Iowa – The Maid Rite Loose Meat Sandwich

Iowa has some interesting foods that are icons in their state. The GIANT breaded pork tenderloin sandwich (and we mean giant), Blue Bunny ice cream, Iowa sweet corn and, the one that caught my eye, the Maid Rite loose meat sandwich.

Image result for maid rite sandwich

This sandwich is sort of like a sloppy joe without the sauce. Originally created by Fred Angell in 1926, it was named by the customer that announced the sandwich to be “made right”.  There are Maid Rite restaurants all over the state.

Made of lightly seasoned ground beef and put on a bun with a little bit of onions and pickles. And that’s it – simple and satisfying!

Having never been to Iowa, this is all just from research – from the internet and asking questions. There doesn’t seem to be any fast rule about toast or warmed buns – condiments or no condiments. Its just a burger that is loose – and delicious!

Making my version of this sandwich –

Start by browning the meat. Add some salt and pepper to taste.

Stir in the Worcestershire, mustard, onion powder and broth. Simmer until all the broth has evaporated.

Lightly warm the buns (or toast them), then top with a slice of cheese,

a generous amount of meat, a couple sliced pickles and some ketchup or mustard – and enjoy!

iowa maid rite

Iowa Maid-Rite Sandwich
Course: Main Course, sandwich
Cuisine: American, Iowa
Keyword: beef, burger, loose-meat
Author: HelenFern
Ingredients
  • 1 pound ground beef (I used in between lean and fat)
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon Worchestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon ball park mustard (yellow)
  • 1/8 cup beef broth
  • 4 hamburger buns
  • 4 slices of cheese (cheddar or American)
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Start by browning the meat. Add some salt and pepper to taste.

  2. Stir in the worcestershire, mustard, onion powder and broth. Simmer until all the broth has evaporated.

  3. Lightly warm the buns (or toast them), then top with a slice of cheese, a generous amount of meat, a couple sliced pickles and some ketchup or mustard - and enjoy!

iowa maid rite

Leave me a comment – I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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4 Responses to Iowa – The Maid Rite Loose Meat Sandwich

  1. Pingback: Top Ten Posts of 2021 - The Lazy GastronomeThe Lazy Gastronome

  2. Deborah Ivey says:

    Also called Beef Burgers. No cheese just pickle, onion and you add the ketchup or mustard

  3. Don says:

    I remember setting in the Silvis Maidrite eating a sandwich watching the waitress cooking meat and she added SOME coke syrup to the meat

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