SS President Arthur Breakfast Menu (October 23, 1923): A Transatlantic Morning Feast
Step aboard the SS President Arthur in 1923 and explore a lavish breakfast menu featuring scrambled eggs with shrimp, fried flounder, and the now-defunct Force Cereal. A glimpse into the refined morning rituals of transatlantic travel, complete with live promenade deck concerts.
Front Cover of the Vintage Breakfast Menu From Tuesday, 23 October 1923 Onboard the SS President Arthur of the United States Lines, Commanded by Captain P. H. Kreibohm. the Bill of Fare Featured Scrambled Eggs Aux Crevettes, Fried Flounder With Melted Butter, and Calfs Liver With Bacon. the Menu Selections Were Printed in Both English and German. GGA Image ID # 15719b9856
BREAKFAST MENU
FRUIT
- Grapefruit
- Stewed Apples
CEREALS
- Oatmeal
- Milkrice
- Post Bran Flakes
- Shredded Wheat
- Force Cereal
- Puffed Wheat
- Puffed Rice
- Kellogg’s Toasted Corn Flakes (Kellogg's Corn Flakes)
- Grape Nuts
FISH
- Fried Flounder with Melted Butter
- Broiled Kippered Herring
EGGS & PANCAKES
- Fried Eggs
- Boiled Eggs
- Scrambled Eggs
- Omelette with Green Peas
- Scrambled Eggs aux Crevettes
- Poached Eggs Barcelona
- Shirred Eggs Lorraine
- Plain Omelet
- Apple Pancakes
- Plain Pancakes
- Jelly Pancakes
MEATS
- Creamed Chipped Beef
- Calfs Liver with Bacon
- Wiltshire Breakfast Bacon
- Broiled Yorkshire Ham
FROM THE GRILL: (10 Minutes)
- Mutton Chops on Toast
POTATOES
- Boiled Potatoes
- Lyonnaise Potatoes
- French Fried Potatoes
BREADS
- Corn Muffins
- Toast
- Buns
- Fresh Rolls
HONEY, MARMALADE, JAMS
- Comb Honey
- Strained Honey
- Orange Marmalade
- Raspberry Jam, Strawberry Jam, & Fruit Jam
BEVERAGES
- English Breakfast
- Ceylon Tea
- Oolong Tea
- Orange Pekoe Tea
- Green Tea
- Coffee
- Chocolate
- Cocoa
Program for Concert on Promenade Deck
(at 10 am)
- "General Miles" March by Heed
- "Swanee River" Selection by Tilzer
- "A Waltz dream" Waltz by Vollstedt
- "Flying Arrow" by Holzmann
- "Someone else walked right in" Foxtrot by Berlin
- With Iron Hand" March by Kretschmer
Breakfast Bill of Fare in German From Tuesday, 23 October 1923 Onboard the SS President Arthur of the United States Lines. GGA Image ID # 1571a757be
Breakfast Bill of Fare in English From Tuesday, 23 October 1923 Onboard the SS President Arthur of the United States Lines. GGA Image ID # 1571d04fca
Concert on Promenade Deck Program for 10:00 am on Tuesday, 23 October 1923 Onboard the SS President Arthur of the United States Lines. GGA Image ID # 15721345e7
🚢 SS President Arthur Breakfast Menu – October 23, 1923: A Classic Morning at Sea
📜 Overview & Historical Context
The SS President Arthur’s breakfast menu from October 23, 1923, offers a fascinating glimpse into the morning dining experience aboard an early 20th-century transatlantic liner. This menu is notable for its hearty American and European-inspired selections, with a broad array of cereals, eggs, meats, and fish options, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of passengers aboard.
Despite being set in the 1920s, the offerings would feel familiar to many modern diners, but several items—such as Force Cereal, Post Bran Flakes, and broiled kippered herring—provide an interesting look at how breakfast traditions have evolved.
Adding to the atmosphere of refined travel, passengers were treated to a morning concert on the promenade deck, featuring a mix of marches, waltzes, and contemporary foxtrots, making breakfast a truly cultured event at sea.
🍽️ Menu Review: Selection & Variety
The two standout featured entrees from the breakfast menu were:
🏆 1. Scrambled Eggs aux Crevettes
Scrambled eggs with shrimp, a luxurious and savory breakfast dish, bringing together the delicate texture of eggs and the briny sweetness of crevettes (small shrimp).
Why It Stands Out: This dish reflects European influences and was likely a treat for first-class or well-traveled passengers.
🏆 2. Fried Flounder with Melted Butter
A light yet flavorful fish dish, fried and served with melted butter, offering a rich, flaky breakfast option.
Why It Stands Out: At a time when hearty meat breakfasts were more common in the U.S., having fish at breakfast reflected European habits, particularly British and Scandinavian traditions.
🌟 Special & Unique Breakfast Items
Beyond the main entrées, several notable and unusual menu items stood out:
🥩 Calf’s Liver with Bacon
A robust, protein-packed dish, featuring tender calf’s liver cooked with crispy bacon for a savory and iron-rich start to the day.
Why It Stands Out: Liver was a more common breakfast dish in the early 20th century, but today, it is rarely found on modern breakfast menus.
🥞 Apple Pancakes & Jelly Pancakes
While plain pancakes were standard, the inclusion of apple pancakes and jelly-filled pancakes suggests a sweet indulgence for travelers.
Why It Stands Out: Apple pancakes were likely made with thinly sliced apples cooked inside, while jelly pancakes were either filled or topped with fruit preserves, offering a decadent morning treat.
🐟 Broiled Kippered Herring
A classic British breakfast staple, featuring smoked and salted herring, broiled and served warm.
Why It Stands Out: While a favorite among British and European travelers, American diners may have found the strong, salty flavor an acquired taste.
🥣 Force Cereal (Brand No Longer in Business)
Force Cereal was one of the first commercial wheat flake cereals, introduced in 1901 and featuring the iconic "Sunny Jim" advertising character.
Why It Stands Out: No longer available today, Force was an early competitor to Kellogg’s Corn Flakes, and its inclusion highlights the growing popularity of boxed cereals in the 1920s.
🥐 Breads, Spreads & Beverages
The bread selection was diverse and appealing, catering to both American and European tastes:
Corn Muffins – A Southern U.S. favorite, slightly sweet with a crumbly texture.
Toast & Fresh Rolls – Classic options for spreading honey, jam, or marmalade.
Passengers could top their bread with a variety of sweet spreads:
Comb Honey & Strained Honey – Providing a natural sweetener option.
Orange Marmalade & Raspberry, Strawberry, and Fruit Jams – A selection of jams ensured every palate was satisfied.
☕ Beverage Selection
Coffee, Chocolate, and Cocoa – Reflecting typical American breakfast beverages.
Five Different Teas – English Breakfast, Ceylon, Oolong, Orange Pekoe, and Green Tea, showing a European influence and catering to international travelers.
🧐 Unusual Breakfast Items for a Typical American Traveler in 1923
Several menu items may have seemed exotic or unfamiliar to Americans of the time:
Milkrice – Likely a sweetened rice dish cooked in milk, similar to rice pudding.
Cocotte Eggs – Baked eggs served in small individual ramekins, often with cream or cheese.
Shirred Eggs Lorraine – Baked eggs with onions, bacon, and cheese, inspired by French cuisine.
🎵 Morning Entertainment: Concert on the Promenade Deck
Breakfast aboard the SS President Arthur wasn’t just about the food—passengers were treated to a 10:00 AM concert on the promenade deck, featuring:
- Patriotic marches ("General Miles" March by Heed).
- Classical waltzes ("A Waltz Dream" by Vollstedt).
- Popular tunes of the era, including a foxtrot by Irving Berlin.
🎶 Why This Is Fascinating: The presence of live music at breakfast adds to the luxury and refinement of ocean travel at the time, giving passengers a high-class dining experience reminiscent of a grand hotel.
🚢 Final Thoughts: A Breakfast Fit for Ocean Travelers
The SS President Arthur’s breakfast menu reflects a rich variety of flavors, cultures, and culinary traditions that catered to an international clientele.
Passengers enjoyed classic American fare like pancakes, eggs, and coffee, but also had the opportunity to try European delicacies, including broiled kippered herring, liver with bacon, and Force Cereal—a now-extinct breakfast product.
The inclusion of live music at breakfast only elevates the experience, making this not just a meal but an event, setting the tone for another luxurious day at sea.
⚓ If You Were Dining on the SS President Arthur in 1923, What Would You Order? 🍽️🚢
