This is the second in a series of questions I asked my family and Adam’s. If you missed the previous entry, click here. As background, my father was born in Budapest, Hungary, escaped with his family when he was ten years old, and moved to Montreal, Quebec. My parents have lived in the D.C. area since the early 1980’s.

Dad’s lifelong love of sweets, pork products, and clever word-play  is well-reflected here. Please note that he remembers the exact date of his first candy bar purchase.

1974 wedding

Andy B. – Born in 1946 (wife of Linda; father to Jodi and Jeff)

If you were given a dollar to buy treats when you were a kid, what would you buy?

There was this small convenience store across the street from my elementary school. It was owned by very heavy-set gentleman and as a result we all called it Slim’s. In any case Slim carried the freshest,best, donuts I have ever eaten. They were pretty large, chocolate-glazed, not too dark and not too light, although tending to the lighter side. They were delicious and fresh. Each one was five cents I think. This was in  the late 1950’s. If I had extra change, I would splurge on ice cream. Popsicle and/or a sugar cone with the vanilla ice cream and nuts on it (packaged). They had that then too. The restaurant of choice still would have been Slim’s.

Was dessert a special treat or a nightly ritual?

A nightly ritual but still a special treat. We had either canned fruit cocktail or canned peaches. From time to time we had neopolitan ice cream (chocolate, vanilla and strawberry) in one serving. The canned fruit I loved and when I moved out to live alone I bought one to consume myself. Gave one can each as house warming to the kids when they first moved out.

What food do you throw out? Do you eat leftovers?

No food was thrown out. Extras were served the next day.

2010 Grenadines Sailing Trip

What kind of cooking did your father do when you were growing up?

He never cooked but always made sandwiches for lunch. Generally two slices of rye bread filled with ham, bologna or salami cold cuts. Often slices of green pepper as garnish, no mustard or mayo, not the Hungarian way.

Who did the grocery shopping?

Mother. In Hungary she would go to a real market every day. Food would be put in a box since no fridges were available. We would also keep food in a cool room for longer freshness. Would always have lard available, served on rye bread with onions.

Did your family say grace before meals? What was said and by whom?

Nope. Grace did not live with us.

Where did your family get meat from when you were a kid? If you don’t eat meat, why and what prompted that decision?

Either at the market or from a dedicated butcher shop. Beef, pork and chicken were most frequent. Fish was rare.

Enjoying a hearty bowl of French Onion Soup.

What did you feed your kids when they were babies or toddlers?

Baby food with fresh fruit mixed in it. Feeding was often accompanied by humming noises, so the food must have been good.

What was your life like as a newlywed? How did you accommodate your wife/husband’s food preferences when you first got married?

I did not cook. The Hungarian diet was not frequently adhered to but there was wonderful Jewish-Canadian style food prepared every night.

What was the first candy bar you remember eating?

First candy bar was a Cadbury’s chocolate bar which we bought for 10 cents in Sherbrooke, Quebec. It was April 24, 1957 and we had just arrived in Canada. We were taking the train from Halifax to Montreal and we stopped for a half hour in Sherbrooke.

What did your mom make you when you were sick?

Even in Hungary she made chicken soup.

Additional posts on “Your Life in Food” can be found here.