tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6892358786681938797.post2821896456355428806..comments2024-03-05T11:10:29.953-05:00Comments on My Ancestors and Me: Au Gratin Potatoes a la Bill Knapp - Family Recipe FridayNancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12136584654825212359noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6892358786681938797.post-36198968545283215522023-04-02T01:37:36.216-04:002023-04-02T01:37:36.216-04:00You're welcome for the recipe, Anonymous. We&...You're welcome for the recipe, Anonymous. We've used several kinds of potatoes but we like russets best. We still miss Bill Knapp's!Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12136584654825212359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6892358786681938797.post-12090555573903574712023-04-01T22:23:40.441-04:002023-04-01T22:23:40.441-04:00Thanks for this recipe. My folks would take us t...Thanks for this recipe. My folks would take us there when we came to Kalamazoo. Do you recall what kind of potato was used. ThanksAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6892358786681938797.post-56982171727427705932015-03-13T19:41:23.279-04:002015-03-13T19:41:23.279-04:00You're welcome. We miss Bill Knapp's, too...You're welcome. We miss Bill Knapp's, too. Not a month goes by that someone in our family doesn't mention missing Bill Knapp's. The au gratin potatoes, their fried chicken, their fish, their pies and chocolate cake. I'm glad I don't live close enough to see the building. I would miss it even more.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12136584654825212359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6892358786681938797.post-61800853116662471712015-03-13T14:35:44.875-04:002015-03-13T14:35:44.875-04:00Thanks for the walk down memory lane! I think you...Thanks for the walk down memory lane! I think your recipe is close to the original. So many online 'Bill Knapp's" au gratins use Velvetta, and there is no way that cheese was Velvetta. Whenever I drive past the lonely, falling down building, I say, "Stupid Bill Knapps!" I miss their potatoes, their homemade soups (esp. the Bean Soup) their hot turkey sandwiches, their hot fudge sundaes.... *sighs* Stupid Bill Knapps!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6892358786681938797.post-14483024268116975042014-08-27T09:35:55.429-04:002014-08-27T09:35:55.429-04:00The Au Gratin potatoes were in small 3.5 inch diam...The Au Gratin potatoes were in small 3.5 inch diameter and just short of 2 inches deep. They were heavy ceramic. The ovens were high temperature. I used to cook thousands of them in their Findlay store in the late 70's. I loved working there. Man, they used to keep that place CLEAN. Great manager we had whose name was Larry Savali.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6892358786681938797.post-66332992824139085502014-04-16T00:24:15.497-04:002014-04-16T00:24:15.497-04:00Thank you so much for visiting and leaving a comme...Thank you so much for visiting and leaving a comment about your experiences working at Bill Knapp's. I'm pleased to learn that what I already thought about the restaurant was true - fresh food, freshly prepared, without preservatives. It was always so delicious and I still miss being able to eat there.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12136584654825212359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6892358786681938797.post-52402254474851205532014-04-13T13:13:44.653-04:002014-04-13T13:13:44.653-04:00I worked for the Bill Knapp's commissary for a...I worked for the Bill Knapp's commissary for a number of years. The commissary produced and shipped almost everything for the restaurants, from hand cut fresh tenderloin steaks (never frozen), soups, dressings, bakery items, to their china. The difference between Bill Knapp's and other restaurants was quality. Most of the Bill Knapp's restaurants receive shipments of high quality fresh food 7 days a week with the smaller restaurants received a minimum shipment of 5 shipment a week. The shelf life on the food once prepared was 2 days, bakery 1 day. They never used preservatives, and very few items were ever frozen (unlike most restaurants). I have ate at numerous restaurants over the years, and rarely do I get a meal that had the quality of Bill Knapp's. I agree with the comments that they should have never changed the menu's, the restaurants format, or begin the out-sourcing of their product to other companies To me after speaking with many co-workers, and dedicated customers during and after the Bill Knapp's era it was all about family. It was like a family tradition to take your kids or grandkid's to Bill Knapp's and that seem to be handed down from generation to generation. My co workers were like family, and I still try to stay in contact with many of them. Sorry that I have rambled on but I know that myself and many people have very fond memories of Bill Knapp's. As far as the Au Gratin potato's recipe goes all I know is that they DID NOT use velvetta cheese it was cheddar, and the potato's were peeled, cut, and soaked in cold water before prepared and sent to the rests. A big thanks to everyone if you have read this especially my Bill Knapp's family.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6892358786681938797.post-80717657999438309702013-11-30T11:53:13.008-05:002013-11-30T11:53:13.008-05:00I can not wait to try these. I use to work at Bil...I can not wait to try these. I use to work at Bill Knapp's. When I was pregnant with my first child I would eat these often (more than one, daily :)) Everyone would always say "Your son's going to come out saying 'aug'." Thanks for the recipe....I really am excited to have found this!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6892358786681938797.post-59247085708169923562013-06-11T18:40:49.494-04:002013-06-11T18:40:49.494-04:00I'm sorry for taking so long to answer your qu...I'm sorry for taking so long to answer your question, Rick. I wanted to check and see if anyone in my family remembered the size. (Who knew, when Bill Knapp's was still in business, that a photograph would have been a wonderful memory?!) We all have foggy memories. I think they were tallish cups, with probably about an 8 oz. serving. How I wish Bill Knapp's was still open. Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12136584654825212359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6892358786681938797.post-65812695783550638692013-06-06T19:42:49.914-04:002013-06-06T19:42:49.914-04:00Nancy...... Can you tell me what size the ramekin...Nancy...... Can you tell me what size the ramekins were that the au gratin potatoes were served in at Bill Knapp's? I remember them being green on the outside but can not remember the size. 4 inch by 4 inch? 4, 6, or 8 oz.? If anyone can help me out, I would really appreciate it. Thanks...... PS: I found a Bill Knapp's website still out there - it's limited and mostly bakery items, but I was excited to see that it still exists. Thanks again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6892358786681938797.post-86359321558902639472013-01-27T15:29:12.340-05:002013-01-27T15:29:12.340-05:00They ( Bill Knapps ) tried to go back to there ori...They ( Bill Knapps ) tried to go back to there original menu the last 3 months and here in Saginaw they had a 70% increase. in my opinion if they had stayed the course another quarter they would still be around today. I just copied the recipe cant wait to try it. ThanksAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08232261775161268449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6892358786681938797.post-716601271840564572012-10-20T20:14:41.904-04:002012-10-20T20:14:41.904-04:00Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment, Shelley...Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment, Shelley. I'll be laid up for 6 weeks after foot surgery. Not only did my daughter bring comfort food, she's staying for a few days and making more!Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12136584654825212359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6892358786681938797.post-79091397202121940402012-10-20T20:11:21.021-04:002012-10-20T20:11:21.021-04:00Kathleen, I hope you enjoy the recipe if you try i...Kathleen, I hope you enjoy the recipe if you try it. It works for leftovers, too. I'm sorry about the surgery, too. I'll be happy when I can walk on two feet again! Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12136584654825212359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6892358786681938797.post-17004117826861125422012-10-20T20:07:39.942-04:002012-10-20T20:07:39.942-04:00I wonder why the guys don't like it as much as...I wonder why the guys don't like it as much as we females. My husband liked it but my daughters and I loved it. Thanks for leaving a comment, PalmsRV.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12136584654825212359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6892358786681938797.post-84452479850761387552012-10-20T20:05:25.715-04:002012-10-20T20:05:25.715-04:00Thank you, all, for your kind wishes for my surger...Thank you, all, for your kind wishes for my surgery. The surgery was on my foot. I'll be laid up and mostly immobile with my foot elevated for about 6 weeks. Ugh!Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12136584654825212359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6892358786681938797.post-60090649453866014512012-10-20T19:52:13.402-04:002012-10-20T19:52:13.402-04:00I had forgotten how Bill Knapp's changed at th...I had forgotten how Bill Knapp's changed at the very end, with the TVs and menus. I remember being disappointed the last few times we went. I think you're right, Brenda, that the changes were their downfall. And thanks for the reminder about the percentage off the birthday celebrant's dinner. We laughed at the idea of turning 100 and having a free dinner. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and memories.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12136584654825212359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6892358786681938797.post-56787466100727615232012-10-20T12:08:33.508-04:002012-10-20T12:08:33.508-04:00My daughter and I loved the Bill Knapp's resta...My daughter and I loved the Bill Knapp's restaurant, too. The husbands, not so much! That's where our birthdays were celebrated until they closed. PalmsRVhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04898416117045268799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6892358786681938797.post-28785510056648414372012-10-20T00:31:14.793-04:002012-10-20T00:31:14.793-04:00Surgery, Nancy? Hope everything went well and you&...Surgery, Nancy? Hope everything went well and you're feeling better in no time. Sounds like your thoughtful daughter brought you some great comfort food! I remember Bill Knapps, too.Shelley Bishophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07488453243236670013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6892358786681938797.post-7031925740070998342012-10-19T16:46:49.835-04:002012-10-19T16:46:49.835-04:00It was interesting to read about Bill Knapp's ...It was interesting to read about Bill Knapp's - sounds like they ran great restaurants. Hope your surgery went well. Thanks for the recipe - cheese and potatoes - two of my favourite things! :-) JoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6892358786681938797.post-87175601248281909202012-10-19T14:57:51.575-04:002012-10-19T14:57:51.575-04:00I loved Bill Knapp's. It's commissary was...I loved Bill Knapp's. It's commissary was right here in Battle Creek, Michigan. We use to go there for many family birthdays. In addition to a free cake, you got your age percentage off on the celebrants dinner. Their downfall was when they put TV's in the restaurant and changed the menu, in my opinion. They lost their faithful clients. Thanks for sharing the recipe. Brenda Leyndykehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08530495186632931677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6892358786681938797.post-31751507980578234722012-10-19T00:53:11.749-04:002012-10-19T00:53:11.749-04:00I love both potatoes AND cheese and these sound de...I love both potatoes AND cheese and these sound delicious. Thanks for the recipe. I'm sorry to read about a surgery - I hope you recover quickly! Kathleenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00670017068516575306noreply@blogger.com