 Horseshoe | |
| Type | Sandwich |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | United States |
| Region or state | Central Illinois |
| Associatedcuisine | United States |
| Main ingredients | Toasted bread, hamburger patty, French fries, cheese sauce |
| Variations | Breakfast horseshoe, pony shoe |
Thehorseshoe is anopen-faced sandwich originating inSpringfield, Illinois, United States.[1][2][3] It consists of thick-slicedtoasted bread (oftenTexas toast), ahamburger patty or other choice of meat,French fries, andcheese sauce.
While hamburger has become the most common meat on a horseshoe, the original meat was ham.[4] The "horseshoe" name has been variously attributed to thehorseshoe-like shape of a slice ofbone-in ham, or to the horseshoe-like arrangement of potato wedges around the ham.[5]
It is not uncommon to substitute other meat for the hamburger, such as chicken or ham, or use more than one type of meat. For fries, the preparer may substitutetater tots,waffle fries, or other forms of fried potatoes.
Although cheese sauces vary by chef, it is generally derived fromWelsh rarebit. Common ingredients include eggs, stale beer, butter, sharp cheddar cheese,Worcestershire sauce, flour, dry mustard, paprika, salt and pepper, and a dash of cayenne pepper.[1]
A smaller portion, with one slice of bread and one serving of meat, is called a pony shoe.[1]
A breakfast horseshoe is also available. The hamburger and french fries are replaced with sausage or bacon, eggs, andhash browns. The cheese sauce can also be substituted with milkgravy.[6]
Ross' Restaurant inBettendorf, Iowa, was known for a similar dish called the Magic Mountain before closing permanently in February 2023. Instead of a hamburgerpatty, the sandwich contains steamedloose meat. It has been enjoyed by politicians and celebrities includingBarack Obama andBette Midler.[7]
