Marie Callender's (revisits)

mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog since 2005.  Sort of an old fashioned way of communicating about meals enjoyed with people nowadays posting photos instantly on other forms of social media. Usually there's a story involved with meals, sometimes, there isn't. Cathy is writing while Kirk is enjoying another day off.   

In the 1930's, Marie Callender began a pie business, delivering to restaurants in Orange County.  In 1964, she opened her own pie and coffee shop and in 1969, a full service restaurant.  Today there are over 50 restaurants in the USA and Mexico and some products are sold in grocery stores. We are fortunate to have a nearby restaurant. 

I posted about a birthday meal here two years ago.  Comfort foods with a slice of pie for dessert. 

Every meal begins with a large piece of fresh baked, still warm cornbread and butter brought to the table.
This golden bread is sweet and tender and unique.  I've tried various 'copycat' recipes, but in the end, purchase the mix sold in grocery stores. 
There is a "Pair and Share" special for $25 or $30.  It includes an appetizer; we chose the cheesy artichoke dip-decadent and wonderful.  Good thing they included a spoon, so there would be no leftovers or dirty fingers...
Two entrees are part of the P&S meal.  This is the 'Traditional Frisco'- a 1/3 lb burger served on sourdough grilled with Parmesan. 
This is the "Traditional French Dip" (the bread wasn't as soft as I'd like; needed to be dipped). Both came with fries and were part of a nice meal. 
The meal includes two slices of pie.  This is the French Apple, with a cinnamon crumble topping.
This is the German chocolate: chocolate cream, coconut, chopped pecans over a layer of chocolate on the crust.  

We returned recently with a vacationing visitor.   The cornbread was brought to the table.

Vegetable soup was chosen instead of an appetizer for both of our "Pair and Share" $30 meal. It was a great soup, filled with non-mushy vegetables.
A Hot Turkey Sandwich was one choice-Thanksgiving in the summer! Just right.
The other choice was a Meatloaf Dinner; again, great comfort food done well. 
The mini pot pie ($11.99) was a perfect serving size and included a salad and dessert.
We had to get the slices of pie 'to go'.  Double cream blueberry (vanilla custard and sour cream), coconut cream and double cream lemon (lemon custard and sour cream).

Marie Callender's 6950 Alvarado Road San Diego, CA 92120 (619)465-1910 Mon-Sat 8 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Website

Comments

[kat]

I wonder if Hawaii still has Marie Callender?! hmmm...

[Cathy]

Oh, that would be a fun meal, Kat. If not, maybe the local grocers carry some Marie Callender products (the cornbread mix, canned soups or frozen items-especially the pot pies)

[Sandy]

There aren't many Marie Callender restaurants left in SD; the Carmel Mountain one closed awhile back. I haven't been to one in a few years now, but I have fond memories of hanging out with friends for pie after seeing a movie back in the post-high school days.

[janfrederick]

I go waaaaaay back with Marie Callender's. From my salad bar addiction at seven at the San Bernardino location to working there at the front counter in Milpitas, selling pies, ringing up tickets, and boxing up to-go orders. The banana cream pies did not save, so we got them cheap. I ate a LOT of banana cream pie back then.

[RedDevil]

We miss the pie at the Carmel mtn ranch location!

[Soo]

I love getting the chicken pot pie there. :-)

[caninecologne]

Their pies are the best. I especially like their strawberry pie and the banana cream.

[Cathy]

Pie-what a great memory trigger, Sandy. According to the website, there are three left in the County.
Whoa, JF, you worked at Marie's! How cool. Yep- banana is a real comfort, memory evoking flavor.
It's sad when some places leave, RD. At least there are still a couple of stores you could stop at...a slice of pie and a cup of coffee. Fancier than Starbucks yet a lot better tasting.
The chicken pot pie is so very good, Soo. It's the crust...
Yes, both of those flavors have been purchased as whole pies and brought home, cc...along with coconut cream.

[Rich Kaszeta]

Yeah, I remember growing up in AZ that MC's had a number of Phoenix area locations, and indeed, probably a third of my mom's pie plates are the MC-stamped ones that you paid a deposit on.

I remember them for comfort food, a somewhat unique "living room" ambiance, and pot pies (the former being particularly impressive in the late 80s and 90s for being some of the better offerings in pot pies and cobblers in the freezer case)

[Cathy]

I still have two pie plates (deposit was 50¢), Rich (they're useful for so many things, including home made pies). The interior decor is still quite "living room" mixed with "80's den/library". The fresh made still does taste better than frozen, but they seem to have almost perfected what is in the freezer (there's some sort of foil like lining for use in the microwave and it crisps the crusts).