Sloppy joe (New Jersey) facts for kids
Turkey and pastrami sloppy Joe from Millburn Deli in Millburn, NJ
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| Course | Main |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | United States |
| Region or state | Northern New Jersey |
| Main ingredients | thin sliced Rye bread, sliced meat, Swiss cheese, coleslaw and Russian dressing |
| Variations | Multiple |
In parts of northern New Jersey, a sloppy joe is a special kind of cold delicatessen sandwich. A delicatessen, or deli, is a shop that sells fine foods, especially sliced meats and cheeses. This sandwich is different from the warm, ground beef sandwich also called a sloppy joe.
What is a New Jersey Sloppy Joe?
The New Jersey sloppy joe is always a "double-decker" sandwich. This means it has three slices of thin rye bread with two layers of fillings. It's made with one or more types of sliced deli meat. Popular choices include turkey, ham, pastrami, corned beef, roast beef, or even sliced beef tongue.
Along with the meat, this sandwich always includes Swiss cheese, a creamy cabbage salad called coleslaw, and a tangy sauce called Russian dressing. Ham is often a very popular meat choice for this sandwich. Some delis even call the ham version a "regular joe."
Where Did the New Jersey Sloppy Joe Come From?
The Town Hall Deli in South Orange says they invented the New Jersey sloppy joe back in the 1930s. The deli's owner tells a story about a local politician named Thomas Sweeney. A politician is someone who works in government.
Thomas Sweeney went on a trip to Cuba. While there, he visited a bar called Sloppy Joe's. The bar would set out ingredients for customers to make their own sandwiches. When Sweeney came back to Maplewood, New Jersey, he asked the Town Hall Deli to make similar sandwiches for his poker games. People really liked these sandwiches, and they became very popular!
In the 1950s, many other delis in and around Newark also started selling this unique sandwich.
Similar Sandwiches
Sometimes, supermarkets in the New Jersey area will label these sandwiches "turkey sloppy joes." This helps people know they are buying the cold deli sandwich, not the warm ground beef one.
There's also a similar sandwich called the "New York deli turkey sandwich." You can find this in New York City. It also has coleslaw and Russian dressing, and it's usually on rye bread. However, it's not usually a double-decker sandwich, and it's not typically cut into three triangle pieces like the New Jersey sloppy joe.
