Vintage Menus of the United States Lines
View of the Main Dining Saloon - S.S. Leviathan
United States Lines operated cargo services from 1921 to 1989, and ocean liners until 1969—most famously, the SS United States and the Leviathan. USL was the only US Government owned Steamship Line.
Breakfast Menus
SS President Arthur - 23 October 1923
Vintage Breakfast Bill of Fare from 23 October 1923 on board the SS President Arthur of the United States Lines featured Scrambled Eggs aux Crevettes, Fried Flounder with Melted Butter, and Calfs Liver with Bacon. The Bill of Fare selections were printed in both English and German.
Oher Breakfast Menus from This Voyage:
- 24 October 1923
Vintage Breakfast Bill of Fare from Tuesday, 24 October 1923 featured extensive offerings including Fried Cod Fish Steaks in Tomato Sauce, Omelette Sarah Bernhardt, and Poached Eggs Rothschild. The Bill of Fare selections were printed in English and German. - 25 October 1923
Vintage Breakfast Bill of Fare from Thursday, 25 October 1923 featured an extensive selection including Fried Eel in Drawn Butter, Scrambled Eggs à la Kleber, and Goulas à la Minute. The Bill of Fare selections were printed in English and German. - 26 October 1923
Vintage Breakfast Bill of Fare from 26 October 1923 featured fruits, Cereals, Fish, Eggs & Pancakes, Meats, Mutton Chops, Potatoes and Toast. - 27 October 1923
Vintage Breakfast Bill of Fare and Concert Program from 27 October 1923 offered Salted Cod and Fried Sole along with Stewed Apples for the Day's addition to standard American breakfast fare. - 28 October 1923
Sunday's Breakfast Bill of Fare from 28 October 1923 featured Fried Codfish Steak, Fried Flounder, Rossini Eggs à la Turbigo and Diamond Stew in addition to traditional American fare. - 1 November 1923
Vintage Breakfast Bill of Fare from Thursday, 1 November 1923 onboard the SS President Arthur featured Omelette à la Jurassienne, Shirred Eggs Meyerbeer, and Fricandelles, Onion Sauce in addition to tradational American fare.
SS President Harding - 8 April 1934
Colorful breakfast Bill of Fare card from the SS President Harding offered a Third Cabin viewpoint through the passenger's diary of the day written on the back of the menu.
Another Breakfast Bill of Fare from This Voyage:
- 13 April 1934
Vintage Third Cabin Breakfast Bill of Fare Card from 13 April 1934 featured Salt Mackerel, Clear Butter, Scrambled Eggs with Bacon or Plain, and Fried Country Sausage.
Daily Menus
Large Format Vintage Captain's Dinner Bill of Fare from Tuesday, 10 August 1954 on board the SS America of the United States lines featured Lobster à la Newburg, Grilled Choice T-Bone Steak, Sauce Bercy, and Compote: Preserved Black Bing Cherries for dessert. The Bill of Fare includes autographs and statements by the guests.
Dinner Menus
SS George Washington - 7 July 1931
Stately Farewell Dinner Bill of Fare and Musical Program, complete with a photograph of the dinner guests for this 7 July 1931 meal on board the SS George Washington of the United States Lines. Includes Photo of Dinner Guest at Farewell Gala.
Vintage Farewell Dinner Bill of Fare from 10 May 1928 on board the SS Leviathan of the United States Lines featured Reindeer Steak, Poivrade, Plovers à la Souvaroff, and Soufflé Confiture for dessert.
Elegant Vintage Second Cabin Dinner Bill of Fare from Tuesday, 24 July 1934 on board the SS Manhattan of the United States Lines featured Fresh Sole Sauté, Meunière - Potato Salad, Râgout Financière en Cassolette, Fleurons , and Soufflé Mercedes for dessert. The four page Bill of Fare included a Musical Program.
Vintage Dinner Bill of Fare from Friday, 12 April 1935 on board the SS Manhattan of the United States Lines featured Fried Filet of Lemon Sole, Sauce Cavour, Stuffed Egg à la Parisienne - Fried Parsley, and Crêpes Parisienne for dessert. The Bill of Fare included a Musical Program.
Vintage Dinner Bill of Fare from 13 April 1935 on board the SS Manhattan of the United States Lines featured a very extensive selection including Lobster à la Newburg, Chester Straws, Fresh Ox Tongue, Sauce Polonaise, and Cheese Soufflé for dessert. A musical program accompanied this menu.
SS President Arthur - 19 October 1923
Vintage Dinner Bill of Fare from Friday, 19 October 1923 on board the SS President Arthur of the United States Lines featured Boiled Beef Tongue à la Florentine, Roast Fresh Ham, Hollandaise, and Isabella Cake for dessert. The menu, published in English and German, included a Concert Program.
Other Dinner Menus from This Voyage:
- 21 October 1923
Vintage Dinner Bill of Fare from Sunday, 21 October 1923 featured Calf’s Head en Tortue, Roast Loin Pork Paysanne, and Sponge Cake for dessert. The menu, published in English and German, included a Concert Program. - 22 October 1923
Vintage Dinner Bill of Fare from Monday, 22 October 1923 featured Patties à la Reine, Fried Lamb Tongue Tomato Sauce, and Jelly Rolls for dessert. The menu, published in English and German, included a Concert Program. - 23 October 1923
Vintage Dinner Bill of Fare from Tuesday, 23 October 1923 featured Tripe à la Viennoise, Roast Surrey Capon, Bread Sauce, and Richelieu Cake for dessert. The menu, published in English and German, included a Concert Program. - 24 October 1923
Vintage Dinner Bill of Fare from Wednesday, 24 October 1923 featured Veal Cutlets à la Pojarski, Fricandelles aux Morilles, and Brabanter Tart for dessert. The menu, published in English and German, included a Concert Program. - 25 October 1923
Vintage Dinner Bill of Fare Card from Thursday, 25 October 1923 featured Croquettes of Beef Tenderloin, Mushroom sauce, Prague Ham à la Metternich, and Raisin Tartlets for dessert. The menu, published in English and German, included a Concert Program. - 27 October 1923
Vintage Dinner Bill of Fare from Saturday, 27 October 1923 featured Croquettes of Beef Tenderloin, Mushroom sauce, Baked Bluefish Creole, and Linzer Cake for dessert. The menu, published in English and German, included a Concert Program. - 28 October 1923
Vintage Dinner Bill of Fare from Sunday, 28 October 1923 featured Sweetbread Patties à la Toulouse, Salmi of Gosling Chipolatas, and Wiener Cake for dessert. The menu, published in English and German, included a Concert Program. - 29 October 1923
Vintage Dinner Bill of Fare from Monday, 29 October 1923 featured Yorkshire Ham Glace & Asparagus Tips, Chicken Croquettes Petits Pois, and Pound Cake for dessert. The menu, published in English and German, included a Concert Program.
SS President Harding - 7 April 1934
Vintage Dinner Bill of Fare Card from Saturday, 7 April 1934 on board the SS President Harding of the United States Lines featured Calf’s Head en Tortue, Baked Mackerel, Mexicaine, and FeaturedDessert for dessert. The reverse side contained weather notations by the passengers.
Another Dinner Bill of Fare From This Voyage:
- 13 April 1934
Vintage Third Cabin Dinner Bill of Fare Card from Friday, 13 April 1934 featured Lamb Stew à la Bretonne, Roast Beef au Jus, and Chocolate Pudding, Vanilla Sauce for dessert.
SS President Harding - 12 April 1934
Vintage Farewell Dinner Bill of Fare from 12 April 1934 on board the SS President Harding of the United States Lines featured Fried Plaice, Meunière, Baked Irish Ham, and Neapolitan Ice Cream for dessert. The Bill of Fare included the Credo for the United States Lines.
SS President Monroe Captains - 10 August 1922
Vintage Captain's Farewell Dinner Bill of Fare from 10 August 1922 on board the SS President Monroe of the United States Lines featured Poached Halibot, Normandie, Lamb Cutlets, Dartois, and Glacé au Chocolat for dessert. A list of chief officers for this voyage was included.
Vintage Farewell Dinner Bill of Fare and Music Program from 3 October 1926 on board the SS Republic of the United States Lines featured Filet of Solo à la Doria, Saddle of Lamb, Brabant, and Profiteroles Glacé au Chocolat for dessert. This beautifully scripted Bill of Fare also listed chief officers of the ship.
SS United States - 22 September 1928
Vintage Farewell Dinner Bill of Fare and Music Program from 22 September 1928 on board the SS United States of the Scandinavian-American Line featured Fillet of Fish Vin Blanc, Roast Duck with Apple and Prunes, and Pyramid Cake for dessert.
SS Washington - 22 November 1933
Vintage Dinner Bill of Fare from Wednesday, 22 November 1933 on board the SS Washington of the United States Lines featured Veal Tenderloin, Mouquin Style, Vichied Loin of Pork, Périgord Sauce, and Fruit Jell-O, Whipped Cream for dessert.
Another Dinner Bill of Fare From This Voyage:
Vintage Tourist Cabin Dinner Bill of Fare from 25 November 1933 featured Boiled Red Snapper, Sauce Américaine, Double Entrecôte, Lyonnaise, and Tutti Frutti Ice Cream for dessert.
Luncheon Menus
SS President Arthur - 23 October 1923
Vintage Luncheon Bill of Fare from 23 October 1923 on board the SS President Arthur of the United States Lines featured Beef Roulade, Sauce Piquante, Chicken Maryland, and Blueberry Pie for dessert.
Other Luncheon Menus for This Voyage:
- 24 October 1923
Vintage Luncheon Bill of Fare from 24 October 1923 featured Baked Weakfish Créole, English Steak & Kidney Pie, and Compote of Apricots for dessert. - 25 October 1923
Vintage Luncheon Bill of Fare from 25 October 1923 featured Fried Flounder, Potato Salad, Hamburger Steak with Onion Sauce, and Peach Pie for dessert. - 27 October 1923
Vintage Luncheon Bill of Fare from 27 October 1923 featured Boiled Turbot, Horseradish Butter, Creamed Pork Tenderloin, and Blackberry Pie for dessert. - 28 October 1923
Vintage Luncheon Bill of Fare from 28 October 1923 featured Filet of Sole, Sauce Rémoulade, Corned Shoulder of Pork, Red Cabbage, and Apricot Pie for dessert.
SS President Harding - 10 April 1934
Vintage Third Cabin Luncheon Bill of Fare from 10 April 1934 on board the SS President Harding of the United States Lines featured PrimaryEntre, SecondaryEntre, and FeaturedDessert for dessert. Reverse Side contained personal notes from the passenger regarding voyage.
Expansive luncheon Bill of Fare selections make this Tourist Cabin Luncheon a feast for the passenges. The Bill of Fare features a chef's special consisting of Home Cured Corned Beef and Steamed Green Cabbage, Boiled New Bermuda Potatoes & Bran Biscuit.
Private Party Menus
SS Leviathan Private Dinner Party - 10 June 1928
Elaborate Private Party Dinner Bill of Fare on board the Flagship of the United States Lines, the SS Leviathan. This Sunday Dinner hosted by Mr. S. B. Applebaum featured Filet of Sole and Roast Vermont Turkey with Crème Dame Blanche. This four-page Bill of Fare was bound by an elegant Red, White and Blue striped and tasseled string.
Special Occasion Menus
SS Manhattan Easter Dinner - 21 April 1935
Elegant tassle string bound Easter Dinner Bill of Fare featured Boiled River Salmon, Sauce Colbert, Roast Stuffed Vermont Turkey and Legs and Saddle of Easter Lamb. Music Program included.
Vintage Menus from the GG Archives collection are representative of the menus, typically printed on board each steamship during the voyage onto a blank pre-printed graphic cover. The bill of fares was intended as souvenirs of the journey and provided to each passenger for that class (First, Second, Third, Tourist, etc.). Many survive today as delightful displays of gourmet meals served in elegant dining saloons on the ocean liners of yesteryear.
