Welcome to the first and only web site devoted to the world famous horseshoe sandwich! What, you may be asking, is the world famous horseshoe sandwich? Or maybe if it’s world famous, why don’t I already know about it? We hope to answer these questions and more.
What is it? Aside from apple pie, the horseshoe is the finest conglomeration of food ever assembled. We call it a sandwich, but the label doesn’t do it justice. It’s so much more and so much less.
At its most basic, a horseshoe sandwich consists of two pieces of white toast covered by two pieces of sliced ham covered by a heaping portion of french fries covered by cheese sauce.
After you’ve scoured our pages for information, recipes and pictures, try some of our recipes yourself in your own home or if you are fortunate enough to pass through horseshoe country, you can stop by a horseshewery and have the whole experience without the work.
#1 by jay on September 7, 2009 - 8:33 am
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Finally! A site that’s been needed as much as Google or Yahoo.
#2 by Ken Sofer on September 16, 2009 - 6:04 pm
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Just read Jane and Michael Stern’s Gourmet Mag article about the horseshoe and was hungry for more info. Thanks
#3 by Robin Ford on December 17, 2009 - 1:51 pm
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I love the ponyshoes/horseshoes at the Virden Bowling Alley in Virden just south of Springfield, IL. They are great and use a yellow cheese sauce that is excellent. Best is the hamburger ponyshoe!!!
#4 by HeadTater on December 18, 2009 - 11:48 pm
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As a Springfield native, I applaud you! The Horseshoe is my favorite food ever (followed by Mel-O Cream donuts). In my opinion, Jungle Jim’s Cafe on North Peoria Rd is the best Horseshoe (since Red Coach is no longer with us). Darcy’s and Sgt Pepper’s are also great places to get a ‘shoe.
I love me a Buffalo Chicken Horseshoe! That, or Bacon!
#5 by vi on January 1, 2010 - 5:04 pm
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i live in maine now and they never heard of a horseshoe sandwich of course i was born and raised in illinois best food ever
#6 by Matt Springfield on April 16, 2010 - 4:52 pm
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Was the original horseshoe ham? I always thought hamburger horseshoes were the most basic form.
#7 by admin on May 11, 2010 - 8:39 am
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I’d say hamburger is the most popular or at least most common horseshoe today but the original was ham.
#8 by TopBreadFred on July 22, 2010 - 10:28 am
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This is an abomination! Putting bread underneath anything edible does not make it a sandwich.
#9 by ChiefIlliniwek on August 18, 2010 - 10:35 am
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I used to live in Spfld and went to all the great HS places (miss the Red Coach Inn on North Grand). But my favorite place for Horseshoes is in Macomb, IL (home of WIU). The Jackson Street Pub (on W. Jackson/Rt. 136) serves their Horseshoes/Ponys with kriss-cutt fries, which are fried up perfectly! My favorite Horseshoe there is the breaded Tenderloin Horseshoe. Yumm!
#10 by J0LLY JESTER on September 30, 2010 - 3:54 pm
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D&J cafe
915 W Laurel St
Springfield, IL 62704
The Breakfast Shoe with Scrambled eggs and sausage with half gravy and half cheese is my favorite.
#11 by Rob on November 16, 2010 - 1:32 pm
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Well I reside in Dallas now & people give me that “huh?!” look when I mention a horseshoe or a pony shoe (whimps!). We entertain every-so-often & We always get requests to do “those cheese-sauce-fry-sammich things” LOL. Bring back memories of first dates, homecoming & Prom @ Red Coach. We have been experimenting with the sauce for going on 6 years now… have several variations that rock. Breakfast-shoe is always a huge hit with the hung-over crowd.
#12 by Linda Bradley on January 9, 2011 - 5:40 pm
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Well, to each his own, but I have to say it does not look very appealing to me. And that’s an understatement!
#13 by Lisa Haggerty P on February 13, 2011 - 10:32 pm
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I grew up in Springfield, IL, and one of my favorite Horse Shoe cheese sauce recipes (equal to the one at the Red Coach Inn) was at the Steak and Shake on Wabash Avenue. The fact that their fries are skinny which allows for more cheese sauce between them also made it my favorite. I’m in Tennessee now and would love it if Steak and Shake would put the Horse Shoe on their nationwide menu so the rest of the country could enjoy this awsome dish, but mostly so I could get them anytime I want! They’d have to SWEAR not to use the canned cheese, though! (That would be a culinary SIN, an embarrassing misrepresentation of my hometown, a bastardization of something beautiful, and it would just ruin it for everybody! Can you feel my passion?…)
#14 by Holly on February 27, 2011 - 5:52 pm
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My father was born and raised in a small Springfield suburb (Riverton). We moved to Springfield in 1972 and Dad introduced us to the horseshoe sandwich. Over the years I’ve lived in many places and have shared the horseshoe sandwich with friends and family. It is a huge favorite with my sons, today. I’m still (after nearly 40 years) trying to perfect my cheese sauce! This is a classic, right up there with Buffalo wings.
#15 by Ron Paluska on March 13, 2011 - 10:11 pm
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Miss the good ole days at the Red Coach Inn when Wayne Coombs was there. Best shoe ever.
#16 by Beth James on June 2, 2011 - 10:42 am
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OMG, horseshoes are the BEST. I am from Springfield Illinois, but live in San Antonio, TX. My Springfield pleasures are horseshoes and Mel-o-Cream. I am in Springfield right now visiting family. I just ate my favorite donut and I hope to have my horseshoe today.
I tell people in Texas about this horseshoe thing and they think I’m crazy. They just have no idea. I have tried to make the cheese sauce and make horseshoes at home, but it’s just not the same. I would love to have one of our local restaurants give it a try. I think Texans would love these things.
Thanks for the website.
#17 by Terry b on July 4, 2011 - 9:35 pm
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Just had a horseshoe at the Virden Bowling Alley last week but used to eat them at The Grub-N-Pub in Girard. I also had one at Darcy Pint in Springfield…they have a wonderful white cheese sauce. Anyone have a good cheese sauce recipe? I no longer live in Illinois and miss my horseshoe.
#18 by Kim Varner on July 11, 2011 - 9:17 am
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I just had a horseshoe yesterday at the Steak and Shake in Springfield and I had to request it because it is no longer is on the menu but they will still make it for you. I had it with the two Steak n Shake patties on a open bun and 2 fried eggs with the great cheese sauce poured over and their skinny fries on top. My husband and I stumbled on to this years ago coming through Il on our way to St. Louis and then I saw them again on Triple D’s and decided I was going to see if Steak and Shake still had them next time we were through!!! Awsome breakfast and lunch sandwich!
#19 by GLORIA MUELLER on July 15, 2011 - 1:34 pm
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I WAS BORN AND GREW UP IN SPRINGFIELD, IL. I AM 77 YEARS OLD. WE FIRST HEARD OF THE HORSESHOE IN THE 40′S. MY FATHER SAID IT WAS THE CREATION OF THE CHEF AT THE LELAND HOTEL. LATER THE RED COACH HAD A GOOD SHOE. I AM TRYING TO GET SOMEONE I KNOW TO FEATURE IT IN HER NEW RESTAURANT.
#20 by Ken Burger on August 6, 2011 - 8:45 pm
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Horseshoe, Mel-O-Cream, Cozy Dog, Maid Rite, Dew/Den Chilli, need I say more?
#21 by Baskett on September 6, 2011 - 11:57 pm
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My favorite is the tomato and bacon horseshoe from Ritz’s Lil’ Fryer. The cheese sauce is thick, smooth, and delicious!
#22 by Jeff Hammond on October 19, 2011 - 3:26 pm
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I grew up in Macomb Illinois and a Pagliai’s Pizza used to serve what they called an “Italian Horseshoe”. Hamburger steak patty covered with fries, smothered with Spaghetti Sauce, and topped with melted Mozzerella cheese. I loved them. Someday I’d love to try the Springfield varieties.
#23 by Michael on November 11, 2011 - 1:49 pm
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I am originally from Springfield, IL, home of the great horseshoe, and have recently moved to the Marion, IL area and I cannot find a horseshoe anywhere!!!!! Please help. I really miss them so if anyone knows of a place in Southern Illinois please let me know! Michael.
#24 by faye on December 1, 2011 - 11:18 am
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I saw the horseshoe featured on food network this week and we are making our own tonight for the first time.I am from Texas living in Illinois and I know how friendly people are in Texas.To the lady that wants a restaurant there to make a horseshoe for her,”just ask”.I am sure someone down there will make you one.I have a deep fryer and a grill so am hoping our homemade ones will be good.
#25 by LoriAnn on December 29, 2011 - 9:37 pm
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I wish I could find a restaurant here in San Antonio, TX that I could bribe into making me one. I have the perfect cheese sauce recipe but can’t get the fries right. Probably because I use clean oil and a small fryer. But man oh man I would kill for one done right.
#26 by Kay Wren on January 12, 2012 - 7:53 pm
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I grew up about 1/2 way between Springfield & Decatur The Hoseshoe is the besy Sandwich on earth!
#27 by Mr. Pete's Cajun Spices on February 2, 2012 - 10:25 am
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Hello there! We first heard of the Horseshoe sandwich last night! A local Illinois restaurant was featured on Man vs. Food, and that’s where we first met this tower of goodness! Well, we haven’t actually met… yet! I just know this mountain of meat, starches, cheese, and yumminess will definitely satisfy my tastebuds for sure! I am looking forward to finding a cheese recipe that is similar to those served in Illinois, as to make it as close to an original as possible. I’ll be posting my experience and review on our fb page http://www.facebook.com/MrPetesCajunSpices.com. Thanks for your dedication to food! I am headed to your recipe page now to browse!
#28 by Mike on February 23, 2012 - 7:54 pm
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For the Texans in San Antonio, if you road trip up to Austin you can find a horseshoe at Hyde Park Bar & Grill. It’s not as good as in springfield, but it does ok when a craving hits.
#29 by michele on February 24, 2012 - 11:14 am
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i would love the recipe for the sandwich so i can make one for my son in law who now lives in florida but adores the sandwich. help.
#30 by Avis on February 28, 2012 - 8:59 am
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In Chatham, about 40 years ago is where I heard and had horeshoes/ponyshoes for the first time in my memory. My parents ate them at LLoyds Tavern, and they were cooked by a lady I beleive was named Ruth, could be wrong on that I know her daughters name was Ruthie.
Oh to have one again made just that way, i would give a kidney!!
#31 by John Maldaner on March 15, 2012 - 8:53 am
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Reading these comments is nostalgic! In the mid-80′s I was a salesman for Kraft Foodservice. The Red Coach Inn was one of my largest accounts. The bought a LOT of Kraft Old English cheese to make their cheese sauce. I was born in Springfield, but now live in Kentucky. I am still in the foodservice business and have introduced this dish several places! Having traveled back to Springfield and discovering that the Red Coach is no longer their really bothered me.
#32 by jim dey on July 5, 2012 - 2:39 pm
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Loved the horseshoe at NorbAndy’s in the downtown.
#33 by Marco on July 13, 2012 - 2:53 am
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Greetings from Springfield,Illinois!I am a chef who was born and raised here…In 1998 my cheese sauce recipe won the city shoe cook off…I was taught the recipe by a great chef named Wally Beck who also grew up here and who learned it from an old timer who I cannot recall his name…anyway,this old timer had worked at the old Leland Hotel where it started…the sauce is a white Welsh rarebit style,I make mine with Bass Ale…anyone who is sincere enough to care to send me a SASE i will happily send you the recipe…my address is 1741 Holmes,Spfld,Illinois 62704.
#34 by Kerstin on October 11, 2012 - 12:08 pm
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If you go online to Springfield’s State Journal Register, you can get the cheese sauce recipe link below. http://extras.sj-r.com/recipes/recipe/133/
For those of you in Texas with the french fry issue… I use this sauce and whataburger fries! I have even made the sauce and the opened a double whataburger plain then poured the sauce and topped with fries! Delish!
#35 by Sandi Hennessey on October 22, 2012 - 4:12 pm
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We are from New Berlin just outside of Springfield, Il. I now live in Arizona and they look at you like you are crazy at the mention of a horseshoe sandwich. My favorite was the breaded pork tenderloin and John’s Supper Club. The Best!
#36 by Sandi Hennessey on October 22, 2012 - 4:13 pm
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We are from New Berlin just outside of Springfield, Il. I now live in Arizona and they look at you like you are crazy at the mention of a horseshoe sandwich. My favorite was the breaded pork tenderloin at John’s Supper Club. The Best!
#37 by Chica-Chica-Go-Go! on January 17, 2013 - 4:32 pm
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For all those native Springfieldians who have become Chicago transplants – there is a bar in Bucktown called 6 Degrees that serves a pretty darn good shoe. I am not affiliated with the place, but when I saw this on Google I thought I could share. makes me feel at home when I’m in there. The owner is from Springfield, and a number of the waiting staff are from the central Illinois area as well. Check it out!
#38 by bsuttie on February 7, 2013 - 7:43 pm
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Reuben Horseshoe at Dublin Pub when it was in T&C Shopping Center, Springfield. To die for. Unfortunately had go give up horseshoes, but have been known to steal a bit. Hard habit to break. Hey – does anyone make butter cakes anymore? Smelling them would make my sugar levels go up!