Horseshoe Sandwich

The horseshoe sandwich is classic Midwestern bar food. It originated in Springfield, IL (not far from me!) and is a staple at many local restaurants - but these are very hard to find outside of the area. This one deserves to be shared across the world, because it's just that good!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 15

Total Time 35

Servings sandwiches

Calories 1526kcal

Author Karly Campbell

Ingredients

For the sandwich:

1 1/2 pounds 80/20 ground beef
1 ½ teaspoons seasoned salt
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon cracked pepper
24 ounces frozen french fries see notes
4 slices thick-sliced white bread Texas Toast

For the cheese sauce:

½ cup butter
½ cup flour
1 teaspoon salt more to taste
½ teaspoon cracked pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground mustard
2 cups whole milk
4 ounces room temperature beer see notes
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
8 ounces sharp cheddar shredded

Instructions

To make the sandwich:

Place the meat in a bowl and top with the seasoned salt, Worcestershire sauce, and pepper. Use your hands to combine the mixture.
Divide the meat into 8 portions and shape into patties.
Cook the hamburger patties on a hot skillet or grill until cooked to your liking.
While the hamburger patties are cooking, cook the french fries according to package directions. We like to use the air fryer for the best restaurant-style results.
Place a slice of bread each in the center of each of 4 dinner plates. Top with the hamburger patties. Divide the hot french fries evenly between the 4 plates, piling them over the hamburger patties.
Pour the cheese sauce over the top of everything, making sure to use plenty to coat the fries and burgers.

To make the cheese sauce:

While the burgers and fries are cooking, heat the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
Once melted, whisk in the flour, salt, pepper, and ground mustard. Cook, whisking constantly, for 2-3 minutes.
Slowly whisk in the milk, beer, and Worcestershire sauce, cooking and stirring until the mixture has thickened quite a bit.
Remove from the heat and stir in the cheese a handful at a time until the cheese is completely melted.

Notes

Meat: My go-to is a hamburger horseshoe, but you’ll find ham, turkey, or grilled chicken as the meat options in many diners. A pony-shoe is a half sized portion or the same amount of fries/sauce, but with just one patty.

Fries: I really love the hand cut frozen french fries for this. The fast food style fries are also good, but I think a slightly thicker cut is better with the all the cheese sauce.

Bread: My husband thinks the bread takes away from the meat + fries + cheese combo and always requests his horseshoe without the slice of bread. Personally, I love the way it soaks up some of the juices from the burgers and gets coated in cheese sauce. You can skip it if you’re not interested in the extra carbs though.

Sauce: This makes quite a lot of cheese sauce. The fries and burgers are meant to be covered generously. You don’t have to use it all if you don’t want. The sauce can easily be reheated in the microwave or on the stove, adding a splash of milk if necessary to thin it out. Just be careful not to overheat it or the sauce will get grainy.

Beer: Any American style lager should work well. I use Miller High Life.

Nutrition