November 8, 1968 The Newly Opened Picadilly Cafeteria at Northwest Mall

The penultimate set from the Bailey files that were purchased for publication on the blog are from Almeda Mall's twin, Northwest Mall, in the first month of Picadilly Cafeteria's operation therein.

These and the final set (not yet delivered) were the only ones in color. 

And what amazing color. One thing Picadilly's interior decoration was not, was understated.

Those greens and pinks. 

When I saw that wall hanging again after decades I was overcome with a wave of memory. Those stained glass triangles. Those gargoylish statues holding the lights and little platters down the waiting line, which served as ashtrays for the impatient diners who could continue puffing as they peeked through the windows on the right to the luckier diners who'd already made it through. Past the jello and the salads, the vegetables, and entrees, the bread, and the desserts. Oh, the desserts. 

by permission, Bob Bailey Studios Photographic Archive, e_bb_6432

The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin

a couple of zoom-ins:

I simply have no words.

The second photo was of the dining room itself, in all its green-boothed and pink-chaired glory.

by permission, Bob Bailey Studios Photographic Archive, e_bb_6431

The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin

The Picadilly at Almeda served patrons until June 15, 2014. One of the ladies who worked as cashier until the closing had been there 38 years. Truly the end of an era.