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Clifton's Favorite Family Recipe's

3/28/2016

25 Comments

 
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Must of been some damn fine grub, someone is too busy eating to pose for a picture with the Camera Girl!
Since I shared this recipe on my Facebook page a few weeks ago, I've just been dying to try this out. I happened to have the day off and it’s one of those rare rainy, blustery days here in Southern California so I figured it was perfect baking weather. I quickly gathered all of the simple ingredients and whipped it right up.
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Photo courtesy of Esotouric Secret Los Angeles, Facebook
The results? So scrumptious! The torte was thick, lightly sweet and buttery. The balance of fruit and walnuts seemed to offset the sugar content for a more savory flair. 
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As I was feasting on this old Clifton's family recipe, I kept thinking how indicative it was of the meals Clifton's Cafeteria used to serve to the multitudes over the generations. All of their meals were home-made, with fresh ingredients and purposely hearty and nutritious. True comfort food that illustrated the Clifton’s family vision, and especially needed to serve the poor families in the Los Angeles area who could thankfully afford a good hot meal by "paying what you wish".
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This is probably why so many people have never and will never forget the memorable food they had when visiting this most famous landmark. When folks start reminiscing about Clifton’s you’ll usually hear about an array of hot bubbling trays full of buffet style classics, such as the full turkey dinner, meatloaf, mac and cheese, in addition to the endless display of fresh desserts, and let’s not forget about that famous Jell-o. It was a true feast for the eyes...and a Disneyland for the stomach.
You may not realize this, but there are actually hundreds of treasured family recipes that the 'new' Clifton's still has in its archives! They have even promised to incorporate many of these time-tested old recipes in with their new menus. (on my recent trips to Clifton’s none have yet surfaced thus far- boo!) And after the recent, shall I say "challenging" food reviews, it may be time to go old-school.
Here are the actual archives hidden mysteriously away somewhere inside Clifton's
Picture
Photo courtesy of Esotouric Secret Los Angeles, Facebook
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Photo courtesy of Esotouric Secret Los Angeles, Facebook
If and when they do incorporate the old-timey recipes, let's hope this Fruit Nut Torte makes the cut!

By the way, I added fresh whip cream (please no partially hydrogenated non-dairy whip… ugh) and a sprinkling of cinnamon to finish off the plate. It comes highly recommended by yours truly.

One more thing, I just thought I would post the results of my baking accomplishments just for fun, but not to worry a new diary episode will be coming your way soon!

25 Comments
george wilson
11/19/2017 08:56:41 pm

I've been looking for this recipe since I saw it in the L.A. Times long ago. I made several one year for family and all were pleased. I thank you for honoring Clifton's, a Southern California treasure. Now I better get busy with my baking.....

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Louise Nicholson
1/11/2020 01:51:00 am

Do you have the recipe for the “Clifton’s Family Recipes” meatloaf?
(Not the Vienna-style one.)

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Jonie
7/1/2020 04:44:51 pm

Looking for cliftons recipe for carrot raisin salad with NO pineapple.

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sherry domerego
1/23/2021 01:48:00 am

might you have the cliftons pineapple bran muffin recipe. I have the macaroni and cheese recipe photocopied from their actual recipe book.
would you like to have a copy?

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Angela
2/11/2022 06:37:18 am

Hi Sherry,
I hope this message finds it's way to you. I grew up on Clifton's (literally was taken there as my first outing as a newborn). I have been looking for several of their recipes for years, including their Mac and cheese. I would adore a copy and would treasure it forever.
Would you be willing go share?
Thank you!

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Sherry Domerego
3/8/2022 02:05:41 am

i will be happy to email it to you!!

Angela Cusick
4/2/2022 04:36:33 pm

Thank you Sherry!
Would you kindly send to staywildsd@yahoo.com
Forever grateful!

Reply
J
10/16/2022 05:37:51 pm

Hi - was wondering if you would share the mac and cheese recipe.

Thanks

Ingrid
5/29/2022 05:23:25 pm

Hi Sherry. I would love a copy of the mac and cheese recipe if you'd please share. I grew up going to Clifton's with my Grandmother and it was both of our favorite! Thank you!

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Lisa Norton
8/27/2022 10:42:32 am

Yessss... I have been looking for the Macaroni & Cheese recipe! I would be so grateful! Bless you ☺️

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anne
3/1/2021 04:48:30 pm

Do you have the recipe for oily french salad dressing?

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esther owens
8/5/2021 08:15:05 am

Do you have the recipe to their stuffed bell pepper and their enchilada's?

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ian link
4/23/2022 05:18:26 pm

Everyone wants the Mac and Cheese recipe. Could you please e-mail it to me. Thanks Ian

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Ely Diaz
5/3/2022 01:17:41 pm

I am so happy to have bumped into your post. I absolutely love Clifton's. They had opened one in Lakewood CA and my family and I would go every Sunday. I was so upset when they closed down. But I am happy the original is still open. If you happen to have the custard recipe, could you please email me. The Mac and Cheese is also my moms favorite. Could you also email me the recipe. Elyface611@yahoo.com. Thank you!

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McLean AC Repair link
8/16/2022 12:50:19 am

Grateful forr sharing this

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Stephen Ortiz
8/19/2022 11:44:51 pm

Do you happen to have the recipe for the apple pie cream sauce?

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Jeri Blose
8/21/2022 12:50:50 am

If anybody has the original Clifton’s Mac’n’Cheese recipe and the Mississippi Mud Cake recipe, I would love copies. Thanks!

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Willie Rodriguez
9/15/2022 03:17:11 am

Looking for the Mac and cheese recipe and Turkey Dressing Recipe Thank you

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Mike
10/21/2022 04:22:25 pm

Hi Sherry!

Like many others here, I am a super fan of Clifton's and their Mac & Cheese. My mom brought me here before I was even born!

I wished one day to be able to bring my own family to experience Clifton's but alas it cannot be.

I would really appreciate it if you could provide me with the Mac & Cheese recipe since that was the one item that was a MUST every time we went. Thanks!

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Angela
10/21/2022 05:57:08 pm

Hi all!
If anyone would like to share receipes, I'm thinking of starting a catalog of them. I subscribed to this page and it appears there is quite a following for getting ahold of Clinton's recipes.
Unfortunately I haven't heard from Sherry so I would still appreciate the Mac and cheese recipe if anyone has it! My email is staywildsd@yahoo.com
Thank you all!

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Rachel
11/16/2022 02:50:41 pm

Do you have Clifton’s custard recipe? Been looking for years. Thank You!

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Katherine
11/18/2022 06:34:40 pm

Has anyone gotten the Mac and cheese recipe yet? Like most of the people who made comments, I also grew up on our beloved Clifton's. I've been trying in vain to recreate the Mac and cheese...Southern Style Mac and cheese seems to be the closest with Monterey Jack cheese

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Angie
11/18/2022 08:33:50 pm

I don’t have it yet but started a Reddit page to help consolidate and find recipes.
Here’s the link

https://www.reddit.com/r/FortheloveofCliftons/comments/yz3azg/for_the_love_of_cliftons_cafeteria/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf

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Christina
11/22/2022 02:32:38 pm

Please please send me the mac and cheese recipe. It would make my day. Thank you.

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Dinah
12/10/2022 09:31:56 am

I too would love the Mac and cheese recipe, please.

Reply



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