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Walgreen's Wag's Chili con Carne

Subject: Walgreens Chili Con Carne Recipe?
From: Jamie
Date: 4/16/2020, 4:14 PM
To: phaedrus@hungrybrowser.com

On 4/16/2020 10:48 AM, Jamie wrote:

Hello Uncle Phaedrus!

Wondering if you happen to have the recipe for Walgreens Chili Con Carne 
from their lunch counter in the 30 through the 50s? Or any recipe that 
would use chili that they had like chili-dogs or Frito-pie? I found the 
Woolworths Frito-pie recipe but would also love to find Walgreens version 
of chili.

Thanks,
Jamie

Hi Jamie,

Well, I can't find any recipes at all from Walgreen's Restaurant. I believe they were also called "Wag's"? There is a "Wag's" in Frederick, Maryland, but I don't think it was ever one of the same chain. Chili is on their menu here: Eat at Wag's. However, as I said, I don't think they are or were ever affiliated with Walgreen's, they just have the same name.

I'll post this for reader input.

Phaed

Subject: Walgreens Chili!
From: Jamie 
Date: 4/28/2020, 9:13 PM
To: phaedrus@hungrybrowser.com

Hey Phaedrus!
So I think I answered my own question. 
Evidently back in 1995, the Walgreens alumni put out a cookbook called 
"Prescriptions For Good Taste" which evidently contained 700 recipes 
including ones from the restaurant as well as submitted recipes from 
former workers families etc. 
Well they do have a chili recipe in there and it is claimed to be the one 
from "Walgreen Cafeterias, 1940 - 1960". I don't have the book yet as it's 
around $40 for a copy right now, but someone in a newspaper printed it 
back in 1996 so with my newspapers.com subscription I was able to find 
the recipe and have attached it here. It is definitely modified, as a lunch 
counter recipe as you know would have been written to serve a lot more 
people. When I get the book itself I will see if there is any context with 
the recipe mentioning the portion reduction etc. 

Thanks,
Jamie 

Walgreen's Chili con Carne & Beans

Walgreen's Cafeterias
1940s - 1960s

2 lbs		ground beef, chuck or round
2 - 3 TBSP	oilve oil or other vegetable oil
1 medium onion  coarsely chopped
1/4 tsp		oregano
1/4 tsp		gound cumin
2 TBSP		chili powder
1 tsp		paprika
1 tsp		salt
1/4 tsp 	blsck pepper
1/4 tsp		cayenne pepper
1 (6-ounce) can	tomato paste
4 to 6 cups	water
2 (15 1/2-ounce cans of red kidney beans

Brown beef in olive oil, stirring frequently.
Add onions and continue to saute until onions 
are cooked. Add all seasonings, spices, tomato 
paste water and kidney beans. Cook slowly for 
about 1-1/2 hours. Makes 1/2 gallon. 
Serves  8 - 10.