SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Some of Utah's history can be difficult to understand, especially when you learn that some restaurants engaged in racist business practices from the 1920s to the 1960s.
These acts included playing on stereotypes of African Americans.
One restaurant that has done this is Gerard's Mammy Chicken Inn.
More: Historian shocked by racist past in Utah's early restaurant business
Rachel Quist, a lifelong Utahn and independent historian, stumbled upon this information and shared it on her blog, “Rachel’s History of SLC.”
Turns out it wasn't the only restaurant in Salt Lake City with a racist past, going so far as to use a racial slur in its name, calling it the “C*** Chicken Inn.”
Gerrard's Mammy Chicken Inn opened in 1947.
“However, the term Mamie's Chicken was used in Utah and perhaps elsewhere to describe Southern fried chicken. However, the icon and the name Mamie's Chicken date back to the era of slavery. And that's a very generalized stereotypical view of female domestic slaves,” Quist said.
The restaurant was formerly located at the corner of 900 West and 2100 South in Salt Lake City.
For marketing, the restaurant created a fold-out souvenir map that resembles a miniature version of the menu, with maps of some of Salt Lake City's top tourist destinations.
The foldable souvenir featured a giant face of a black woman dressed as a cook. The desired goal was to position this business as a restaurant destination for tourists and travelers.
