A tavern is a loose meat sandwich. In one sense, it's similar to a sloppy joe since it's a ground beef sandwich on a bun, but it's not at all like a sloppy joe since it is not tomato based. It's got a completely different flavor. When I was younger, living in Iowa, we used to order these at Bob's Drive-Inn. After we moved away, my parents kept them in the family by recreating them over and over again. It's oh-so-easy, generally delicious, and can be modified for the slow cooker. It's probably not the healthiest thing in the world, but sometimes you've got to live a little, right?
This recipe is from Food.com, but with a few changes. If you take a look at the original be sure to read the author's note. It will give you a little more history on the tavern. I know I'm biased since I'm from the area the author refers to, but, really, what is more fascinating than the origins of a loose meat sandwich?
Taverns
Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 tbsp. yellow mustard + additional for buns
1 tbsp. vinegar
1 tbsp. sugar
water
salt and pepper to taste
dill pickles
hamburger buns
Taverns
Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 tbsp. yellow mustard + additional for buns
1 tbsp. vinegar
1 tbsp. sugar
water
salt and pepper to taste
dill pickles
hamburger buns
Directions:
1. Heat and break up ground beef in a skillet.
2. Add chopped onion to meat while cooking and breaking up meat.
3. After meat is cooked, drain off excess fat.
4. Add mustard, vinegar, and sugar to the meat and onions. Mix together and then add enough water to barely cover the ingredients in the pan.
5. Simmer tavern meat 15 to 20 minutes until water is cooked out.
6. Add salt and pepper to taste.
7. Heat buns if desired.
8. Dress your bun with mustard and dill pickles then top with loose meat mixture.
And there you have it, my friends, another mid-western delicacy. Enjoy!
1. Heat and break up ground beef in a skillet.
2. Add chopped onion to meat while cooking and breaking up meat.
3. After meat is cooked, drain off excess fat.
4. Add mustard, vinegar, and sugar to the meat and onions. Mix together and then add enough water to barely cover the ingredients in the pan.
5. Simmer tavern meat 15 to 20 minutes until water is cooked out.
6. Add salt and pepper to taste.
7. Heat buns if desired.
8. Dress your bun with mustard and dill pickles then top with loose meat mixture.
And there you have it, my friends, another mid-western delicacy. Enjoy!
I have heard of these loose meat sandwiches, but have not eaten one before, I will put it on my list. Yes, sometimes you just have to live a little. Jeanne
ReplyDeleteIf you try one, you'll have to tell me if you like it. Nick tried one once and I think he liked it :)
ReplyDeleteI remember eating these at your house... the pickles and onions really make it awesome.
ReplyDelete