Horseshoe Sandwich

History

The horseshoe sandwich was created in 1928 at the Leland Hotel in Springfield, Illinois, by chef Joe Schweska. The name comes from the shape of the ham steak (the horseshoe), the bone (the anvil) and the fries radiating outward (the nails). It became Springfield's signature dish and a beloved Illinois institution, with the cheese sauce — a rich Welsh rarebit — being each restaurant's closely guarded secret.

Ingredients

• Thick white Texas toast (2 slices)
• Hamburger patties or ham steak
• Thick-cut french fries
• Sharp cheddar cheese
• Beer
• Butter
• Flour
• Worcestershire sauce
• Dry mustard
• Paprika

How to Make

1. 1Toast thick slices of white bread and arrange on an oven-safe plate.
2. 2Grill or pan-fry the meat patty and place on top of the toast.
3. 3Fry thick-cut fries until golden and crispy.
4. 4Make the cheese sauce: melt butter, whisk in flour, add beer and melt in sharp cheddar with Worcestershire, mustard and paprika.
5. 5Arrange fries over and around the meat.
6. 6Pour hot cheese sauce generously over everything.
7. 7Serve immediately on a warm plate.

Known for it

• D'Arcy's Pint661 W Stanford Ave, Springfield, IL 62704, USA