Signature Horseshoe | Springfield, Illinois | Visit Springfield
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    SIGNATURE HORSESHOE

Springfield offers up one of the most filling sandwiches in the Midwest.

This unique open-faced sandwich is definitely a must!!
Just know, it will blow your diet...but, it is so worth it!

Start off with two thick slices of toasted Texas Toast, topped with your choice of meat, then cover that with a heaping pile of crispy French fries and drench with homemade cheese sauce!! WOW!! This signature dish can be found at most local restaurants who serve pub & American-style food.

Click on the Image to View the Horseshoe Trail



History Behind the Recipe

The Signature Horseshoe Sandwich was created in 1928 at the Old Leland Hotel by Joe Schweska.
The idea came about with the help of Elizabeth, Chef Schweska's wife, after he came home saying he was in need of a new lunch item for the Leland Hotel Restaurant.
The name "horseshoe" was derived from the shape of the cut of ham used in the original sandwich.
The French fries represent the nails of the shoe, and the sizzle platter represents the hot anvil.

It wasn't until the 1939 Christmas Edition of the State Journal Register that Chef Schweska finally revealed the secret recipe.

Try your hand at making a Horseshoe from home

INGREDIENTS (THE SAUCE IS KEY):
2 egg yolks
1/2 cup beer
2 tablespoons butter
3 cups grated sharp Old English Cheddar or Colby Longhorn cheese
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 dash cayenne pepper

DIRECTIONS:
Beat the egg yolks and beer together. Melt the butter and cheese over boiling water, stirring in one direction only with a wooden spoon. Add the seasonings. Stirring constantly, add the beer and egg mixture a little at a time. Keep the mixture piping hot as you stir, but don't let it bubble. Constant stirring and the very best cheese will yield a smooth, uncurdled mixture.
The sandwich is made by laying two pieces of toast on a preheated platter, place the meat on the toast, covering the entire sandwich with cheese sauce, and circling the platter with french fries. Add a dash of paprika for color and you have yourself a horseshoe.

Download your copy of the recipe here.

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Award Winning Breakfast Shoe

Charlie Parkers Diner won $25,000 for winning the Thomas Breakfast Battle recipe competition in 2015. They won by submitting the Breakfast Horseshoe recipe. The recipe consisted of eggs, bacon, cheese sauce, sausage gravy and hash browns piled on top of the English Muffin.

Charlie Parkers

Horseshoes on TV

D'Arcys Pint was featured on the Travel Channel's Man vs Food.

Charlie Parker's was featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives.

Maldaner's was featured on the Food Network.

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Horseshoes In Books

'Springfield's Celebrated Horseshoe Sandwich' by Carolyn Harmon and Tony Leone
Buy your copy here.

'100 Things to Do in Springfield, IL Before You Die' by Penny Zimmerman-Wills
Buy your copy here.