Too Good to Be a Patty
The Maid-Rite at the Westland Mall in West Burlington, IA
W. BURLINGTON, IA - With time running out on this tour, I'm determined to get through as many local delicacies as I can find. The original Maid-Rite sandwich, an Iowa tradition with a 78-year heritage, had eluded me until last night.
A Maid-Rite, also referred to rather unfortunately
as a "loose meat" sandwich, exists in the nebulous territory between hamburgers
and sloppy joes. "Too good to be a patty," as the company slogan proclaims, a
Maid-Rite is composed of ground beef, which is seasoned and steamed to tender
perfection, then served on a plain hamburger bun. Variations include adding
cheese and/or bacon. Traditional condiments are pickles, onions, ketchup, and
mustard.
A bacon/cheese Maid-Rite served with fresh-maid criss-cut fries (and mandatory cheese sauce)
As for the taste, imagine a McDonald's cheeseburger with the patty chopped into tiny pieces. The meat in a Maid-Rite is of higher quality, but you get the idea. With no sauce to hold the meat together, it's impossible to eat a Maid-Rite without beef spilling out of the sandwich every time you pick it up. It's definitely not for eating in the car. Maid-Rite serves crinkle-cut and criss-cut french fries, both of which are worth having. I was inwardly delighted when I learned that the criss-cut fries are automatically served with cheese on the side.
The Maid-Rite was invented in Muscatine, which is where we'll be on Thursday afternoon and evening. According to the company's website, the Maid-Rite was concocted in 1926 by a butcher named Fred Angell. One of his delivery men served as his guinea pig. Upon tasting the new creation, he reportedly said, "You know, Fred, this sandwich is just made right." And thus, the loose meat revolution was underway.
In spite of the fact that I felt like the Maid-Rite was oozing out of my face for the rest of the evening, I enjoyed my authentic Maid-Rite experience. In fact, I wouldn't mind having another one before I leave Iowa. Since their humble beginnings, Maid-Rite has expanded its menu to include things like hot dogs, soups & salads, chicken, and pork. To go there and not have a Maid-Rite, however...well, I suppose it just wouldn't be right.
A bacon/cheese Maid-Rite served with fresh-maid criss-cut fries (and mandatory cheese sauce)
As for the taste, imagine a McDonald's cheeseburger with the patty chopped into tiny pieces. The meat in a Maid-Rite is of higher quality, but you get the idea. With no sauce to hold the meat together, it's impossible to eat a Maid-Rite without beef spilling out of the sandwich every time you pick it up. It's definitely not for eating in the car. Maid-Rite serves crinkle-cut and criss-cut french fries, both of which are worth having. I was inwardly delighted when I learned that the criss-cut fries are automatically served with cheese on the side.
The Maid-Rite was invented in Muscatine, which is where we'll be on Thursday afternoon and evening. According to the company's website, the Maid-Rite was concocted in 1926 by a butcher named Fred Angell. One of his delivery men served as his guinea pig. Upon tasting the new creation, he reportedly said, "You know, Fred, this sandwich is just made right." And thus, the loose meat revolution was underway.
In spite of the fact that I felt like the Maid-Rite was oozing out of my face for the rest of the evening, I enjoyed my authentic Maid-Rite experience. In fact, I wouldn't mind having another one before I leave Iowa. Since their humble beginnings, Maid-Rite has expanded its menu to include things like hot dogs, soups & salads, chicken, and pork. To go there and not have a Maid-Rite, however...well, I suppose it just wouldn't be right.
Posted: Tue - April 12, 2005 at 11:21 AM
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Published On: Apr 12, 2005 11:27 AM
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Published On: Apr 12, 2005 11:27 AM