# Your favorite retro/forgotten/by-gone foods **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [January 4, 2024, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-retro-forgotten-by-gone-foods/995611 "2024-01-04T21:56:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**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 11, 2024, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-retro-forgotten-by-gone-foods/995611/121 "2024-01-11T05:41:55Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Mushy peas sounds interesting to me, but according to Wikipedia it’s made from something called “marrowfat peas” which I don’t think I’ve ever seen in an American grocery store unless they’re known by some other name here. I’m in western Michigan, in a rather small ~~backwater village~~ charming town, and the nearby Meijer has marrowfat peas (dried, in cellophane bags) in the international aisle. I will state, for the record, that this is the first place I’ve ever seen them for sale, which is why I noticed them. (I am a carnivore, and love meat fat. Marrow is particularly delicious. Peas are … usually at least edible, although I will say that fresh young peas picked right off the vine and eaten straight out of the pod are quite the springtime treat. So “marrowfat peas” confuse me. Marrow … YAY! Fat … usually yay! Peas … usually okay! How does the combination work out?) ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-retro-forgotten-by-gone-foods/995611/122 "2024-01-11T05:44:41Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > Ah, mushy peas. _Pease porridge hot, pease porridge cold, / Pease porridge in the pot, nine days old_ It’s not really “retro” if it has never gone away, is it? ---
**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:** [January 11, 2024, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-retro-forgotten-by-gone-foods/995611/123 "2024-01-11T05:51:09Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I have heard that Aussies enjoy sticking a meat pie upside-down in a bowl of pea soup and calling it a “pie floater”. I am simultaneously intrigued, confused, and somehow disgusted but also interested in trying it. Based on my experiences in Australia, I’m not surprised. They do tend to do odd things with food (a slice of beetroot is a hamburger condiment?). But our Australian friends are no fools; if it’s lousy, they discard it; if it’s good, they stick with it. If they put a meat pie upside-down in a bowl of pea soup, you can bet it’s worth trying. I remember one time when I was there, I was taught how to make a plain ordinary meat pie into a real Aussie meat pie: take a squirt bottle of ketchup, such as you find on the table in any diner, plunge the pointy nozzle into the pie, and squirt ketchup in until the pie bulges. Then dig in. It’s messy, but it is oh so good and filling. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-retro-forgotten-by-gone-foods/995611/124 "2024-01-11T05:57:35Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > I remember one time when I was there, I was taught how to make a plain ordinary meat pie into a real Aussie meat pie: take a squirt bottle of ketchup, such as you find on the table in any diner, plunge the pointy nozzle into the pie, and squirt ketchup in until the pie bulges. Then dig in. It’s messy, but it is oh so good and filling. I do this same thing, but with Sriracha sauce and cream cheese wontons. ---
**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:** [January 11, 2024, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-retro-forgotten-by-gone-foods/995611/125 "2024-01-11T05:59:23Z")
Sure, but have you washed it down with an ice-cold Swan Lager? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-retro-forgotten-by-gone-foods/995611/126 "2024-01-11T06:04:16Z")
I don’t drink lager very often in general, but that does sound like a nice pairing. Personally, the Aussie junk food that interests me the most is something they call a “halal snack pack”. [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8a/Hspchips_%28cropped%29.jpg/1200px-Hspchips_%28cropped%29.jpg) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8a/Hspchips_%28cropped%29.jpg/1200px-Hspchips_%28cropped%29.jpg) [![](https://manofmany.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/featured-image.jpg) ](https://manofmany.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/featured-image.jpg) [![](https://www.nowuc.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/17965031_10210224134177501_942363494_n-300x300.jpg) ](https://www.nowuc.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/17965031_10210224134177501_942363494_n-300x300.jpg) ---
**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:** [January 11, 2024, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-retro-forgotten-by-gone-foods/995611/127 "2024-01-11T06:08:06Z")
Damn! I have no idea what that is, just that it looks like a good closer to a night’s boozing. What is it? (Plus it looks like it would go just fine with an ice-cold Swan Lager. 😉 ) ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-retro-forgotten-by-gone-foods/995611/128 "2024-01-11T06:09:20Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > Damn! I have no idea what that is, just that it looks like a good closer to a night’s boozing. What is it? Fries topped with gyro meat and, IIRC, a combination of ketchup, BBQ, chili, and yogurt sauces, optionally with cheese. It’s a variant on the classic “giant pile of fries and shit” meal that I knew as carne asada fries growing up in San Diego, in the same family as chili cheese fries, poutine, pastrami fries a la The Hat, and so on. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-retro-forgotten-by-gone-foods/995611/129 "2024-01-11T06:11:20Z")
Scottish variant (not sure if halal): [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/Munchy_Box.jpg/800px-Munchy_Box.jpg) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/Munchy_Box.jpg/800px-Munchy_Box.jpg) Average life expectancy in Glasgow is years below the national average! ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-retro-forgotten-by-gone-foods/995611/130 "2024-01-11T06:12:55Z")
Wikipedia reports that [_marrowfat peas_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marrowfat_peas) are a thin skinned variety that are allowed to dry on the vine. There is speculation there about the name. From what I’ve found in recipes and descriptions they won’t be as densely dried as split peas creating a unique texture. ---
**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:** [January 11, 2024, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-retro-forgotten-by-gone-foods/995611/131 "2024-01-11T06:14:34Z")
Thanks, @Smapti . Yeah, that would be a good closer to a night’s boozing. Best we could do in Toronto was Fran’s, an all night diner that was not quite so adventurous. We made do, but I would have loved to dig into your “giant pile of fries and shit.” Damn, now I’m hungry for a giant pile of fries and shit. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-retro-forgotten-by-gone-foods/995611/132 "2024-01-11T06:16:03Z")
I have seen them sold as a snack as “wasabi peas” (with some ersatz wasabi powder) ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-retro-forgotten-by-gone-foods/995611/133 "2024-01-11T06:19:56Z")
When it comes to late night boozing or snacking, there used to be a bakery in Manhattan Kansas that opened for a couple of hours about 1:00AM on Friday and Saturday nights. It didn’t open the eating area, just sold stuff out the back door to the alley. Lots of huge doughnuts and sweetrolls and sugary stuff. Loved that place. ---
**Author:** ![WotNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e19b73/32.png) [@WotNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WotNot)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-retro-forgotten-by-gone-foods/995611/134 "2024-01-11T10:38:41Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > Okay, that’s quite interesting! Sounds like “mushy peas” are made from dried peas (which can be bought in the US as “split peas”). Totally delicious, IMHO - I like making incredibly thick split pea soup, which seems to be the same thing. As has already been pointed out, marrowfat peas are different to split peas. What you’re describing is essentially pease pudding. You need to make it thick enough to spread on bread – or slice when cold. Goes very well with ham. ---
**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:** [January 11, 2024, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-retro-forgotten-by-gone-foods/995611/135 "2024-01-11T15:59:51Z")
Speaking of peas… Pea Soup Andersen’s in Buellton closed Tuesday. The place was 100 years old. They are redeveloping the property, so it may return someday. But for now, the 101 is soupless south of Santa Nella. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-retro-forgotten-by-gone-foods/995611/136 "2024-01-11T16:04:57Z")
Peas Soup Andersen’s is such an intriguing name. > **[Pea Soup Andersen's](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pea_Soup_Andersen%27s)** > > Pea Soup Andersen's is a restaurant in Central California that primarily serves travelers. The restaurant is located along one of the state's major north–south highways on Interstate 5 in Santa Nella. The restaurant was formerly a chain, with previous locations along other major travel highways in California. While the restaurant is best known for their pea soup, it serves complete home-style meals. The location includes a bakery and gift shop and has an associated hotel on the property. The comp... ---
**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:** [January 11, 2024, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-retro-forgotten-by-gone-foods/995611/137 "2024-01-11T16:06:35Z")
The pea soup IS really good. I’ll miss their Monte Cristos. The place was a regular stop for my debate team coming back from the Stanford Invitational. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-retro-forgotten-by-gone-foods/995611/138 "2024-01-11T16:49:36Z")
You can find dried whole peas here in the US, too. La Preferida sells them (may be a regional brand) Goya has them as well. I’m also pretty sure I’ve seen some variety of whole dried peas among the legumes in South Asian groceries. How close they are to dried marrowfat peas, I don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2024, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-retro-forgotten-by-gone-foods/995611/139 "2024-01-11T17:23:34Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Peas Soup Andersen’s is such an intriguing name. Sadly, it appears Pea Soup Andersen’s has closed as of yesterday, without any warning. > **[Pea Soup Andersen’s, Central Coast Danish Restaurant, Closes](https://sfstandard.com/2024/01/10/central-coast-landmark-pea-soup-andersens-closes/)** > > It’s slated to be razed and rebuilt, while Santa Nella location remains open. ---
**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:** [January 11, 2024, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-retro-forgotten-by-gone-foods/995611/140 "2024-01-11T17:23:56Z")
Amazon has Rani brand dried marrow fat peas for $14.99/4 lbs. among others. @WildaBeast - look up 4 posts. 😛 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-retro-forgotten-by-gone-foods/995611.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-retro-forgotten-by-gone-foods/995611.md?page=8)