The scene: Philadelphia has its cheesesteak, New York its pastrami on rye, and New Orleans its Po-Boy, but in Iowa, the regional sandwich of choice is the “loose meat.” This unique sandwich is also widely known as a “Maid-Rite,” because it is most associated with the 85-year old Maid-Rite chain, which probably invented it. The company is based in Iowa but now has more than 80 locations all throughout the Midwest, Plains states and Texas.
Today Maid-Rite has gone a bit corporate in trying to compete with the national chains, and its lengthy menu includes not only classic loose meat sandwiches, but variations including Philly, chili, bacon, and many more, plus unrelated dishes like corn dogs, fish sandwiches, burritos, pizza-ritos, sweet potato fries, taco salads, and even a loose-meat wrap. Continue reading.