How to Make a New Jersey Sloppy Joe Photo 6

How to Make a New Jersey Sloppy Joe

March 23, 2009

Next cover both pieces of bread generously with Russian dressing.

6 / 11

by partysugar 22

Next cover both pieces of bread generously with Russian dressing.

6 / 11

by partysugar 22

Next cover both pieces of bread generously with Russian dressing.

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22 Comments

2 years

My mother's family has Victorian roots in South Orange and growing up near there we probably consumed more of this unique preparation, along with Grunnings famous ice cream, than any other family there. The perfect compliment to large family gatherings, the memory of these takes me well over fifty years back to pre-season Giants-Eagles tailgate parties, all of the wedding rehearsal parties, every Christening and Irish wake, and served as the shared plate between several generations. Columbia Cougars! Lady of Sorrows parishioners! Long live the Sloppy Joe!

2 years

I can't believe this is the only thing that comes up on google for deli sloppy joe! when i was a kid in N. Jersey this was served at EVERY life event, from bris to funeral...I've never found them in Miami. Recipe is close, but they were always served on thin rye.

3 years

These Sloppy Joes were a favorite of mine as a kid in Morristown, NJ, in the 60s Millburn, Madison, etc. They are definitely not of the Jewish variety. None of the delis mentioned are are Jewish/Kosher and you would never have cheese with meat or cole slaw that might contain sour cream. Part of the unique taste also came from butter on the sandwiches... Very WASPy. Now no longer for many years in NJ I just re-create (as much as possibler my own)

3 years

Ours were from Denville NJ at a deli called George's. This sandwich is so good I once carried one as a transatlantic carry-on to my brother in London. Key features: THIN sliced rye, triple decker, three kinds of meat (roast beef, ham and turkey) plus the swiss, cole slaw and russian dressing/special sauce. Made so that one sandwich had 8 tall pieces, held together with a toothpick topped with a sweet pickle. Not bready at all, just DELI-ICIOUS. (Sadly, George's replacement deli does not make this sandwich any longer.)

3 years

For sure Madison, Millburn, Chatham, Short Hills area. I grew up in Madison(in the '60's), Thought I'd search for the "recipe" Yumm...They are suppose to be a double decker. A slice of swiss is standard.

3 years

I grew up in Cleveland,Ohio and Cleveland has very good delis, but there is nothing like the NJ sloppy joe. I was introduced to the Town Hall, NJ sloppy joe sandwich by my mother-in-law 35 years ago. The egg salad and lox sloppy joe is fabulous as well.

3 years

it is sooo good. its from northern new jersey. It is believed to be started in madison new jersey in morris county. I live near there, and there are only a couple of delis who make these in the world and i live near two, including the original one in madison

4 years

I've always called it a Jewish Sloppy Joe. LOVE THEM! I'm from central Jersey and my mother makes them a lot.

LaLa0428 4 years

It sounds yum!

emsilees09 4 years

I live in NJ too and have never heard of this!! I'd surely try it though...yum!

4 years

My former boss at a deli in Colorado was from NJ and we made this sandwich but called it Dagwood. Layer of rye, russian dressing, coleslaw, turkey, swiss and another layer and final slice of rye on top. They are wonderful.

soapbox 4 years

I'm from Jersey and I had NO clue that we did this!

jorelly 4 years

The livingston deli also makes a great one. I've only seen them as double deckers, and would agree about the jewish and northeastern jersey parts, too. my boyfriend's catholic and said he'd never seen them til he met my family...he calls them jewish sloppy joes.

doogirl 4 years

YUM!

shoneyjoe 4 years

I'm not sure it's a North Jersey thing as much as it is a Millburn, NJ thing. http://midnightsnack.wordpress.com/sandwich-joints/northeast/new-jersey/milburn/milburn-deli/ http://www.millburndeli.com/ I've eaten one at the Millburn Deli. OK, I ate a large *part* of one before it defeated me.

xok85xo 4 years

maybe it's a north jersey jewish thing.. the sandwich is usually a double decker though, i think the other layer is turkey. Whenever any of my relatives died we always received huge platters of these from the local delis. They are super tasty.

megln1022 4 years

i live in north jersey and i have never heard of this either! not sure where in jersey he's getting this from!

care0531 4 years

I went to a deli in East Hampton last summer and got a sandwich that was called Southampton. It had ham, swiss, slaw, and ranch dressing- it was AMAZING! I try to make it all the time but its never the same!