Horseshoe Sandwich

The horseshoe sandwich originated in Springfield, Illinois. This open-faced sandwich begins with thick-sliced toasted bread, and most often hamburger patties, or ham. Other meat is also used, such as deep fried pork tenderloin, grilled or fried chicken breast, and fried fish filets. There is also a "breakfast" horseshoe that uses eggs and hash browns. The meat is topped with French fries and smothered with a "secret" cheese sauce. The cheese sauce varies from chef to chef, allowing each cook to create a signature dish, but the sauce is a sort of Welsh rarebit, common ingredients being eggs, beer, butter, cheese, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt and pepper.

A smaller portion, with one slice of bread and one serving of meat, is called a "Pony Shoe".

It is considered a local Illinois food.