The phrase took on greater meaning during the Great Depression, when budgets were stretched thin. A blue plate special was synonymous with getting proteins and side dishes in generous portions.

And they all were blue. In 1926, ads began appearing for “Blue Plate Special,” an exceptionally ... including potatoes. During the Depression, blue plates often were sop (meat gravy sopped ...

The Blue Plate Special is nearly long gone, as are the street-corner diners that slopped them by the millions. During the Great Depression, simple Blue Plates were the cheapest hot meals ...

And quite probably its kitchen served blue plate specials. Now, the blue plate special hasn't vanished ... usually around 25 cents during the depression. Because restaurants prepared these in ...