Jump to content

Chow mein sandwich: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Rescuing 1 sources and tagging 0 as dead.) #IABot (v2.0.9.5
 
(16 intermediate revisions by 13 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|Regional sandwich of Fall River Massachusetts}}
{{short description|Regional sandwich of southeastern Massachusetts}}
{{Infobox prepared food
{{Infobox prepared food
| name = Chow mein sandwich
| name = Chow mein sandwich
| image = Fall River's Famous Chow Mein Sandwich.jpg
| image = file:Nathanschowmeinsandwich.jpg
| caption = Fall River's Famous Chow Mein Sandwich
| caption =
| alternate_name =
| alternate_name =
| country = [[United States]]
| country = [[United States]]
Line 17: Line 17:
}}
}}


The '''chow mein sandwich''' typically consists of a brown gravy-based [[chow mein]] mixture placed between halves of a [[hamburger]]-style bun, and is popular on Chinese-American restaurant menus throughout [[southeastern Massachusetts]] and parts of neighboring [[Rhode Island]].<ref name=saveur2013>{{cite news |url=http://www.saveur.com/article/Travels/Where-to-Eat-In-Fall-River-Massachusetts |title=Mill Town Meals: The Massachusetts city of Fall River boasts uncommon—and uncommonly good—regional foods |date=February 23, 2013 |first1=Jane |last1=Stern |first2=Michael |last2=Stern |author-link1=Jane and Michael Stern |author-link2=Jane and Michael Stern |magazine=[[Saveur]] |name-list-style=amp}}</ref> Originating in [[Fall River, Massachusetts]], in the 1930s or 1940s,<ref name=flavor1999>{{cite news |url=http://www.flavorandfortune.com/dataaccess/article.php?ID=179 |title=Chow Mein Sandwiches |magazine=Flavor & Fortune |date=Summer 1999 |volume=6 |issue=2 |page=5 |first=Imogene |last=Lim |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060325031300/http://www.flavorandfortune.com/dataaccess/article.php?ID=179 |archive-date=2006-03-25 }}</ref><ref name=essaybook /><ref name=nehs /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wordpress.viu.ca/limi/files/2012/08/RCT_Lim1993.pdf|title=The Chow Mein Sandwich: American as Apple Pie|last=Lim|first=Imogene L.|date=1993|publisher=Radcliffe Culinary Times III(2):4-5}}</ref> the sandwich is not well known outside of a relatively small area of [[New England]].
The '''chow mein sandwich''' typically consists of a brown gravy-based [[chow mein]] mixture placed between halves of a [[hamburger]]-style bun, and is popular on Chinese-American restaurant menus throughout [[southeastern Massachusetts]] and parts of neighboring [[Rhode Island]].<ref name=saveur2013>{{cite news |url=http://www.saveur.com/article/Travels/Where-to-Eat-In-Fall-River-Massachusetts |title=Mill Town Meals: The Massachusetts city of Fall River boasts uncommon—and uncommonly good—regional foods |date=February 23, 2013 |first1=Jane |last1=Stern |first2=Michael |last2=Stern |author-link1=Jane and Michael Stern |author-link2=Jane and Michael Stern |magazine=[[Saveur]] |name-list-style=amp}}</ref> Originating in [[Fall River, Massachusetts]], in the 1930s or 1940s,<ref name=flavor1999>{{cite news |url=http://www.flavorandfortune.com/dataaccess/article.php?ID=179 |title=Chow Mein Sandwiches |magazine=Flavor & Fortune |date=Summer 1999 |volume=6 |issue=2 |page=5 |first=Imogene |last=Lim |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060325031300/http://www.flavorandfortune.com/dataaccess/article.php?ID=179 |archive-date=2006-03-25 }}</ref><ref name=essaybook /><ref name=nehs /><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://wordpress.viu.ca/limi/files/2012/08/RCT_Lim1993.pdf |title=The Chow Mein Sandwich: American as Apple Pie |last=Lim |first=Imogene L. |date=1993 |work=Radcliffe Culinary Times |volume=III |issue=2 |pages=4–5}}</ref> the sandwich is not well known outside of a relatively small area of [[New England]].


This sandwich was created to provide a low-cost meal in an economically depressed region inhabited by recent immigrants from Europe and Canada while providing it in a form with which they were already familiar.<ref name=essaybook>{{cite book |chapter-url=http://web.viu.ca/limi/pdf_files/ChowMeinSandwiches1994o.pdf |first1=Imogene L. |last1=Lim |first2=John |last2=Eng-Wong |chapter=Chow Mein Sandwiches: Chinese American Entrepreneurship in Rhode Island |title=Origins and Destinations: 41 Essays on Chinese America |editor-first1=Munson A. |editor-last1=Kwok |editor-first2=Ella Yee |editor-last2=Quan |pages=417–436 |location=Los Angeles |publisher=Chinese Historical Society of Southern California, UCLA Asian American Studies Center |date=1994 |isbn=9780930377038 |oclc=260218520 |name-list-style=amp}}</ref><ref name=nehs>{{cite web |url=http://www.newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/fall-rivers-famous-chow-mein-sandwich/ |title=Fall River’s Famous Chow Mein Sandwich |date=January 18, 2014 |publisher=New England Historical Society |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->}}</ref> Even the gravy has been modified to be very similar to that used in typical New England cooking.<ref name=essaybook />
This sandwich was created to provide a low-cost meal in an economically depressed region inhabited by recent immigrants from [[Europe]] and [[Canada]] while providing it in a form with which they were already familiar.<ref name=essaybook>{{cite book |chapter-url=http://web.viu.ca/limi/pdf_files/ChowMeinSandwiches1994o.pdf |first1=Imogene L. |last1=Lim |first2=John |last2=Eng-Wong |chapter=Chow Mein Sandwiches: Chinese American Entrepreneurship in Rhode Island |title=Origins and Destinations: 41 Essays on Chinese America |editor-first1=Munson A. |editor-last1=Kwok |editor-first2=Ella Yee |editor-last2=Quan |pages=417–436 |location=Los Angeles |publisher=Chinese Historical Society of Southern California, UCLA Asian American Studies Center |date=1994 |isbn=9780930377038 |oclc=260218520 |name-list-style=amp |access-date=2018-03-10 |archive-date=2015-07-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714173351/https://web.viu.ca/limi/pdf_files/ChowMeinSandwiches1994o.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=nehs>{{cite web |url=http://www.newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/fall-rivers-famous-chow-mein-sandwich/ |title=Fall River's Famous Chow Mein Sandwich |date=January 18, 2014 |publisher=New England Historical Society |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->}}</ref> Even the gravy has been modified to be very similar to that used in typical New England cooking.<ref name=essaybook />


These sandwiches are sometimes served outside of Chinese American restaurants by the food services in local area schools<ref name=schoolmenu>{{cite news |url=http://www.wickedlocal.com/x713187636/School-menus-Jan-16-20 |title=School menus: Jan. 16-20 |date=January 14, 2012 |newspaper=[[Fall River Herald News]] |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->}}</ref> and senior citizens' centers.<ref name=seniorcenter>{{cite news |url=http://www.wickedlocal.com/x250635300/Senior-Scene-2 |title=Senior Scene 2: The Council on Aging will be holding a public open house at the Senior Center on Thursday, April 21 from 1 to 2 p.m. |date=April 12, 2011 |newspaper=[[Fall River Herald News]] |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->}}</ref> Celebrity chef and Fall River native [[Emeril Lagasse]] has also publicized this sandwich,<ref name=seniorcenter /> along with food writers [[Jane and Michael Stern]].<ref name=saveur2013 />
These sandwiches are sometimes served outside of Chinese American restaurants by the food services in local area schools<ref name=schoolmenu>{{cite news |url=http://www.wickedlocal.com/x713187636/School-menus-Jan-16-20 |title=School menus: Jan. 16-20 |date=January 14, 2012 |newspaper=[[Fall River Herald News]] |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->}}</ref> and senior citizens' centers.<ref name=seniorcenter>{{cite news |url=http://www.wickedlocal.com/x250635300/Senior-Scene-2 |title=Senior Scene 2: The Council on Aging will be holding a public open house at the Senior Center on Thursday, April 21 from 1 to 2 p.m. |date=April 12, 2011 |newspaper=[[Fall River Herald News]] |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->}}</ref> Celebrity chef and Fall River native [[Emeril Lagasse]] has also publicized this sandwich,<ref name=seniorcenter /> along with food writers [[Jane and Michael Stern]].<ref name=saveur2013 />


The sandwiches are served "strained" or "unstrained," referring to whether or not the sandwich has vegetables. "Strained" means that it is served without vegetables. Just like plated chow mein without the bun, the sandwich may also include meats or seafood, usually chicken, beef, or shrimp. The Oriental Chow Mein Noodle Company of Fall River is the regional source for the sandwich's distinctive crispy noodles.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091224/PUB03/912240416 |title=Back In Business: Oriental Chow Mein Company returns after devastating fire |date=December 24, 2009 |newspaper=[[South Coast Today]] |first=Phil |last=Devitt}}</ref>
The sandwiches are served "strained" or "unstrained," referring to whether or not the sandwich has vegetables. "Strained" means that it is served without vegetables. Just like plated chow mein without the bun, the sandwich may also include meats or seafood, usually chicken, beef, or shrimp. The Oriental Chow Mein Noodle Company of Fall River is the regional source for the sandwich's distinctive crispy noodles.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091224/PUB03/912240416 |title=Back In Business: Oriental Chow Mein Company returns after devastating fire |date=December 24, 2009 |newspaper=[[South Coast Today]] |first=Phil |last=Devitt |access-date=June 5, 2014 |archive-date=January 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114181743/https://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091224/PUB03/912240416 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


These sandwiches can be found in the cities of [[Fall River, Massachusetts|Fall River]], [[New Bedford, Massachusetts|New Bedford]], and [[Taunton, Massachusetts|Taunton]] in Massachusetts; and in the cities of [[Woonsocket, Rhode Island|Woonsocket]], [[Pawtucket, Rhode Island|Pawtucket]] and [[Tiverton, Rhode Island|Tiverton]] in Rhode Island.<ref name=madeinfallriver>{{cite web |url=http://www.madeinfallriver.com/content/pounds-noodles-pile-chow-mein-factory |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005003051/http://www.madeinfallriver.com/content/pounds-noodles-pile-chow-mein-factory |archive-date=2013-10-05 |date=2008-09-23 |newspaper=[[Fall River Herald News]] |title=Made In Fall River: The pounds of noodles pile up at chow mein factory |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->}}</ref> Although the sandwich is unknown in nearby [[Boston]],<ref name=essaybook /> it was on the menu at the more distant [[Coney Island]] location of [[Nathan's Famous]] in Brooklyn, New York as recently as 2013.<ref name=nehs /><ref name=saveur2013 />
These sandwiches can be found in the cities of [[Fall River, Massachusetts|Fall River]], [[New Bedford, Massachusetts|New Bedford]], and [[Taunton, Massachusetts|Taunton]] in Massachusetts; and in the cities of [[Woonsocket, Rhode Island|Woonsocket]], [[Pawtucket, Rhode Island|Pawtucket]] and [[Tiverton, Rhode Island|Tiverton]] in Rhode Island.<ref name=madeinfallriver>{{cite web |url=http://www.madeinfallriver.com/content/pounds-noodles-pile-chow-mein-factory |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005003051/http://www.madeinfallriver.com/content/pounds-noodles-pile-chow-mein-factory |archive-date=2013-10-05 |date=2008-09-23 |newspaper=[[Fall River Herald News]] |title=Made In Fall River: The pounds of noodles pile up at chow mein factory |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->}}</ref> Although the sandwich is mostly unknown in nearby [[Boston]],<ref name=essaybook /> it was on the menu at the more distant [[Coney Island]] location of [[Nathan's Famous]] in Brooklyn, New York as recently as 2013.<ref name=nehs /><ref name=saveur2013 />


==See also==
==See also==
Line 34: Line 34:
* [[List of American sandwiches]]
* [[List of American sandwiches]]
* [[List of sandwiches]]
* [[List of sandwiches]]
*''[[Yakisoba#Serving|Yakisoba-pan]]'', similar Japanese noodle sandwich
*''[[Yakisoba-pan]]'', similar Japanese noodle sandwich


==References==
==References==
Line 43: Line 43:
*{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060325031300/http://www.flavorandfortune.com/dataaccess/article.php?ID=179 |archive-date=2006-03-25 |title=Chow Mein Sandwiches |first=Imogene |last=Lim |magazine=Flavor and Fortune |date=Summer 1999 |volume=6 |issue=2 |url=http://www.flavorandfortune.com/dataaccess/article.php?ID=179}}
*{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060325031300/http://www.flavorandfortune.com/dataaccess/article.php?ID=179 |archive-date=2006-03-25 |title=Chow Mein Sandwiches |first=Imogene |last=Lim |magazine=Flavor and Fortune |date=Summer 1999 |volume=6 |issue=2 |url=http://www.flavorandfortune.com/dataaccess/article.php?ID=179}}
*{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100203074653/http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/chow-mein-sandwich-recipe/index.html |archive-date=2010-02-03 |title=Southeastern New England style Chow Mein Sandwiches |first=Emeril |last=Lagasse |date=2003 |work=[[Food Network]] |url=http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/chow-mein-sandwich-recipe/index.html}}
*{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100203074653/http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/chow-mein-sandwich-recipe/index.html |archive-date=2010-02-03 |title=Southeastern New England style Chow Mein Sandwiches |first=Emeril |last=Lagasse |date=2003 |work=[[Food Network]] |url=http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/chow-mein-sandwich-recipe/index.html}}
*{{cite AV Media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hI5qcpdfPqU |title=Chow Mein Sandwich song |work=Alika & The Happy Samoans |via=[[YouTube]] |date=August 30, 2011}}
*{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hI5qcpdfPqU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/hI5qcpdfPqU |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Chow Mein Sandwich song |work=Alika & The Happy Samoans |via=[[YouTube]] |date=August 30, 2011}}{{cbignore}}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.rikomatic.com/blog/2007/08/nathans-chow-me.html |title=Coney Island Nathan's Chow Mein Sandwiches (with pictures) |first=Rik |last=Panganiban |date=August 19, 2007 |website=The Click Heard Round the World (blog) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071123203058/http://www.rikomatic.com/blog/2007/08/nathans-chow-me.html |archive-date=2007-11-23}}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.rikomatic.com/blog/2007/08/nathans-chow-me.html |title=Coney Island Nathan's Chow Mein Sandwiches (with pictures) |first=Rik |last=Panganiban |date=August 19, 2007 |website=The Click Heard Round the World (blog) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071123203058/http://www.rikomatic.com/blog/2007/08/nathans-chow-me.html |archive-date=2007-11-23}}
*{{cite web |title=China Lake |first=Laura |last=Monteiro |date=January 16, 2010 |website=New England Bites (blog) |url=http://www.newenglandbites.com/2010/01/china-lake.html}}
*{{cite web |title=China Lake |first=Laura |last=Monteiro |date=January 16, 2010 |website=New England Bites (blog) |url=http://www.newenglandbites.com/2010/01/china-lake.html}}

Latest revision as of 01:29, 5 December 2023

Chow mein sandwich
TypeSandwich
Place of originUnited States
Region or stateFall River, Massachusetts
Serving temperatureHot
Main ingredientsHamburger-style bun, chow mein

The chow mein sandwich typically consists of a brown gravy-based chow mein mixture placed between halves of a hamburger-style bun, and is popular on Chinese-American restaurant menus throughout southeastern Massachusetts and parts of neighboring Rhode Island.[1] Originating in Fall River, Massachusetts, in the 1930s or 1940s,[2][3][4][5] the sandwich is not well known outside of a relatively small area of New England.

This sandwich was created to provide a low-cost meal in an economically depressed region inhabited by recent immigrants from Europe and Canada while providing it in a form with which they were already familiar.[3][4] Even the gravy has been modified to be very similar to that used in typical New England cooking.[3]

These sandwiches are sometimes served outside of Chinese American restaurants by the food services in local area schools[6] and senior citizens' centers.[7] Celebrity chef and Fall River native Emeril Lagasse has also publicized this sandwich,[7] along with food writers Jane and Michael Stern.[1]

The sandwiches are served "strained" or "unstrained," referring to whether or not the sandwich has vegetables. "Strained" means that it is served without vegetables. Just like plated chow mein without the bun, the sandwich may also include meats or seafood, usually chicken, beef, or shrimp. The Oriental Chow Mein Noodle Company of Fall River is the regional source for the sandwich's distinctive crispy noodles.[8]

These sandwiches can be found in the cities of Fall River, New Bedford, and Taunton in Massachusetts; and in the cities of Woonsocket, Pawtucket and Tiverton in Rhode Island.[9] Although the sandwich is mostly unknown in nearby Boston,[3] it was on the menu at the more distant Coney Island location of Nathan's Famous in Brooklyn, New York as recently as 2013.[4][1]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Stern, Jane & Stern, Michael (February 23, 2013). "Mill Town Meals: The Massachusetts city of Fall River boasts uncommon—and uncommonly good—regional foods". Saveur.
  2. ^ Lim, Imogene (Summer 1999). "Chow Mein Sandwiches". Flavor & Fortune. Vol. 6, no. 2. p. 5. Archived from the original on 2006-03-25.
  3. ^ a b c d Lim, Imogene L. & Eng-Wong, John (1994). "Chow Mein Sandwiches: Chinese American Entrepreneurship in Rhode Island" (PDF). In Kwok, Munson A. & Quan, Ella Yee (eds.). Origins and Destinations: 41 Essays on Chinese America. Los Angeles: Chinese Historical Society of Southern California, UCLA Asian American Studies Center. pp. 417–436. ISBN 9780930377038. OCLC 260218520. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-07-14. Retrieved 2018-03-10.
  4. ^ a b c "Fall River's Famous Chow Mein Sandwich". New England Historical Society. January 18, 2014.
  5. ^ Lim, Imogene L. (1993). "The Chow Mein Sandwich: American as Apple Pie" (PDF). Radcliffe Culinary Times. Vol. III, no. 2. pp. 4–5.
  6. ^ "School menus: Jan. 16-20". Fall River Herald News. January 14, 2012.
  7. ^ a b "Senior Scene 2: The Council on Aging will be holding a public open house at the Senior Center on Thursday, April 21 from 1 to 2 p.m." Fall River Herald News. April 12, 2011.
  8. ^ Devitt, Phil (December 24, 2009). "Back In Business: Oriental Chow Mein Company returns after devastating fire". South Coast Today. Archived from the original on January 14, 2020. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  9. ^ "Made In Fall River: The pounds of noodles pile up at chow mein factory". Fall River Herald News. 2008-09-23. Archived from the original on 2013-10-05.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chow_mein_sandwich&oldid=1188379604"