Chow mein sandwich facts for kids
| Type | Sandwich |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | United States |
| Region or state | Fall River, Massachusetts |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | Hamburger-style bun, chow mein |
The chow mein sandwich is a unique meal! It's made with a special chow mein noodle mix, often with a brown gravy, served inside a hamburger bun. You'll find this interesting sandwich mostly in Chinese-American restaurants in southeastern Massachusetts and parts of Rhode Island. It first appeared in Fall River, Massachusetts, around the 1930s or 1940s. Outside of this small area in New England, most people haven't heard of it!
Contents
What is a Chow Mein Sandwich?
A chow mein sandwich is a tasty mix of crispy noodles and a savory gravy, all tucked into a soft bun. It's a bit like a noodle burger! The noodles are usually crispy, and the gravy is often similar to gravies used in traditional New England cooking. This makes the sandwich feel familiar to people in the area.
Why Was It Created?
This sandwich was invented to be an affordable meal. Back in the 1930s and 1940s, many people in the Fall River area were new immigrants from Europe and Canada. They needed low-cost food options. The chow mein sandwich offered a cheap and filling meal in a form they already knew – a sandwich!
How It's Served
You can order your chow mein sandwich in a couple of ways:
- "Strained": This means it comes without vegetables. It's just the noodles and gravy.
- "Unstrained": This version includes vegetables, just like regular chow mein.
You can also add different meats or seafood to your sandwich, like chicken, beef, or shrimp. The special crispy noodles for these sandwiches often come from the Oriental Chow Mein Noodle Company in Fall River.
Where to Find It
The chow mein sandwich is a local favorite. You can find it in cities like Fall River, New Bedford, and Taunton in Massachusetts. It's also popular in Woonsocket, Pawtucket, and Tiverton in Rhode Island.
Even though it's not well-known in nearby Boston, this unique sandwich was once sold at the famous Nathan's Famous hot dog stand in Coney Island, New York, as recently as 2013!
Famous Fans
Some famous people have helped share the story of this sandwich. Celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse, who grew up in Fall River, has talked about it. Food writers Jane and Michael Stern have also written about this interesting local dish. Sometimes, local schools and senior centers in the area even serve these sandwiches!
