The Difference Between A Sloppy Joe And A Sloppy Otto Sandwich (2024)

Matthew Wilson

·3-min read

When it comes to American staples, the sloppy joe stands alongside the Philly cheesesteak and peanut butter and jelly sandwich. This instantly recognizable dish is also endlessly customizable, which means there are plenty of variations out there. At its most basic, the original sloppy joe recipe calls for loose ground beef mixed with a tomato-based sauce served on two buns. The little-known sloppy otto takes that recipe and gives it a new twist. While on a surface level, the sloppy otto and sloppy joe appear similar, they are distinctly different sandwiches from each other with very few ingredients in common.

Instead of ground beef, the sloppy otto calls for minced spicy sausage as its meat. The pork sausage is mixed with onion, green and yellow sweet peppers, and topped off with cheese. This gives the sandwich a cheesy tang and a vastly different mouthfeel compared to the saucy sweetness of the tomato-based sloppy joe. Additionally, sauerkraut is typically added as a relish to the sloppy otto, giving the sandwich a bitter crunch that adds additional depth of flavor. A pretzel bun brings the whole thing together. But, while the sloppy otto is its own distinct recipe, it does owe some credit to the sloppy joe for paving the way.

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History Of The Sloppy Otto

Unlike the sloppy joe, you won't find a cultural movement behind the sloppy otto. The sandwich is a more niche variant that lacks the same storied history as the original. While the sloppy otto is a German twist on the classic American sandwich, it doesn't have the same cultural relevance in Germany. So don't go to Berlin and try to order the sandwich, or you might receive some confused glances. Instead, it appears to derive from an old family recipe passed down through generations.

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Both the sloppy otto and sloppy joe share a historical murkiness. While the origins of the sloppy otto are unknown, sloppy joes have several competing stories. For instance, one tale suggests a chef named Joe invented the sandwich in Sioux City, Iowa, in the 1930s. He added tomato sauce to a loose meat sandwich, and thus, the sloppy joe was born. Other stories suggest that the sandwich originates from Sloppy Joe's bar, either in Havana or Key West, Florida. Whatever the truth, sloppy joes and sloppy ottos arose from the prevalence of loose meat sandwiches, which became increasingly popular in the 1800s.

Other Variations Of Sloppy Joes

The Difference Between A Sloppy Joe And A Sloppy Otto Sandwich (3)

The sloppy otto is just one variant of the sloppy joe. From a certain viewpoint, you could consider a sloppy joe just a saucy take on the loose meat sandwich, which is ground beef combined with Worcestershire sauce and onions. If you find a traditional sloppy joe too saucy, then try a meaty sloppy joe recipe. Alternatively, you can add bell pepper and ketchup to make a ground beef sloppy joe.

However, if you're adventurous, there are bolder takes on the sloppy joe than even the sloppy otto. Take the deep dish sloppy joe, which combines ground beef and tomato sauce with traditional pizza elements for a blend between sandwich and pizza. 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. It also places a higher focus on vegetables and other low-calorie ingredients. While there are plenty of variants of the sandwich, the sloppy otto stands out distinctly because it swaps ground beef for pork sausage.

Read the original article on Daily Meal.

The Difference Between A Sloppy Joe And A Sloppy Otto Sandwich (2024)

FAQs

The Difference Between A Sloppy Joe And A Sloppy Otto Sandwich? ›

Instead of ground beef, the sloppy otto calls for minced spicy sausage as its meat. The pork sausage is mixed with onion, green and yellow sweet peppers, and topped off with cheese. This gives the sandwich a cheesy tang and a vastly different mouthfeel compared to the saucy sweetness of the tomato-based sloppy joe.

What's the difference between a loose meat sandwich and sloppy joe? ›

From a certain viewpoint, you could consider a sloppy joe just a saucy take on the loose meat sandwich, which is ground beef combined with Worcestershire sauce and onions. If you find a traditional sloppy joe too saucy, then try a meaty sloppy joe recipe.

What's the difference between a sloppy joe and a sloppy Jane? ›

Our Sloppy Jane recipe is a healthy cross between chili and Sloppy Joes that makes great sandwiches. This is a hearty sandwich is made with ground turkey or ground chicken so it is lighter and lower in calories.

What is another name for a sloppy joe sandwich? ›

Manwich, slush burger, yum yums, dynamite, spoonburgers, tavern sandwich; a Sloppy Joe can be called by many other names. The most well-known however is Manwich.

What's the difference between a sloppy joe and a manwich? ›

Sloppy Joes are the sandwich, while Manwich is the store-bought canned sloppy joe sauce, produced by ConAgra Foods and Hunt's. What is this? While the brand markets this product as a quick and easy one-pan meal, I strongly recommend you make the sauce from scratch.

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 another name for a loose meat sandwich? ›

You call them Maid-Rites, after the ubiquitous Maid-Rite chain of restaurants that claims to have invented them. You might call them tavern sandwiches. Or just plain old loose meats.

What do people in Wisconsin call sloppy joes? ›

sloppy Joes. Some in southeastern and central Wisconsin call these "barbecue" sandwiches. For those who say Spanish hamburger, there's a good chance they grew up in the Fox Cities. Outside of Wisconsin, sloppy Joe is the dominant name.

Why do they call it a sloppy joe? ›

The sandwich may have begun as a variation of the loose meat sandwiches that were popular in the 1950s. According to legend, a cook named Joe at Floyd Angell's café in Sioux City, Iowa, added tomato sauce to his “loose meat” sandwiches. Some believe this is how the sloppy joe sandwich was born.

What does sloppy joe mean in slang? ›

a man or youth whose appearance is habitually slovenly.

How to make sloppy joe taste better? ›

Add Veggies: Diced bell peppers, zucchini, spinach, or shredded carrot, can easily be added to this recipe and your kids won't even notice a difference. Hawaiian Sloppy Joes: Substitute more BBQ sauce for the ketchup and add 8 oz., drained crushed pineapple.

What is a sloppy joe in England? ›

The sloppy Joe really lives up to its name: rich, tomato-sauced minced beef is piled messily and generously into a burger bun so that it spills out over the sides. These are great served with fries or even crisps, but whatever you do, don't forget the napkins.

What is the difference between bold and regular sloppy joe? ›

The majority used ground beef in the sauce - a concoction of tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, garlic and spices - and made it into sandwiches. Food scientist Bill Skinner occasionally buys Hunt's Manwich Sloppy Joe Sauce and described the bold version as being a little sweeter with more tomato flavor.

What is a loose meat sandwich from Roseanne? ›

— tonight, on ABC), when Roseanne, Jackie and crew opened up a small restaurant in their Illinois town, calling it the Lanford Lunch Box. Their specialty? These simple sandwiches — crumbled, cooked ground beef, onion, and little else besides salt and pepper, scooped up and piled high on a hamburger bun.

Is a loose meat sandwich a real thing? ›

A tavern sandwich (also called a loose meat sandwich or loosemeat) is a sandwich consisting of ground beef on a bun, sometimes mixed with sauteed onions, and sometimes topped with pickles, ketchup, mustard, raw onions, and/or cheese.

What is the famous loose meat sandwich in Iowa? ›

Maid-Rite. Maid-Rite might be a popular colloquial name for a finely-ground loose-meat sandwich, but the only official Maid-Rites are sold at one of around 30 eateries — 17 of which are in Iowa, along with corporate headquarters.

What is considered a sloppy joe? ›

At its core, the Sloppy Joe consists of three basic elements — ground beef, tossed with a sweet, tomato-rich sauce (made with ketchup, chili sauce, or actual tomato sauce), and piled on a squishy white bun.

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