Miami-Dade County

Look at all that food for the taking! See Morrison’s, Biscayne, old Miami cafeterias

Customers line up to pick their meals at Morrison’s Cafeteria in Hallandale Beach in 1985.
Customers line up to pick their meals at Morrison’s Cafeteria in Hallandale Beach in 1985. Miami Herald File

You can use a hot meal right now.

Main course, a couple of sides, a slice of pie. Just help yourself to the dessert and point to the turkey or Salisbury steak that’s beckoning from behind the glass. Remember to ask for extra gravy.

There aren’t many cafeterias left in South Florida. A few hospitals have them. Schools, of course. And a lone Piccadilly in South Broward after the chain cut back its presence in Florida.

Gone are Morrison’s, Biscayne, Polly Davis and all those cafeterias in South Beach that lured old people every day.

KNOW MORE: What will happen to the last Piccadilly in Florida? Changes for beloved gathering spot

Let’s dip into the Miami Herald archives and see what they once looked like and dished up:

The food

Carving the meat at Piccadilly.
Carving the meat at Piccadilly. Miami Herald File
Workers prepare the buffet at Piccadilly Cafeteria.
Workers prepare the buffet at Piccadilly Cafeteria. Miami Herald File
Dessert selections come first at the Piccadilly Cafeteria.
Dessert selections come first at the Piccadilly Cafeteria. Miami Herald File
Serving up a blue plate special at the Picadilly Cafeteria.
Serving up a blue plate special at the Picadilly Cafeteria. Miami Herald File
Heaping pans of food at the Picadilly.
Heaping pans of food at the Picadilly. Miami Herald File
An entree at orrison’s Cafeteria.
An entree at orrison’s Cafeteria. Miami Herald File
The posted menu at Biscayne Cafeteria.
The posted menu at Biscayne Cafeteria. Miami Herald File

The customers

A diner at Biscayne Cafeteria.
A diner at Biscayne Cafeteria. Miami Herald File
Customers line up to pick their meals at Morrison’s Cafeteria in Hallandale Beach in 1985.
Customers line up to pick their meals at Morrison’s Cafeteria in Hallandale Beach in 1985. Miami Herald File
In 1979 at the Concord Cafeteria in South Beach, the Ring Boxing 31 Club discusses the sport.
In 1979 at the Concord Cafeteria in South Beach, the Ring Boxing 31 Club discusses the sport. Bob East Miami Herald File
Diners at a Piccadillly Cafeteria in South Florida in 1999.
Diners at a Piccadillly Cafeteria in South Florida in 1999. Miami Herald File
Customers lineup for their meals at the Concord Cafeteria in SOuth Beach in 1981.
Customers lineup for their meals at the Concord Cafeteria in SOuth Beach in 1981. Bruce Gilbert Miami Herald File

SEE MORE: The day this beloved South Beach cafeteria was firebombed in a deadly attack

The workers

Henry Dreyfuss, a server, at the steam table in the Concord Cafeteria in 1982.
Henry Dreyfuss, a server, at the steam table in the Concord Cafeteria in 1982. Michel duCille Miami Herald File
Harold Griffin, captain of the waiters at Biscayne Cafeteria.
Harold Griffin, captain of the waiters at Biscayne Cafeteria. Alan Freund Miami Herald File
Customers chat with a server at Biscayne Cafeteria.
Customers chat with a server at Biscayne Cafeteria. Alan Freund Miami Herald File
In 1999, server Kim Allen ladles one of 16 side dishes at the grand opening of Piccadilly Cafeteria on University Drive in Davie.
In 1999, server Kim Allen ladles one of 16 side dishes at the grand opening of Piccadilly Cafeteria on University Drive in Davie. Marianne M. Armshaw Miami Herald File
In 1973, customers peer into the Concord Cafeteria in South Beach while the restaurant was under repairs after a firebombing.
In 1973, customers peer into the Concord Cafeteria in South Beach while the restaurant was under repairs after a firebombing. Miami Herald File

The cafeterias

Morrison’s Cafeteria on Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale in 1985.
Morrison’s Cafeteria on Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale in 1985. Miami Herald File
The exterior of a new Polly Davis Cafeteria will open in Hollywood. The chain also had restaurants in Miami, Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale.
The exterior of a new Polly Davis Cafeteria will open in Hollywood. The chain also had restaurants in Miami, Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale. Miami Herald File
The interior of a new Polly Davis Cafeteria in Hollywood in 1954.
The interior of a new Polly Davis Cafeteria in Hollywood in 1954. Miami Herald File
The Biscayne Cafeteria was popular gathering spot on Northeast Second Avenue in Miami Shores.
The Biscayne Cafeteria was popular gathering spot on Northeast Second Avenue in Miami Shores. Miami Herald File
In 1983, the exterior of the Concord Cafeteria in South Beach.
In 1983, the exterior of the Concord Cafeteria in South Beach. Battle Vaughan Miami Herald File
In 1982, the Concord Cafeteria in South Beach.
In 1982, the Concord Cafeteria in South Beach. Bruce Gilbert Miami Herald File
In 1980, Biscayne Cafeteria, which had locations in Miami and Coral Gables.
In 1980, Biscayne Cafeteria, which had locations in Miami and Coral Gables. Alan Freund Miami Herald File

This story was originally published November 8, 2023 at 9:53 AM.

Profile Image of Jeff Kleinman
Jeff Kleinman
Miami Herald
305-376-3561
Consumer Team Editor Jeff Kleinman oversees coverage for health, shopping, real estate, tourism and recalls/scams/fraud.
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