# What made the original Famous Amos cookie special? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [November 9, 2026, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-made-the-original-famous-amos-cookie-special/1034726 "2026-11-09T05:40:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2026, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-made-the-original-famous-amos-cookie-special/1034726/21 "2026-11-09T19:28:46Z")
Hmm. You’ve got the best up close and personal knowledge of anyone here. Thanks for that insight. Something around 1978 to 1982 was their max growth / max popularity phase and by 1984 the bloom was off the rose. Looks like maybe both Amos & your employer were assuming the good times would keep on rolling indefinitely. Despite the cookies themselves being a premium priced product in a market where that’s only so large a niche versus the whole US population. ---
**Author:** ![2\_More\_Bits](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2_more_bits/32/4148_2.png) [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2026, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-made-the-original-famous-amos-cookie-special/1034726/22 "2026-11-09T20:33:53Z")
I don’t know about that but I have read this: “Due to trademark restrictions, he (Wally Amos) launched Uncle Noname’s Cookie Company.” That took place in 1992. I don’t know what happened after that. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-made-the-original-famous-amos-cookie-special/1034726/23 "2026-11-10T00:39:41Z")
On a talk show back in the 80s, someone askedhim if the recipe included mayonnaise and he confirmed that it did. I’m not sure how unusual that was, but I quit eating them. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-made-the-original-famous-amos-cookie-special/1034726/24 "2026-11-10T00:57:58Z")
Yeah, I remember Uncle Noname’s cookies. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-made-the-original-famous-amos-cookie-special/1034726/25 "2026-11-10T01:41:47Z")
> [@solost](#): > > If I invented a time machine it wouldn’t be to try to change the past at all, I’d just like to try an authentic Colonel Sander’s chicken dinner, with some original Famous Amos cookies for dessert I’ve read that if you go to the Claudia Sanders’ Dinner House in Kentucky, it’s basically the original recipes and attention to detail. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-made-the-original-famous-amos-cookie-special/1034726/26 "2026-11-10T01:43:38Z")
Why? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-made-the-original-famous-amos-cookie-special/1034726/27 "2026-11-10T02:24:33Z")
> [@Horatio\_Hellpop](#): > > On a talk show back in the 80s, someone askedhim if the recipe included mayonnaise and he confirmed that it did. I’m not sure how unusual that was, but I quit eating them Mayo could be a interesting choice for the fat. The Toll house recipe used butter or stick margarine. We’ve discused (on SDMB) substituting mayo for margarine on grilled cheese. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-made-the-original-famous-amos-cookie-special/1034726/28 "2026-11-10T02:47:52Z")
I checked google, “cookies with mayo”. It is a legitimate substitute for the fat. The mayonnaise takes the place of the shortening and eggs. Now I need to make a small batch of chocolate chip cookies. ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-made-the-original-famous-amos-cookie-special/1034726/29 "2026-11-10T03:21:53Z")
Maybe. I remember the rumor back in the day that the cookies had pure THC. We were intrigued enough to conduct experiments of our own. Lots. Of indepth. Experiments. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-made-the-original-famous-amos-cookie-special/1034726/30 "2026-11-10T05:50:59Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > by 1984 the bloom was off the rose. Which is about the same time that Mrs. Fields became huge, as well as when “soft and chewy” packaged chocolate chip cookies (Soft Batch, Chewy Chips Ahoy, etc.) were introduced in grocery stores. ---
**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:** [November 10, 2026, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-made-the-original-famous-amos-cookie-special/1034726/31 "2026-11-10T13:02:15Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > > [@solost](#): > > > > If I invented a time machine it wouldn’t be to try to change the past at all, I’d just like to try an authentic Colonel Sander’s chicken dinner, with some original Famous Amos cookies for dessert > > I’ve read that if you go to the Claudia Sanders’ Dinner House in Kentucky, it’s basically the original recipes and attention to detail. As it happens, I’m going to be in Kentucky during the Thanksgiving weekend. I’ll try to get there for a chicken dinner if it works out logistically. Thanks for the tip! ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-made-the-original-famous-amos-cookie-special/1034726/32 "2026-11-10T16:25:09Z")
FTR … Shelbyville is a wide spot in the road about 1/2 hour east of Louisville or 1 hour west of Lexington: > **[American Restaurant Near Me in Shelbyville, KY | Claudia Sanders](https://www.claudiasandersshelbyville.com/)** > > Looking for an American restaurant near you in Shelbyville, KY? Enjoy Southern food, brunch & catering at Claudia Sanders Dinner House. Visit us today! I’m probably doing the Kentucky Derby in Louisville in 2028. I bet we can make Claudia’s happen then too. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-made-the-original-famous-amos-cookie-special/1034726/33 "2026-11-10T17:54:18Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > FTR … Shelbyville is a wide spot in the road about 1/2 hour east of Louisville or 1 hour west of Lexington: I took the ferry there last time I needed a new heel for my shoe. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2026, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-made-the-original-famous-amos-cookie-special/1034726/34 "2026-11-10T18:27:09Z")
Did your nickles have bees on them? ---
**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:** [November 13, 2026, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-made-the-original-famous-amos-cookie-special/1034726/35 "2026-11-13T01:01:53Z")
From personal experience, I can aver that every good thing turns to shit once a corporation grabs hold of it and starts making “improvements.” ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2026, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-made-the-original-famous-amos-cookie-special/1034726/36 "2026-11-13T04:19:29Z")
Rhyming? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-made-the-original-famous-amos-cookie-special/1034726.md?page=1)