Quick Overview
A loose meat sandwich and a sloppy joe are two similar sandwich types that originated in the Midwest United States. The main differences are:
- A loose meat sandwich contains loose ground beef with seasoning, while a sloppy joe contains a saucy ground beef mixture.
- A loose meat sandwich is served on a hamburger bun, while a sloppy joe is served on a sturdier bun or slice of bread.
- Loose meat sandwiches are associated with Iowa, while sloppy joes are more widely known across the Midwest.
Origins and History
Loose Meat Sandwich
The loose meat sandwich was popularized in Iowa in the early 20th century. Two restaurants claim to have invented the loose meat sandwich:
- Ye Olde Tavern in Sioux City, Iowa – Owner David Heglin claims he invented the sandwich in 1924 using leftover roasted beef and a seasoning blend.
- Taylor’s Maid-Rite in Muscatine, Iowa – Owner Floyd Angell claims he invented the sandwich in 1926 after a customer complained a hamburger patty was too dense. Angell minced the meat instead.
Maid-Rite restaurants went on to become a popular Iowa-based fast food chain known for loose meat sandwiches.
Sloppy Joe
The origin of the sloppy joe is less clear, with multiple claims to its invention:
- One story credits a short order cook named Joe in Sioux City, Iowa in the 1930s, who served a sandwich made with loose meat in tomato sauce.
- Another claim points to a restaurant in Havana, Cuba in the early 1900s that served a “sloppy joe’s” sandwich for American tourists.
- Some trace it to restaurants in the 1940s like Sloppy Joe’s in Key West, Florida that served a loose meat sandwich with tomato sauce.
The sloppy joe grew in popularity nationwide throughout the mid-20th century.
Ingredients
Loose Meat Sandwich
A traditional loose meat sandwich contains:
- Ground beef – cooked loose without forming a patty
- Onion – minced
- Seasoning – often including salt, pepper, cayenne and cumin
- Hamburger bun
Sloppy Joe
A traditional sloppy joe contains:
- Ground beef
- Tomato-based sauce – tomato paste, ketchup, vinegar, spices
- Onions
- Green bell peppers
- Sturdy bread or bun
The sauce gives the sloppy joe its signature moist and saucy texture.
Preparation Methods
Loose Meat Sandwich
To make a loose meat sandwich:
- Brown the ground beef with minced onion in a skillet breaking it into crumbles.
- Drain excess grease.
- Season the mixture with salt, pepper, cayenne, cumin and any other desired spices.
- Cook for 2-3 more minutes until beef is fully cooked.
- Serve the loose meat mixture on hamburger buns.
Sloppy Joe
To make sloppy joes:
- Cook onions and green bell peppers in a skillet until softened.
- Add ground beef and brown while breaking up into crumbles.
- Drain excess grease, then add tomato sauce, tomato paste, vinegar and seasonings. Stir to combine.
- Simmer for 15-20 minutes to thicken sauce.
- Serve meat mixture spooned onto sturdy buns.
Typical Serving Styles
Loose Meat Sandwich
Loose meat sandwiches are usually served in the following style:
- On plain hamburger buns
- With pickle slices
- With yellow mustard
- With onion slices or minced onion
- With melted cheese (optional)
Sloppy Joe
Sloppy joes have some classic serving styles:
- Served on burger buns, kaiser rolls or thick sliced bread
- Topped with cheese – cheddar or pepper jack
- Served with french fries or potato chips on the side
- Served with dill pickles
- Topped with coleslaw
Regional Differences
There are some regional differences between loose meat sandwiches and sloppy joes:
| Sandwich | Where Popular |
|---|---|
| Loose Meat Sandwich | Mostly found in Iowa |
| Sloppy Joe | Well-known in the Midwest, nationwide |
Even within Iowa, some differences can be seen between eastern and western Iowa:
| Sandwich | Eastern Iowa | Western Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Sloppy joe | Loose meat sandwich |
| Bun | Kaiser | Hamburger bun |
| Seasoning | Milder | Spicier seasoning |
So loose meat sandwiches are more common in western Iowa near where they originated, while eastern Iowa leans toward the name and style of the sloppy joe.
Cultural Significance
Both types of sandwiches have significance in Midwest food culture:
- The loose meat sandwich is considered Iowa’s signature sandwich, especially tied to the Maid-Rite restaurant chain.
- The sloppy joe became a staple sandwich across the U.S. served in school cafeterias and appearing in cookbooks by the 1960s-70s.
- The sandwiches represent the creativity and simplicity of Midwestern food – using simple ingredients to create satisfying comfort food.
- They are now nostalgic foods that remind people of their childhood and home cooking.
Nutrition
Both sandwiches have high amounts of protein and fat from the ground beef:
| Sandwich | Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sloppy Joe (255g) | 445 | 24g | 33g | 22g |
| Loose Meat Sandwich (283g) | 520 | 32g | 31g | 28g |
However, the sloppy joe has added sugars from the ketchup-based sauce. So while satisfying, both sandwiches should be enjoyed in moderation.
Cost Comparison
Both sandwiches are budget-friendly meals, with the sloppy joe being slightly more expensive due to the sauce ingredients:
| Sandwich | Ingredient Cost* |
|---|---|
| Loose Meat Sandwich | $2.30 |
| Sloppy Joe | $2.60 |
*Based on average ingredient prices
The labor-intensive sloppy joe sauce also takes more time to prepare compared to the simple seasoned meat of a loose meat sandwich.
Popularity and Availability
Both sandwiches remain popular today, but the sloppy joe is significantly more mainstream:
- Sloppy joes can be found at restaurants nationwide, from diners to school cafeterias.
- They are included in many American cookbooks and home cooking websites.
- Pre-made sloppy joe sauce is sold in grocery stores across the U.S.
- The loose meat sandwich remains most popular in the Midwest, especially Iowa. Outside the region, it is hard to find restaurant versions.
However, recipes for homemade loose meat sandwiches have spread online, introducing the dish to more people. Fans can also order the sandwiches frozen from iconic Iowa restaurants like Maid-Rite to enjoy at home.
Conclusion
While the sloppy joe and the loose meat sandwich contain some key differences in ingredients, preparation, and origin, they share similarities as tasty, humble sandwiches beloved for their nostalgia and midwestern roots. The sauce sets the messy, casual sloppy joe apart from its simpler cousin, the iconic Iowa loose meat sandwich. Both remain classics that provide a taste of American food history and tradition.