The Blue Mill Tavern Loosemeat Sandwich

YUMMM!! I don't remember how I came across this recipe but I am SO glad I did! Made as directed, including using the cast iron skillet, but didn't have any hamburger buns so I toasted some bread. I learned a little trick from Zaar Chef Evelyn/Athens about browning ground meat and it's the only way I do it now. When you think it's brown enough, cook another 5 minutes. When you think that's done, brown another 1-2 minutes. It gets the meat so carmelized and tastey, just like the crispy edges of a real diner burger. The combination of carmelized meat and the sauce was excellent topped with mustard and pickle. Can't wait to get some hamburger buns and do it again!!

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This is great! I am so over regular sloppy joe's and this is a totally new flavor for a change! I tasted this one from the time I added the water until it was simmered out and if you have a problem with your meat coming out flavorless it is because you need to simmer, simmer, then simmer some more until ALL of the water is gone and turned into a nice thick syrup coating over the meat. This is an "UN-sloppy joe" you should have NO water/liquid left! this is also the only way to make the meat soft and moist. The flavor truly does not show until the very last few minutes of simmering so keep going, it is worth the wait! sooooo goood!

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I've made this recipe several times over the years, and just wanted to say thanks!! I grew up in LeMars, the home of Bob's Drive Inn, where you can still get a tavern (as well as a cheese tavern with American cheese (yum!!) and hot dogs with tavern meat on them), and this recipe hits the mark. Good advice on breaking up the hamburger into really small pieces, which is absolutely key. And they taste the best when served with potato chips, no kidding! I've changed a couple of things on the recipe (don't drain the meat, as I use ground sirloin, don't use as much salt, and put in about a half tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce), but you should try the original recipe first and try not to add things that really change the taste, like garlic or liquid fire. Then you're turning a great American classic into something else! If you ever happen through LeMars, I would recommend stopping by at Bob's for a cheese tavern and hot dog "with and pickles". Hard to duplicate the magic they work there! :)

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Absolutely fantastic recipe! I haven't had a loosemeat sandwich since I was a kid, but a strange and elusive yearning for one came over me recently. I decided to chance it and introduce them to my husband and son. It was a risky move, as they hate sloppy joes (as do I) and are a tough crowd to woo. However, my husband took one bit, looked amazed and said, "This is delicious!!" I looked over at my son, he was halfway through his first one and ate *another* sandwich, a rare event indeed. Thank you so much for this recipe! It's a keeper and I have been told to make it often.

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Oh sweet mercy...DELICIOUS!!!!! I wonder if those that thought it just tasted like browned hamburger didn't use a cast iron skillet? I got rid of all my non-stick pans and use cast iron for practically everything, it really does make a difference in how food tastes! I tasted the meat before adding the vinegar, mustard and sugar, and it already had a delicious flavor that was beyond just browned ground beef. Really glad I found this recipe, I had found a few recipes for the loosemeat sandwiches referenced on the Roseanne show, but they just had meat, onions and salt. This turned out way better...my mouth was watering the whole time I was cooking them and my taste buds nearly leaped off my tongue in anticipation! They were not a bit disappointed, either. Every bit as delicious as I'd hoped they'd be...definitely worth the effort. Also, I agree with other reviewers - crisp up that ground beef, and simmer, simmer, simmer. I kept nibbling on the meat as it cooked and the flavor truly does not come into its own until the last few minutes. I've never been to the Blue Mill Tavern or anywhere in Iowa for that matter, but if I ever find myself there, I will make a point to seek out these delicious loosemeats! My husband said we could move to Iowa after I told him if we ever find ourselves there, I want to eat at the Blue Mill Tavern (:

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WOW!!!!!! This recipe is SO GOOD!!!!! We gobbled them down with some french fries. What a quick weeknight supper too! I'm not sure why some folks said it "tasted like browned hamburger meat". If you follow the recipe EXACTLY as it's written, it's delish even with out the mustard and pickles!! Kinda sweet and a little salty-GREAT flavor. I used Angus 85/15 ground beef. I also added the tablespoon of bacon grease (I keep it in an old pickle jar in the fridge-great to have on hand) to my cast iron skillet and followed the recipe verbatum, as one should when making a first attempt at a new recipe. I browned the meat til it was a little carmelized and crusty (great tip from SloppyJoe) and buttered the rolls and toasted them in a skillet. I might try them in a buttered,toasted split-top hotdog bun next time like dlaf states in their review,especially for the kids sandwiches!! My compliments to the Original Chef!!!

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It may be sacrilege, but I serve these on hot dog buns so all of the filling doesn't fall out onto the plate! All the yummy stays in the bun!

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My husband grew up eating Bob's Taverns (See reference in her introduction). I've spent 35 years trying to find a recipe that was as good as Bob's. This is it! We both enjoyed it after my daughter-in-law found it and I tried it. Over Christmas I made a large batch for 25 people who all know and love Bob's Taverns and all agreed it's the most authentic they've eaten. Thanks for submitting it. The introduction is good reading, too.

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I just didn't get it. With so many great reviews I guess I had high expectations. The flavor was odd to me and not very tasty. Will not be making again.

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I LOVE it! Thanks for sharing!

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Nice!

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I think the flavor is spot on, honestly, I don't understand everyone saying it was bland. I used French sea salt and there was nothing bland about my meal. I did not however, enjoy how messy it was. I know it's loose meat, and its going to be a bit messy. but it was near impossible for me to eat. I liked the mustard and vinegar flavor. Just wasn't able to eat the sandwich without the meat falling out.

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I grew up in Sioux City and the highlight was getting taverns from the Blue Mill... As I got older (and of age) we were allowed to have a cold schooner of beer to go with it!! Thank you so very much for the recipe..you are right.. the others are not right!! Folks in Colorado think I am crazy when I talk about loosemeats so I can now share the wonderful joy of these sandwiches!! Thank you again!!

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These were a nice change from our regular sloppy joes. I had to use a nonstick skillet, and didn't need the additional Crisco. Used toasted buns, and served with chips and veggies and dip. Thanks for sharing.

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I wasn't sure if my family would go for this, so I used this line on them. "Whenever we travel throughout the USA, we like to sample the local cuisine, so pretend, once again that we are in Sioux City, IA, now eat and enjoy it!" (we did stay there this summer on our way to Yellowstone, had I only known....) I followed the recipe to a T, and they L O V E D it. Don't forget to toast your buns ;^P and top with yellow mustard & dill pickle chips. The kids even LOVED it That alone makes it a 5***** winner. Thanks a bunch plantfreek & Grandma, our tummies are very happy.

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This is absolutely the BEST loosemeat recipe EVER. The flavor was so unique. Its exactly that thing you always wonder about how its made, but can never quite get it right.... until now. :) YUM! April 2010 update: We use this recipe ALL the time. I love it!!! I cook it to impress our friends and family and it does so every single time. :) Thank you for sharing a unique, fun recipe! WE LOVE IT!!!

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Ah, this brings me back to my summers in Sioux City. My cousins still make this for any get togethers. I followed the recipe exactly, delicious. My hubby and bro complained that it was too messy - they said they didn't understand why I just didn't make a hamburger. Boys just don't understand the subtle flavors and textures.

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I retired from the Navy and moved to my wife's home state of Illinois. I grew up in California so I never experienced the, "Loose Meat Sandwich". It came up in a conversation at a family gathering. Everyone was praising how great it was and couldn't believe I hadn't had one yet. So my wife decided to make some for me. It was terrible! I was just ground beef with salt, lots of salt. I thought to myself that there is no way that all those people could like this, its terrible! So I decided to look online and found your recipe. Wow was it awesome! I didn't stray from your instructed ingredients at all and I never will. I also piled on the dill pickle chips. If I was on death row and had to request my last meal your loose meat sandwich would be it. Thanks for sharing!

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I am so happy to have found this recipe! For YEARS, every time my family went through Sioux City (55 minutes from Sioux Falls, SD) we would stop for this sandwich! There is NOTHING better!!!! I made this for my folks tonight for dinner. I think my Dad actually wiped away a tear! Yummy! I felt like a kid again having this sandwich! Thanks for the memories plantfreek! I will be making these for years to come!

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I remember seeing these on Rosanne and thought who would eat that! Well, when I came across this recipe and after reading plantfreek's enthusiasm over these I had to try them. What a surprise! I made exactly as directed, and they were delicious! The mustard and the pickles really add great flavor to these. So weird, but very tasty!! Thanks for the recipe.

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