# Ever had a 'cannibal sandwich'? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [December 15, 2020, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-had-a-cannibal-sandwich/928096 "2020-12-15T14:23:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2020, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-had-a-cannibal-sandwich/928096/1 "2020-12-15T14:23:14Z")
I saw the below article on CNN and was a bit surprised I had never heard of this holiday tradition in the neighboring state of Wisconsin. Basically a sandwich made of raw hamburger with onions. Seems like an odd holiday tradition, though I guess it’s not that crazy of a concept, being similar to steak tartare. Which I’ve never had, but I have eaten [kibbeh nayyeh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kibbeh_nayyeh) (raw ground lamb) on several occasions in the past and enjoyed it. What could be done to make raw ground meat safe to eat, anyway-- radiate it? Maybe clean the outside of the cut of meat in some kind of food-grade antibacterial wash before grinding it in a sterilized grinder? > **[Wisconsin Department of Health warns against eating the 'cannibal sandwich,'...](https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/14/us/cannibal-sandwich-wisconsin-trnd/index.html)** > > Wisconsin residents are being urged by health officials to pass on eating a traditional holiday dish this year to avoid getting sick. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2020, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-had-a-cannibal-sandwich/928096/2 "2020-12-15T14:27:32Z")
I grew up in Wisconsin; I’ve never had one, but I know many people who would eat them. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2020, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-had-a-cannibal-sandwich/928096/3 "2020-12-15T14:29:43Z")
For more authenticity, shouldn’t it be ground pork? ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2020, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-had-a-cannibal-sandwich/928096/4 "2020-12-15T14:41:02Z")
Lived in Wisconsin most of my life and have never heard of this. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2020, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-had-a-cannibal-sandwich/928096/5 "2020-12-15T14:46:30Z")
Grew up in a Milwaukee burb. The guy across the street from us always had them at his holiday parties. His were more appetizer sized. Little slice of rye, smear of raw ground beef, raw onions, salt & pepper. I never tried one as a kid but I think my dad partook in the annual tradition. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2020, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-had-a-cannibal-sandwich/928096/6 "2020-12-15T14:51:41Z")
I found this Wisconsin NPR article that describes the tradition in more detail and goes into the origins of it a little bit: > **[Cannibal Sandwiches: A Polarizing And Misunderstood Wisconsin Tradition](https://www.wpr.org/cannibal-sandwiches-polarizing-and-misunderstood-wisconsin-tradition)** > > Imagine. It’s the holidays and to quiet your pre-dinner hunger, someone hands you a slice of rye bread topped with a thick spread of fresh raw beef, chopped onion and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2020, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-had-a-cannibal-sandwich/928096/7 "2020-12-15T14:51:43Z")
I don’t eat raw meat due to risk of getting sick. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2020, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-had-a-cannibal-sandwich/928096/8 "2020-12-15T14:52:28Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > I grew up in Wisconsin; I’ve never had one, but I know many people who would eat them. Same here. I’ve never had one, but growing up, I saw a lot of them being eaten, usually at family gatherings (Christmas etc). They never appealed to me. My dad can eat them. My mom probably wouldn’t but I’ve seen her eat raw ground beef many time to test seasoning in something (like meatballs) before she cooks them. The funny thing is, that some people, like my dad, have extrapolated eating cannibal sandwiches to me the raw beef is ‘safe’. Just a few months ago I had to explain to him that he does, in fact, need to sanitize a counter after handling beef all over it. And, while it’s true, people do eat raw beef, it doesn’t mean it’s safe. So it was kind of funny when I saw this article the other day and showed it to him. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2020, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-had-a-cannibal-sandwich/928096/9 "2020-12-15T14:54:59Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > I don’t eat raw meat due to risk of getting sick. I agree and it’s the same reason I wouldn’t. However, my dad said, literally yesterday (and confirmed by the WPR article), that you need to get it the same day you’re eating it and make sure the butcher knows what you’re buying it for so they can grind it fresh and it’s not something that was ground days ago. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2020, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-had-a-cannibal-sandwich/928096/10 "2020-12-15T14:55:10Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > For more authenticity, shouldn’t it be ground pork?- When my brother lived in Germany he had [Mett, which is raw ground pork with onions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mett). He hunted it down in the US and I tried it. It’s delicious! > **[Mett](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mett)** > > Mett (.mw-parser-output .IPA-label-small{font-size:85%}.mw-parser-output .references .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .infobox .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .navbox .IPA-label-small{font-size:100%}German: \[mɛt\] ⓘ), also known as Hackepeter (Northern Germany, Eastern Germany, Bavaria and Berlin), is a preparation of minced raw pork seasoned with salt and black pepper that is popular in Germany. It is frequently spread on halves of a bread roll, with raw onion optionally on top. Since the Th... ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2020, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-had-a-cannibal-sandwich/928096/11 "2020-12-15T15:16:30Z")
I’ve heard of them but never had one. Doesn’t sound all that appetizing, although I love steak tartare. But there is a big difference between hamburger and chopped prime beef! ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2020, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-had-a-cannibal-sandwich/928096/12 "2020-12-15T15:40:04Z")
There is version of this in Berlin that I became addicted to. Exactly the same ingredients, but on just one slice of bread or half a roll. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2020, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-had-a-cannibal-sandwich/928096/13 "2020-12-15T15:50:51Z")
Never had or heard of it, but I’d be intrigued. I’ve been scared of stuff like kitfo before, but I’ve since had it and it was great. It really depends on how they’re making it. If they’re chopping up a whole steak, with a knife, I’d try it. OTOH if they’re just ripping open a package of ground beef from the supermarket and slapping it onto a bun, I’ll pass. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2020, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-had-a-cannibal-sandwich/928096/14 "2020-12-15T15:52:43Z")
Native Wisconsinite here, ‘cannibal sandwiches’ are part of my heritage, generally raw hamburger smeared on rye bread, sometimes topped with onions. Very popular with the tavern crowd, at wedding receptions, even some memorial services. Personally I’m not a fan, no longer indulge, not that I ever had many of them ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2020, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-had-a-cannibal-sandwich/928096/15 "2020-12-15T16:10:39Z")
I’ve had similar (including carpaccio, but also ground beef on bread with onions - I don’t think the bread was rye - and yes, openfaced) in fancy restaurants. (I’m in Minnesota) Making it safe means that all the tools you use to process your beef are sterilized, you beef is fresh, and you serve it quickly - you don’t want to buy processed hamburger and stick it on a plate. Like sushi, you want to trust your chef. I wouldn’t do it with pork. Pork can contain trichinella. Its rare, since farmed pigs don’t tend to consume a lot of meat, but being omnivores, its possible. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2020, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-had-a-cannibal-sandwich/928096/16 "2020-12-15T16:16:43Z")
SoCal native, and I’ve heard of cannibal sandwiches all my life. Never had one, though. Someday, if I get around to it. (FWIW, I like my steaks bloody but not cold.) ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2020, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-had-a-cannibal-sandwich/928096/17 "2020-12-15T16:16:58Z")
> [@solost](#): > > What could be done to make raw ground meat safe to eat, anyway-- radiate it? Maybe clean the outside of the cut of meat in some kind of food-grade antibacterial wash before grinding it in a sterilized grinder? Well, to start, don’t put 50,000 cows through the same meat grinder… one bad cow can spoil the whole batch, baby! - Obviously, keeping animals healthy to start with goes a long way to improving meat safety. - Free-range/organic meat MIGHT be safer for this purpose - a lot depends on the details of how the animals are kept and later slaughtered. - Scrupulous cleanliness in food prep, machinery, and food workers. - Small batch grinding with sanitizing of all surfaces and equipment between batches. - For the home cook - grind your own (observing proper handling and sanitation) - Hold off grinding meat until just prior to prepping and serving - contamination typically starts on the surface and the more surface you have the more potential issues. Ground meat is, for these purposes, all surface area. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2020, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-had-a-cannibal-sandwich/928096/18 "2020-12-15T16:24:18Z")
Illinoian here who likes to visit Wisconsin as often as possible. But, yes, I’ve had that, tartare, kibbeh nayyeh, mett, carpaccio, yukhoe, kitfo, etc. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2020, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-had-a-cannibal-sandwich/928096/19 "2020-12-15T16:26:48Z")
> [@solost](#): > > What could be done to make raw ground meat safe to eat, anyway-- radiate it? Bingo. Irradiation with x-rays or gamma rays would kill anything living inside or on the surface. It’s also reported to induce chemical changes, which affect the flavor, generally for the worse. Ultraviolet light can kill surface micro-organisms, but won’t penetrate inside. I’ve heard of Cannibal Sandwiches, and of Steak Tartare, but I’ve also long been aware of the health dangers, so I’ve never been tempted. Heck, I’m wary of sushi, ever since my mother’s boss got liver flukes from eating some (and that was in Japan, where they are careful about selection and preparation.) ---
**Author:** ![Anita\_Dayoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Anita\_Dayoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anita_Dayoff)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2020, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-had-a-cannibal-sandwich/928096/20 "2020-12-15T16:53:34Z")
Worked around Racine 1980 and little round dried rye bread, finely reground round steak with garlic or onion salt was a Xmas party staple. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-had-a-cannibal-sandwich/928096.md?page=2)