TALES OF MCCARTHY'S
From the Re-Echo, December 2007

We received a letter from Mr. Meredith McCarthy, brother of the Keith McCarthy who owned the restaurant of the same name. We followed up with an interview, and learned that the restaurant was originally proposed to be at Excelsior Blvd. and Highway 100, where the King’s Inn and now Granite City is. The City Council turned Keith McCarthy down, but a member of the City Council (who might have been corrupt) introduced Keith to the notorious gangster Tommy Banks. Banks held part interest in several bars in Minneapolis, and got McCarthy into business. In 1942 they received the last liquor license that the City could issue until the next census in 1950.

The café was originally a long stucco rambler, and was added onto in 1947. At one time it featured black pianist Auzie Dial, and big tipper Mel Hanson, who would put down no less than a $20 bill, even for a 50 cent drink.

Meredith McCarthy worked at the bar before he was of age. He left the bar (as did his brother Keith) in 1947 but stayed in the business. See more at slphistory.org/history/mccarthys.asp

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This information comes from a variety of sources: newspapers, books, yearbooks, phone directories, interviews, etc. Given the varied sources, we cannot guarantee that all of this information is correct, and welcome any additions and corrections. Please contact us with your contributions and comments.