1910: A Cat, a Bulldog, and a Lobster Walk into a Harlem Restaurant... The Hatching Cat
▻http://hatchingcatnyc.com/2018/03/18/cat-bulldog-lobster-harlem-restaurant
This quirky animal tale of Old New York begins on a Sunday night in May 1910 when Gus, a brindle bulldog, walked into Fay’s restaurant at 255 West 125th Street in Harlem around 7 p.m. and sat down for dinner with his master. Gus was reportedly well behaved, so he was allowed to sit with his owner, Miss Rose Leland of 516 West 179th Street, as long as his leash was wrapped around her chair while they both ate their dinners.
Outside on the sidewalk was an icebox, where live lobsters were kept. Whenever one of Fay’s customers ordered lobster, the waiter would grab a few and let the customer choose which one he or she wanted.
This icebox was of great interest to Mattie, one of Fay’s several restaurant cats. She spent most of her time not performing her mousing duties, but staring intently at the curious creatures in the icebox.
This silly cat meets lobster meets dog tale make the headlines of the New York Times.
This silly cat meets lobster meets dog tale made the headlines of the New York Times.
On this particular spring night, one of the lobsters fell on the sidewalk after the waiter had gone inside. Naturally, Mattie jumped at the opportunity. She had no idea what she was up against.
The lobster clamped its claw onto Mattie’s tail, sending her howling and scurrying through the front door and into the restaurant. Not about to be left out of the fun, Gus the bulldog pulled wildly at his leash–and Miss Leland’s chair–to join in the melee.
Down went Miss Leland, who screamed in horror and then reportedly fainted. Gus caught up with cat and lobster as they ran around the other diners. The lobster released its claw on Mattie and grabbed Gus by the hind leg.
The waiters were finally able to break up the ruckus and tie Gus up behind the cashier’s desk. Mattie was then locked in the kitchen. The New York Times reported that “it may be said that the lobster received the proper burial.”
