Maid Rites, or loose meat sandwiches, are a super quick and easy dinner that your family is sure to love. These ground beef sandwiches are a staple in Iowa and throughout the Midwest, now you can have one of these classic sandwiches at home no matter where you live!
If you are looking for a super simple dinner for a busy night, this maid rite recipe is definitely a great answer. Maid rite sandwiches are one of those dinners that nobody complains about and it will likely take you longer to make the sides than the main dish.
Plus this recipe scales so easily, so they are perfect for parties too.
What Are Maid Rites?
Have you ever had a maid rite? They are a classic in the Midwest, especially if you live anywhere near Iowa.
If you are unfamiliar, maid rites are a loose meat sandwich made from ground beef. It’s like a sloppy joe without the tomato sauce.
Or you could say they are like a hamburger, but in little pieces rather than a patty. And while it is a little bit like both of those, it is also something completely different and wonderful.
It is quicker and easier to make than either a sloppy joe or a hamburger and possibly more fun to eat too. There is just something about a good maid rite sandwich that makes in extra good.
Maid-Rite Restaurants
There is a chain of restaurants here in the Midwest that is famous for them. In fact they share the same name as the sandwich.
The original Maid-Rite restaurant was opened in Iowa in 1926. You can find franchises throughout Illinois and a few in Missouri as well.
I have never been to any of the others, but I am sure the one in our town is best. It is definitely a fixture here.
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In addition to the namesake sandwiches, they make the most fabulous from scratch pies. They have quite the list of pies available each day and choosing one is the hardest part.
I used to always go for one with a mile high meringue. There is just something about getting a pie topped with a fluffy white cloud!
Maid rites don’t have to be reserved for the restaurant though, they are easy to make at home. In fact we had them quite a bit during my childhood.
Just like the restaurant at home!
This Maid Rite recipe has just the right balance of flavors. It’s simple enough but still really flavorful.
What to Put on Your Maid Rite
The toppings are definitely a matter of taste. A lot of people swear by just mustard and diced onions.
I prefer mine plain or with dill pickle slices. My husband likes ketchup, mustard, and a slice of American cheese.
Little Dude likes ketchup and cheese. The cheese technically makes them a cheese rite, but we won’t split hairs.
Can I make maid rites in a Crockpot?
Yes, you can make a bigger batch of Crockpot Maid Rites if you want. Or use a Crockpot to keep the filling you made in a skillet warm.
Once the meat mixture is fully cooked, you can keep it warm in a slow cooker for several hours. This is an easy recipe to double or triple if making it for a crowd!
If you are looking for some fun side dishes to go with your maid rites, there are lots of great options. May I suggest some classic french fries, instant pot mac and cheese or maybe some loaded baked beans.
So grab some ground beef and buns. These maid rites are a perfect busy night dinner that are sure to make their way into your rotation.
Maid Rite Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ¼ cup diced onion
- ¼ cup water
- 1 Tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
Instructions
- Stir all of the ingredients together in a large skillet.
- Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until meat is cooked through and most of the liquid is evaporated, about 15 minutes.
- Adjust salt to your liking. Then pile the beef mixture on soft buns and enjoy.
Notes
Video
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There is no WOR sauce in a maidrite nir is there mustard or onion. This is a loose meat sandwich but it is not a Maidrite. The meat for Maidrites is steamed and no, no one gave the recipe to anyone. The mix for a true Maidrite comes pre packaged to the restaurants. The cooks don’t have a recipe. If anyone did , it wouldn’t be so hard to match it at home. After all these years, we’d all have it.
It’s better to first cook the ground beef in some water, so the meat loosens up nicely with no clumps. I add a little beef flavoring to the water to enhance the flavor.
Both are great ideas. There is a little water in this mix to help keep the beef relatively small.
I grew up in Muscatine, and ate Maid-Rites all the time. Two ladies (sisters) who worked at the 1st one established on Cedar St. also babysat my cousins, and gave the actual recipe to my aunt, who passed it on to my mother (and, of course, I got it from there).
These are the best loose-meat sandwiches ever! I remember the shops sold A&W Root Beer. The sandwiches were normally topped with just dill pickle slices. You could have melted cheese if you wanted, usually served with french fries, and the desserts were to die for!
They are legendary for sure. Ours has crinkle cut fries and really good pies to go with the sandwiches.
@Sharry, can you share please what IS the ORIGINAl recipe? I remember at our house we browned the beef, added onions of course and then ketchup, mustard and then the buns. Nothing else. ( from Fort Dodge Iowa Thanks as I want to pass on to my family the original version as well as my own way we made it at our house.
Sherry
I had never heard the term Made Rite or knew it was a franchise. Mmmm sounds and looks so good! Have a great day!
It is definitely a regional thing, but they are really good!
Here's a little clarification on the Maid-rite. It is still an active chain of franchised restaurants, in the Midwest. A butcher, Fred Angell, invented them in 1926, in Muscatine, Iowa. My mother worked in the second of Mr Angell's restaurants in Muscatine, in 1936, at the age of 16. Growing up there, Maid-rite's were definitely our favorite burgers. Mr Angell's second restaurant also featured another first, in the US, Car-Hops!
We still have a maidright in Illinois about 40 miles away stop there a few times a year still great food but I still order mine with cheese 😊
Ours is in Illinois too! Cheeserites are soooo good!
Maidrites were a restaurant chain in Iowa owned by our neighbor Clayton Blue. While your recipe is similar it did not contain soy sauce sugar or mustard. We make them at our house on a regular basis. Lots of ways to change them up no matter how you season them. The meat is great on a salad my
kids like American cheese melted in the meat.
We all tend to put our own touches on these simple recipes. Now my husband wants your melted American cheese version! (actually we all do!)
Taco Bell: Bellbeefers…
Hmmm! Now I want one of those too!
A classic! Love your idea of topping with some jalapenos!
It's a fun way to liven it up!
I love Maid-Rite's and it's obvious you have never had an original one. The proper way is plain browned and steamed ground beef, served on a bun with chopped raw onions and mustard. Period. It's funny but I hate raw onions and mustard, except on this sandwich, it just works. To top the whole meal off, you need a chocolate malt. I'm a former Iowa girl, who unfortunatly doesn't live near a Maid-Rite any longer.
It's funny how we all put our own little spin on things. Now I am craving a malt!
A Maid-Rite has more ingredients besides ground beef. Most people don’t know the secret ingredient.
I've heard some rumors as to what the secret ingredient is in the restaurant's maid rites. We really like this homemade version as it's easy and yummy!
@Roz, don’t brown the meat for true Maidrite….it’s steamed.
@Roz,
Lived in Cedar Rapids from birth to 45 yrs. Grew up on those wonderful sandwiches. Fortunately still in Iowa after 15 yrs elaewhere, but a real shortage of shops these days.
@Roz, your recipe is how I remember they made them. My son worked there while in high school and he said they steamed the meat.