Goomba38 > writes:

>Public Broadcasting had a wonderful little program all about sandwiches
>around the country. I've known about Maid Rites for ever, but never
>realized they were so plain?! Now, granted I've never eaten one, but
>from all I saw on this program it is nothing more than ground beef. No
>seasonings? No sauces? Just browned ground beef, served on a bun with a
>spoon.. and a glass of water? Am I missing something here?
>Goomba

There is a good deal of disputation about this.

It is not really "just browned ground beef." It is steamed to
brownness, not fried or grilled. This does affect the taste.

Also, the Maid Rite corporation asked (but did not require) franchisees
to use a seasoning mix provided in liquid form by the corporation.

I have never been able to taste this seasoning mix, but that may be
because my favorite franchises (Newton, Marshaltown, and Valley Junction
--- all in Iowa) don't use it? I like a little bit of salt. And hot
tea (Lipton's) is absolutely necessary with a Maid-Rite.

Of course, Maid-Rites are traditionally served with pickle, mustard, and
onion, and catsup, all of which are optional. Some offer "Cheese-Rites"
(I've never tasted one.)

Of course, any discussion of Maid Rite's is becoming more difficult,
since the founding family lost control of the franchise. The new people
ship to franchisees ground beef, pre-flavored, pre-cooked, and frozen.
When I was talking to them about the possiblity of buying a franchise,
this did not really bother me too much. The deal killer was that new
franchises must use Pepsico products, and I would not sell Pepsi to my
worst enemy. (Well, that's not quite true --- I'd sell Pepsi to my
ex-wife, but no one else.)

The new company also takes pride in their french fries, which, if their
store in Urbandale (a suburb of Des Moines, Iowa) is any example, are
soggy and tasteless; and nothing to take pride in.

On the other hand, the new company has a better "fast food model" for
their stores than the traditional Maid-Rite store.

I hope that they succeed. Even though the Valley Junction Maid-Rite has
a sign saying something like "Our Beef Has Never Been Frozen, Just Like
the Founder Intended", the new model Maid-Rite is better than any other
burger.
--
J.Otto Tennant
Forsan et haec olim meminisse juvabit.
Charter Member of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy