When you think of the Midwest, I am sure there are a few foods that stick out as pretty midwestern. Puppy Chow. Pulled Pork. Pork Tenderloins. Iowa Pork Chops. Casey’s Pizza. Iowa Sweet Corn. And of course, Maid Rites. If you live in California, do you even know what a Maid Rite is? I mean, have you truly lived if you haven’t tried a Maid Rite?
And if you think that a Maid Rite is the same thing as a sloppy joe, then you are about to be schooled, my friend.
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Help us sustain our podcast and keep us trying foods like these!
Which Maid Rite menu items are we trying out today?
Classic Maid Rite
Chili Cheese Rite
The Panther
French Fries
Onion Rings
Cheese Curds
Who is on this yummy yummy quest?
Nate, come at me, bruh!
Alan, ready to fight.
Matt, rawr.
Amy, damn cheese curds.
And of course, our subscribers! Thanks to our small, yet coveted group. We appreciate the support. You too can join us on this food journey. All you need to do is… SUBSCRIBE!
The History of Maid Rite
The original Maid-Rite sandwich was invented in Muscatine, Iowa in 1926.
A butcher named Fred Angell was working on a new concept for a sandwich, trying to get the just right combination of a special cut and grind of meat, the perfect blend of spices, and the just right consistency to make something different. He steamed the hamburger instead of frying it, added the spices and offered one of his sandwiches to a delivery man who declared, “This sandwich is made right!”
The first Maid-Rite restaurant opened that year. Sandwiches were sold from a walk-up window.
Within two years, Angell began selling franchises, with the first two opening in Newton, Iowa and Marshalltown, Iowa in 1928, making it one of America’s first quick service casual dining franchise restaurants (only being beat out by White castle in 1921 and A&W in 1920). As a franchise, Maid-Rite spread largely through word of mouth. These franchises ran and continue to run with an owner-operator strategy, meaning most of the restaurants you go to are going to be fairly independent. Angells original special seasoning was required to be used, but beyond that, there was not much stipulation in the franchise agreement. And this is what helped many of the stores survive through the boom of fast food chains like McDonalds and Burger King. Many of the existing locations today are a staple in the community and feels like you get something unique and special.
The Results
**SPOILER ALERT!**
Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!
6th Place: French Fries
Alan - 4
Amy - 4
Matt- 6
Nate - 4
5th/4th Place (Tie!): Onion Rings
Alan - 9
Amy - 7
Matt- 7
Nate - 6
5th/4th Place (Tie!): The Panther
Alan - 8
Amy - 5
Matt - 8
Nate - 8
3rd Place: Cheese Curds
Alan - 9
Amy - 5
Matt - 8
Nate - 9
2nd Place: Chili Cheese Maid Rite
Alan - 9
Amy - 7
Matt - 8
Nate - 8
1st Place: Classic Maid Rite
Alan - 9
Amy - 10
Matt - 7
Nate - 7
There you have it. The Classic Maid Rite receives the Quest for the Best seal of approval.
Check out their website to find a location near you!
https://maid-rite.com/locations.php
Thank you all for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Which is your favorite Maid Rite or side? We would love to know your rating!
Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.
And of course, remember to subscribe to hear the latest episodes. And chip in on the podcast! Whatever value you get out of this entertainment, send it back our way. We thank you for the support!
SHOW NOTES:
https://qctimes.com/the-history-of-maid-rite/article_a5c5f160-e760-11df-b1b9-001cc4c03286.html
https://www.maidrite.com/about-us/our-history
http://maid-rite.com/history.php
https://khak.com/maid-rite-iowa/
https://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/93/Maid-Rite-Corporation.html
RESTAURANT EPISODE: Maid Rite!