National Sloppy Joe Day is observed each year on March 18th.
One of America’s all-time favorite hot sandwiches, it is often made with ground beef, onions, tomato sauce, brown sugar, cola or maple syrup to sweeten it and seasonings to spice it, all served up on a hamburger bun or roll.
There are different claims to the origin of the sloppy joe. In Havana, Cuba in the 1930s there was a genuine bartender who gained popularity with vacationers who went by the name of Sloppy Joe. He earned his name for his less than enthusiastic way of cleaning the bar. He was, however, an attentive bartender, and the bar was a hot spot for the jet set.
However, no mention is found in papers from the era of a hot sandwich on the menu matching the description of a Sloppy Joe, and the man of the same name retired to Spain in 1933.
Another claim on the sandwich at the Ye Olde Tavern Inn by Abraham and Bertha Kaled in Sioux City, Iowa, that had a loose meat sandwich on their menu in 1934.
Whoever brought the Sloppy Joe to the world, it was made more convenient when in 1969 Hunt’s put it in a can and called itManwich.
Today many families have their own secret recipes that make their Sloppy Joes special. Whether it’s an unusual spice, a unique sweetener or a homemade tomato sauce, a Sloppy Joe lends itself to originality and personality. A new flavor is just around the corner. In the south, you might come across a barbeque flavor while in the north Sloppy Joe might be a little sweeter. Whatever your flavor, it is certainly an all-American food holiday!
HOW TO OBSERVE
Enjoy one of the following Sloppy Joe recipes:
Super Sloppy Joes
Sloppy Joes
Crockpot Sloppy Joe Sandwiches for a Crowd
Sloppy Joes II
Gumbo Sloppy Joes
Sloppy Joes with Chicken Gumbo
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