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[Bentley]

I have never had one from Maid-Rite, or the many spin-offs I am sure sprung up since 1928.  I am not sure if we have any folks from Iowa, I believe the Original Maid-Rite is Marshalltown, IA.  I think that is Southwest, but not certain  Not sure how  I would not consider this a burger, if others do, I may slip a shot of it in the Burger thread.  Please post if you have ever had any loose meat or a Maid-Rite and if they have them in your area please let me know.  I would love to know the reach of the sandwich!

Now Glen Bell you to have a Bell Beefer on the menu, and these would actually be closer to that (although no lettuce, no tomato and slices of American Cheese), as this has taco seasoning in the GB.  I am going to assume the Maid-Rite is SnP?  So I give you the Stevensburg Loose Meat sandwich!

[02ebz06]

Never seen it before.
kind of like a Sloppy Joe without the sauce.

[Bentley]

Here is what a Maid-Rite loose meat looks like...

[Free Mr. Tony]

I've always wanted to try one, or make one. Just haven't made one yet. I've also never been to Iowa even though it is relatively close. Ive been all over the region though and never seen one on a menu in my life.

[Bar-B-Lew]

I'm not even sure I have seen a Sloppy Joe or Manwich on a menu anywhere either let alone a "loose meat" sandwich.

So, how was it?  Was it worthwhile for the rest of us to make some?

[SmokinHandyman]

We still have a Maid Rite drive thru in Springfield Il.

Here is the recipe I have.
Loose Meat Sandwich (Maid-Rite Copycat)
Inspired by Maid-Rite in Iowa, Loose Meat Sandwiches are simple yet so very delicious. Make a batch in 10 minutes or less! Also slow cooker friendly.
Course Cuisine
Prep Time Cook Time Total Time
Servings Calories Author
Ingredients
Main Course American
5 minutes 5 minutes 10 minutes
4 servings 302kcal Meggan Hill
1 pound ground beef (85/15 recommended) 1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 hamburger buns, split for serving
Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, pickles for serving
Instructions
1. In a large skillet, combine beef, water, mustard, and sugar. Simmer over medium heat until the beef is cooked through, about 5 minutes, breaking up clumps of meat with a spoon.
2. Drain the fat if desired (I don't, and it is closer to the original recipe if you don't, but you can if you want). Stir in onion and season to taste with salt and pepper (I like 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper).
3. Serve meat on buns with toppings on the side such as ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, and pickles.
Notes
1. Inspired by Maid-Rite. Adapted from Cook's Country Eats Local.
2. To make Loose Meat Sandwiches in a slow cooker, brown beef and add to slow cooker.
Add all remaining ingredients except buns to slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 2 to 3 hours. Serve in buns.

Here is a photo of the place
http://sangamoncountyhistory.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/maid-rite.jpg

[Bentley]

I like seasoned ground beef in any application.  Hamburger bun, hot dog bun, fried corn tortilla, soft wheat tortilla, on fry bread...so yes, if you like seasoned ground beef like I do I highly recommend it.  And it you want to try the Bent Bell Beefer, you add a layer of refried beans to the bottom of the hamburger bun, then seasoned meat, grated sharp cheddar cheese, then diced onions, tomatoes and lettuce, with a touch of sour cream on top bun!

So, how was it?  Was it worthwhile for the rest of us to make some?

[Bar-B-Lew]

So is the Bent Bell Beefer a taco on a hamburger bun?

[pmillen]

I think Maid Rite is a trademarked franchise name.

Iowa is just across the river from my Omaha home.  We rarely packed a lunch when I hunted pheasants in Iowa because we knew that we would find a Maid Rite near the town square in every small town.  Omaha has had a few restaurants that specialized in their own versions but never used the Maid Rite name.

There was a drive-in restaurant in central Nebraska (Grand Island) that made a good one.  I have the recipe from the owner's daughter.  She frequently makes the large batches for church events or other gatherings and says that everyone loves them.

I tried to reduce the large recipe down to one that's family sized—I didn't think it was as good as the Iowa originals.

Large Group Recipe
(Serves 30)

Ingredients
5 lb. of lean hamburger (any fat will render out and be discarded)
8 oz. of onion, finely chopped
3 heaping teaspoons of mustard
3 heaping teaspoons of horseradish
3 heaping teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce
5 teaspoons of salt
¼ teaspoon of pepper
8 oz. of warm water
1 teaspoon of Accent

Directions
1.  Sauté the onions in a soup pot or roaster.
2.  Brown the hamburger in the same pot, discard the rendered grease.
3.  Add all of the remaining ingredients to the pan.
4.  Slowly bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for 25 minutes.

Family Sized Recipe

Ingredients
1¼ lb. of lean hamburger (any fat will render out and be discarded)
2 oz. of onion, finely chopped
1 oz. of catsup
¾ teaspoon of mustard
¾ teaspoon of horseradish
¾ teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
1¼ teaspoon of salt
1 dash of pepper
2 oz. of warm water
¼ teaspoon of Accent

Directions
1.  Sauté the onions.
2.  Brown the hamburger in the same pan, discard the rendered grease.
3.  Add all of the remaining ingredients to the pan.
4.  Slowly bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for 25 minutes.

[Bentley]

Hamburger bun, bigger the better!

And I understand the discard the beef fat grease, but much like Greek chili, leaving it in is the reason Tommy's Chili burgers in LA taste as good as they do!

So is the Bent Bell Beefer a taco on a hamburger bun?

[BigDave83]

I have heard of them bit never seen one. I make something like this often. I just salt,, pepper, ground chuck, some onions and sometimes peppers and if I am the only one eating it mushrooms. On hot dog roll, with a slice of cheeses some mustard and a little pickle. I use hot dog rolls as stuff doesn't fall out out a burger bun. On the rare occurrence we have sloppy joes I do hot dog rolls for them also. I like pulled pork on hot dog or sausage rolls also.

[Bar-B-Lew]

Hamburger bun, bigger the better!

And I understand the discard the beef fat grease, but much like Greek chili, leaving it in is the reason Tommy's Chili burgers in LA taste as good as they do!

So is the Bent Bell Beefer a taco on a hamburger bun?

I am in your camp on not getting rid of the grease.  My wife always drains when making sloppy joe's.  I through some flour or ranch dressing powder in to tighten it up and keep that grease flavor.  Of course, that will probably be why I die way before her but that's another story.  Have you ever considered cooking it how you like but using the large flour burrito to put it into instead of the hamburger bun?

[Bentley]

That is an All Beef burrito, make them all the time.

[Free Mr. Tony]

I think Maid Rite is a trademarked franchise name.

Iowa is just across the river from my Omaha home.  We rarely packed a lunch when I hunted pheasants in Iowa because we knew that we would find a Maid Rite near the town square in every small town.  Omaha has had a few restaurants that specialized in their own versions but never used the Maid Rite name.

There was a drive-in restaurant in central Nebraska (Grand Island) that made a good one.  I have the recipe from the owner's daughter.  She frequently makes the large batches for church events or other gatherings and says that everyone loves them.

I tried to reduce the large recipe down to one that's family sized—I didn't think it was as good as the Iowa originals.

Large Group Recipe
(Serves 30)

Ingredients
5 lb. of lean hamburger (any fat will render out and be discarded)
8 oz. of onion, finely chopped
3 heaping teaspoons of mustard
3 heaping teaspoons of horseradish
3 heaping teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce
5 teaspoons of salt
¼ teaspoon of pepper
8 oz. of warm water
1 teaspoon of Accent

Directions
1.  Sauté the onions in a soup pot or roaster.
2.  Brown the hamburger in the same pot, discard the rendered grease.
3.  Add all of the remaining ingredients to the pan.
4.  Slowly bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for 25 minutes.

Family Sized Recipe

Ingredients
1¼ lb. of lean hamburger (any fat will render out and be discarded)
2 oz. of onion, finely chopped
1 oz. of catsup
¾ teaspoon of mustard
¾ teaspoon of horseradish
¾ teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
1¼ teaspoon of salt
1 dash of pepper
2 oz. of warm water
¼ teaspoon of Accent

Directions
1.  Sauté the onions.
2.  Brown the hamburger in the same pan, discard the rendered grease.
3.  Add all of the remaining ingredients to the pan.
4.  Slowly bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for 25 minutes.

This recipe sounds like a winner. I may give it a try. I'd like to see the guy or girl who can successfully heap a tsp of Worcestershire though.

[Bar-B-Lew]

Now you are making me hungry.  I have not eaten for about 10 hours.