Jimmy the Greeks (LaFayette Cafe)

[DallasCop2566]

My latest Edition of the Alumni Newsletter for Central High School in Oklahoma City had an article regarding James Antonio, owner and operator of the LaFayette Cafe that was
located as I recall at Northwest 6th Street and North Harvey Avenue.

It was most often just called Jimmy the Greeks. He was also known as the Chicken Fry King.

He put out a workman's lunch, all starch and more than one person could eat and the strangest combination of
entrees I have ever seen and if you asked for additional rolls, he would open the roll warmer, grab a couple and throw them above everybody's head to you.

First time I had ever seen those half gallon size ice tea glasses. He said once they were filled, he didn't have to mess around refilling them.

I moved from OKC in 1966 and I am sure Jimmy has long passed on and the building and such replaced.

[gen70]

If I am remembering it right the "Greek" opened a club called "The Greek Club" on N.W. 23rd and (not sure) Robinson. I went there a few times. It was where an old lumber co. had been.

[Generals64]

Yee-Haw:.....I'm NOT the oldest anymore, this is beyond my memory....

[DallasCop2566]

I am so old I remember the groucy old guy with the cigarette always hanging out of the side of his mouth that owned the Milk Bottle Grocery on Classen Boulevard.

Went in there hundreds of times and never, I mean never did I see this guy smile.

You talk about real old, I remember buying gas at Army Armstrong's station or the Classen garage and paying 29.9 cents and griping for weeks when it went up to 30.9 cents a gallon.

One of the things I will never forget is that unique odor as you stepped into Kamp's Grocery Store when they were cooking chilli or smoking sausage----------and those wood floors and the sound they made when you walked on them.

[nik4411]

sounds like my kind of place.

we need more joints like that these days

[papaOU]

sounds like my kind of place.

we need more joints like that these days

We could use at least one......

Don't know where to find a place like that today....

[flintysooner]

If I am remembering it right the "Greek" opened a club called "The Greek Club" on N.W. 23rd and (not sure) Robinson. I went there a few times. It was where an old lumber co. had been.

24th and Broadway. It was the old Longbell Lumber Company yard. It was just The Greeks the way I remember it. Was pretty good place to go too.

But there was tremendous fire in the early 70's (I think) and the building burned just like you would expect an old lumber yard to do. I remember pretty big embers exploding and traveling nearly to 36th Street.

[gen70]

24th and Broadway. It was the old Longbell Lumber Company yard. It was just The Greeks the way I remember it. Was pretty good place to go too.

But there was tremendous fire in the early 70's (I think) and the building burned just like you would expect an old lumber yard to do. I remember pretty big embers exploding and traveling nearly to 36th Street.

Yeah, it was Broadway. It's been a few years. I do remember where you parked was out of site of surrounding streets in the lumber storage area. And yes it was called "The Greeks". I'am glad I'am not the only one who remembers the place.

[DallasCop2566]

I found a copy of the article regarding Jimmy the Greek's (LaFayette Cafe) on line at-

http://www.centralhighokc.com/Vol%2028%20No%203.pdf
I remember his happiness as you walked from his business so full you were miserable and his concern that you had enough to eat.

Not many places left like this.

[USG '60]

Jimmy Stavros had The Greeks nightcub at 23rd & B'way.