The Magic Pan

Does anyone know if The Magic Pan Crepery chain of resturants is still around? My fiance' has fond memories of eating there as a kid but we haven't been able to find one anywhere. I did a search on this site already but came up empty. Thanks for any help!

Try the search function. There is a lengthy thread about this subject that was active as recently as a few days ago. I wonder if the moderator can combine them.

quote:

Originally posted by bodhisatva

Does anyone know if The Magic Pan Crepery chain of resturants is still around? My fiance' has fond memories of eating there as a kid but we haven't been able to find one anywhere. I did a search on this site already but came up empty. Thanks for any help!

I remember the original Magic Pan on Fillmore near Lombard in San Francisco in the 1960's. Then they expanded to a few more in SF, but at some time in the future they went away I assume completely but I really don't know.

Check the news forum. I just read that Let Us Entertain You enterprises are using the name or have purchased the rights. Check it out here http://www.leye.com/restaurants/rest_home.jsp?id=35

Hope they open one up in the Foodlife space at Water Tower Place in Chicago. Only problem is I have enough trouble deciding what to order when I stop in there. Everything from Po' Boys to Thai curry.

The mention of Rich Melman's Lettuce Entertain You enterprises got me reminiscing about R. J. Grunts, his first place that was a big hit in Lincoln Park back in the 70s. Is it still around? Anybody been to it recently?

Tristan, It's still here, although I haven't been there for probably about 20 years. Looks like it has it's fans at Metromix.com.

http://www.leye.com/restaurants/rest_home.jsp?id=15

Hi,
I am looking for any and all recipes that anyone might have from MAGIC PAN RESTRAUNTS...I am specifically looking for

Cheese balls with mustard sauce
Pasta Cabanara
Chocolate Mousse

Anyone having any of these or any knowledge of where I might be able to find any...Please let me know. I would be greatly appreciative.

Thanks!
Lisa

I know there is a Magic Pan Crepe stand inside the Mall of America and one inside of Northbrook Court in Northbrook IL. Both of these are walk up restaurants not sit down restaurants.

Holy s###,there was a Magic Pan in downtown Milwaukee in the 70s.THE place to go when we were having our 18th b-day,and we were legal to drink.What a memory!!!

i still remember their potage st germaine..

I hope someone knows something Nibsey, and welcome! Those cheese balls sound good.

There was a MP in Dallas also. I ate there often. North Park if I remember right.
Joe

yep, papajoe..
my theatre friends worked there
in the 70's. that's the one i used
to go to.

Hi all,

Yes those cheeseballs were fantastic...Its been 15 yrs+ since I have had them and I still remember them...YUMMO I sure hope someone has some of the recipes I am looking for ..I sure do want to make some of them....and often...
have a great night
Lisa

Ah, neat Xannie! My pet store was close by and my step mom worked at Neiman's. Her friends would meet there often. Good reasons for me to go, not counting the good food.

Now for that cheeseball recipe?
Joe

Papa Joe
I just posted a site you can find it...and I also have it on my puter if you need it ...I cant wait to try it...YUMMO Im salivating*(sp) already ..and I have to wait till tomorrow to go shopping(again) lol
Take care
Lisa
nibseysgirl (on AIM/Yahoo

Hey all,

How is everyone doing? I have some of the recipes from MP (chocolate mousse, potage germain soup,orange and almond salad with tarragon dressing and the cheese ball fritters if anyone would like them. I condenced all of them into one email(a long one but well worth it) if anyone wants them just let me know. Ive made three of the items listed and they are almost as good as the origional..as I remember...

I sure do wish someone would buy all the MP recipices and open a New MAGIC PAN...wouldnt that be awesome...Oh well here I go dreaming like its the 70s and 80s again...lol

Take Care.......
Lisa

Ahhh, the Magic Pan, yes I loved them! I felt so sophisticated (having been raised in Alaska) the first time I went to one in my college days. I would love the receipts -- the link does not work for me. Is there another way to get at them??

Weird but there are some posts missing here i think? Maybe someone dosen't like the Pheadrus guy? He is the finder of lost recipes.

Andrian, if you google... hungrybrowser pheadrus magic pan ... I think you will find some recipes.
Joe

That site PapaJoe9 talks of has ALOT of recipes from all kinds of different places as well as several from MP. Great site ...Thanks PapaJoe8
Lisa

Someone mentioned to me that a Magic Pan had recently opened in the Northbrook Court Mall in the north Chicago suburbs. I frequented the Oak Brook Mall location throughout the 60's and most of the 70's. Couldn't get enough!

About 20-25 odd years ago, we had a Magic Pan restaurant at the Northpark Mall
in Dallas. I loved it! It was always crowded and there was always a line.
The food and service were always top-notch.
I'm sure I'm not the only person in Dallas that misses it.

The Magic Pan folded around 1990. If there are any Bechemel or Potage St. Germaine afficionados out there, please contact me.

We moved to Oklahoma City in 1976, and there was a Magic Pan at 50 Penn Place, across Northwest Expressway from what is now Penn Square Mall. About once a month, my husband and I would hire a babysitter, go out for good steaks, and then go to Magic Pan for dessert. (That's about as often as we could afford!) I was certainly sad when it closed.

cvcarlson


The Magic Pan folded around 1990. If there are any Bechemel or Potage St. Germaine afficionados out there, please contact me.

That's not exactly true. There are two Magic Crepe stands; one in Northbrook Court and one in the Mall of America.

Magic Crepe Stand

It's been a long time but try this website.  The following links listed below are found at this website. http://www.hungrybrowser.com/phaedrus/mostpopular.htm#37

 

Magic Pan

"Magic Pan" was a national chain that specialized in crepes. Simple, yet delicious. There was a cookbook published that was called: "The Crepe Cookbook: All About the Magic World of Crepes. (The Magic Pan Restaurant", by Paulette Fono (the founder of Magic Pans) and Maria Stacho, Magic Pan Restaurant. 1969, From the Doubleday Little Cookbook Shelf Series. There are copies available at the used book stores online. These are the only recipes that I have been able to locate on the Internet: Basic Crepes & Basic Sweet Crepes Batter
Beef Crepes
Spinach Crepes
Alpine Cheese Sizzle
Ham Palacsintas
Cheese Fritters
Chicken Crepes Elegante
Strawberry Crepes Supreme
Potage St. Germain (pea soup)
Hollandaise Sauce
Banana Crepes Chantilly
Cherries Royale Crepes
Chicken Divan Crepes
Coquilles St. Jacques Crepes
Ham Crepes
MP Sweet & Sour Dressing
MP French Dressing
MP Oil and Vinegar Dressing
Orange Salad
Seafood Crepes
Spinach Salad
Mint Fantasy Crepes
More Great Crepes recipes, but not Magic Pan There is a file of dozens of Magic Pan recipes here: Magic Pan Recipes If the Magic Pan recipe that you want isn't on either list, try posting a request on the Yahoo group at Magic Pan Project

I actually worked at the Dallas Magic Pan. Cool place, fun job, great food. I've managed to duplicate several of the recipes.

Back when I traveled a lot, I'd hit tht MP every chance I had. Great food and concept. Question is, "Who killed The Great Chefs of Magic Pan?"

I was part of The Magic Pan's management team in the 70's & 80's. They were owned and operated by the Quaker Oats Corp. They started in San Francisco & expanded all over the country, mostly in major malls. Their quality control and general operations were excellent. They also had a chain called the Proud Popover. Sometime in 1981 or 82 Quaker Oats decided to get out of the restaurant business. Unfortunately, they sold to a buyer who's sole intent was to drain the business of its assets. Eventually one by one they closed them all, to my knowledge. I got out shortly after it was sold as it was obvious, the new owner was a 'jerk'. I'd love to find the recipes for the cherries jubilee, and chocolate mousse.  What a nic surprise to find this site with so many fans. Thank you, it makes me proud to have been a part of a legacy.
Paulas.Pieces
 

This link has some good information EXCEPT the crepes did not have cottage cheese! It was a basic crepe recipe that had to 'rest' before it was used. I think the cherries royale was cream cheese and ricotta, but I'm not 100% on that. Anyone remember the 'Muligatawny Soup'?
Paulas.Pieces