# Let's open a Comfort Food Cafe - what do you want on the menu? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [September 18, 2021, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-open-a-comfort-food-cafe-what-do-you-want-on-the-menu/950865 "2021-09-18T10:51:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2023, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-open-a-comfort-food-cafe-what-do-you-want-on-the-menu/950865/163 "2023-01-09T23:58:07Z")
Except for the pie (there wasn’t any), this was one of the most popular school lunch meals in central Indiana. They did fake us out by using turkey instead of chicken and adding chicken bouillon. They also fed us sweet potato pie at Thanksgiving and told us it was pumpkin pie! Home made is better since the noodles can be hand made and the taters won’t be from flakes. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-open-a-comfort-food-cafe-what-do-you-want-on-the-menu/950865/164 "2023-01-10T00:06:40Z")
> [@california\_jobcase](#): > > Sugar cream pie for dessert. I am intrigued. I like sugar; I like cream. Is this anything like the Southern “chess pie” which is basically a pecan pie without the pecans? > **[Chess pie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chess_pie)** > > Chess pie is a dessert with a filling composed mainly of flour, butter, sugar, eggs, and sometimes milk, characteristic of Southern United States cuisine. It is similar to pecan pie without any nuts. > Jefferson Davis pie is similar to chess pie, but Jefferson Davis pie may also contain spices, nuts, or dried fruits and is usually topped with meringue. > Chess pie was brought from England originally and was found in New England as well as Virginia. It has some similarities to English lemon curd pi... NVM google is my friend. Sounds similar, with one key ingredient missing due to rationing hardships at the time: > **[Sugar cream pie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar_cream_pie)** > > Sugar cream pie (also known as sugar pie or Hoosier pie) is a custard pie made with a simple filling of butter, flour, cream and sugar sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. It is considered one of the desperation pies because the custard filling is made without eggs. The dessert may also be called finger pie in reference to the filling being stirred by the cook's finger before baking, as doing so avoids breaking the crust. It is similar to chess pie. > Sugar cream pie is the unofficial state pie of India... I have learned many pie-related facts tonight. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-open-a-comfort-food-cafe-what-do-you-want-on-the-menu/950865/165 "2023-01-10T00:15:44Z")
I’d like to nominate a chip butty. It is two slices of soft white bread spread with real butter, then covered in hot potato chips (proper thick-cut ones) and then it is up to the devourer if they would like just lashings of salt, or perhaps vinegar or tomato sauce. Bonza munger. [Here’s a chip butty.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chip_butty) ---
**Author:** ![dummygladhands71](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c0e974/32.png) [@dummygladhands71](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dummygladhands71)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-open-a-comfort-food-cafe-what-do-you-want-on-the-menu/950865/166 "2023-01-10T02:01:58Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > Chicken fried steak, real mashed potatoes, and green beans with bacon bits. Real white gravy over the potatoes and CFS. > > ETA: The salt and pepper shakers at the table have to be those kind with the holes big enough that stuff actually comes out. And none of those damn S & P grind your own things ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-open-a-comfort-food-cafe-what-do-you-want-on-the-menu/950865/167 "2023-01-10T02:38:44Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > A nice MLT - mutton , lettuce and tomato sandwich , where the mutton is lean and the tomato is ripe, they’re so perky\> ISWYDT, Max. 😄 ---
**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:** [January 10, 2023, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-open-a-comfort-food-cafe-what-do-you-want-on-the-menu/950865/168 "2023-01-10T07:03:26Z")
You realize, of course, that “potato chips” are something very different from simple “chips.” (“Crisps” vs “French fries.”) 😉 I didn’t have time to make a proper meal the other day, so I pigged out on fried Spam butties with BBQ sauce. Yum-O! 👍 ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-open-a-comfort-food-cafe-what-do-you-want-on-the-menu/950865/169 "2023-01-10T09:06:16Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > You realize, of course, that “potato chips” are something very different from simple “chips.” (“Crisps” vs “French fries.”) 😉 I thought my post was clear about what sort of chips I meant. I even included a picture! And for the record, the only time ‘fries’ are mentioned in Australia is when buying McDonalds. Everywhere else they’re chips. ---
**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:** [January 10, 2023, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-open-a-comfort-food-cafe-what-do-you-want-on-the-menu/950865/170 "2023-01-10T17:51:26Z")
When I read the post, I immediately pictured slices of bread stuffed with these: [![](https://jacofresh.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Papas-Fritas-Lays-Classic-200-grs-1.jpg) ](https://jacofresh.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Papas-Fritas-Lays-Classic-200-grs-1.jpg) I suspected you meant these [![](https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2020/11/Air-fried-chips-c3a5d44.jpg?resize=768,574) ](https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2020/11/Air-fried-chips-c3a5d44.jpg?resize=768,574) but I wasn’t sure until I clicked on the link. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-open-a-comfort-food-cafe-what-do-you-want-on-the-menu/950865/171 "2023-01-10T23:07:33Z")
A beef commercial (or hot beef) sandwich. No, it’s not a sandwich. It’s a slice of bread with a scoop of mashed potato on it, drenched in beef gravy with chunks of shredded roast beef. A scoop of veg on the side. Hot turkey works as well. Serve on alternate days during winter. Replace it in summer with a BLTA sandwich or wrap. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2023, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-open-a-comfort-food-cafe-what-do-you-want-on-the-menu/950865/172 "2023-01-11T00:09:44Z")
Is the diner term for that a “Hopalong Cassidy”? ---
**Author:** ![Briny\_Deep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/briny_deep/32/17188_2.png) [@Briny\_Deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briny_Deep)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2023, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-open-a-comfort-food-cafe-what-do-you-want-on-the-menu/950865/173 "2023-01-11T00:39:36Z")
Love this thread. Pretentious restaurants have ruined eating out. I just want a Denver omelet with hash browns. White toast. Grape jelly. [![](https://www.farmerboys.com/images/menu/denver-omelet.jpg) ](https://www.farmerboys.com/images/menu/denver-omelet.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2023, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-open-a-comfort-food-cafe-what-do-you-want-on-the-menu/950865/174 "2023-01-11T02:46:19Z")
I saw a chili-size earlier. I second this. For me it’s roast beef, mashed potatoes and a ton of brown gravy. Unlike @carnut, no veg needed. And to make you jealous, I just ate at a restaurant and has the white bread, mashed potato, roast beef, gravy stack. It was soooooooooo 70s and sooooooooo good. ---
**Author:** ![Didi44](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@Didi44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Didi44)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2023, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-open-a-comfort-food-cafe-what-do-you-want-on-the-menu/950865/175 "2023-01-11T04:23:09Z")
Something I haven’t had for nearly 50 years. Grandma’s Okinawan pig’s feet and chicken soup (two different soups) and her andagi (Okinawan donut). I’ve tried making all three and have had other’s versions, but it’s nothing like Grandma’s! ---
**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:** [January 11, 2023, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-open-a-comfort-food-cafe-what-do-you-want-on-the-menu/950865/176 "2023-01-11T05:20:21Z")
What, no reheated canned green beans?!? 😲 ---
**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:** [January 11, 2023, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-open-a-comfort-food-cafe-what-do-you-want-on-the-menu/950865/177 "2023-01-11T05:47:45Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I am partial to just plain: > > [https://i.pinimg.com/originals/0a/b3/3c/0ab33c2cf7a0c1d15417f29dc204c30e.jpg](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/0a/b3/3c/0ab33c2cf7a0c1d15417f29dc204c30e.jpg) In February 1979, I shared an automobile with three people driving from Minneapolis to Winnipeg to watch an eclipse of the Sun. We were discussing where to stop for dinner when the driver said “I hear there’s a pretty good place in Alexandria.” I said “Fine, just as long as there isn’t a six-foot-tall red neon sign out front that says **EAT**.” Eight hours later, we were driving down the main street in Alexandria, MN. Guess what was glowing on the horizon? Laughter ensued. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2023, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-open-a-comfort-food-cafe-what-do-you-want-on-the-menu/950865/178 "2023-01-11T08:18:54Z")
> [@california\_jobcase](#): > > or the Hoosiers at home and the Hoosier diaspora- > > Home made chicken and noodles served over mashed potatoes. Yeast rolls on the side. Sugar cream pie for dessert. ohh that was Sunday dinner at grandma’s … sometimes we had chicken fried steak with biscuits and gravy tho grandma always made sure we had vegetables or a salad along with it was yours the normal noodles or the “dumplings”? the school version of it was dog food tho > [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > I had two immediate simultaneous reactions: > > - Jeebus, need some white carbs to go with those white carbs? > > … and … > > - That sounds DELICIOUS it was now I want some tho lol tho I would cut back a tad on the salt these days tho … > [@Briny\_Deep](#): > > Love this thread. Pretentious restaurants have ruined eating out. I just want a Denver omelet with hash browns. White toast. Grape jelly. read the menu here this place has almost what everyone’s looking for : > **[Crazy Otto's Diners Lancaster CA](https://www.crazyottosdiners.com/)** > > If you're looking for one of the best places to eat in lancaster ca, Crazy Otto's offers the best breakfast in Lancaster ca. ---
**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:** [January 11, 2023, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-open-a-comfort-food-cafe-what-do-you-want-on-the-menu/950865/179 "2023-01-11T17:01:55Z")
Today’s submission: A hot Reuben sandwich with corned beef **and** pastrami, like the one I just had for breakfast. [![](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2021/02/09/dining/kc-reuben/kc-reuben-articleLarge.jpg?w=1280&q=75) ](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2021/02/09/dining/kc-reuben/kc-reuben-articleLarge.jpg?w=1280&q=75) I’ve run out of Coke, so I had to eat it with root beer instead. Not bad! ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2023, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-open-a-comfort-food-cafe-what-do-you-want-on-the-menu/950865/180 "2023-01-11T21:34:21Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Unlike @carnut, no veg needed. And to make you jealous, I just ate at a restaurant and has the white bread, mashed potato, roast beef, gravy stack. We’ll make the veg optional. Me, I like veg that isn’t canned or overcooked. I’ve never heard the hot beef sandwich called a stack, but it works. According to [**this article,**](https://mspmag.com/eat-and-drink/in-search-of-hot-beef/) it’s been around since 1952 or earlier. I remember hearing my mother talk about it in her childhood, which would put it at late 30s or 40s. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2023, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-open-a-comfort-food-cafe-what-do-you-want-on-the-menu/950865/181 "2023-01-11T22:24:56Z")
As for a name, I nominate a long gone restaurant on an old US highway in Ohio. It was called the Garden of Eat’N Here is an advertisement from 1934: “Go to all the Taverns, Inns, The Gables and what you? Then go to the Garden of Eat’N. Dine and Dance amid real food, real linen and real service with a smile! No Chop Suey! No spaghetti! Steak, chicken and chops to order.” ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2023, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-open-a-comfort-food-cafe-what-do-you-want-on-the-menu/950865/182 "2023-01-12T00:18:59Z")
I’ve never had one — there doesn’t seem to be anyplace hereabouts that serves it, and my attempts at any kind of béchamel typically end in disaster — but the [Hot Brown](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_Brown) sounds absolutely delicious, though an artery-clogger. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-open-a-comfort-food-cafe-what-do-you-want-on-the-menu/950865.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-open-a-comfort-food-cafe-what-do-you-want-on-the-menu/950865.md?page=10)