Carnation Cafe and Oscar

[IBLarsen]

Hi All, During our October trip we ate lunch at the Carnation Cafe, and one of the chefs named Oscar kept coming to our table and just chatting and talking to our 2 children. While there, I was thinking to myself, "Why do I know about Oscar?"....I must have read about Oscar on this board? But I really can't remember. So out of curiosity, I have been meaning to ask if others know of Oscar at the Carnation Cafe? If that's how I know about him. It's one of those strange things, like you feel like you know someone, but you know it's not possible!

Anyways, Oscar was the sweetest man, and sat talking to me as we were leaving the restaurant as well. He helped my 3 year old daugther put together her PBJ the "right way" with extra marshmallows and brought her extras. He said he loves when people stop to say hi to him, it makes his day. It's nice when you talk to people at DL that make your trip special...just to see the genuine niceness (if that's a word) of people.

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

What a nice story!

We've met Oscar several times while eating breakfast at the Carnation Cafe. He's a really sweet, genuine man. You can tell he really enjoys his job. I was giggling once because I saw him seating people and the hostess was telling him it was okay, that she had it, and he was telling her he wanted to, she just smiled and let him.

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

This Oscar??

This picture is from July 17, 2005 (Disneyland's 50th Birthday). You can't really see it in this picture, but Oscar's name tag says "Class of 1956"!

 

[DangerMouse]

Oscar was hired at Disneyland in 1956 and has been on the team at Carnation Cafe since 1967. He has more years of continuous service than any other cast member at Disneyland Resort. He's a wonderful man and we try to see him each time we visit DLR. He keeps hinting at retirement, but I'm glad he's still hanging in there.

 

[IBLarsen]

Yes, that's the same Oscar! What neat information DangerMouse! I hope he doesn't retire before our next trip. I love hearing stories about such nice people at disneyland that make it special.

 

[wendypooh22]

We love Oscar!! It is soo nice how he greets all of the guests and makes them feel special. He surprised us once with an autographed coyp of the recipe for the baked potato soup. I sure wish that I could remember where I put it Here are my boys with Oscar back in August

 

[pixiewings71]

I love stories about Oscar.....I want to go to CC just to meet him in Jan!! While there I'd like to have the Baked Potato Soup that I keep hearing about here.....and isn't this where we can get the Meatloaf sandwich or something like that? lol

 

[wendypooh22]

I love stories about Oscar.....I want to go to CC just to meet him in Jan!! While there I'd like to have the Baked Potato Soup that I keep hearing about here.....and isn't this where we can get the Meatloaf sandwich or something like that? lol

Yep, that's the place!! I have yet to try the meatloaf sandwich, but it looks just YUMMO

 

[SueTGGR]

Can you get priority seating there? I always wanted to try and eat there but the lines are always sooooooooo long. I remember eating there with my parents so very long ago. I would like to take my DH and 8 yr old there next month.

 

[pixiewings71]

Yep, that's the place!! I have yet to try the meatloaf sandwich, but it looks just YUMMO

Sweet!!! Looks like we will make a trip to the CC for lunch during our trip.

Can you get priority seating there? I always wanted to try and eat there but the lines are always sooooooooo long. I remember eating there with my parents so very long ago. I would like to take my DH and 8 yr old there next month.

I think that yes, you can make a PS but I don't know for sure. I'll be calling DD soon to make a BB PS so I'll check on the CC PS too.

 

[cirquelovers]

We love Oscar too and the Carnation. We eat there at least once every trip and make apoint to say Hi to Oscar.

I have the potato soup recipe here somewhere. I asked him for it a few years ago and his head chef sent it to me! I'll try to post it when I find it.

 

[DangerMouse]

Can you get priority seating there? I always wanted to try and eat there but the lines are always sooooooooo long. I remember eating there with my parents so very long ago. I would like to take my DH and 8 yr old there next month.

Yes, you can get priority seating there.

Just a little FYI, last time I saw Oscar, he said he only worked during the week. We saw him on a Friday and he was leaving right after the lunch rush.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I just discovered Carnation Cafe in June and it's my favorite place to eat in the parks. I'll have to look for Oscar the next time I'm there.

And please post the recipe. I may yet succeed in convincing my family to have one meal there in December. I've almost got my mom sold on the soup alone.

 

[DahliaRW]

We met him back in December! He was so nice.

 

[disneymom23]

We're going to try all new restaurants on our next trip, just so we can try new things. Except for Carnation Cafe. Oscar was so nice when we were there last year. And the baked potato soup is to die for. We all can't wait to have it again.

 

[mommaU4]

Is this the correct recipe? It's one I found online on another Disney board's discussion about the soup.


4 lg russet potatoes (peeled and small diced)
4 med Red Potatoes (small diced)
6 oz (2 large stalks) Celery (small diced)
6 oz (1 large or 2 small) carrots (peeled and small diced)
1 med yellow onion (small diced)
2 oz unsalted butter
1 lb. bacon (rough chopped) (*tip: place slices of bacon in the freezer for 20-30 min to make it easier to cut. Will slip less)
16 oz chicken stock or vegetable stock
32 oz heavy whipping cream
2 oz flour
1 oz vegetable oil
salt/pepper to taste
*small dice= 1/4 in. x 1/4 in.

Garnish with chives, bacon bits, sour cream, and shredded cheddar and monterey jack cheese if desired.

Procedure:
1. Place stock pot (6-8 quart pot) over medium heat. Add the vegetable oil, butter and bacon. Start rendering the bacon (process of releasing the fat through cooking). The bacon will start to release its fat. Do not allow it to burn.
2. Cook bacon till crispy, remove and set aside on a paper towel: leaving the fat from the bacon in the pan. Add onions, carrots, and celery. Traditionally these 3 items are called the MIREPOIX. Sweat the mirepoix until the onions turn translucent. Add potatoes and cook for 4 minutes. Add the flour to make roux. Cook roux until blond in color (about 5 to 7 minutes) while stirring constantly. Add chicken stock and half of the bacon back into the pan (Reserve the rest of the bacon for garnish) Season with salt and pepper.
3. Turn the heat to medium high, bring the soup up to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes or until the potatoes are soft and tender. mash some of the potatoes for thicker, creamier texture. Add whipping cream and simmer for 5 minutes.
4. You can adjust the thickness by adding water or stock for a thinner soup. It should have a creamy consistency. Adjust your seasoning.
5. Garnish with your desired toppings.

 

[cirquelovers]

Yes that is the recipe I was given. Thank you for saving me from all that typing

 

[Disneylvrforever]

Oh Oscar. Once when my DM & I were eating there for breakfast, we both ordered the Oscar's Choice. So once the food came, guess who served us. Oscar! I was so excited, especially since I'd never met him and because I never knew who Oscar was that the breakfast dish was refering to; so I obviously never heard of him before and had just ordered the dish many times. Once I saw his smiling face come out w/ His Choice, I put the pieces together and knew that he was the one who created my breakfast. After, I told my DM what I just realized and Oscar came to check back w/ us to see if everything was good. Then my DM told him that I loved the food, which I did.

 

[evilprncess96]

I think that it is wonderful that an employee can enjoy the "magic" for this many years.

 

[kelmac284]

Yes he is one of the oldest employees and he used to cook for Walt Disney. We met him on our February trip and he told us that he used to cook for Walt and told us that cheesecake with strawberries on top was walt's favorite desert and that Walt used to stay in the parks overnight and oversee things going on and that he would tell him what he wanted to eat. It was really neat. We have eaten dinner AND breakfast there and both were awesome. The sandwhich on the pretzel bread is also YUM!! And I LOVE that soup!!!