# Does anyone here have strong opinions on TV dinners? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [September 10, 2020, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-have-strong-opinions-on-tv-dinners/920241 "2020-09-10T08:55:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-have-strong-opinions-on-tv-dinners/920241/41 "2020-10-27T16:04:27Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > > [@Senegoid](#): > > > > For these occasions, the gods gave us peanut butter sandwiches. > > Unfortunately, the gods decided to make me allergic to peanut butter. Stoopid gods! ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-have-strong-opinions-on-tv-dinners/920241/42 "2020-10-27T19:54:22Z")
> [@Newtosite](#): > > I eat a lot of frozen dinners by Amy’s. I’m hoping they’re more nutritious > than some of the other brands. I’m a big fan of Amy’s. They’re kind of expensive, but I haven’t had a bad one yet. The Indian and Mexican ones I’ve tried have been wonderful. ---
**Author:** ![urbanredneck2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/5f8ce5/32.png) [@urbanredneck2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/urbanredneck2)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-have-strong-opinions-on-tv-dinners/920241/43 "2020-10-27T19:57:39Z")
Instead of a microwave or conventional oven consider getting a toaster oven. These cook better than a microwave but faster than a regular oven and also dont heat up the house so much. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-have-strong-opinions-on-tv-dinners/920241/44 "2020-10-27T20:39:48Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](#): > > Because of this thread, I am going to try the Stouffer’s stuffed peppers, and maybe the lasagna too. Stouffer’s is generally a cut above ordinary TV dinners, depending on the particular item. I admit to having a few Stouffer’s and even Swanson dinners on hand in the freezer, but mostly for emergency quick meals. Home-frozen good quality dinners, either made at home or freshly prepared at a decent store, are always a better option anyway. But as far as Stouffer’s goes, the turkey dinner offers a good example of the contrast with cheaper stuff like Swanson. The Swanson turkey dinner consists of “turkey” that is some kind of compressed reconstituted crap resembling cardboard, with “stuffing” that is basically unidentifiable goop. The Stouffer’s turkey dinner contains slices of real turkey breast and a stuffing and gravy that is pretty decent, at least by the standards of frozen food. Sadly, the mashed potatoes aren’t any better than any other frozen ones and not anything like proper mashed, but still tolerable. To the extent that I like convenience, my preference is freshly made dinners at either of two stores that make exceptionally good stuff. Properly reheated (which often means ignoring the instructions) it can be a good approximation of labour-intensive homemade. Last night, for instance, I had a lovely stuffed chicken breast with linguini alfredo and broccoli. The instructions say to bung the aluminum tray into an oven for ten minutes. No. The only way to do it is to remove the pasta and vegetable and put into a covered casserole dish, and put the chicken alone into the oven until slightly browned, then microwave the pasta and broccoli. ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-have-strong-opinions-on-tv-dinners/920241/45 "2020-10-27T21:05:07Z")
On a lark me and mother tried the On-Cor frozen lasagna a few weeks ago and we both thought it was horrible–especially compared to the Stouffers and Marie Callender lasagnas. We still enjoy making the On-Cor Salisbury Steak with Brown Gravy tray and serve it with either noodles or rice. ---
**Author:** ![Hatchie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hatchie/32/3983_2.png) [@Hatchie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hatchie)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-have-strong-opinions-on-tv-dinners/920241/46 "2020-10-27T23:24:40Z")
How do you handle a hungry man? Why. with **two** Patio Mexican TV dinners! ---
**Author:** ![Periwinkle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Periwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Periwinkle)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-have-strong-opinions-on-tv-dinners/920241/47 "2020-10-27T23:58:16Z")
I was about to ask if anyone else had ZZ Top playing in their head while reading this thread! I loved the old style TV dinners as a kid. I hate mashed potatoes so one of my sisters would get those. I liked to make a sandwich with the meat on Wonder bread with mustard. We always have some frozen meals on hand. My husband likes the Stouffers Swedish meatballs for lunch. We both like the PF Chang’s bag meals and mini egg rolls. I think my favorite for lunch is Saffron Road chicken pad Thai, I like to add a sprinkling of peanuts and a squirt of sriracha. Very good. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2020, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-have-strong-opinions-on-tv-dinners/920241/48 "2020-11-01T10:26:15Z")
You haven’t really eaten TV dinners unless you have a fond memory of brownies with a touch of tomato sauce and a green bean or two instead of chocolate chips. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2020, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-have-strong-opinions-on-tv-dinners/920241/49 "2020-11-01T17:38:54Z")
I’ve never seen a TV dinner in real life, the type with mash on one part, a veg on another part, and something proteiny on the third. Ready meals like the lasagne posted above I’m familiar with and eat fairly often. They’ve been a godsend for enabling my daughter to eat cooked meals without me cooking them (she’s autistic). When I make them I like to add things, like some peas or tinned tomatoes on the side. Plus they’re not all equally good or bad, and it depends what else you eat. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2020, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-have-strong-opinions-on-tv-dinners/920241/50 "2020-11-02T03:10:44Z")
It should be pointed out (if it hasn’t been already) that "TV Dinner"™ or maybe (R) was originally a trade-marked brand name. From Wikipedia: > [@](#): > > The term _TV dinner_ was first used as part of a brand of packaged meals developed in 1953 by the company [C.A. Swanson & Sons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swanson) (the name in full was _TV Brand Frozen Dinner_ ). The original _TV Dinner_ came in an [aluminum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminum) tray and was heated in an [oven](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oven). > > ( . . . ) > > The name “TV dinner” was coined by [Gerry Thomas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerry_Thomas), its inventor. At the time it was introduced, televisions were status symbols and a growing medium. Thomas thought the name “TV Dinner” sounded like the product was made for convenience (which it was), and the Swanson executives agreed.[[4]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TV_dinner#cite_note-4) And of course, you set them out on a TV tray table to eat them while you watch TV. [https://foter.com/folding-metal-tv-trays](https://foter.com/folding-metal-tv-trays) ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2020, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-have-strong-opinions-on-tv-dinners/920241/51 "2020-11-02T05:58:13Z")
I really like the variety of frozen meals Trader Joe’s sells, especially their Indian and Asian varieties. Other than that I’ll get some Lean Cuisine or Healthy Choice when they go on sale for 2 for $6 or 2 for $5. I’ve never actually had any of these for _dinner_ though, always just as lunch. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2020, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-have-strong-opinions-on-tv-dinners/920241/52 "2020-11-02T06:01:46Z")
> [@peedin](#): > > Swanson TV dinner was a treat. Fried chicken, mashed taties, and corn I miss those. the chicken wasnt bad at all. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2020, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-have-strong-opinions-on-tv-dinners/920241/53 "2020-11-02T06:31:45Z")
> [@Helena330](#): > > > [@Newtosite](#): > > > > I eat a lot of frozen dinners by Amy’s. I’m hoping they’re more nutritious > > than some of the other brands. > > I’m a big fan of Amy’s. They’re kind of expensive, but I haven’t had a bad one yet. The Indian and Mexican ones I’ve tried have been wonderful. Amy’s has a vegan pizza that is phenomenal. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2020, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-have-strong-opinions-on-tv-dinners/920241/54 "2020-11-02T13:59:34Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I miss those. the chicken wasnt bad at all. Why do you miss those? They’re still out there. Are they much different now than they were then? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2020, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-have-strong-opinions-on-tv-dinners/920241/55 "2020-11-02T18:45:33Z")
No, the fried chicken dinner is gone, . ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2020, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-have-strong-opinions-on-tv-dinners/920241/56 "2020-11-03T20:40:30Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > No, the fried chicken dinner is gone, .  Are you sure about that? From the [Hungry-Man web site](https://www.hungry-man.com) (that’s Swanson I think): [![](https://www.hungry-man.com/sites/g/files/qyyrlu631/files/images/products/classic-fried-chicken-76473.png) ](https://www.hungry-man.com/sites/g/files/qyyrlu631/files/images/products/classic-fried-chicken-76473.png) ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2020, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-have-strong-opinions-on-tv-dinners/920241/57 "2020-11-03T21:36:07Z")
I saw at least three different versions of Hungry Man Fried Chicken dinners at the grocery store not 15 minutes ago. Regular, Spicy(?) and Boneless. A quick check of the link above shows my store doesn’t carry the Mexican-spiced version. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2020, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-have-strong-opinions-on-tv-dinners/920241/58 "2020-11-03T21:57:50Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > From the [Hungry-Man web site](https://www.hungry-man.com) (that’s Swanson I think): It is. Per [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swanson), the parent company uses “Hungry-Man” rather than “Swanson” for TV dinners now. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2020, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-have-strong-opinions-on-tv-dinners/920241/59 "2020-11-03T22:48:54Z")
Hmmeen I have not seen that at my stores. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2020, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-have-strong-opinions-on-tv-dinners/920241/60 "2020-11-03T22:52:49Z")
I rarely see them at my stores, but occasionally, so I think they fly off the shelves and are almost always out-of-stock. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-have-strong-opinions-on-tv-dinners/920241.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-here-have-strong-opinions-on-tv-dinners/920241.md?page=4)