A couple weeks ago I went to Barney's Beanery for the first time. and this little tidbit was on their menu   "During the depression [1930's], Barney's sold a lot of chili.  Unfortunately, people often didn't have the money to pay for it.  So we took their license plates as collateral until they could pay their tabs.  Some people never returned to pay, so we still have their plates!  In the spirit of those old times, bring us your license plates and we'll give you a bowl of chili!"   I was sitting in the bar area and there were plates on the ceiling. I wonder if you could find out who they belonged to back then?? yes, their chili was good :-)   Julie