Before McDonald's and Starbucks, Americans packed these once-beloved lunch counters

Luncheonettes were small restaurants that operated in the United States before the widespread expansion of McDonald's and Starbucks. The establishments provided dining options for women during working hours and experienced growth during Prohibition, the period from 1920 to 1933 when alcohol sales were banned. Changes in American dining patterns, driven by the rise of fast food chains and car-oriented culture, led to the decline of luncheonettes as a common restaurant format.

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