Horseshoe Sandwich

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Quick Bite

The Horseshoe Sandwich is a Springfield, Illinois original made with toast, meat, fries, and a blanket of cheese sauce. It is open-faced, over-the-top, and absolutely not pretending to be light.

History

The Horseshoe Sandwich was created in Springfield in 1928 at the Old Leland Hotel. Chef Joe Schweska is credited with developing it, with help from his wife, Elizabeth, when he needed a new lunch item for the hotel restaurant.

The original version used ham, not hamburger. The name “horseshoe” is usually linked to the curved shape of the ham, while the potato garnish was said to resemble horseshoe nails. Over time, fries replaced the original potato presentation, and many different meats joined the party.

Today’s horseshoe usually starts with thick toast, then adds hamburger patties, ham, chicken, pork tenderloin, or another meat. Fries go on top, followed by cheese sauce that turns the whole thing into a fork-and-knife event.

Springfield takes the dish seriously. There are full-size horseshoes and smaller “pony shoes,” restaurant trails, local favorites, and fierce opinions about who has the best cheese sauce. It is a sandwich in name, but a full meal in practice.

Fun Facts

• A smaller horseshoe is called a “pony shoe.”
• The original meat was ham, even though hamburger is now one of the most common versions.
• Cheese sauce loyalty is serious business in Springfield.

Where to Try

D’Arcy’s Pint Springfield, Illinois
A local favorite famous for horseshoes and pony shoes in many variations.

Charlie Parker’s Diner Springfield, Illinois
A quirky diner in a Quonset hut serving Springfield classics, including horseshoes.

Obed & Isaac’s Microbrewery & Eatery Springfield, Illinois
A brewpub version with Texas toast, meat, secret cheese sauce, and fries.

Recipe

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Horseshoe Sandwich Servings: 4 Prep: 10 minutes Cook: 25 minutes Difficulty: Easy Style: Illinois / Springfield Comfort Food

Ingredients

For the sandwiches

• 8 slices Texas toast
• 4 hamburger patties, ham slices, or cooked chicken breasts
• 1 bag frozen crinkle-cut fries or homemade fries

For the cheese sauce

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• ½ teaspoon mustard powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Paprika, optional

Instructions

1. Cook the fries: Cook the fries according to package directions until crisp.
2. Toast the bread: Toast the Texas toast.
3. Cook the meat: Cook the hamburger patties or other meat until done.
4. Start the cheese sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
5. Make the roux: Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.
6. Add milk: Slowly whisk in milk and cook until thickened.
7. Finish the sauce: Add cheddar, Worcestershire, mustard powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth.
8. Build the base: Place two slices of toast on each plate.
9. Add meat: Add meat on top of the toast.
10. Add fries: Pile fries over the meat.
11. Smother: Pour cheese sauce generously over everything.
12. Finish: Sprinkle with paprika if desired.

Traditional note: To make it more traditional, use thick toast, ham or hamburger, crinkle-cut fries, and a rich cheddar-style cheese sauce. Serve it open-faced with a fork.

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