This is a Menu (Well, the cover of the menu....) that I found on the net from 1948! What is amazing is that the Menu still looks the same and there have been very few changes since this menu. Do click on this to see it bigger.....As you can see, the "specials" for each day are right there on the front....In 1948, they were open on Sunday and Monday....Well, that hasn't been the case for quite a long time---not sure when that changed exactly, but I believe they already were only doing 5 days a week when I first went there in 1961....So they only need these 5 'specials', from Tuesday through Saturday....And amazingly, the only day that has a different "special" from this Menu, is Tuesday. It is now "Corn Beef and Cabbage", and I'm willing to bet it's been that for, at the very least, over thirty years.....
Here above is Wednesdays 'special' "Sauerbraten, Potato Pancakes & Apple Sauce"....the very same dish that was the 'special' back in 1948....The food, as you can see, is very much from another time, too, just like the whole place....But, that is why we love it.......
And here is my very favorite Musso's 'special'....On Thursdays, it's "Chicken Pot Pie". Yum Yum Yum....! It comes in a baking dish and the waiter spoons the first portion out for you right there at the table......What I love is that it has these big chunks of Chicken along with all these other goodies.....Old Fashioned? You Bet! And, that's also why we love it....lol! A number of kind souls have actually brought me the Chicken Pot Pie so I can eat it right here at home and pretend I'm having a little bit of Musso's right up here on the hill---well, sort of.....But it really is a very special treat for me, and it brings back fond memories......Friday and Saturday are still the same 'specials' as 1948...Friday is "Bouillabaisse Marseillaise" and on Saturday another wonderful throwback food-wise, "Braised Short Ribs of Beef With Vegetables".....I have had this dish, and it is quite Yum Yum, especially if you are in need of "Mommy Food"......In fact, a lot of their Menu is perfect for Mommy Food......
Here is Manny....he is one of the long-time waiters there at Musso's...Like, maybe over forty years......There is something very comforting about that, you know? And I think it says something about this Restaurant that they have so very many waiters with long-time-service on the job there. Here below is Manny, once again, with some other Waiters from other Los Angeles Restaurants....This picture was taken for an article on famous L.A, Restaurants and the longevity of their Waiters, and as you can see Manny is featured in front!
Here below is one of Musso's long-time Appetizers....I know it has been on the Menu for at least all the years I have been going there and it wouldn't surprise me if it was there in 1919, as well......
It's listed as "Stuffed Celery", and stuffed, it is....With some kind of Cheese Mixture--the basis of which is Cream Cheese; a little Paprika to dress it up with some color, and a Black Olive with each stalk, plus a slice or two of Cold Cooked Beets. Now how long since you've seen this delicious combination on a menu, if ever? This is an appetizer to share because it is quite a large portion...In truth, all their portions are pretty big! The Menu is huge, by the way....The Variety of choices of Salads-23, and Egg Dishes-16, and Fish-19, and Steaks and Chops-13, stuns one, and that doesn't count Roasts or Cold Meats, or the "To Order" items....And it goes on and on and on.....They also have what they call, "Ready Entrees" and these include mundane things like two kinds of Spaghetti Dishes...Below is one of the Spaghetti's. They also have "Beef Stroganoff With Rice", and "Macaroni With Mushroom Sauce"----more of the mundane but quite delicious and hearty, though I'm not sure how good any of this is for your Heart.......But does that stop people? No!
And then there are some more, shall we say, 'exotic' dishes, like for instance, "Roast Rack of Lamb Casserole"---I have never eaten that, nor do I know anyone who has.....lol, but I bet it is pretty good! And back to the mundane...."Roast Half Chicken With Savory Dressing, Rissole Potato's (?), Peas and Cranberry Sauce" and "Roast Loin of Pork With Red Cabbage and Sweet Potato"--ALL these are under 'ready entrees.....and so much more---the Ready Entrees number 12....Then, of course there are the "To Order" items. There are 12 of those, as well....Including "Welsh Rarebit" and a "Low Calorie Plate".....Hmmmmm. I think I may have had that once.....Not memorable. Though maybe they have improved it.....
There are "Cold Sandwiches"-9, and "Hot Sandwiches"-9 also....And above is the 'Hot Tongue Sandwich'....I never have eaten that either....although I like tongue I am only interested in true Deli Tongue. This sandwich does not look that appetizing to me in the least.....But it is a testament to the enormity of their Menu that is exists at all.....! And by the way, it is $19.
One of their more popular dishes is the "Filet Of Sandabs, Saute Meuniere"---this is just one of the 19 Fish Choices....My dear friend Hanna loved these...In fact, I don't remember her ever ordering anything else when we would go to Musso's together......And by the way, they have 10 different Potato Dishes....including Candied Sweet, Julienne, Lyonaisse, Cottage Fried, and Au Gratin, as well as the usual Mashed, Baked, French Fried, Hash Browns, and believe it or not, Boiled New Potato's---plus the two other Potato dishes mentioned previously.....Pretty impressive, isn't it?
Another popular item with me personally, was the "Stuffed Tomato With Chicken or Tuna" (A few Asparagus, a Black Olive or two, and some more Cold Cooked Beet Slices)....You can also get this with either Crab or Shrimp.....the Crab or Shrimp is $20. But a Crab Salad by itself-no Tomato-is $25. More Crab without that big Tomato, I guess....lol....Yes, the prices are 'dear', as they say, and they always have been....Oh, and I would be remiss if I didn't mention the fantastic Sour Dough Bread that graces the table almost immediately upon your arrival---Lunch or Dinner or at the Counter.....!
It is baked fresh, every day, just for Musso's....And it is the most delicious Sour Dough Bread I have ever tasted.....They put this plate of bread on your table just filled to the brim with these very generous but manageable slices, and when you run out because you have eaten it all, they bring you some more.....! I'll let you ruminate on all this food and give you time to digest so you can get ready for Part 3 of Musso's......More To Come.......
- had this to say:
well this post and photo sure didn't help my diet any! LOL LOL
- Monday, September 7, 2009 at 2:50:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Didn't help my diet either; reminded me of some wonderful food I've not seen in years, stirring childhood memories! big fun, many thanks! The first post on Russo's was interesting but this one really appealed to ...lol.
- Monday, September 7, 2009 at 6:05:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Phew, glad I just had lunch so I could read and not weep from hunger.
I love the longivity of the place, the waiters and the menu. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.- Monday, September 7, 2009 at 10:07:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Well now I'm starving!! It's not really my kind of food but it does look great! I love real Italian style pasta but I'm so hungry after seeing these photos, I'd eat any of it!
- Monday, September 7, 2009 at 12:16:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Makes me hungry for just plain good food...
- Monday, September 7, 2009 at 1:30:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Thank you for coming to visit my blog – I appreciate it a lot. Just looking at all these delicious dishes makes me want to jump on the next flight to LAX. I have not had Bouillabaisse Marseillaise since I was in Marseille in 1988 so I would love to eat some. Fortunately I am going to Marseille next November so that will be a treat. But the next time I am in LA, I’ll go to this restaurant for sure. Your post is very attractive.
- Monday, September 7, 2009 at 7:29:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
You had me at "10 different potato dishes".
- Monday, September 7, 2009 at 8:25:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
I can tell that you miss going there to eat. If I ever go back to LA, I'll certainly go there and I will think of you. Although the food is "dear" there really is a lot of it!
- Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at 12:32:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
What an incredible place! And such a varied menu, I love the way you have written all the details about each dish.... are you sure they're not paying you to advertise????
Interesting to see that they bill themselves as Hollywood's Oldest Restaurant, even back in 1944.- Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at 6:06:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Gosh this food looks good. And what comfort food dishes! I am getting hungry. I was trying to catch up from being away on vacation. I LOVE your walk of fame post and the photo with the finger on Jackson's was just wonderful to see. You ALWAYS have such interesting stuff here for us!
- Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at 8:17:00 AM PDT
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had this to say:
Alright. An hour and half until lunch and I'm now officially hungry.
Thanks, Naomi.
:)
Cheers.- Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at 8:37:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Oh BOY did I ever pick a great day to pop in! I love food and I love nostalgia even more! If I ever make it out your way I am definitely going to Musso's!
- Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at 12:39:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Hi again Naomi!
If I'm ever in LA again (who knows?), I promise to go to Musso & Franks and get the Special of the Day Take-out for you, of course, it will depend what day of the week it is as to what you actually get for dinner! Maybe I'll bring Manny along to deliver it!
....smile....- Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at 12:53:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Mr. kenju's mouth is watering at the sauerbraten and pancakes!! He asks you to send him some.....LOL. And while you are at it, I'll have the chicken pot pie!!
- Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at 3:01:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Oh Naomi, you have made my mouth water!! Those fish dishes sound so great and that's a yummy picture you posted! I can see why Hanna loved it so much!
So much to choose from! I've never been to a restaurant with so many items.
This is very interesting stuff Naomi!- Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at 7:48:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Mommy food, indeed. Not good for your heart, maybe, but I'll bet it's good for your emotional heart. Looks delicious and I swear I can smell that chicken from the chicken pot pie. *drool*
- Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at 11:35:00 PM PDT
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had this to say:
You're making me hungry Naomi! Hehehe.
I like the look of menu. Old and charming! There's a sense of history by just looking at it!- Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 9:42:00 AM PDT
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had this to say:
Musso's is most asssuredly a Hollywood landmark---ah, if those walls could talk!!!! However, I was a Nickodell gal myself-more of a techie hangout and closer to the lab (DeLuxe)!
Let me be the first to wish all the Blogfolk the best in the coming year.
For the religious, it's a sacred holiday---happy new year!!
For the secular, it's the beginning of the school year---happy new year!!
the fat lady- Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 1:20:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
You've made me hungry and now there's not a damn thing in the kitchen that will satisfy me.
I want something TASTY on a pretty plate!- Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 7:21:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
I'll have the Friday special and some of that stuffed tomato...and the fish your dear friend, Hanna, liked, with a side of sourdough bread and a bottle of red, thank you! Everything looks fantastic!!
I'd love to dine at Musso's and of course, I'd request the long-time waiter, because I think he'd be fun to chat with while I wait.
I can think of nothing better right now than to have a mommy meal at Musso's...with you, my friend! Whattaya say?
These pictures made me hungry!!!- Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 7:21:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Hey Naomi...sorry been so far behind your blog and hey...I hope I didn't miss much of the food here in Musso ;) I am so hungry now!!!
How are you and Seemah?? Please tell her I think about you and her all the time :D
Big Hug!!- Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 8:17:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
I love that car on the menu cover; its so much of the era. The meals are what I call hearty and should be approached with a healthy appetite. I would join Hanna in plumping for Fillet of Sanddabs and I'd like to try ALL the potato dishes. I've never had sourdough but as I love my carbs I'm sure I'd enjoy it.
I guess you know my real passion which I'm sure you will tell us about :)
Paris - certainly in the sixties - seemed to have these elderly long serving waiters and had a dignity all their own. Thanks for that Naomi - lets have lunch sometime soon.- Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 12:24:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Ok now I have to admit I am hungry but dont know what I want.. I also have to go get dressed to do some running. I mean errands..
- Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 5:26:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Wow, those food photos are making me way hungry. I like everything there. Definitely a fine restaurant for my food tastes.
- Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 8:06:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Mom's food and then some! I love when things stay the same. When something is good, why must new people insist on change for the sake of change? I hate that attitude, very arrogant.
- Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 7:10:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
very interesting history! and it's making me hungry!!
- Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 12:23:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Great post, Naomi! Looks Musso is a very nice place. Seeing those yummy foods make me feel hungry... I agree with other comments, this post and photo sure didn't help my diet either! LOL!
- Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 2:59:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Well, I'm hungry!
- Monday, September 14, 2009 at 6:56:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Now this is exactly the food I like. wonderful about the number of years the waiters have wroked there. It says so much about the place. Oh I so have to go there!! Or I am getting some of that chicken and bringing it to you on the Hill. Restaurants are so hard to run but to do so for 90 years is simply incredible. They have it perfected it seems.
- Sunday, September 27, 2009 at 11:09:00 PM PDT
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