# Sloppy Joes **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [January 21, 2021, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sloppy-joes/931121 "2021-01-21T17:35:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sloppy-joes/931121/21 "2021-01-21T20:53:05Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > The only restaurant that had Sloppy Joes on the menu was Moody’s Pub in Chicago. Longman & Eagle has (had? They’re temporarily closed) a wild boar SJ that is ok. I found it a little heavy on a seasoning I don’t remember, either sage or rosemary. That was probably 12 years ago and the last SJ I’ve had. I aleays get the blue cheese burger at Moody’s. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sloppy-joes/931121/22 "2021-01-21T20:55:13Z")
I remember identifying bits of whatever vegetable was served the day before in the sloppy joe mix. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sloppy-joes/931121/23 "2021-01-21T21:07:30Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > The only restaurant that had Sloppy Joes on the menu was Moody’s Pub in Chicago. I should clarify that Moody’s Pub is the only restaurant that _I’ve seen_ have Sloppy Joes on the menu. Didn’t mean to imply that that’s the only one there is. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sloppy-joes/931121/24 "2021-01-21T21:11:36Z")
In honor of a new administration, I’m going to invent a **Sleepy Joe** before dinnertime. Any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sloppy-joes/931121/25 "2021-01-21T21:12:21Z")
Not to hijack, but a thread entitled “Sloppy Joes” needs to recognize that there’s [another type of Sloppy Joe sandwich beyond the ground meat in sauce version.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sloppy_joe_(New_Jersey)) ---
**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:** [January 21, 2021, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sloppy-joes/931121/26 "2021-01-21T21:13:53Z")
In a very small area of Wisconsin, they refer to Sloppy Joes as **Hot Tamales**. We even had a thread on that phenomenon long ago, but I’ve no idea how to find old threads anymore. It was always on the meal rotation in my house as a kid. I also learned to love the Detroit chain **Coney Island** ’s loosemeat hamburgers, served in a hot dog bun. ---
**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:** [January 21, 2021, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sloppy-joes/931121/27 "2021-01-21T21:14:21Z")
> [@digs](#): > > I’m going to invent a **Sleepy Joe** What’cha puttin’ in it? Benadryl? ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sloppy-joes/931121/28 "2021-01-21T21:16:31Z")
Hey that’s what I was gonna suggest! Or make it with ground turkey. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sloppy-joes/931121/29 "2021-01-21T21:17:06Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Benadryl? That might be contraindicated due to the roofies in the sauce… But seriously, gang. Is there an easy twist to make it tasty? Or Biden-esque? Is Delaware known for any sauce or ingredient? Ooh, I could serve it on white bread! ---
**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:** [January 21, 2021, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sloppy-joes/931121/30 "2021-01-21T21:23:36Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Is there an easy twist to make it tasty? Add some vegemite dissolved in water to the loosemeat ---
**Author:** ![FriendlyCurmudgeon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friendlycurmudgeon/32/5786_2.png) [@FriendlyCurmudgeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriendlyCurmudgeon)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sloppy-joes/931121/31 "2021-01-21T21:32:47Z")
Ground turkey. For spices chili powder, garlic powder, melatonin, 1tsp Nyquil. A side suggestion for your Sleepy Joe’s : CPAP ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sloppy-joes/931121/32 "2021-01-21T21:54:55Z")
I love Sloppy Joes. Before the pandemic, I used to eat one every two weeks before playing D&D. We’d eat at Ruben’s in Haifa, Israel, and I’d have the Expert Sloppy Joe’s, which is their regular SJ (beef, onion and sauce) with Portobello mushrooms and truffle aioli, in a hollowed-out ciabatta. Delicious, and pretty sloppy. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sloppy-joes/931121/33 "2021-01-21T22:34:58Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > > [@digs](#): > > > > I’m going to invent a **Sleepy Joe** > > What’cha puttin’ in it? Benadryl? Malarkey. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sloppy-joes/931121/34 "2021-01-21T22:36:55Z")
Is a pulled pork sandwich the pork sloppy joe? Or is it something else entirely? [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50861041331_43aecc079a_z.jpg "2021-01-21\_04-36-21") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/68782016@N08/50861041331/) ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sloppy-joes/931121/35 "2021-01-21T22:41:10Z")
A Sloppy Joe should not taste like either barbecue or spaghetti sauce. When I make them from scratch, I use ground beef; tomato sauce; chopped onion, green pepper, and garlic; salt and pepper. Maybe a little chopped celery and dried mustard powder, just to make it interesting. That’s all. No basil, oregano, or any other herb that _would_ make the mixture taste like spaghetti sauce. Manwich is okay, but like most other dishes, it’s not as good as SJs made from scratch. I keep a couple of cans around just for convenience, and have Joes maybe every other month. Each batch lasts 4–5 days. ---
**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:** [January 21, 2021, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sloppy-joes/931121/36 "2021-01-21T22:53:31Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > A Sloppy Joe should not taste like either barbecue or spaghetti sauce Oddly, they actually are called “barbecues” in some places (Upper Midwest is where I’ve seen it in recipe books.) I’ve always considered a sloppy joe as a loose meat sandwich with a barbecue-type sauce on it (NOT a liquid smoke barbecue sauce, but a real barbecue sauce.) For example, here’s a Wisconsin recipe for “barbecue sandwiches”: > **[All-American Barbecue Sandwiches](https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/all-american-barbecue-sandwiches/)** > > I came up with this delicious BBQ sandwich on my own. Out of all my barbecue recipes, this one's my husband's favorite. It's also a big hit with family and friends who enjoy it at our Fourth of July picnic.—Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sloppy-joes/931121/37 "2021-01-21T22:55:30Z")
Sloppy Joe’s were a Halloween dinner tradition in my family, and I’d usually pick them for my birthday dinner, too. I’ve tried a few scratch recipes, but the McCormick’s mix works just fine. Now I want some. ---
**Author:** ![dwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwyr/32/363_2.png) [@dwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwyr)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sloppy-joes/931121/38 "2021-01-21T23:00:19Z")
Sloppy Joes were one of the first things I learned to cook when I was a kid and my mother had to work late. Her recipe had cider vinegar in it and I always add that even now as I love the tanginess. This thread has me wondering though if anyone else does that? ---
**Author:** ![Happytree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happytree/32/3555_2.png) [@Happytree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happytree)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sloppy-joes/931121/39 "2021-01-21T23:14:12Z")
I prefer a savory sloppy joe as opposed to one that is too tangy. I am wary of joes at parties because folks like to fancy it up with pickles/relish and mustard. Bleck Manwich is ok for me, but i like Mrs. Tree’s recipe: Dr. Pepper sloppy joe! Sorry, no link, but it’s easy to find. It’s very simple- ketchup, brown sugar, peppers, onions, and Dr. Pepper. Pumpkin pie sloppy joe is always a big hit at Halloween parties. Don’t knock it til you’ve tried it ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2021, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sloppy-joes/931121/40 "2021-01-21T23:22:12Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I’m not the biggest fan of Sloppy Joes or loose meat sandwiches as they just such a messy pain in the ass to eat. Yup. Also I hated super-wet ingredients in a super-soft bun. Sloppy Joes were also a regular part of my childhood and while my step-brothers were excited about them I was the curmudgeonly odd man out. The meat slurry tasted fine, but I loathed the texture of that disintegrating bun. > [@Alessan](#): > > Expert Sloppy Joe’s, which is their regular SJ (beef, onion and sauce) with Portobello mushrooms and truffle aioli, in a hollowed-out ciabatta. Delicious, and pretty sloppy. See now, a hollowed-out ciabatta might be just the thing. Kinda the opposite of those childhood wonder-bread buns made of sugar and paste that we had. > [@JohnT](#): > > Is a pulled pork sandwich the pork sloppy joe? Or is it something else entirely? Something else entirely IMHO. A genuine Sloppy Joe in my lexicon is based on ground beef. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sloppy-joes/931121.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sloppy-joes/931121.md?page=3)