daily movie selection. And that is not even in a kitchen!

There is even a novel called "The Last Blue Plate Special" that was written by mystery writer, Abigail Padgett.

There is also a  blues band named "Blue Plate Special" but they are not in a kitchen, they are on the stage.

And for children, The Children's Museum in Boston presents a participatory-theatre show, that teaches good nutrition; the show is called "Blue Plate Special".

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Revised: 03/14/09.