George and Violet Mates began their bar and restaurant shortly after the end of Prohibition and it soon became a favorite of race car drivers, crews and fans. A.J. Foyt and the Unser brothers among others were regulars during the month of May. A lot of Indy 500 winners would come into the place to celebrate their victories.
They had huge crowds all month long every May. They were even closed down on occasion for having too many people.
Not only were the drinks reasonable, but the food was very good and fairly inexpensive, even for back then. The interviewer mentioned a T-bone dinner for $3 and fillet-mignon for $2.75. Bill Vuckovich, Sr, was from eastern Europe and they used to make up European food for him.
George ran the bar and Violet the kitchen. George was also well aware of self promotion and would give the racers and their crews free tee shirts and if they wore them at the track, they'd also get a free dinner. Those tee shirts are much sought after these days.
Another collectible George made was the ash trays he had on the bar. He made them out of pistons, set them on the bar and had to keep a watchful eye so that no one walked out with them. They sold for $30-$40 even back in the 1950s.
One famous guest at the grand opening of the second Mates' White Front was Groucho Marx.
The bar, however, was forced to close because of a misunderstanding over the books and later became the strip club located at the site today.
--DaCoot
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