Wartime Menu

Title:

Wartime Menu

Description:

This wartime menu depicts Duke dining choices for students during World War II. Rationing of items such as meat, sugar, butter, and canned goods was common. Unemployment during this time was high, while prices and wages were low. A filet mignon steak worth 50 cents would amount to $9.33 in 2024. Specials include the “co-ed special,” a peanut butter, jelly, and lettuce sandwich.

Rights:

CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 DEED

Date:

1943

Citation:

Duke University Coffee Shop Menu A la Carte, ca. 1943, Dining Services Reference Collection, Box 1, Menus + Prices Folder, Duke University Archives, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

Alternative Text:

Blue menu from circa 1943 showing meals for students during World War II.

Keywords:

dining; wartime

Display Date:

ca. 1943

Blue menu from circa 1943 showing meals for students during World War II.
Blue menu from circa 1943 showing meals for students during World War II.

Some materials and descriptions may include offensive content. More info