FAQs
While those tavern favorites were generally composed of seasoned ground beef on a bun (optionally topped with ketchup, mustard and pickles), Joe's addition of tomato sauce brought the sloppy into the equation, and emerged as an affordable comfort food staple that is still around today.
Why is Sloppy Joe so sloppy? ›
Some attribute the original Sloppy Joe to a cafe in Sioux City, Iowa, where, many years ago, in 1930 a cook named Joe added tomato sauce to his “loose meat” sandwiches. Voila: a new between-the-bread offering, and the sandwich's official name.
What is the history of the Sloppy Joe? ›
Many believe the Sloppy Joe is the namesake of a Sioux City, Iowa cook, who in 1930, combined the regionally popular loose meat sandwich with tomato sauce. It's less messy predecessor, the loose meat sandwich is a Midwestern favorite of steamed or sauteed ground beef, onions, mustard and pickles.
What is the story of Sloppy Joes? ›
Heinz in Pittsburgh, says their research at the Carnegie Library suggests that the sloppy joe's origins lie with the "loose meat sandwiches" sold in Sioux City, Iowa, in the 1930s and were the creation of a cook named Joe.
What is sloppy joe slang for? ›
noun. a sandwich of ground beef cooked in a spicy tomato or barbecue sauce and usually served on a bun. a baggy, overlarge sweater originally worn by girls and young women in the 1940s. a man or youth whose appearance is habitually slovenly.
How do you make Sloppy Joes less sloppy? ›
Baking soda helps keep the ground beef moist and tender, and incorporating baking soda into the finely chopped onion causes the onion to soften rapidly so it nearly melts into the sauce. Cornstarch thickens the sauce and binds up any fat, creating a silky-smooth, cohesive texture.
What is the New Jersey version of Sloppy Joe? ›
There are minor variations depending on the deli, but it is always a double-decker thin sliced rye bread sandwich made with one or more types of sliced deli meat, such as turkey, ham, pastrami, corned beef, roast beef, or sliced beef tongue, along with Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and Russian dressing.
What is the difference between sloppy Joe and sloppy Jane? ›
If you're aiming to eat a lower-fat diet, then consider fixing yourself a sloppy jane. This variant on the sloppy joe swaps out regular ground beef for leaner beef. It also places a higher focus on vegetables and other low-calorie ingredients.
Why is Sloppy Joe's famous? ›
A Tradition - Sloppy Joe's Bar
This iconic Key West bar's claim to fame was its famous patron, Ernest Hemingway, who frequented the saloon for some Scotch and good conversation on rest from travel. There have been years of controversy pertaining to accurate history and credit for being Hemingway's number one bar.
What is a fun fact about sloppy joes? ›
Some sources allege that the original "Joe" was a master cook from Iowa, who guarded the recipe of his best dish until he was on his deathbed. Others yet claim that "Joe" wasn't a cook but rather the name of a restaurant — and that the first "Sloppy Joe" was really a casual eatery in Florida's Key West.
Let's just say that sloppy joes aren't just kid-friendly. They are 100% a family-favorite for EVERYONE including all grown-ups. I mean, saucy, tender ground beef goodness with a hint of sweetness served on toasted brioche buns?
Why is a jumper called a sloppy joe? ›
You've probably seen these comfortable jumpers, but just didn't know their name. The history of this simple jumper started with male Ivy League students, who wore oversized, sloppy-style sweaters to show their superiority. A bit later Sloppy Joes gain popularity among women and create a new way to emphasize femininity.
Why do they ring the bell at Sloppy Joe's? ›
The tip bell (which is rung with gusto when a generous tip is received) is from a Coast Guard cutter boat. Big Skinner used the bat to keep the bar in order in the 30s and 40s.
What is the fancy name for sloppy joes? ›
Some other names for sloppy joes include: barbecues, dynamites, gulash, sloppy janes, slushburgers, steamers, wimpies, and yum yums. What do you call sloppy joes where you live? Just like the many names for sloppy joes, you'll also find all sorts of variations on the recipe.
Who invented sloppy joes? ›
Sloppy Joes are largely believed to be the creation of a cook in Sioux City, Iowa. Named, yes, Joe, he based his treat on the loose meat sandwiches that were popular in the 1930's.
What do people in Wisconsin call sloppy joes? ›
How "hot tamale" became the name for sloppy Joes in these Wisconsin communities is so far a mystery. The name was solidified through decades of Sheboygan and Manitowoc school lunch menus, though "sloppy Joe" has come into use now.
What is Sloppy Joe supposed to taste like? ›
A Sloppy Joe is a beloved American sandwich made from ground beef cooked in a tangy and slightly sweet tomato-based sauce and served on a hamburger bun. The name “sloppy” aptly describes the sandwich's messy nature, as the filling tends to spill out of the bun.
What's the difference between a Sloppy Joe and a sloppy Jane? ›
The stuffed pepper sloppy joe is another combo that mixes the sandwich with another popular dish, swapping buns for bell peppers. If you're aiming to eat a lower-fat diet, then consider fixing yourself a sloppy jane. This variant on the sloppy joe swaps out regular ground beef for leaner beef.
Who invented sloppy? ›
There is one camp that believes the sloppy joes evolved from loose meat sandwiches that were introduced by Floyd Angell, the founder of the Maid-Rite Restaurants, in 1926. Others credit a cafe cook named Joe for the first loose meat sandwich in Sioux City, Iowa in which the test kitchens at H.J.
What is the sloppy Joe sauce made of? ›
What is the sloppy joe sauce made of? It's made with ketchup, brown sugar, tomato paste, Worcestershire, chili powder, garlic, dry mustard, and a little Tobasco (if you want). That sauce coats the ground beef, onion, and bell pepper to make the filling.