Horseshoe sandwich facts for kids
Horseshoe
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| Type | Sandwich |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | United States |
| Region or state | Springfield, Illinois |
| Associated national cuisine | United States |
| Main ingredients | Toasted bread, hamburger patty, French fries, cheese sauce |
| Variations | Breakfast horseshoe, pony shoe |
The horseshoe is a special kind of open-faced sandwich that comes from Springfield, Illinois, in the United States. It's made with thick slices of toasted bread, usually Texas toast. On top of the bread, you'll find a hamburger patty or another type of meat. Then, it's covered with French fries and a yummy cheese sauce.
This unique sandwich is a favorite in its home state of Illinois. It's known for being a big, hearty meal that's full of flavor.
Contents
What is a Horseshoe Sandwich?
A horseshoe sandwich is an "open-faced" sandwich. This means it only has one slice of bread on the bottom, with all the toppings piled high.
The main parts of a horseshoe are:
- Thick toasted bread (often Texas toast)
- A hamburger patty or other meat
- Lots of French fries
- A special cheese sauce
While hamburger is very common now, the first horseshoe sandwiches were made with ham.
Why is it Called a Horseshoe?
The name "horseshoe" might come from a few ideas. Some people think it's because the original ham used was shaped like a horseshoe. Others believe it's because the French fries are often placed around the meat in a horseshoe shape.
Different Kinds of Horseshoes
You can find many different versions of the horseshoe sandwich. Chefs often get creative with the ingredients.
Meat and Potato Choices
Instead of a hamburger, you might find other meats like chicken or more ham. Sometimes, people even use more than one type of meat!
The French fries can also be changed. You might see:
- Tater tots
- Waffle fries
- Other kinds of fried potatoes
The Special Cheese Sauce
The cheese sauce is a very important part of the horseshoe. Each chef might have their own secret recipe. However, it's usually similar to a sauce called Welsh rarebit.
Common ingredients in the cheese sauce include:
- Eggs
- Beer (don't worry, it's cooked out!)
- Butter
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- Worcestershire sauce
- Flour
- Dry mustard
- Paprika
- Salt and pepper
- A tiny bit of cayenne pepper for a little kick
The Pony Shoe
If you're not super hungry, you can order a "pony shoe." This is a smaller version of the horseshoe. It has only one slice of bread and one serving of meat.
Breakfast Horseshoe
Yes, there's even a breakfast version! For a breakfast horseshoe, the hamburger and French fries are replaced with breakfast foods like:
- Sausage or bacon
- Eggs
- Hash browns
Sometimes, the cheese sauce is even swapped for milk gravy.
Where the Horseshoe Began
The horseshoe sandwich was first created in 1928. It was invented at the Leland Hotel in Springfield, Illinois.
The chef who made it was Joe Schweska. He worked at the Leland Hotel, which was a very important hotel in Springfield at the time. Other chefs who worked with him, like Steve Tomko, also helped make the sandwich popular in their own restaurants later on.
Famous Horseshoe Moments
In 2015, a chef named Mike Murphy won a big prize for his breakfast horseshoe. He entered a cooking contest and won $25,000! His winning horseshoe had eggs, bacon, cheese sauce, sausage gravy, and hash browns, all on top of an English muffin.
There's also a similar dish called the "Magic Mountain" at Ross' Restaurant in Bettendorf, Iowa. Instead of a hamburger, it uses steamed loose ground beef. Famous people like former President Barack Obama and singer Bette Midler have enjoyed this dish.
See also
In Spanish: Horseshoe sandwich para niños
