A State-by-State Guide to the Most Iconic Foods in America

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Illinois: Horseshoe Sandwich

Illinois is home to one of America’s most epic sandwiches – the horseshoe sandwich – a specialty of Springfield that locals proudly call their own. This open-faced sandwich was born in 1928 at the Old Leland Hotel in Springfield, where the chef crafted a hearty meal to satisfy hungry patrons. The foundation is thick Texas toast, and on top sits a generous serving of meat (originally ham cut into a horseshoe shape, which gave the sandwich its name, though today it could be hamburger, turkey, or other meats). That’s just the beginning: the meat is then heaped with a pile of golden French fries, and the whole thing is smothered in a rich, creamy cheese sauce. It’s usually served on a platter (too messy to pick up by hand) and eaten with a fork and knife. The horseshoe is not a dainty meal – it’s a knife-and-fork feast that’s a point of local pride. While less famous outside Illinois, within the state this indulgent concoction is iconic, representing the no-nonsense, hearty cooking of the Midwest.