Massachusetts has been around since the earliest days of this nation, so it makes sense that we also have one of the oldest restaurants in the country. This place served the founding fathers, housed exiled European royalty and still makes an incredible plate of seafood. Read on to learn more about Boston’s Union Oyster House.
The Union Oyster House is the oldest continuously operating restaurant in America. It’s actually a National Historic Landmark.
Built in 1704, this structure didn’t become a restaurant until 1826.
Some pretty famous people have been regulars at the Union.
Daniel Webster was known to finish at least six plates of oysters at a sitting. And he sat often.
President John F. Kennedy’s favorite booth at the Union is marked with a plaque, in case you want to reserve a seat.
Most bizarre of all, King Louis Philippe of France actually lived in exile on the second floor of the restaurant in 1796. He earned his keep by teaching French to young American women.
The first American waitress, Rose Carey, started work at the Union Oyster House in 1920. Until then, servers had been exclusively men. You can find her picture on the wall near the stairway.
Originally, the restaurant was called the Atwood and Bacon Oyster House, but it was almost immediately changed to the Union Oyster House.
The Union Oyster House also has another curious claim to fame – the toothpick. The story goes that picks were imported from South America, and that Harvard students were paid to loudly request them in order to popularize the new tool.
You cannot miss the clam chowder here.
Or the lobster roll.
And, of course, the oysters aren’t too shabby.
With almost 200 years of history behind it, this restaurant is still serving up phenomenal fare.
Massachusetts is bursting with fascinating history. For a few tidbits you might not know about this great state, check out these 10 bizarre facts from Massachusetts history.
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