It’s time for another edition of You Know You’re From the Midwest When… (check out editions one and two!) You know you’re from the Midwest when you don’t say “Maid who??” when I tell you Maid-Rites were on the menu tonight!
Maid-Rite, a popular Midwestern restaurant, specializes in “loose meat” sandwiches, aka seasoned ground beef on a warm bun. I know. Sounds… crazy?! It is, a little, I suppose – but we totally dig them. And NO they’re not sloppy joe’s!
I had to laugh when Ben told me a story about a co-worker who was visiting from the east coast last month and was asking people where she should eat while in town. Someone suggested Maid-Rite and was trying to explain the sandwiches to her…
“So it’s a sloppy joe then…”
“No, there’s no sauce.”
“So it’s just meat?”
“Yeah, but it’s seasoned.”
“But it’s still just ground beef…”
“Right, but it’s really good. Just trust me!”
HA! I can totally hear this conversation in my brain… Anyway, my Mom has a super recipe for Maid-Rites (oh also, you can just call them “maid-rites” and everyone will know what you’re talking about) so I cooked some up for dinner!
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Maid-Rites
Description
Maid-Rites are a popular Midwestern loose meat sandwich, and they're full of savory goodness. This is my version!
Ingredients
- 1lb 85/15 ground beef (could use 80/20 - just not super lean)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1/2 beef bullion cube
- 1/2 cup water
- pepper
- 1-1/2 Tablespoons soy sauce
- 1-1/2 Tablespoons steak sauce
- Buns
Directions
- Sauté beef and onions until cooked then drain and return to pan. Add the rest of the ingredients then simmer for 30 minutes and scoop onto buns.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
SO easy, right?! I always get my maid-rites with a squeeze of cold ketchup and salty pickles. Perfection I tell you. Totally a crowd pleaser too – everyone will love these.
Bring a taste of the Midwest to your home, won’t you?
~~~~~
Fill in the blank “You know you’re from (fill in your city/state here) when…”
Alternatively, do you have any unique local or regional dishes?
Iowa, of course, is know for their corn and pigs. NOT POTATOES – that’s Idaho (I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten that!)
Iowa Expat 11.09.2010
You know you’re in KY/WV when you eat your hot dog with “sauce” and coleslaw. Additionally: biscuits smothered with sausage gravy (made with milk) or biscuits with chocolate gravy. Now I like my hot dog with mustard and relish, and my biscuits with butter and jelly, but what do I know–I’m from Iowa!
Terin 11.03.2010
I love maidrites, I make my own at home. I am from Dubuque, IA originally and one dish I have never heard of anyone else having is turkey and dressing sandwiches. You mix turkey and dressing up together and slap it on a bun. I know it’s bread on bread, but it’s great!! :)
Ms.S 11.02.2010
My husband and I really love making our own sweet potato fries. We usually toss ours in some olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne, and a pinch of salt. We’re big proponents of the cayenne!
I’m going to abstain from answering your questions for today since I still consider myself from Iowa (where you live), but reside in MN (where you have lived). I’m sure I’d offer nothing new, plus my brain is kinda not syncing up well tonight.
Erin 11.02.2010
I have to say I’ve never heard of a Maid-Rite and I’ve been living in the Midwest (Wisconsin and North-Easter Illinois) for my entire life! I’m intrigued…
Can I Get a Helllll Yeah?! | Iowa Girl Eats 11.02.2010
[…] Comments « You Know You’re From the Midwest… […]
Kristin 11.02.2010
I’m from MN and I’ve NEVER heard of Maid-rites, or a loose meat sandwich for that matter. DH and I agreed that “loose meat sandwich” sounds pretty gross. Every region of the country has it’s own “interesting” specialties (I’m more used to southern since I’ve lived in the South most of my adult life).
Bridget 11.02.2010
I’m originally from Chicago and all there is to live for there is PIZZA! Deep dish all the way from Uno’s. That’s it. Hands down the best thing you will ever eat in your life. Now that I live in Iowa the maid-rite thing isn’t for me. However, I do love me some sweet corn!
Alyssa 11.02.2010
I’ve lived in Detroit my whole life and never even heard of them!
Machelle 11.02.2010
FYI-Original Maid Rite meat is simmered in a little chicken broth, oddly enough! Gives the meat a nice flavor. That info from my former sister in law who worked there as a teenager. The spice mix was a secret pre packaged mix. And yes, everyone in the small town my sister lives in up in NW Iowa calls them Taverns. I call them Crumble Burgers…..seems like a fitting name to me! Ha! And if you ever get to the race track in Oskaloosa, Iowa try one of their crumble burgers….they are SUPER good! I know people who attend the races JUST to eat! You know you are in Iowa when the fertalizer/manure smells like money!
kat@girlatastartup 11.02.2010
You know you’re from Philly when you pronounce water as “Wuh-duh.”
kate 11.02.2010
Ive lived in Iowa for over 3 years and have yet to have a Maid-Rite! Honestly, I still dont really get it! Haha
Elizabeth 11.02.2010
Now, as far as I’m concerned, the only real Maid-Rite place is Taylor’s in Marshalltown. It’s been operating since the 1920s, and until recently, didn’t even have ketchup in the place. They still only put mustard, onions and pickles on it, if you want everything. And no fries of any kind, but killer malts. And good pie. Maid-rites, shakes and pie. That’s my kind of place.
richard Hoover 05.19.2012
been there many times, for many years. they were the best, but know ketshup?????you have to be kidding.. I love it,, nice to hear from someone in Marshalton Iowa
richard Hoover 05.19.2012
been there Liz, fabo, i just want 2 say . maid rite ,,,, WAPALO IOWA, WAS As good. My josh i could never leave town with out one. the mgr. and his wife were the very best of people u could ever meet. they have to be retired by now, BUT OH MY GOSH, Dick Hoover.
Meg 11.02.2010
You know you’re from Wyoming when the nearest fast food/ chain store/ movie theater/ Wal-Mart is 78 miles away! As for unique dishes, I did cook bear for the first time last night; once you are able to cut through it it’s not too bad, but a very dense meat! I guess that’s what to expect from a 300-lb black bear!
Tracy 11.02.2010
I grew up with Runzas in Omaha. Do you have those in Des Moines?
Lexi 11.02.2010
I have been to them but only in surrounding states…never in Iowa.
Kristin @ The Kona Breeze 11.02.2010
I discovered Runza sandwiches when I moved to Nebraska. And they’re surprisingly delish! Who doesn’t love fresh-baked bread stuffed with seasoned meat and cheese (Plus mushrooms – my fav!)? Also in Nebraska, people pair chili with cinnamon rolls. Who knew?
Lindsay @ The Ketchup Diaries 11.02.2010
Never heard of a Maid-Rite. I’ll have to remember this if I’m ever in your area.
You know you’re from Massachusetts when you’ve had a lobster roll by the ocean in July.
Specific to Southeastern, MA (where I live) would be Portuguese soup. Best.soup.ever. I plan to make it on my blog sometime.
Jenna @ readwriteandlive 11.02.2010
“You know you’re from North Dakota when tumbleweeds blow across the street, people say “don’t cha know?” (It’s not just Minnesota!), and 14-year-old persons drive next to you…legally.”
I could give you a lot more than that, but those are three I can think of right now. We have a wicked stereotype (even worse because I live in Fargo). But despite what people think, we are nothing like the movie. :D
LisaL 11.02.2010
You know you’re from New Orleans (or Louisiana for that matter) when you know how to do a barbeque shrimp po-boy. Hollow out the French bread from one end and fill the “pocket” with those delicious shrimp. That way you don’t lose any of that oh so good sauce. Also, when you know how to eat a crawfish. Crawfish Monica at Jazz Fest is the best and a good crawfish boil is–well, I don’t have the words! Laissez les bons temps rouler!
Melissa @ For the Love of Health 11.02.2010
amazing looking sweet potato fries!! wow! I have never thought of doing anything like that! I need to try it!
hmmm….you know you’re from northern Ontario, Canada, when you get fresh pickerel right from the lake after slapping it on the BBQ
natalie (the sweets life) 11.02.2010
whaaaaat?! I’m from the midwest (IL & WI) and this is the first time I’ve heard of Maid-Rites. Interesting!
Now I live in STL and I’d say you know you’re from STL when you love Ted Drewes frozen custard and toasted ravioli!