A trip down the memory lane that passes through my mind.
My daughter made tuna burgers for us for dinner tonight. These hot sandwiches were served at Disneyland's Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship restaurant/Captain Hook's Galley from 1955 through 1982.
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| image source: davelandweb.com |
There are two recipes online for Disneyland's tuna burger. The first was printed on the paper placemat/tray liner when the restaurant was sponsored by Chicken of the Sea.
The Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant Recipe
This recipe calls for 6.5 oz can tuna, drained, 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, 1/4 cup finely chopped celery, salt/pepper to taste, 4 sesame seed hamburger buns, Thousand Island salad dressing, sweet pickle slices.
The directions are to mix together the tuna, celery, and seasonings. Spread the bottom bun halves with the Thousand Island dressing. Add tuna salad to each bun half and top with a few sweet pickle slices. Top with the other bun half. Wrap in individual squares of foil. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 20 minutes. Serves 4.
This version was served at the restaurant until 1969, when the Chicken of the Sea sponsorship left Disneyland.
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| "mermaids" from the early years at Disneyland |
The Captain Hook's Galley Recipe
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| Captain Hook's Galley tuna burger image source: Disney Parks Media |
When Disneyland took over the operations of this restaurant, they renamed it Captain Hook's Galley. Disney 's website has provided a recipe for the tuna burger that is like what was served from 1969 on. This is the version my daughter made for us tonight, with a couple of minor modifications.
For one, we had 2 hamburger buns, 1 hot dog bun, and 2 soft (and flattish) drop biscuits to use for buns. In addition, my daughter used two 5-oz cans of tuna (in place of a 9-oz can) and sweet pickle relish (in place of sweet pickle slices).
Also, our sandwiches were not double decker. Otherwise, she made the sandwiches as directed. And, we passed the mayo-chup at the table for those who wanted more dressing.
I said at the top that this took me down memory lane. I lived in Southern California for most of my childhood. When I was in middle school (6th, 7th, & 8th grades), if a student made honor roll for the first 3 quarters of the year, during the 4th quarter he/she could go with a school group to Disneyland for the day. I was fortunate to go each year. On one of those days, my mother gave me money to buy myself lunch. What do you think I ordered? I ordered the tuna burger from Captain Hook's Galley, aka the pirate ship. My daughter's tuna burgers were every bit as good as the one I remembered from my youth.
Like all kids, mine have asked me about some of my childhood memories. Several months ago, I mentioned the pirate ship restaurant that is no longer in Disneyland. I also recalled a hot tuna fish sandwich that I had for lunch one time. One daughter especially likes to recreate restaurant dishes. So she went on a quest to find this hot tuna sandwich from my childhood. The internet makes finding such things a breeze. Tonight was my daughter's night to cook dinner for us, and she asked to make the tuna burgers. How could I turn her down?! A memory and a meal wrapped up in a square of foil.
While canned tuna isn't as cheap as it was 5 years ago, it's still a decent budget "meat". Both WinCo and Walmart carry canned tuna fish (5-oz) for 88 cents per can in my area. Two cans feed the four of us adults. So under $2 for the tuna portion of a family meal. That's a pretty good value.
How fun. I haven't had this type of tuna burger, but I do enjoy tuna melts. My favorite meal growing up was fish and chips from Ivar's (a small Seattle seafood chain). I now live near an Ivar's, so very rarely, I will treat myself to fish and chips. It's even better, though, if you can eat at the outside fish bar on the Seattle waterfront. Afterwards, it is tradition to throw your uneaten fries to the seagulls on the pier. Great memories!
ReplyDeleteHi Tina,
DeleteMmm, tuna melts are delicious!
It's been several years since I've been to the Seattle waterfront. Your memories sound fun. There's an Ivar's walk-up counter next to the public beach in Mukilteo. We used to take our kids there once per summer, buy fish and chips, then have dinner on the beach. I hope my kids remember those evenings with fondness.
That's sweet that your daughter made a recipe from your childhood. I have not had a tuna burger like that, but tuna melts like Tina mentioned. My favorite eating out meal as a child was at Davis drive-in where they brought the food to your car and hooked a tray on your window. My sister's and I got footlong hot dogs with chili. The drive-in was in the town my grandmother lived in, so we didn't have them very often.
ReplyDeleteHi Live and Learn,
DeleteWhat a lovely memory from your childhood! A chili dog sounds like a good choice.
On one vacation when I was little, my parents took us to the sort of drive-in that you referenced, complete with the tray hooked onto the window. I don't remember where we were vacationing, but my parents wanted to share this part of Americana with my siblings and I.
My husband occasionally makes fish patties from pan fish that he catches. I dislike fried fish but I like the patties, which we eat on buns similar to what you do with your tuna burgers. He knows that I prefer the patties, so that's how I get my local fish experience. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Kris,
DeleteYour husband's fish patties sound good. I think the bun really makes the fish meal tasty. I'm glad that he makes the fish the way you enjoy most.
A favourite local hot tuna sandwich in our area is to mix tuna,mayo,minced onion,celery and 2 hard boiled eggs(mashed) all together then spread on a bun and add sliced cheese on top.Wrap in foil and heat through in an oven.You can also make a bunch of these and place them all in a roasting pan and then cover with foil to heat through.They are very popular at school,church functions,baby showers etc.
ReplyDeleteThose tuna sandwiches sound good. I love the idea of making a tray of sandwiches, then baking altogether. I will keep this in mind for another time. Thank you!
DeleteLoved this! The story and memories were overly to read. And now I put these yummy sandwiches on our menu for this next week. Hope you are feeling better every day!
ReplyDeleteLovely....not overly! Sorry!
DeleteHi Amanda,
DeleteI hope you enjoy these sandwiches as much as we did. Extra sweet pickles and mayo-ketchup make them even yummier.
Thank you for the good wishes!