4-B's Cafe & Cafeteria

A MONTANA RESTAURANT CHAIN 1947-2007

The 4-B's was at this 900 N. Main location for over 30 years. It was adjacent to the Main Motel. There was also a 4-B's Cafeteria in the Capital Hill Mall from 1965 to sometime after 1980. The 4-B's chain of restaurants was established in 1947 by Bill Hainline, who named the family style eatery after his family — himself, his wife Barbara, his son Bill Jr. and daughter Barbara. The family sold out to Butte-based Town Pump, Inc. in 2007.

 

COURTESY OF KATHRYN FEHLIG

4-B's Cafe, 1951.

1950s 4-B's Menu

COURTESY OF DAVID MARRIOT • CLICK ON MENU FOR A LARGER VIEW IN A NEW WINDOW

Two hot cakes with a side of homemade sausage for 70¢. Fresh Montana trout with a rasher of bacon for $1.45. A Double cut choice tenderloin steak with all the trimmings for $3.35 -- and you paid for it with money made of real silver. Many thanks to Seattle's David Marriot for the beautiful scans of his vintage 4-B's menu.

Interior Gutted by Fire, 1958

 

4-B's Matchbook

4-B's Matchbook, with their puzzling "Guaranteed Steaks" claim.

COURTESY OF JEFF SHERLOCK

The last days of the old 4-B's building, which had mutated into this Germanic conglomeration.

The 4-B's Cafeteria in Capital Hill Mall, ca. 1980


PHOTO BY KENNON BAIRD

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