Dating the Queen City Grill is somewhat problematic.
There were bars at this address at least since 1890 (under Alexander Meister,
in the Polk city guide), and "Queen City Saloon" appears by 1901.
However, I have not been able to ascertain the date of the current brick
building, which replaced the wooden structure at the same address and which
at least briefly housed the Queen City Saloon (there is an undated picture of
this in the restaurant).
King County parcel info lists the buid date as 1900, but this was often used
as a shorthand for anything 1900 or earlier. Other articles have listed the
construction date as 1901 and
1909.
Since it has been the Queen City Saloon/Lunchroom/Tavern/Grill since at least 1901,
I currently date the bar back to that year. In 1987 the current owners converted
the divey tavern into an upscale restaurant (which still has a bar).
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