When we first approached the representatives of international rock superstar Prince to see if he’d consent to being the inaugural subject of our What’s In Your Fridge series, we knew it was a long shot.

We weren’t surprised that we didn’t hear anything back for eight long months. We were surprised when the response wasn’t a curt “no.” Instead, it was: “We have some conditions.”

“OK,” we countered. “Conditions are fine. What are your conditions?”

– No descriptions of the house or its location.

We could abide by this. After all, the series is What’s in Your Fridge?, not What’s the House Like and Where Is It Located?

– Prince would not actually be present during the fridge inspection, but we could ask him some follow up questions about the contents by email afterward.

Well, not ideal, but understandable. Fine.

– No photographer.

This was a problem. It defeated the whole purpose, we argued. We’d love to do it, but without a photographer…

But then one of Prince’s representatives (Or was it the man himself? Hard to tell over email.) suggested that we bring an illustrator. That was OK. This is the sort of compromise you make.

Without further ado, then, What’s in Prince’s Fridge?

— Dunk-a-roos, about 5 pounds’ worth

You may remember these from the early ’90s — packs of kangaroo-shaped cookies with chocolate or vanilla frosting used as a dipping sauce. The fridge had at least 10 different packages of the things, including out-of-print vintage varieties (double fudge cookies with strawberry frosting, for example).

About the Dunk-a-roos, he wrote:

“Don’t know what 2 say about Dunk-a-roos. They’re just good! Sometimes you want a food that is comfortable and takes you back. For me, it’s those crazy little kangaroo crackers.”

— Homemade kimchi

A large jar, clearly actually buried in someone’s back yard at some point. About a gallon.

“This stuff is AMAZING.”

— 18 varieties of mustard

Including German, Wisconsin, Californian, and Texan brands, plus a raspberry-flavored variety. The big question this raised: Is Prince a mustard collector? Does he hang out at Madison’s Mustard Museum? It’s worth noting that almost every container had been opened and showed signs of being enjoyed.

“I don’t collect it, but LOL yeah there’s a lot in there. U gotta love mustard. The raspberry kind is the best. You wouldn’t expect it but that’s how it goes.”

— Soy milk-based coffee creamer

“No cows were oppressed 2 make this righteous creamy creamer, U know? It’s really good! In coffee or whatever.”

— Microgreens, about one cubic foot’s worth

“So good with fig balsamic and a really good olive oil. I just munch on this stuff.”

— Braunschweiger

We asked Prince, a known vegan, what he was doing with a log of Wisconsin Braunschweiger, a traditional German smoked pork liver sausage. We got no response. Maybe it’s for guests?

— Half a loaf of challah bread from Cecil’s Delicatessen

“Manny loves this stuff, that’s why I keep it around. I guess it’s good with any of the mustards, he says?!?!”

Editor’s note: We do not know who “Manny” is.

— Yak milk, one quart



“This stuff is TOO AMAZING. It clarifies your skin and your mind. It is given freely by the yak, so U can truly enjoy it. Great with Chex – Rice Chex, Wheat Chex, whatever!!!”

— Real maple syrup, one gallon

“People say U can’t tell the difference, but U know, it’s the real deal. It’s a cut above. It’s about 100 cuts above. This is the only thing that touches my waffles.”

Next Week: What’s in the Fridges of the Entire Vikings Starting Lineup?