Today’s photo of the Otto Way comes from the advertising section of the 1959 KSTC Kanza yearbook. The restaurant, owned and operated by Charley and LaVon Greer, was located at 1402 South Broadway. 

Menu offerings listed were ‘short orders’ and steaks.

The photographic history of PSU by Randy Roberts and Shannon Phillips Julien contains a photo of a group of students (aka ‘the gang’) inside the cafe. The text refers to students dropping in there for a ‘coke date’, which made more sense when I discovered — on an old matchbook cover I found on the internet — that, at one time, it featured fountain service.

An article in the Spring 2009 Pitt State magazine reported that, in the 1950s, the Otto Way served as the “official training table for the Gorilla football team.” Also, that the Greers regularly honored the football teams with steak banquets during the many successful years under Coach Carnie Smith.

For me, the photo brings forth a sigh, a smile and a twinge as it was the cozy, knotty pine paneled spot that Linda and I went on our first date in1966.

I found Linda in the kitchen and asked her what she remembered about that night. “That we talked about books,” she said. 

“Yeah, me too.”

“And I can almost remember what we had to eat.”

“Short orders.”

“Huh?”

“Stuff that’s quick to prepare. Like a chicken fried steak sandwich,” I replied. “Or a burger and fries.”

“Oh. How about the books?”

“I don’t remember. I do remember, though, that there was one book we’d both read, but had never talked to anyone else who had. But I can’t remember what it was.”

“Me neither,” she said opening her arms wide. “But come over here and gimme a hug.”

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