of the New Jersey Sloppy Joe I have wondered why it has not been exploited, franchised, appropriated. Such a superlative sandwich.
And finally I was given the opportunity to make one. The Washington Post did a story on it. I did my best to procure proper ingredients and build authentically. The bread is a mystery. It can be oval and then cut into the iconic thirds, including the superlative triangle, or it can be made with pullman slices, cut into cute squares and arranged on a pedestal. I am not sure and have no opinion about which – if either – is “correct.” Therein lies the sandwich fascination. Many opinions, no answers.
The recipe asked me to butter the bread on the inside. Someone, I do not remember whom, remarked that the butter was not de rigueur. Growing up in a Wisconsin household including, iconically, a dad in the dairying business, we buttered bread for sandwiches to protect from sogginess. How about you, New Jerseyites, children of the Garden State, what is correct? Do you want the slaw to soften the bread or not? Tell me.
Truth, I love yesterday’s sandwich today.
The Lunch Encounter 