A delicious recipe perfect for camping, or a quick weeknight meal, these scrumptious cheesy loose meat sandwiches are loaded with flavor and your favorite toppings!
What’s a loose meat sandwich? It’s similar to a Sloppy Joe, but without the tomato-based sauce.
I’ll be honest. I had never heard of a loose meat sandwich, until my daughter sent me a video of someone making it at their “Blackstone Grill”.
I did a little research, and found out these loose meat sandwiches originated in 1920 by Carroll Dietz of Missoula, Montana as a “steamed hamburger”.
In 1934, they were imitated by Abraham Kaled at Ye Olde Tavern in Sioux City, Iowa. Thus, the “Tavern Sandwich” was born. Later, the chain Maid-Rite, in Iowa, came up with its own version of the sandwich, and the favorite sandwich of Iowa was born!
What makes a loose meat sandwich different from other “burgers” or “sloppy Joe” sandwiches? There are several things. Like I mentioned above, it’s the lack of sauce. Especially tomato based sauces typically found in Sloppy Joes.
Tavern Sandwiches, Maid-Rites, or Loose Meat sandwiches, consist of ground beef cooked while constantly being stirred and mixed on a griddle, with finely minced onion, salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar.
It’s messy and it’s delicious! I’ve updated my version by adding shredded cheese, additional seasonings, and a deliciously yummy spread for the buns! (Leave it to me to break the “rules”)
What You’ll Need to Make Loose Meat Sandwiches
- 2 lbs Ground Beef
- ½ cup minced onions
- 2 teaspoons Black Stone Whiskey Burger, or your favorite all seasoning blend
- 2½ cups shredded cheddar cheese blend
- 8 Hoagie Rolls
- 2 tomatoes, sliced ¼ inch thick (optional)
- 3 cups shredded lettuce (optional)
- ½ cup Mayonnaise, not salad dressing. Put that Miracle Whip back in the refrigerator.
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 teaspoons brown mustard
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon additional Black Stone Whiskey Burger seasoning
Start with the Spread
In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, brown mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and Whiskey Burger Seasoning. Mix until well combined. Chill until ready to use.
TIP: You can substitute brown mustard for Spicy mustard, or yellow mustard.
How To Make Tavern Loose Meat Sandwiches
The beauty of this sandwich is that it can be made on a Black Stone griddle, or you can make it in a large skillet on your stove top, or an electric griddle. I made mine on a table-top blackstone griddle, so my photos will reflect that. We were camping and it was a great camp meal.
Just remember there is more than one cooking method.
Preheat your griddle to medium high heat. Make sure your griddle is well seasoned. Coat the griddle with 1-2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
Place ground beef on a preheated hot griddle, or a stove-top skillet.
Using a large metal spatula, chop the beef, continuing to stir and flip while browning the meat. Add the onions and seasonings.
As the meat browns, if using a Black Stone griddle, push the grease to the back where the drainage cup is.
TIP for SKILLET: If you are browning in a skillet, continue to brown until the meat is cooked and then drain the fat.
While the meat is cooking, butter the inside of each half bun. You can use any Hoagie Roll, or hamburger bun you prefer. I bought cheddar cheese hoagies. They were perfect for this sandwich.
Place yer buns, buttered side down, on one half of the griddle. Grill until golden brown, remove and set aside.
TIP: I flipped my buns over and toasted the tops too! Made the cheese on the bun nice and crispy!
Once the meat is browned and drained, add 1 ½ cups of shredded cheese and stir in. This helps bind the meat together and creates a scrumptious cheesy meat base for your loose meat sandwich.
Cover the meat with a steam lid, or the lid of your griddle, and reduce heat to low.
Add another cup of shredded cheese on top of all the meat and wait for it to melt. (I’m a bit of a cheese hog! I love cheese!!!)
How to Assemble a Maid-Rite Sandwich
Take one sandwich roll, spread the top half of the roll with 1–2 Tablespoons of the Sandwich Spread. On the bottom half of the sandwich place a hearty serving of the loose meat with melted cheese. Just plop it on there. There’s no neat way to do this! Just go for it!
The next part is totally optional…it’s not carved in stone, but I loved the addition of fresh garden tomatoes and shredded lettuce. I know, I know… it’s not “traditional” for this sandwich…but I did mention I was a loose meat rebel.
Now…y’all are going to have to muster up all your “sandwich slapping skills” to get the top on the bottom. I recommend going slow and easy. Nudge the top right up against the bottom and slowly raise the top and fold it on over the bottom! Whew! Good job friends.
Repeat with the remaining sub rolls to create 8 loose meat sandwiches.
TIP: You can cut this recipe in half an only make 4 sandwiches.
To serve…firmly press down on the sandwich and slice it in half.
Next…wish the recipient “Good Luck” and hand them the sandwich…and a spoon, because there is no way some of that yummy filling isn’t going to fall out of that sandwich!
I serve these sandwiches with my Tortellini Olive Salad. It’s the perfect pairing!
Everything about these sandwiches, whether you call them “Tavern Sandwiches”, “Loose Meat Sandwiches”, or “Maid-Rite Sandwiches”….is unique!
They are perfect for outdoor camping, a big family BBQ gathering, or a quick, easy-at-home dinner! One I know your family will enjoy!
Favorite Sandwich Recipes My Family Loves
- Instant Pot Braised Short Rib Sandwiches
- Copy Cat Disneyland Classic Deli Sandwiches
- Air Fryer Toasted Turkey Sandwich
- Super Easy Homemade Sloppy Joe’s
- Hot Turkey Cranberry Sandwiches
- Roast Beef Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
- Shrimp Po Boy Sandwiches
- Instant Pot Braised BBQ Short Rib Sandwich
- Simple Old Fashioned Bologna Salad Sandwiches by Julia’s Simply Southern
Happy Nesting!
Loose Meat Tavern Sandwich Recipe
Crumble ground beef, with sauteed onions, seasonings, piled in a bun and topped with your favorite hamburger toppings like tomatoes, lettuce, and a delicious spread.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Ground Beef
- ½ cup minced onions
- 2 teaspoons Black Stone Whiskey Burger, or your favorite all seasoning blend
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese blend
- 8 Hoagie Rolls
- 8 Tablespoons of Butter for Rolls, softened
- 2 Tomatoes, sliced ¼ inch thick (optional)
- 3 cups shredded lettuce (optional)
Spread Ingredients
- ½ cup Mayonnaise
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 teaspoons brown mustard
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon additional Black Stone Whiskey Burger seasoning
Instructions
- Write instructions
- In a small bowl combine mayonnaise, ketchup, brown mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and 2 teaspoons seasoning. Mix until well blended. Chill in refrigerator until ready to use.
- Preheat griddle, or skillet, over medium-high heat. Add Ground beef, onion, and seasoning. Continue to stir and cook until meat is brown. Drain off any excess fat. Add 1½ cups of shredded cheese. Stir into meat until melted. Gather beef into a pile on your griddle. Top with additional shredded cheese, lower heat, and cover.
- Butter and toast the buns.
- On the top half of the bun, spread 1-2 Tablespoons of the sauce. On the bottom of the bun place a hefty serving of the loose meat with the cheese. Add tomatoes, lettuce and any other toppings you'd like. Place the top on the bottom, slice and serve warm.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 741Total Fat: 49gSaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 26gCholesterol: 172mgSodium: 886mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 1gSugar: 5gProtein: 49g
Meet The Author
Hi! I'm Norine, the cook, baker, and recipe creator behind Norine's Nest. I love sharing and creating recipes that invite family, friends, and neighbors to gather around the dinner table. Sharing good food and creating memories with those we love brings me happiness. Thanks for stopping by my Nest!