This week’s recipe, the first for 2025, is an update on our continuing exploration of the chopped peanut sandwich and Saginaw’s infatuation with this menu item during the first half of the twentieth century.
“When the Culver-Deisler Drug Store on the southwest corner of Jefferson and Genessee was operating and had a lunch counter, they served an absolutely delicious chopped peanut sandwich. Would there be anyone around yet who would know anything about it? Majorie Clark of Vassar
No doubt many people remember the soda fountain lunch counter of Culver Deisler’s, in operation from 1903 to 1965, but the recipes used there were shrouded in mythology even while they were being served. Yellowing newspaper clippings speak of ‘the best pies this side of Utopia,’ baked by Fred Culver’s grandmother in Bridgeport, who rode in on her bicycle every day to deliver them. The clips also describe raspberries grown on tall trees in Madagascar, harvested by airplanes and flown directly to the drug store. We could find no recipe for the chopped peanut sandwich. (First, chop the peanuts?)” (The Saginaw News, February 4, 1983.)
According to tradition and our research, at least four Saginaw restaurants featured chopped peanut sandwiches: The soda fountain at the Culver-Deisler, Tanner’s Tearoom, Kozy Korner, and Stropp’s Good Food.
Recipes for those served at Tanner’s and Kozy Korner have survived. These links will take you to history and recipes for both of these: Tanner's Tearoom, Kozy Korner.
Although we have not been successful in locating a recipe for Culver-Deisler’s chopped peanut sandwiches and thus are unable to assist with Ms. Clark’s 1983 request, a 1906 advertisement suggests that some of the earliest chopped peanut sandwiches in Saginaw may have been served at the Culver-Deisler lunch counter – we believe the peanut sandwich they list in a 1906 advertisement is, in fact, a chopped peanut sandwich. (The eatery offered peanut sandwiches for five cents, and they were part of their #3 luncheon special – for 15 cents, the special included reception flakes*).
While we have not found any advertising for chopped peanut sandwiches after 1950, on June 20, 1947, an advertisement for Stropp’s Good Food at 2040 East Genesee included chopped peanut in their list of sandwiches.
This leads us to the larger question--is the belief that chopped peanut sandwiches are a uniquely Saginaw confection, true? Although there are hints that the world outside of Saginaw was aware of the appeal of chopped peanut sandwiches, the discovery of actual recipes and menu listings elude us. And we have been diligent.
That said, we are almost certain that the claim of Saginaw’s chopped peanut sandwiches being featured in a New Yorker is a myth. However, our research rewarded us with the discovery of a weirdly wonderful description of Saginaw published in the July 29, 1959 issue of the New Yorker.
However, even if we are able to locate a non-Saginaw recipe for this simple sandwich, it will never diminish the power of this sandwich to evoke memories of unique Saginaw restaurants. When the announcement of the construction of a Rally’s was made, former Saginaw Mayor G. Stewart Francke, wrote in defense of the franchise’s location: “Ironically, the last building to stand on the proposed site was Culver-Deisler Drug Store, whose luncheon counter served delicious chopped peanut sandwiches and cherry Cokes to generations of Saginawians.” (The Saginaw News, March 31, 1995.)
Franke went on to compare the proposed Rally’s to the Kozy Korner:
“Nor will it be a romantic setting such as Kozy Korner over on Court Street. This place had wooden booths and softly lit lamps with pleated shades. Most important, it was friendly meting place for young people from sides of the Saginaw River.” (The Saginaw News, March 31, 1995.)
After that fond description, Franke proclaimed: “Enough nostalgia.” And continued his support for the construction of the Rally’s.
With that thought in mind, we present another version of the chopped peanut sandwich.
The Recipe: Kozy Korner Chopped Peanut Sandwich, Version II
While this recipe is similar to the version featured in our earlier piece about the Kozy Korner, it differs in one important way - it includes vinegar. As a result, it has a sweet and sour quality that relates it much more closely with the version that was served in Tanner’s Tearoom.
“The late Ed Miller, a longtime News columnist, recorded preparation of Ida Kundinger’s chopped peanut sandwiches as follows.
You buy the peanuts roasted in the shell. Shuck them and chop fine in a mixing bowl.
Mrs. Kundinger's special salad dressing was made this way:
1 tablespoon four
3 tablespoons sugar
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
2 eggs
½ cup white vinegar
¼ cup water
1 pint mayonnaise
Blend together first five ingredients. Add vinegar and water. Cook in a double boiler until thick and mix with mayonnaise. Mix desired amount of chopped peanuts with salad dressing. Bits of bacon may be added if desired. Spread the mixture between slices of bread and garnish with lettuce. The dressing refrigerates well and is good for coleslaw and a complement to other salads.” (The Saginaw News, August 29, 1983.)
CTK NOTES:
Although we are fond of this recipe and the dressing has a nice texture, the addition of mayonnaise softens the distinctive sweet and sour flavor. The CTK prefers the Tanner Tearoom version.
Important warning: We have a feeling we have not exhausted our exploration of the chopped peanut sandwich.
*Our research indicates that Reception Flakes were a cracker – described by some sources as delicate – manufactured by the United States Baking Company (later absorbed into NABISCO). Each cracker was imprinted with the name of the product. Alas, the CTK was unable to find a current source for this delicacy.
