The horseshoe sandwich originated in Springfield, Illinois in the late 1920s, made with toast, ham, French fries, and cheese sauce. Its inventor is debated, but variations include different meats and cheese sauces. A breakfast version and smaller “pony” sandwich also exist.
The horseshoe sandwich was first served in Springfield, Illinois, USA in the late 1920s. Historically, the horseshoe sandwich was made with two thick slices of toast sandwiched together. The toast was then topped with a large wedge of ham, sometimes shaped into a horseshoe shape, followed by a mound of French fries and some white cheese sauce. As the sandwich’s popularity spread, many variations began to develop across the United States and around the world.
The sandwich’s location of origin is well known, but exactly who invented the sandwich is still debated. Some believe it was invented by chef Joe Schweska while he worked at the Leland Hotel. Others will attest to the fact that it was Steve Tomko who invented the sandwich. Coincidentally, Steve Tomko was a teenage dishwasher at the Leland Hotel around the same time Joe Scheweska was said to have invented the sandwich.
One of the major variations of the horseshoe sandwich found is in the type of meat used as the main component. While many places continue to serve the traditional ham slice, others commonly use hamburger patties or chicken breasts that are fried or grilled. Various other meats, including pork loin slices or fried fish, can also be found.
French fries are a fairly standard component of the horseshoe sandwich, with the only variations being found in the type of fries used. Cheese sauce, on the other hand, is the item with the most unique ingredients used to create it. It is believed that every establishment that serves the horseshoe sandwich has its own variation of the cheese dip. It can range from a sharp yellow cheddar base to a Swiss cheese base or anything in between. The type of cheese used to create the sauce may be based on the chef’s personal preferences or on the common cheese of the particular area where it is served.
Other variations include a breakfast version of the horseshoe sandwich that uses browns instead of french fries and adds eggs as the main component. The bacon is sometimes substituted for traditional ham in this variety as well. Since one of the sandwich’s most common characteristics is its substantial size, those with smaller appetites may be more inclined towards a pony sandwich. This variation is nothing more than a smaller version of the horseshoe sandwich.
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