The Blue Plate Special: A delicious slice of American history

 

 

Few menu items are as iconic—and as misunderstood—as the blue plate special. Once a staple of diners and lunch counters across America, this humble meal represents more than just food. It tells a story about a country’s resilience, innovation, and need for comfort during hard times.

In this post, we’ll break down blue plate’s meaning, trace the roots of the term, explore its rise during the 20th century, and explain why this classic concept is still relevant in today’s dining culture.

 

What Is a Blue Plate Special?

A blue plate special is a complete meal, typically including a meat, two sides, and sometimes bread or dessert, offered at a reduced price and served together on one plate. It's a daily or rotating special that emphasizes value, speed, and satisfaction.

In short: it’s a no-frills, ready-to-serve comfort meal designed to feed people well without breaking the bank.

 

Blue Plate Meaning: More Than Just a Cheap Meal

The blue plate is tied closely to affordability and efficiency. For restaurants, it meant a simplified menu item that could be prepped in bulk and served fast. For customers, it was a full meal at a budget-friendly price.

Key features of a blue plate special:

• One protein (e.g., meatloaf, roast beef, pork chop)
• Two vegetables or sides
• Sometimes a drink or dessert
• Often no substitutions allowed

 

Why Is It Called a Blue Plate Special?

The name origin of the blue plate special is as interesting as the dish itself.

During the 1920s and 1930s, several restaurant chains and railcar diners began using divided plates made of sturdy porcelain or melamine. Many of these plates were manufactured by companies like the Syracuse China Company, which produced cobalt blue plates specifically for institutional use.

These plates typically had three compartments, making it easy to serve a complete meal with sides without needing separate dishes.

Because these meals were served on blue-colored plates and were usually offered as daily specials, the term "blue plate special" stuck.

 

The Great Depression and the Rise of the Blue Plate Special

The blue plate special rose to national popularity during the Great Depression (1929–1939). With unemployment high and disposable income low, people needed access to cheap, filling meals and restaurants needed a way to stay in business.

The blue plate special was the perfect solution:

• Chefs could prepare food in large batches
• Menus were simplified
• Prices were predictable and affordable
• Guests received a complete meal without needing to order à la carte

It became a cornerstone of working-class dining, found in railroad dining cars, automats, lunch counters and Main Street diners.

 

Blue Plate Specials in Pop Culture

By the 1940s and 1950s, the blue plate special had become a pop culture icon. The term appeared in newspapers, movies, novels, and even political speeches.

Examples:

• President Harry Truman was known to enjoy blue plate specials during his time in Washington.
• Comedians in vaudeville and radio used the term as shorthand for average, everyday American life.
• It symbolized the kind of plain, hearty meal you’d find at a roadside diner or truck stop.

Even today, the phrase can evoke a strong sense of nostalgia and comfort food charm.

 

Do Blue Plate Specials Still Exist?

Yes. but not always in name.

Many restaurants today offer a “daily special” or “set lunch” that follows the same concept: a hearty, value-priced meal, usually with no changes allowed.

Some vintage-themed diners proudly still use the term “blue plate special” to keep the retro vibe alive. Others simply refer to it as a "meat and three" or a "combo plate."

 

Why the Blue Plate Special Still Matters

While fast food and digital menus have changed the dining landscape, the blue plate special endures for a few reasons:

• It delivers value: Customers know they’re getting a full meal at a fair price.
• It simplifies the kitchen: Fewer customizations and predictable ingredients.
• It tells a story: Using the term evokes history, nostalgia, and comfort.

Whether you’re running a restaurant or just love old-school dining, the blue plate special remains a powerful symbol of American food culture.