# Comfort Foods **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 1, 2025, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comfort-foods/1019087 "2025-06-01T22:29:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2025, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comfort-foods/1019087/81 "2025-06-02T21:38:08Z")
> [@Patx2](#): > > I prefer waffles to pancakes even though the basic ingredients are the same. Not when I make them. My pancakes have cornmeal in them and are better than any waffle made. My comfort foods used to be things like meatloaf sandwiches, but nowadays I prefer green chili stew, or cacio e pepe or other simple pasta dishes. ---
**Author:** ![themapleleaf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/themapleleaf/32/14349_2.png) [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2025, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comfort-foods/1019087/82 "2025-06-02T21:50:26Z")
> [@Patx2](#): > > Are there any comfort foods that just don’t do it for you? I’d have to say one of mine is mac and cheese. I like it, but I just don’t get the love for it. Mac ‘N’ Cheese is something so plain and gummy that I would only eat it if nothing else was available. I don’t get the love for it either. ---
**Author:** ![Trieste](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Trieste](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trieste)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2025, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comfort-foods/1019087/83 "2025-06-02T21:53:16Z")
> [@Kron](#): > > My genuine comfort foods are biscuits and gravy, and bread pudding. Definitely two of my favorites! Cannot stand tuna noodle casserole or tuna melts. T ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2025, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comfort-foods/1019087/84 "2025-06-02T23:13:20Z")
Oh, those pancakes do sound good! ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2025, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comfort-foods/1019087/85 "2025-06-02T23:15:11Z")
I’ll never eat the other kind again. They were very good, but nothing like these. ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2025, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comfort-foods/1019087/86 "2025-06-03T01:14:42Z")
but I seem to remember fries with gravy at a New Orleans roadhouse back in 70-80’s long before I ever heard of poutine ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2025, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comfort-foods/1019087/87 "2025-06-03T02:33:31Z")
Hoppin’ John, or really any basic rice/legume combo. It’s real, simple food; not some Satanic indulgence like deep-fried Snickers. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2025, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comfort-foods/1019087/88 "2025-06-03T05:20:45Z")
We do an amount of Mac n cheese here. Because, kids. I have to say Mid-dau does a good job not mushy-ing it up. And adds things to get broccoli or something else into the kids. It’s on my list as non-fave. W/O the broccoli I’ll usually eat some. Lots of carbs though, so not much. Yep. I think of it as kiddie-chow. ---
**Author:** ![DemonTree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demontree/32/8646_2.png) [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2025, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comfort-foods/1019087/89 "2025-06-03T08:28:07Z")
I don’t dislike mashed potato, but it’s just about the worst way to serve potatoes IMO. Roasties, jacket potatoes, potato wedges, chips, simple boiled new potatoes with butter are all far superior. In general I’m not keen on most traditional British food, even though I grew up eating it, but jacket potatoes probably count as a comfort food. I also like beans on toast with cheese melted on top, and proper chips from a chip shop. Pasta with pesto probably counts; it’s a favourite I’ve been making regularly for years. Macaroni cheese is nice if it’s homemade, but I tasted the packet stuff once and am not keen to repeat the experience. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2025, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comfort-foods/1019087/90 "2025-06-03T12:36:34Z")
I did a mildly anti-mac post upthread, but I’ve been trying to think of a specific ‘comfort food’ example of mine I could share. As much as I love food and cooking though, I couldn’t think of a single thing. Then it occurred to me-- _ **any** _ food that tastes good to me is comfort food. Part of the reason why I’m somewhat overweight 😋 ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2025, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comfort-foods/1019087/91 "2025-06-03T16:44:17Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > My dad’s recipe- which of course i dont have all the details on- had chopped onions, and 2 parts chopped beef to pork sausage- also cracker crumbs, Plus seasoning, which I dont know, and iirc topped with A1 sauce (never nasty catsup). No peppers. They are adding pepper now? ecch. What do you mean by now? My dad was making meatloaf with peppers in the 60s. He also added shredded carrot in addition to all the things your dad added, and always topped the loaf with bacon strips. Meatloaf that was mostly just ground meat was like eating dogfood. _That_ was my mother’s meatloaf. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2025, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comfort-foods/1019087/92 "2025-06-03T19:40:48Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > What do you mean by now? My dad was making meatloaf with peppers in the 60s. Peppers in meatloaf is wrong. There, that is my opinion and i will not budge. So there! ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2025, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comfort-foods/1019087/93 "2025-06-03T19:46:18Z")
> [@themapleleaf](#): > > Mac ‘N’ Cheese is something so plain and gummy that I would only eat it if nothing else was available. I don’t get the love for it either. Made with the Alton Brown recipe, it’s no gummier than fettucine alfredo: it’s got distinct noodles in a creamy sauce. Unlike Alfredo, the sauce is sharply flavored, with powdered mustard and hot sauce and sharp cheddar. I like to add cumin, smoked paprika, and/or garam masala to it as well. It’s pretty far from Kraft Mac&Cheese. > **[Stovetop Mac and Cheese Recipe | Alton Brown](https://altonbrown.com/recipes/stovetop-mac-and-cheese/)** > > Sharp cheddar cheese and evaporated milk make Alton Brown's stovetop mac and cheese extra creamy, while a dash of hot sauce adds a nice kick. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2025, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comfort-foods/1019087/94 "2025-06-03T19:50:25Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > The comfort food that doesn’t do it for me is mashed potatoes. I’m willing to eat them. But omygawd they are boring, and just a mass of carbs. Not the way I make them. They have generous amounts of ground white pepper, sour cream, and just enough Dijon mustard to accent the tang. Comfort food taken to the next level! ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2025, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comfort-foods/1019087/95 "2025-06-03T21:23:58Z")
I usually make mashed potatoes with some grated carrot and parsnip mixed in, plus lots of butter and parsley. I also find that boiling the spuds in milk helps make the mash very smooth and creamy. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2025, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comfort-foods/1019087/96 "2025-06-03T21:25:54Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > Not the way I make them. They have generous amounts of ground white pepper, sour cream, and just enough Dijon mustard to accent the tang. Comfort food taken to the next level! Next level indeed! Love to try those; they sound great. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2025, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comfort-foods/1019087/97 "2025-06-03T21:30:09Z")
Can’t remember her name, but there’s a celebrity chef (South Asian, I think) who makes Mac and Cheese with a generous glob of Marmite stirred in. I’d like to try this, but haven’t gotten around to it yet. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2025, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comfort-foods/1019087/98 "2025-06-03T21:41:00Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > > [@puzzlegal](#): > > > > The comfort food that doesn’t do it for me is mashed potatoes. I’m willing to eat them. But omygawd they are boring, and just a mass of carbs. > > Not the way I make them. They have generous amounts of ground white pepper, sour cream, and just enough Dijon mustard to accent the tang. Comfort food taken to the next level! It still sounds like a mass of carbs. And… there’s nothing to chew. I know lots of people like soft food, but like to notice that I’m eating. 😉 With all my senses, including my sense of touch. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2025, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comfort-foods/1019087/99 "2025-06-03T22:05:15Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > It still sounds like a mass of carbs. And… there’s nothing to chew. I know lots of people like soft food, but like to notice that I’m eating. 😉 With all my senses, including my sense of touch. Fair enough. Sometimes I make colcannon instead (basically mashed potatoes but loaded up with cooked kale, which is quite toothsome). Would that help? I use tons of kale! ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2025, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comfort-foods/1019087/100 "2025-06-03T22:13:44Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > It still sounds like a mass of carbs. And… there’s nothing to chew. I know lots of people like soft food, but like to notice that I’m eating. Smooshing 'em around in my mouth is part of the comfort. Lots of comfort foods are like this for me: mashed potatoes, cheese grits, pasta, puddin. I don’t do mashed potatoes hardly ever, but once in a long while if I’m making gravy I’ll do mashed potatoes, because they’re so good together. Roast chicken, gravy, mashed potatoes, and broccoli is a fine Sunday dinner. Sadly, my wife hates mashed potatoes, gravy, and broccoli, so on these nights the meal has options. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comfort-foods/1019087.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comfort-foods/1019087.md?page=6)