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National Sloppy Joe Day, is celebrated every year on March 18th, a holiday that is dedicated to the greatest Sandwich of all time, the Sloppy Joe. Did you know the Sloppy Joe Sandwich has been around for approximately 95 years now, playing a key role in fast-food restaurants and kitchen tables.
I remember as a child going to visit my mom’s mom Dorie and she would make Sloppy Joe’s or Manwich’s for my sister, my brother and I. I think my mom would eat the Sandwiches but not my Dad. Its been forever since I’ve had either a Sloppy Joe or Manwich.
Charlie will eat Slopy Joe’s and Manwich’s with me but David will not. Since I can’t remember the difference in the way Sloppy Joe’s and Manwich taste I was thinking I would purchase both and make Sandwiches for Charlie and I. Then we can decide which Sandwich is better. Would you want to join us?
National Sloppy Joe Day aims to explore the wholesomeness of an extraordinary Sandwich that has transformed the way people look at Sandwiches. The Sloppy Joe has garnered global appeal with its base recipe featuring Onions, Ground Beef, and Tomato Sauce, and depending on what part of the world you are in, delicious varieties are made available from infusing other local ingredients.
There have been several claims to the origin of the Sloppy Joe. One claim states that the Sloppy Joe Sandwich made its debut in 1920, Havana, Cuba. A Bartender called José Abel Otero. José created and successfully sold a simple Sandwich based on a Cuban dish of Shredded Beef, Tomato Sauce, and Spices called Ropa Vieja.
He also sold Iced Seafood, which would often melt and get the Bar floor wet and sloppy. Since José was known for the Sandwich and wet bBar floors, customers linked the two and called him ‘Sloppy Joe.’ Ironically, the name stuck to both him and the Sandwich.
Some years later, Nobel prize winner and popular writer, Ernest Hemingway, who was a patron of the Havana bar, suggested a friend, Joe Russel, who had just set up a the restaurant in Key West, Florida, serves the Sandwich but rebrand the Sandwich as the ‘Havana Sandwich.’
Another origin story dictates that the Joe may have been a variation of the very common ‘Loose Meat’ Sandwiches of the 1930s. At a Cafe in Sioux City, a Cook named Joe added some Tomato Sauce to the Loose Meat, giving birth to the goodness known as the Sloppy Joe.
In 1969, Hunt’s, a Ketchup maker, introduced the ‘Manwich,’ which made a more convenient way to prepare the Sloppy Joe. The Manwich was a can containing the Sloppy Joe sauce and was promoted as more than just a Sandwich.
Let’s Celebrate National Sloppy Joe Day
- Today is the day to go sloppy by making Sloppy Joe Sandwiches in your house. You can tweak the recipe and enjoy Sloppy Joe Sandwiches with your family.
- Celebrate National Sloppy Joe Day by trying out a unique Sloppy Joe in an eatery. Just in case your D.I.Y. sloppy Joe is a flop, or you just don’t want to cook, go-to food places that serve this awesome sandwich.
- Take the time today to have fun with friends and family! Throw a Sloppy Joe contest and crown the person who makes the tastiest Sandwich. No, cheating alloweed.
Facts About The Sloppy Joe
- Did you know Sloppy Joes are also called Yum-Yum, Slush Burger, Dynamite, Manwich, and even Barbecue. Although we all know Sloppy Joe’s and Barbeque is different.
- I would like to introduce you to Joe’s sister, Jane though they are the same thing, the Sloppy Jane is considered the healthier version of Sloppy Joe. Instead of Hamburger Meat you use Turkey Meat. Which I don’t know about you but I will pass on.
- The Ground Beef filling in Sloppy Joe’s can be replaced with Chicken, Chuck Roast, or Turkey. I don’t know about you but even though it isn’t healthy I’m going to stick to Hamburger Meat. How about you?
- The Sloppy Joe recipe is also modified to suit Vegans.
- Sloppy Joes were first created for those with small food budgets which is my family.
Why People Love National Sloppy Joe Day
- If you’ve never had a Sloppy Joe they have a unique taste. which is addictive, and most of us just can’t get enough Sloppy Joe’s can we? Join us as we celebrate National Sloppy Joes Day to share our love for the Sloppy Joe Sandwich.
- People should experiment today and try Sloppy Joes with different toppings that you love. on National Sloppy Joe Day you can explore the craziest fillings and have fun.
- On national Sloppy Joe Day its a chance to celebrate good food and make memories with our friends and family. Take pictures and place the pictures in your photo albums that will serve as reminders. in the future for your friends and family to admire.
Recipe for Sloppy Joe’s
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. butter, plus more for buttering rolls
- 2 1/2 lb. ground beef
- 1/2 large onion, diced
- 1 large green bell pepper, diced
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 cups ketchup
- 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
- 2 tsp. chili powder, plus more to taste
- 1 tsp. dry mustard
- 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes, plus more to taste
- 1 cup water
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 Tbsp. tomato paste (optional)
- Worcestershire sauce, to taste
- Tabasco sauce, to taste (optional)
- 8 Kaiser rolls
- Kettle cooked potato chips, for serving
Directions
1: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until brown. Drain most of the fat and discard.
2; Add the onion, green bell pepper, and garlic. Cook for a few minutes, or until the vegetables begin soften.
3: Add the ketchup, brown sugar, chili powder, dry mustard, red pepper flakes, and water. Stir to combine and simmer for 15 minutes, adding salt and pepper to taste. Also add the tomato paste, Worcestershire, and Tabasco, if desired. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed.
4: Spread rolls with butter and brown on a griddle or skillet. Spoon the meat mixture over the rolls, topping with a slice of cheese if it makes your skirt fly up. Serve hot with kettle cooked chips!
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
