90 Chicago Bureau of Public Efficiency 



V. REFECTORIES AND LUNCH ROOMS 



SOUTH PARK COMMISSIONERS 



Refectories and lunch rooms in the South Parks are not let 

 out as concessions but are operated by the South Park Commis- 

 sioners. The location and respective periods during which they 

 are in operation are as follows : 



Jackson Park, Refectory in German Bldg. Open June 1 to Oct. 10. 

 Jackson Park, Golf Shelter Lunch Room. Open April 1 to Dec. 1. 

 Jackson Park, Skating Shelter Lunch Room. Open fo/ Winter season. 

 Washington Park, Refectory. Open June 1 to Oct. 10. 

 Washington Park, Skating Shelter Lunch Room. Open for Winter 



season. 

 Hamilton Park, Lunch Room. Open all year. 

 Sherman Park, Lunch Room. Open all year. 

 Davis Square, Lunch Room. Open all year. 

 Armour Square, Lunch Room. Open all year. 



The choice of dishes offered the public is limited to those 

 which can be easily and quickly prepared. Besides enjoying the 

 privilege of table and lunch counter service, picnic parties in 

 Jackson and Washington Parks may, by making a 50-cent deposit, 

 obtain a coffee pot and 6 granite cups and spoons for carrying 

 coffee, tea, lemonade and milk from the buildings. 



The prices asked for food average about the same as the 

 prices in privately conducted downtown lunch rooms and restau- 

 rants in the class of Kohlsaat's, Thompson's, Child's, etc. While 

 the trade of these latter is more regular and dependable through- 

 out the year, it is to be noted that the lunch rooms in golf and 

 skating shelters and also the large refectories are open only dur- 

 ing the busy seasons, and, with the exception of the lunch rooms 

 recently closed, all enjoy a large trade. This fact, when consid- 

 ered with their exemption from the necessity of paying rent, leads 

 the Bureau to believe that they should be at least self-supporting. 

 Thus far they have not been charged with any general adminis- 

 trative expense or even depreciation on buildings. 



The only occasion for losses appears to be that after stocking 

 up heavily with perishable foods for a Sunday or holiday, the 

 weather sometimes keeps away the expected crowds and such 

 foods become spoiled. An examination of the records of the 

 last five years shows that the annual receipts have averaged 



