Central Park Cafeteria

[Gregg]

Our family used to eat dinner there after church about once a month. They had great fried chicken! It was located on the east side of Central Ave., immediately north of the New York Central siding that ran into the Arvin 17th St. plant. During the week, I think it was a cafeteria pretty much dedicated to Arvin employees, but on Sunday, they opened their doors to the general public. Does anyone else have any recollections of the place?

[nancs]

Yes, Gregg, I sure do remember that cafeteria!!! They had a 'sugar pie' that was 'to die for!' As I recall, it was the recipe of one of the lady cooks. It was, quite frankly, an 'ugly pie' and had a rather clear look to it, vs a lemon pie with color. Over time, I have 'tried' numerous 'sugar pie recipes' as I have run across them, but NONE quite match the one that I remember getting there.

Nanc

[Gregg]

Nanc,
It sounds as if that may be something akin to the chess pie that is so popular here in Tennessee. I don't recall much about Central Park's desserts-it could be that we weren't "allowed." I do, however, remember one occasion when, for my entree, I chose the chicken gizzards. They smelled great, tasted OK, and chewed just like shoe-leather! Years later, the good "Colonel" hit on pressuring gizzards, and that made a big difference.

[RER]

Gregg I remember this cafeteria but I never went inside.

I did eat breakfast at times at Pearl's on 17th. It was right before the railroad tracks going toward Donner Park. I ran around with a guy and his mother ran the lunch crowd, serving the local factory across the street. I don't believe Pearl's was open at night. It mostly feed the lunch crowd, but had home made pies. Many years ago I took my wife to Pearl's for breakfast.


Bob

[nancs]

Hmmm, sugar pie, well, Gregg, perhaps the real reason I have never been able to replicate the Central Cafeteria pie of my memories, I was calling it by an incorrect name. In checking out Chess Pie, as you suggested, that is truly sounding like the 'more correct' recipe, as I do know that the 'sugar pie' had very simple and limited ingredients.

For history of Chess Pie: whatscookingamerica.net/History/PieHistory/ChessPie.htm

For the recipe that I will attempt on Super Bowl Sunday: www.dianaskitchen.com/page/cake/chess.htm

Some will be serving 'gom' sandwiches, and I will 'try' the sugar/Chess pie. Here's to 'Growing Up Columbus' food memories! And carrying on the 'traditions.'

GO COLTS!!

Nanc

[Deleted]

Nanc,

Chess pie, that sure brings back memory's. When I was stationed at #3 fire station in East Columbus back in the early 60's the men like chess pie, I like to bake and I can't tell you how many chess pies I baked, sure sounds good, I'll have to bake one, .

George

[nancs]

When Gregg first started this topic, Central Park Cafeteria, I knew at once about the place, but with the mention of 'Arvin's' I sort of 'thought' Noblitt-Sparks as the reference. (I knew of the change in names, just not when.)

Yesterday's email, and within was a history of sorts about Noblitt-Sparks and Arvin. Interesting to note the change of names would have occurred in about 1950, and sort of explained my recollection. Also gives me license to these gray hairs, I guess. ;D

Check this out, interesting: www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/ArvinMeritor-Inc-Company-History.html

Nanc

[Jim Hinds]

We used to eat there on Sundays, too, but I seem to remember it being called the Noblitt-Sparks Cafeteria.

[Babs]

All these discussions about Sugar Cream Pies was going on while we were on vacation in Florida. I am just now catching up but have to add my "two cents worth" here on this subject.

Sugar Cream Pies are for sale in the local area, and still sold by that name. ( I have no idea what a Chess Pie is.) In fact in I believe it's Krogers and Marshs grocery stores, they sell a Sugar Cream Pie made by Wicks that is delicious. This is one of my favorite pies, but oh yes, it is sweet. In fact I believe I have two or three recipes for this particular pie.

A day late and a dollar short to be adding this but when I saw the mention, I just had to "jump in".

Yum, yum.

Also in reference to this "cafeteria", as a kid we ate there from time to time. It was never one of my favorite places and to this day I am not overly fond of cafeterias or buffets; however, having said that the cafeteria mentioned here was a very good place to eat and they did have some delicious food. Just through the eyes of a kid, who didn't like to eat much of anything, it wasn't at the top of my list of places to go. Heaven forbid one food should touch another, thats how weird I was! :-)

[richard]

This was in today’s Looking Back column that The Republic runs each day.

From 1957. Arvin Industries announced that work had begun on an expansion of the conference and meeting room at the company’s Central Park Cafeteria.

[pam]

george said:

Nanc,

Chess pie, that sure brings back memory's. When I was stationed at #3 fire station in East Columbus back in the early 60's the men like chess pie, I like to bake and I can't tell you how many chess pies I baked, sure sounds good, I'll have to bake one, .

George