Yup, Aunt Jemima used to have her own restaurant at Disneyland (as can be seen in this 1967 view), located in the “old” New Orleans section of Frontierland. From 1955 until 1970, it was the Aunt Jemima Pancake House (changed to Aunt Jemima’s Kitchen during a 1962 expansion). Aylene Lewis portrayed the famous Southern Cook at the park and would pose with guests for photos. The menu included Davy Crockett’s Delight (4 “brown-as-a-berry” pancakes), Mark Twain Special (4 buckwheat pancakes), Golden Horseshoe Special (4 buttermilk pancakes), and Slue Foot Sue’s Favorite (a waffle).
Here’s an early construction shot, showing the section of New Orleans Street that had the original Casa de Fritos Restaurant as well as Aunt Jemima’s:
This pre-opening shot also shows a corner of Aunt Jemima’s on the left-hand side of the photo. The side seating area had more of a rustic look, due to the fact that it was bordered by Adventureland.
This adorable little tot in Mouse ears sitting outside of Aunt Jemima’s is from February 1956.
Another early color shot, with a closeup of the patrons enjoying their flapjacks:
This photo, most likely taken from the deck of the Columbia or the Mark Twain shows the corner of the Silver Banjo Barbecue and Aunt Jemima’s; if you look at the included closeup, you can just barely see Aunt J herself behind the trees.
This closeup of the sign is from 1967. Currently, this restaurant is now the Riverbelle Terrace.
Here’s a view from the Swiss Family Robinson Tree House, showing the top of the building:
Back in the day, happy homemakers competed in the Aunt Jemima Pancake Toss down Main Street. Somehow, I don’t think this fun little competition would ever occur in this day and age.
Want to re-create some of that Aunt Jemima magic at home? All you need is one of these vintage pancake mix boxes:
Daveland reader CoxPilot has shared these first-hand memories of his visits to Aunt J’s: “Keith Palmer (high school buddy) got me the job at the Cox Thimble Drome at Disneyland just after my high school graduation in 1959. The first thing, after getting a uniform from wardrobe, was to go to Aunt Jemima’s and have pancakes. The Park didn’t open until 9:30, but Auntie served employees starting at 7:30 am. What a treat! I remember going to the Silver Banjo quite a bit too, and the food was great. I would try to eat there at least every week. I always thought it was a shame that we lost it due to expansion. However, I did see Don DeFore there a bit, but park management didn’t want us eating inside when celebs were around. I loved the old brick interior of Aunt Jemima’s before the renovation. It seemed too sterile after the 1962 changes. But, you could get your food a lot faster afterwards. Eating on the patio before the park opened was the best memory of all, and it was always crowded with big-wigs from the park (never saw Walt though). I learned to like coffee from there, too.”
NEXT UP: The Autopia! See more vintage and current Aunt J. photos on my regular website.
5 comments:
Is that, like 5 pounds of butter on those pancakes or what?
Ah, when one could simultaneously ruin one's health and discriminate against minorities in an open atmosphere.
I loved the pancakes with the 5 pounds of butter.
Since I'm black, I guess I should be offended concerning good old Aunt Jemima. Didn't work, however. I simply loved the place too much.
Floyd, you may have found the key to bringing together the races of humankind - Disney Pancakes!
The pancake tossing contest down Main Street looks like fun ... Disneyland should bring it back!
I still never got why racists would want to have a black person as they're company spokesman and logo. Of course, I'm willing to bet they didn't have a lot of black folks in corporate.
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