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!)
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!! :)
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.
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…
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).
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!
I’ve lived in Detroit my whole life and never even heard of them!
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!
You know you’re from Philly when you pronounce water as “Wuh-duh.”
Ive lived in Iowa for over 3 years and have yet to have a Maid-Rite! Honestly, I still dont really get it! Haha
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.
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
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.
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!
I grew up with Runzas in Omaha. Do you have those in Des Moines?
I have been to them but only in surrounding states…never in Iowa.
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?