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.

Read more: The 6 Best And 6 Worst Grocery Stores To Buy Produce From

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.

ADVERTIsem*nT

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

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

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

A Tavern Sandwich, also known as a Loose Meat Sandwich, is remarkably similar to a Sloppy Joe, but without the tomato sauce or ketchup. Sloppy Joes are a must-try for meat lovers looking for a great, uncomplicated sandwich to enjoy on any occasion.

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.

What's 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 exactly is a sloppy joe? ›

A Sloppy Joe is a sandwich consisting of ground beef and onions in a tomato-based sauce served on a hamburger bun. The sandwich likely originated in Sioux City, Iowa in the 1930s. According to legend, the "loose meat sandwich" was the creation of a cook named Joe.

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.

Are loose meat sandwiches real? ›

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 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.

What is a dead Texan sandwich? ›

Two Texas toast grilled cheese sandwiches with 1/3 lb. burger, 1 egg, 2 slices of bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, jalapenos, and peppercorn mayo in between.

What is a ricky sandwich? ›

Rikitaki and Frikitaki are street sandwiches, the first consumed mainly in Santiago and other northern cities, the latter in Santo Domingo. They're made with Pan de agua – a common baguette-type bread – cabbage, green tomatoes or onions, ground beef or salami, and egg. By Wendy Soto - Last reviewed Feb 24, 2024 .

Why aren t chicken sandwiches called burgers? ›

A bun with a cooked chicken breast as filling would generally be called a chicken sandwich in the U.S., but in the UK and other Commonwealth or former colonial countries, such a dish is not generally considered a sandwich, and would generally be called a chicken burger instead; most Americans would not consider such a ...

What is a fancy name for a sloppy joe? ›

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 is the difference between sloppy joe and New Jersey sloppy joe? ›

You probably know the background of the NJ Sloppy Joe and how it differs from what the rest of the country calls the sandwich of the same name. The NJ version is not ground beef in a sauce on a bun. It's a double decker on rye with a combination of deli meats, cole slaw, Russian dressing and, sometimes, cheese.

What do they call sloppy joes in South Dakota? ›

1. Taverns = Sloppy Joe. What other Americans call a Sloppy Joe, South Dakotans call a tavern (or loosemeat). It's like a Sloppy Joe but without the tomato!

Where is Sloppy Jane from? ›

Sloppy Jane is an American chamber pop / rock music band fronted by Haley Dahl based in Brooklyn, New York.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Rev. Leonie Wyman

Last Updated:

Views: 6175

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (59 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rev. Leonie Wyman

Birthday: 1993-07-01

Address: Suite 763 6272 Lang Bypass, New Xochitlport, VT 72704-3308

Phone: +22014484519944

Job: Banking Officer

Hobby: Sailing, Gaming, Basketball, Calligraphy, Mycology, Astronomy, Juggling

Introduction: My name is Rev. Leonie Wyman, I am a colorful, tasty, splendid, fair, witty, gorgeous, splendid person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.