tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31835367.post115959344781533130..comments2024-03-22T14:59:09.847-07:00Comments on O.C. History Roundup: Remembering Villa SwedenChris Jepsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00207321906121901004noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31835367.post-60483461228144923342020-09-03T03:43:02.229-07:002020-09-03T03:43:02.229-07:00Yes she did. My Dad Ron talks about to so vividly....Yes she did. My Dad Ron talks about to so vividly.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00824829191277563058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31835367.post-84277352546149765542020-09-03T03:33:16.105-07:002020-09-03T03:33:16.105-07:00Caring Backlund on Facebook Caring Backlund on Facebook Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00824829191277563058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31835367.post-16201073915315376642020-09-03T03:30:07.901-07:002020-09-03T03:30:07.901-07:00I'm the grandson of the owners. It's a fam...I'm the grandson of the owners. It's a family secret I'm afraid. Thanks for sharing memories!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00824829191277563058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31835367.post-63260794757861057542020-06-23T11:00:10.812-07:002020-06-23T11:00:10.812-07:00I have had a craving for that bread for the last c...I have had a craving for that bread for the last couple days. Did you ever get a reply with the recipe shared to you. If so I would so love to have it sent to me. Email belowAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05695824398648409252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31835367.post-35722408338981594962020-06-10T21:42:09.291-07:002020-06-10T21:42:09.291-07:00I used to hang out with Ronnie (and Scooter!) in t...I used to hang out with Ronnie (and Scooter!) in the late 70's. Ronnie was a kind, non-assuming friend. That 280 (260?) Z he drove was sweet. I hope he is doing well! Richard Stuppinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31835367.post-68071345897329898402019-08-14T06:12:37.942-07:002019-08-14T06:12:37.942-07:00PLEASE READ!!!! PLEASE READ!!!! PLEASE READ!!!! PL...PLEASE READ!!!! PLEASE READ!!!! PLEASE READ!!!! PLEASE READ!!!!<br /><br />Hey Guys!!!Am so happy I got mine from Oliver Parker. My blank ATM card can withdraw € 2,000 daily. I got it from Him last week and now I have €14,000 for free. The blank ATM withdraws money from any ATM machines and there is no name on it, it is not traceable and now i have money for business and enough money for me and my family to live on . I am really happy i met Oliver Parker because i met two people before her and they took my money not knowing that they were scams. But am happy now. Oliver Parker sent the card through DHL and i got it in two days. Get your own card from her now he is not like other scammer pretending to have the ATM card, He is giving it out for free to help people even if it is illegal but it helps a lot and no one ever gets caught. i'm grateful to Oliver Parker because she changed my story all of a sudden . The card works in all countries except, Mali and Nigeria. <br /><br />Oliver Parker email address is: <br />Parketatmhacker@hotmail.com<br />Parketatmhacker@hotmail.com<br />Parketatmhacker@hotmail.com<br /><br />Best Wishes. Wanny Hendrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01340250539554021378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31835367.post-32345061098940601742019-08-14T06:12:28.506-07:002019-08-14T06:12:28.506-07:00PLEASE READ!!!! PLEASE READ!!!! PLEASE READ!!!! PL...PLEASE READ!!!! PLEASE READ!!!! PLEASE READ!!!! PLEASE READ!!!!<br /><br />Hey Guys!!!Am so happy I got mine from Oliver Parker. My blank ATM card can withdraw € 2,000 daily. I got it from Him last week and now I have €14,000 for free. The blank ATM withdraws money from any ATM machines and there is no name on it, it is not traceable and now i have money for business and enough money for me and my family to live on . I am really happy i met Oliver Parker because i met two people before her and they took my money not knowing that they were scams. But am happy now. Oliver Parker sent the card through DHL and i got it in two days. Get your own card from her now he is not like other scammer pretending to have the ATM card, He is giving it out for free to help people even if it is illegal but it helps a lot and no one ever gets caught. i'm grateful to Oliver Parker because she changed my story all of a sudden . The card works in all countries except, Mali and Nigeria. <br /><br />Oliver Parker email address is: <br />Parketatmhacker@hotmail.com<br />Parketatmhacker@hotmail.com<br />Parketatmhacker@hotmail.com<br /><br />Best Wishes. Wanny Hendrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01340250539554021378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31835367.post-39205454844701787972019-04-22T22:25:08.538-07:002019-04-22T22:25:08.538-07:00I was showing my wife and daughter what’s left of ...I was showing my wife and daughter what’s left of the HB I recall as a youngster living there last in Beachwalk in the 1970’s. After moving north several decades ago, I couldn’t find the Villa Sweden though finding this blog brought back sweet memories of this bustling restaurant in the 70’s. As a teen I remember my insatiable appetite for the pickled herring bin. Once I was told to not eat more because there wouldn’t be enough for others (true social justice). Sweet times, indeed, of good old HB before rampant commercialism moved in.Ron Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05809298300619781050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31835367.post-34795818164800308182019-01-04T20:09:49.410-08:002019-01-04T20:09:49.410-08:00I have tried to replicate the cabbage rolls. I am...I have tried to replicate the cabbage rolls. I am most likely way off but make them for my family which is really for ME! :) I make them for the wonderful memories. I used brown sugar, to sweeten them. Below is a recipe that tastes similar if you add brown sugar. Adding half hamburger and half pork makes for a tasty cabbage roll. brown sugar, which played a big role in the bread and cookies at The Villa Sweden too, if memory serves. The recipe below can be followed loosely. I would add all half and half and no water. I think that it's hard to ruin a cabbage roll, unless you add tomato sauce! lol :) I'm a white sauce girl and Irish butter makes them even better! The Villa Sweden had so many remarkable people working for them through the years. Carin was a great role model for me and made a positive difference in my life. I remain grateful. The Backlund Family was very generous. I adored Hans and Sven as they were always kind and Han's was a laugh riot. I was in town last summer for my brother's swearing ceremony as the Police Chief of Fountain Valley, California. Chief Kevin Childe. We are meeting in California in May then heading for Maui in May. Kansas doesn't have an ocean. Maui is almost as good as Huntington Beach. he he he I make him take me to the beach with each visit and I'm sad that the Villa Sweden is gone. That business made a difference in their employee's lives and the lives of their customers. What a great legacy. <br />Debbie Dinneen<br />www.seasonalpeople.com<br />seassonalpeople@comcast.net<br /> <br />Stuffed Cabbage Rolls (Kaldolmar)<br /><br />Recipe by lazyme<br />READY IN: 1hr 20mins<br />YIELD: 12 rolls UNITS: US<br />Ingredients<br />Nutrition<br /><br /> 2 lbs head cabbage<br /> 1 1⁄2 lbs ground beef<br /> 1⁄3 cup uncooked rice<br /> 1⁄2 cup milk<br /> 1 medium onion, chopped<br /> 1 egg<br /> 2 teaspoons salt<br /> 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper<br /> 1⁄4 teaspoon ground allspice<br /> 1⁄2 cup water<br /> 1⁄2 cup half-and-half<br /> 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour<br /> 1⁄2 teaspoon instant beef bouillon<br /><br />Directions<br /><br /> Remove core from cabbage.<br /> Cover cabbage with cold water; let stand about 10 minutes.<br /> Remove 12 cabbage leaves.<br /> Cover leaves with boiling water.<br /> Cover and let stand until leaves are limp, about 10 minutes; drain.<br /> Mix beef, rice, milk, onion, egg, salt, pepper and allspice.<br /> Place about 1/2 cup beef mixture at stem end of each leaf.<br /> Roll leaf around beef mixture, tucking in sides.<br /> Place cabbage rolls, seam sides down, in ungreased 13 x 9-inch baking dish.<br /> Pour water over rolls.<br /> Cover and bake at 350 degrees F until beef is done, about 1 hour.<br /> Remove cabbage rolls with slotted spoon; keep warm.<br /> Drain liquid from baking dish, reserving 1/2 cup liquid; skim fat.<br /> Gradually stir half-and-half into flour in saucepan until smooth.<br /> Stir in reserved liquid and bouillon.<br /> Heat to boiling, stirring constantly.<br /> Boil and stir 1 minute.<br /> Serve sauce with cabbage rolls.<br /><br />God Bless the Backlund family. seasonalpeoplehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03082083455172274273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31835367.post-24673432579521384992019-01-04T16:06:35.410-08:002019-01-04T16:06:35.410-08:00Does anyone know the recipe for the stuffed cabbag...Does anyone know the recipe for the stuffed cabbage? They were so incredibly delicious!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31835367.post-82897797711063846322018-10-14T15:29:16.906-07:002018-10-14T15:29:16.906-07:00Villa sweeden was my first job I was a hostess the...Villa sweeden was my first job I was a hostess then server I loved it there. I lied and told them I was 16 but I was a few months short off that:) I worked there for about 2 years and got another job but I should have stayed they were the best to work for! The meatballs were the best and bread!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31835367.post-7833985965314300762018-08-16T19:52:21.203-07:002018-08-16T19:52:21.203-07:00Is there a recipe for that wonderful bread?Is there a recipe for that wonderful bread?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16530107009201975387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31835367.post-48361844051643940402017-02-09T04:25:58.227-08:002017-02-09T04:25:58.227-08:00I remember one of Ronnie's friends. He was ta...I remember one of Ronnie's friends. He was tall, dark hair. He stuck chocolate chips in my ears while I was working! They melted! What a mess! lol Shenanigans were constant at the Villa Sweden. That's one of the things that made it fun. I recall riding in the dumb waiter from floor to floor. If you were foolish enough to leave your food in the break room often times you would find that your ice cream was covered with several inches of salt or your fried chicken suddenly had an inch of salt carefully placed under the skin. I wore clogs even though they were not in style. I loved my clogs. Carin had a great sense of humor. I would show up for work in a sweater that had more wrinkles than an elephant. She would point it out and laugh. In a kind way. We both laughed. I remember Shelly the salad maker, and the women in the kitchen that were kind like Virginia. I remember a waitress named Betty that was loving and kind to all. We were all lucky to be a part of that family restaurant. In 1969 Carin and I took a trip to San Francisco the weekend that man walked on the moon. I was to young to drive. Carin did all the driving. Lot's of stories there. lol There is a good reason to visit HB still. The beach and http://www.mainstreetwinecompany.com Check it out if you are lucky enough to be in Huntington Beach. seasonalpeoplehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03082083455172274273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31835367.post-26361041885020839902016-12-26T20:36:29.571-08:002016-12-26T20:36:29.571-08:00Hello everyone. I thought I would weigh in. The Vi...Hello everyone. I thought I would weigh in. The Villa Sweden was an amazing place. Like Scott (above), I lived with Ronnie in the apartment above the restaurant, although for just ine summer (1980). I remember Hans, Sven, Herta and everyone. In addition to George Arnold and his wacky truck, and Harold (Ronald Reagan) was Ruby. Does anyone remember her? One day, Ronnie and I brought some of the Villa's food to a gathering at his alma mater, Newport Christian. As we drove down pch in his green Datsun pickup, some meatballs flew out onto cars behind us! It was terribly funny but an awful waste of a peeciou resource. If anyone knew Ronnie, that is a snippet of life every day with Ronnie. We were always trying to help the disadvantaged around 5th and Main and I loved the kind and loving family and staff at the Villa Sweden!Steven M. Harris, PhDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13821633750139509517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31835367.post-11399858849231513962016-11-20T19:30:45.275-08:002016-11-20T19:30:45.275-08:00Fyi, people the Villa Sweden closed after Herta Ba...Fyi, people the Villa Sweden closed after Herta Backlund died and the Fam split the money after selling the lot. The lot is currently worth about 4 million dollars and plus.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31835367.post-58180980489906798902016-01-20T19:21:42.903-08:002016-01-20T19:21:42.903-08:00I lived in HB and worked at the Stricklin Stables ...I lived in HB and worked at the Stricklin Stables down the street from Villa Sweden in the Mid 1970's. It was the first time in my life that I had eaten at a buffet or smorgesborg. Villa Sweden became my favorite place to eat and although I couldn't eat as much as other guys could-I loved the food and the people there were great.<br /><br />I moved away from HB and lived in Europe and the East Coast of the USA for many years. I often dreamed of one day returning to HB and the quiet town I knew. When I did return in the 1990s, my first stop was to Villa Sweden......but it had closed!<br />It was a sad day for me to not only see HB turn in to "Surf City" with all its craziness but to also lose VS. It was the closing of the chapter "small-town boy" and I never returned to HB again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31835367.post-36261758877871894222015-07-23T11:09:54.100-07:002015-07-23T11:09:54.100-07:00Is there anyway to get the recipes for both the da...Is there anyway to get the recipes for both the dark Limpa and the light Limpa bread? After all these years I still dream of those wonderful breads. I've never been able to find a recipe that comes anywhere close to this bread.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31835367.post-34780818222416435502015-01-21T07:59:01.897-08:002015-01-21T07:59:01.897-08:00My mother and I used to live down the street from ...My mother and I used to live down the street from there. We would go there every Wednesday night. We talk about it all the time. If anyone could give me the recipe for their chicken and dumplings let me know thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31835367.post-14451695546758917672014-10-25T15:46:39.742-07:002014-10-25T15:46:39.742-07:00Dear God, I can't believe I found this blog. W...Dear God, I can't believe I found this blog. When I was growing up my Dad, whenever he was fortunate enough to work a little overtime, would take Mom and us six kids to eat at Villa Sweden. The Bachlunds must have known that money was hard to come by for our family because there was always a grab bag of goodies at the counter waiting for us when my Dad would pay. Then even after I got older and eventually got married, I would call my Dad and Mom up to meet for dinner. My Dad and I would say the same thing every time we went there, "We really should save some meatballs for the other people." Hahaha! My Dad always wanted to ask about the Meatball recipe, but was afraid to ask. Of course we stopped going there when the faces changed. My Dad died in December of 87 of Melanoma cancer and never did get that recipe. I always thought that there would be no way the Bachlunds would give it out anyway. But then for some reason today I thought I would Google Villa Sweden to see if there was any mention of family and/or recipes, and I came across this page. If anyone has access to the Swedish Meatball recipe, I would be forever grateful. My email is help4myhubby@cox.net Thank you and God bless.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01006031293978631584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31835367.post-78276422114198340532014-01-26T20:52:00.792-08:002014-01-26T20:52:00.792-08:00The Villa Sweden was a family tradition, especiall...The Villa Sweden was a family tradition, especially at Christmas. My father always called well ahead to reserve a table and get his Lutefisk. I struggled with the Lutefisk but compensated with the meatballs and Limpa. Going to VS was a special experience and we too always left with a few "extra" loaves. When the restaurants closed, it was like losing a member of the family. I've been in Limpa withdrawals ever since. If you do have a reunion, that patrons can attend and get their long lost "fix", please post a notice, rent the convention center, 50 ovens and cook teams and watch the lines form early! Thanks for contributing a highlight to my youth. I'm 67 now and live eight months in Minnesota and four here in So. Cal. (guess which four). Hope to see you at the reunion.<br />Bob NewmanAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15237671858270529048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31835367.post-74117434884336194572013-07-17T20:44:44.791-07:002013-07-17T20:44:44.791-07:00Chris, Thanks for your reply. So nice to hear back...Chris, Thanks for your reply. So nice to hear back from you! You can email me at villaswedenlimpa@yahoo.com<br />I will be happy to give you my phone number, or email you any info you want..or if you would like to meet for coffee some day...I would love to meet you.<br /><br />Thank you for your blog about the Villa Sweden! As a family we are so thrilled that you have done this !I do not have a bread business going, but the requests have been so great..that I am looking into selling at some events in the future.<br /><br />I am also interested in hosting a Villa Sweden Reunion Picnic in the Park. Former employees, friends and Villa Sweden patrons can email me. If I get enough interest I will go ahead with the plans. I can make the limpa bread, and either make a lot of the VS dishes, or have family help;.<br /><br />Thanks again, CarinCarin Backlund Prelesniknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31835367.post-67998752629281343482013-07-17T10:32:09.981-07:002013-07-17T10:32:09.981-07:00Carin,
Thak you for sharing a little of your fami...Carin,<br /><br />Thak you for sharing a little of your family's history and the history of the restaurant. I'd love to know more about it for a possible future article -- Possibly for the Orange County Historical Society. If you wouldn't mind, please drop me an email at cjepsen@socal.rr.com. <br /><br />In the seven years I've been blogging about every Orange County-related topic under the sun, NOTHING has garnered a larger response than this little blurb about Villa Sweden! Not even Disneyland!<br /><br />Thanks again. I hope to hear from you soon.<br /><br />Chris<br /><br />Chris Jepsen<br />Local Historian<br />cjepsen@socal.rr.comChris Jepsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00207321906121901004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31835367.post-58396356853963306702013-07-16T22:04:08.772-07:002013-07-16T22:04:08.772-07:00So nice to read all your memories.I am so overwhel...So nice to read all your memories.I am so overwhelmed by all the wonderful memories that people have from the Villa Sweden.<br /><br />We moved to Huntington Beach in early 1960. It was a small town then. My father went to the bank and asked to borrow $500 to open a restaurant. The bank turned him down. The banker told him, " No restaurant has made it in Huntington!<br /><br />My father didn't give up, using the money he had to open the Villa Sweden. It was a success from day one. He was able to open a restaurant in Corona Del Mar. The he bought the lot on the corner of Main and 5th..and built the 2 story restaurant. <br /><br />Both restaurants were open for 27 and 25 years. Sometime after my father died, no one in the family was interested in running the restaurant so..my beautiful mother, Herta decided to rent out the locations to other restaurants. My mother continued her entertaining with her cooking and baking until she died..She was one awesome, Swedish Woman!!<br /><br />I have had so much fun baking and sharing our Limpa bread with others. I love the response that I get..It is my father's original recipe. I just won first place at the 2013 Orange County Fair with our Limpa..So happy and excited!I think you can find the article in the OC Register on line, if you look up Villa Sweden Limpa.<br /><br />Thanks for letting me share..Carin Backlund Prelesnik<br /><br />Oscar Backlund was a master baker, and owned and operated his own bakery, and other businesses before we came to America. The Famous Villa Sweden bread was his original recipe.Carin Backlund Prelesniknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31835367.post-66157034439734963712013-06-08T13:12:36.674-07:002013-06-08T13:12:36.674-07:00Our family were regulars. I loved the Owner's ...Our family were regulars. I loved the Owner's beautiful blond straight hair that she always wore up in a great hairstyle and she would go around and say hi to each table. I always got the mashed potatoes and meatballs and lots of big red jello squares. Do I remember they also had green salad with blue cheese dressing? Weird how that is pretty much still my ideal dinner today. My sister and I always wanted to be the one to 'pay' the chk, walking the whole 10 ft maybe to get to the register, we usually ended up sharing the big task. And the bread, how could I forget. Where I first heard the words, "Don't fill up on bread." And the butter was special too, it just melted on there so easily even a little kid could use her knife to do it. The deli at Magnolia & Adams tries to imitate the Limpa bread from Villa Sweden, and while they come close, its just not the same. Maybe I need some of those room temp little butter squares to go on it :) Would love the recipe for that bread as well - lisamcgu@yahoo.comlisamcguhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08238053386318824133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31835367.post-23241263052267220472013-06-08T10:14:35.139-07:002013-06-08T10:14:35.139-07:00I also worked as a busboy therein the late 60'...I also worked as a busboy therein the late 60's and have very similar and fond memories......frankAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com