Welcome to JayPo’s Penalty Boxed Lunch, where we explore food from around the country! This week’s 21st official entry comes to us from the Hawkeye State which is known for their … corn … and beef?
Food History!
Apparently also called a tavern sandwich? A loose meat sandwich is a burger, but instead of a patty it is crumbled, browned and mixed with sautéed onions. Seasoning can range, but it also tends to be topped with mustard, ketchup, pickles or cheese. So think sloppy joe…but much drier. It was first made at an eating establishment called Maid-Rite, which has since become a chain and staple of Iowa.
How I Made It!
If you read below, apparently I made it wrong? I followed a “copycat Maid-Rite” which used the water trick and mustard “seasoning”. I still don’t get it. No amount of toppings I used below could save this sandwich.
What Does A Local Think? (Thanks to Derek from Wide Right and Natty Lite)
Do you think the loose meat represents your state accurately?
You have asked an Iowan (me) to give you (Philly guy) my thoughts on a sandwich the internet told you is an “Iowa Thing”. While it kinda is an “Iowa Thing”, the people I know don’t really treat it as such. A good ol’ fried tenderloin is more what I consider the “Iowa Thing”. I would say this does represent our state as it is a loose amalgamation of homogeneous meat bodies. Iowa is very white.
How do you make your sandwich?
Ground beef. I prefer 85/15 cause I am pretentious like that, but if you really don’t care for health get some 80/20. Brown that shit up good and get some nice fond. Fond is dope. WAIT. Get a nice crust on the beef and THEN ground that shit up into small pieces.
Water. Amount depends on how much fat you leave in the pan.
YELLOW MUSTARD. Your post makes it seem like you didn’t use it in the recipe. Not just as a topping, I mean you squirt that shit all up on there and stir it in.
Some sugar
Diced onion
Salt and pepper duh
I like a crappy piece of american cheese on it with mustard. I will allow ketchup. Pickles are customary, but I consider them the devils work. You are dead wrong with the tomato. All on an onion bun if you have it, otherwise I don’t give a shit what type of bun. Onion buns forever.
How did I do?
BAD (assuming some things but I don’t care about facts). Seemingly didn’t use yellow mustard in the recipe. Your first sin. Your ground beef isn’t ground enough. It looks a little pail, making me think it didn’t get a nice crust that got that dope fond. Sin two and three. You then ruined your ruined sandwich and put tomatoes on it. As they say, Four Sins and You’re Out.
Where do you order your favorite loose meat?
Maid-Rite. There’s plenty of diner type places that make better ones but I call them Maid-Rites. But even the name is a bone of contention around here. Loose Meat, Maid-Rite, or Beef Burger are all acceptable in my book. If I am having them though, I am making them myself.
