Collecting Vintage Hotelware or Restaurant Ware

What is vintage hotel ware or restaurant ware? Get the scoop on collecting this classic dishware, an icon of American history.

Have you ever heard the term restaurant ware or hotel ware? Today I’m sharing my mix and match thrifted collection of vintage dishware on our kitchen shelves. I’ll fill you in on it’s history and where I find these classic dishes. Hope you enjoy Collecting Vintage Hotelware or Restaurant Ware, and it inspires you to keep an eye out yourself!

Thrifting with the Gals

Today’s post is part of our monthly Thrifting with the Gals series! We are happy to have Laura from Decor to Adore joining us today as our guest! Laura is an amazing seamstress and loves a good theme when she’s decorating or hosting. Laura has the same name as her Little House on the Prairie namesake: Laura Ingalls Gunn (yes, she is related). She loves creating around the Little House theme on her blog, Decor to Adore. Thanks for joining us today, Laura!

The Thrifting with the Gals team: Here’s what we do and where we’re from

Ann, Dabbling and Decorating: Ann blogs from her antique-filled homes in Vermont and Maine. She loves decorating with blue and loves the nostalgia of her New England family home.

Rachel, The Ponds Farmhouse: Rachel is a die hard thrifter and loves upcycling and crafting to fill her eclectic home with unique and beautiful decor. She blogs from North Carolina.

Robyn, Robyn’s French Nest: Robyn is the most south and blogs from sunny Florida. Her lovely home is filled with neutral, French-inspired vintage finds. She loves showing readers how to style their homes beautifully.

Lora, Create and Ponder: I blog from Minnesota, the farthest north. I love to rescue curbside vintage junk finds and bring new life to them through upcycling and repurposing. If you’ve got old stuff laying around, I’ll give you ideas to use it!

Collecting Vintage Hotelware or Restaurant Ware

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What is Vintage Hotel Ware or Restaurant Ware?

Vintage hotel ware and restaurant ware are dishes made for commercial use. Before mass packaging, different patterns of dishes were used in hotels, restaurants, school cafeterias, churches, railroad cars and cruise ships.

The sturdy china was made to resist chipping and scratching. You’ll recognize it by it’s thickness and shiny glaze. A more streamlined version of ironstone, the patterns were usually simpler than domestic dishware. Popular patterns were flowers, geometrics, western-themed, palm trees, and air brushed designs. Many establishments had custom designs imprinted on their china. Pieces with custom designs can be very collectible.

Syracuse China Company was one of the first companies to create dinnerware for the hospitality industry in 1871. Shenango Pottery Company produced only commercial china from 1909 to 1935. Many other companies created commercial lines also. It was the dishware of choice in public eating establishments before the popular Fire King Jadeite started being used.

For more history, enjoy THIS article with many more details.

Collecting Vintage Hotelware or Restaurant Ware

I’ve always called these types of dishes restaurant ware, but in digging into the history, many call them hotel ware also. In the same family are railroad china, specifically used to promote the popular railroad hospitality business. Each rail line would have their own custom dishware; very collectible if you can find it!

I’m just a lowly thrifter and am thrilled when I can find a few pieces here and there. These dishes were not passed down through the generations like household dishes. My guess is many were just trashed, unfortunately. It’s rare to find a large number of them together.

As a result, my collection is a mix and match bunch. Many of the designs are fairly simple, which makes combining them easier. I’m drawn to the cool colors: gray, blues, greens, black. My collection is a mix of air brushed, geometric patterns, and a few florals.

Custom Designs

I have a few that have custom designs; I’d love to know what the initials stood for. I’m guessing the two large platters with red and green stripes were some type of church? F___ Lutheran Church, I’m guessing? The other black logo is K _ C…all I could think of was Kentucky Fried Chicken?

Where Do You Find Hotel and Restaurant Ware?

I’ve always got my eyes peeled for these dishes, but rarely find them. I scored a large stack of small dessert dishes with a pretty white flower when a downtown church was closing it’s doors.

At a recent funeral, the small, old church used a pretty red flowered set. I wanted to tell someone if they were ever going to get rid of them, I’d take them:) (You know I have no pride when it comes to scoring vintage finds!)

I’ve picked up some at church sales and garage sales. But I’ve had the best luck at vintage shops and antique shops; the dealers get around!

The Variety of Hotel Ware Shapes When Collecting

Because these commercial lines of china were used in the hospitality business, there are a wide variety of shapes to find. Oval shaped serving platters, dinner plates and small plates are common. At diners and cafeterias, it was a common menu item to have a small bowl of soup and a sandwich. Or a bowl of cereal and toast. It makes sense why oval shaped dishes were common.

Small creamers and pitchers are another popular find. They would be filled with cream for a bowl of cereal, or syrup for pancakes. Finding these little treasures is always fun! My collection has expanded the last couple of years. They’re displayed across my windowsill currently.

How to Enjoy and Display Vintage Restaurant Ware

If you’re just starting a collection, displaying a single plate in a plate stand can be a great beginning. As your collection grows, you can add them to a hutch display. I’ve found a couple large plain white platters lately that are a great backdrop in my hutch.

When you find a group of them, use them for everyday use. They are sturdy; meant for heavy use. I love to stack them on our open kitchen shelves so I can enjoy all the patterns together. We love having different sized plates and saucers available, too. For some reason, the men-folk really love the small ovals with the black pattern around.

Collecting Vintage Hotelware; A Nostalgic Collection

Years ago my dad came home with a whole box of dishes that had been stuck in the basement of his work, which happened to be a university. We used this set growing up and they were handed down to me. My youngest, Mr. Freckles, says this is his favorite set of dishes. I bring them out in the Fall because of their warm colors. Luckily I have plates, bowls, butter pats and several little pitchers. This old set is a treasure; I know whose house it will be going to next;)

Did you learn a lot about hotel ware and restaurant ware today? Do you remember using this old dishware? I’d love to hear the stories! If you’re new to it, maybe you’ll be like me and will be keeping your eyes peeled for pieces when you’re thrifting.

Shop vintage restaurant ware and hotel ware HERE.

Enjoy the rest of our Thrifting with the Gals series HERE.

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Enjoy the rest of the inspiration from my Thrifting With The Gals friends, and be sure to Pin and Save below!

Laura, Decor to Adore, “A Lovely Dinner Party with Thrifted Finds”

Ann, Dabbling and Decorating, “How to Style Eclectic Interiors with Timeless Style”

Rachel, The Ponds Farmhouse, “How to Transform a Thrift Store Painting Into Vintage Artwork”

Robyn, Robyn’s French Nest, “5 Easy Tips for Mirror Decorating in the Living Room”

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