These 9 Restaurants Serve The Best Horseshoe Sandwiches In All Of Illinois
By Elizabeth Crozier|Published February 16, 2018
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Elizabeth Crozier
Author
An Illinois transplant who grew up and went to school in Indiana for 22 years, Elizabeth holds a BFA in creative writing and has enjoyed traveling across the country and parts of Europe. She has visited half of the states, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and regularly travels home to the Hoosier State to see friends and family. With more than five years of writing experience, Elizabeth’s articles have been featured on several websites, and her poetry and short stories have been published in multiple literary journals.
If you’re scratching your head wondering how people eat horseshoes, get out of Illinois right now. Anyone who claims to be a true Illinoisan will know that horseshoe sandwiches are one of the best things about the state. Though some restaurants offer variations, typically, they begin with a slice of bread with a hamburger patty on top. Then fries are piled on top before cheese sauce is poured all over.
This amazing sandwich originated in Springfield, but you can find them all over the state if you look hard enough. Make sure you get a chance to try one of these amazing things. Here are the nine best places to get them:
This daily diner is known for some of the best breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals in town, and of course some of the best horseshoe sandwiches. It lets you use alternatives to the burger patty, such as tenderloins, chicken tenders, Italian beef, and bacon. It is topped with rare bit white cheese and shoestring fries.
Founded in 2001, this downtown pub serves lunch, dinner, and late night eats that draw people in until 4 a.m. The open-faced sandwich is one of the biggest in the state and can be made with any number of meats.
3. The Frosty Mug Bar & Grill (1113 Salem Road in Mount Vernon)
Locals have been calling this BBQ spot home since 1989. You know the horseshoe sandwiches have to be good at a smokehouse. This one comes with two beef patties and Cheddar cheese sauce, and patrons can add bacon.
This Bucktown neighborhood eatery is a little-known restaurant that is passionate about this classic Illinois dish. Here, patrons can choose from turkey burgers, chicken, ham, pulled pork, and other meats to replace the burger patty, if desired.
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5. Charlie Parker's (700 North Street in Springfield)
Established in 1991, this iconic diner is a must-visit next time you're stopping through our state's capital. Their version of Illinois' iconic dish is called a breakfast shoe, and it is made with eggs on toast topped with a choice of meat (bacon, ham, or sausage) and then smothered with gravy, cheese, or both and topped with hash browns or french fries.
6. Obed & Issac's Microbrewery and Eatery (321 NE Madison Avenue in Peoria)
Set in a historic 1889 church, this beautiful restaurant is a great place to find yourself for lunch or dinner any day of the week. Its infamous horseshoe sandwich is made with thick-sliced bread and a choice of meat like lamb burger, turkey burger, veggie burger, corned beef, and chicken. It is then covered in cheese and topped with fries.
7. Boones Saloon (301 W Edwards Street in Springfield)
A great place for special occasions or a night out with friends, this bar serves amazing horseshoe sandwiches you must try. They start with grilled sourdough and a choice of meat like bacon, chicken breast, pulled pork, and more. Atop the heaping pile of fries, guests can choose to have the regular house cheese or a spicy variety.
8. Honest Abe's Tap and Grill (3585 N State Route 47 in Morris)
Abraham Lincoln fans can't get enough of this fun eatery. Its delicious horseshoe is called the Springfield Shoe and it starts out the same way as any other with a choice of tenderloin, Philly steak, garlic pork, beef, ham, bacon, or egg. Next are fries and cheese for a marvelous meal you'll crave for days.
Best known for its award-winning fried chicken, this restaurant serves just about anything you could possibly be hungry for. The Wagon Shoe is made with Texas toast, a choice of meat (hamburger, grilled or breaded chicken, or pork tenderloin), fries, cheese, and bacon. You don't want to miss these flavors.
