Maid-Rites are a popular Midwestern loose meat sandwich, and are full of savory goodness. This is my version!
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!
Ingredients
- 1 lb 85/15 ground beef, could use 80/20 - just not super lean
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1/2 beef boullion 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.
Notes
- Serve like you would a burger - this is more akin to a burger than a sloppy joe.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
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?
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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!)
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.
“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
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!
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
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!
I thought I was from the midwest, but I’ve never heard of Maid-Rites. They sound good though!
I really want to try your version of sweet potato fries!!
I live in Cincinnati, OH. We have several food items you can only get here. Skyline and Gold Star Chili compete for everyone’s business. It’s chili served over spaghetti noodles with about a pound of shredded cheese. Or you can get the chili over hot dogs (coney dogs). Personally, I have never quite acquired the taste for this chili since I’m a firm believer that chili should not have cinnamon in it! But, to each their own.
Then, there’s Graters which has donuts, pastries, and ice cream. Everyone’s favorite is raspberry chocolate chip…again an acquired taste…just not for me! :)
Busken’s bakeries are another staple.
Come visit Cincy sometime! I’d love to meet you and show you around! :)
Betty Jo
You know you’re from central Illinois when you wait an hour for a seat at your favorite restaurant to have a “Horseshoe” and think you got lucky with a short wait… all I can say is Yummy. Sounds gross, looks gross, but tastes like heaven on a plate. Traditionally it is made with 2 pieces of grilled Texas toast on the bottom, 2 hamburger patties, covered in crispy fries, covered in a cheesy welsh rarebit (sp?) sauce. I prefer a chickenbreast instead and a side a spicy buffalo wing sauce….. ummm … might have to drive the hour to get one this weekend. They do make a smaller version called a ponyshoe, lol, 1 piece toast, 1 burger. Yes it is a heart attack on a plate, but oh so good.
And on the Maid-Rite fromt we alsways had a fresh frosty Rootbeer with ours at the little shop.
In northwest Iowa, maid-rites are called “taverns.” To me, a tavern is a bar, but to each their own, I guess!! There is a tavern (bar) in Sioux City called Miles Inn that serves taverns (maid-rites) called Charlie boys, and they are are the best I have ever had! The buns are steamed and the meat is moist and delicious. They are best washed down with an ice cold beer!! If you ever get up that way, you HAVE to try them! You won’t regret it!
Charlie Boy’s are the best – especially washed down with an ice cold schooner! My mom has the recipe for Charlie Boy’s….the secret ingredient is cream of wheat!
Was wondering if you could send me the recipe for Charlie Boy?
YES..love Maid-Rites! I haven’t cooked them for a very long time for my family..on the menu for tonight!! When I lived in Iowa, my dad would always take us to Maid-Rite…just seeing the paper in your blog brought so many memories back to me. I will have to get my dad on the phone and tell him we are going to Maid-Rite when I get back home. Thanks for ALL the wonderful posts!! A day doesn’t go by without us eating something from your recipes! we had your brussels sprouts, asparagus, and sweet potatoes last night. my kids ate the BS like they were popcorn!
keep on..you are doing great!!!
I really need to try out Panko bread crumbs. Every time you use them the food looks scrumptious!
Yum, those fries look amazing.
Also being an Iowa girl I had difficulty explaining to co-workers in Texas which state Iowa is. “No, it’s not the potato state – that’s Idaho. No it’s not the Buckeye state – that’s Ohio. Maybe you should look at a map.” :)