While I’m from the midwest (Illinois and Wisconsin), a large majority of my husband’s family is from, and still lives in Iowa. Every year they go to the Iowa State Fair, and last year we finally had the chance to join them. While there, my husband ate a sandwich from one of those fair carts called a “Guinea Grinder”.
Some Italians aren’t happy with the name as its origins date back to when Italian immigrants were called “guineas”. It’s considered a racial slur and some restaurants in Iowa have even changed the name of this sandwich to plain old “grinder”. I read somewhere that the word grinder refers to the act of grinding your teeth back and fourth to bite through the tough bread in the sandwich, which would also indicate they didn’t toast them early on. No matter what you call it, it’s really delicious and freezes well too!
Finding a recipe for Guinea Grinders on the internet wasn’t as easy as searching for something more widely known. Because this sandwich is really only found in Iowa, there aren’t a lot of search results for the recipe. There were a few different versions, but the one I chose was closest to the one my husband enjoyed at the fair. They offer it with or without Mozzarella cheese and sometimes with banana peppers. I opted for the cheese but left off the peppers to keep it family friendly for the kids. The recipe I found called for a French loaf, which is what I used here, but at the fair they used more of an bomber type bun.
These were really good, easy to make, and as I mentioned, can be easily frozen. I did find that the reheated meat mixture seemed saltier after being frozen, so I would suggest adding a bit of water when warming it up the second time around. I also used shredded Mozzarella instead of sliced, which the original recipe calls for.
Guinea Grinders
Recipe from 30 Day Gourmet
printable version
This recipe makes 12 sandwiches. I made 6 and froze the other half for another meal. You could just cut this in half as well.
1 lb Italian sausage
1 lb ground beef
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
30 oz homemade pizza sauce (or jar pizza sauce)
4 loaves French bread, sliced in half horizontally
Mozzarella cheese, shredded
If sausage has casings remove them and crumble into pan with the ground beef. Brown both meats together until no longer pink. Drain fat.
Mix the salt, pepper, garlic powder and pepper flakes into the pizza sauce.
Put the browned meat and the seasoned sauce into the slow cooker and stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or on high for 1-2 hours, stir once or twice during cooking.
Preheat oven to 375 F. Cut the split French loaf into 3 separate sandwiches. Repeat with second loaf. If making all 12 servings, repeat with 3rd and 4th loaf.
Pull a small amount of bread out of the bottom of the loaf to make a bowl for the meat.
Fill the bowl with meat mixture.
Cover the meat mixture with shredded Mozzarella cheese.
Place the top of loaf onto the sandwich and wrap the entire thing in foil. Bake for 15 minutes in the oven and serve.
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Looks like a delicious sandwich!
Oh, I am drooling looking at your photo–I just want to take a big bite out of the sandwich! My three "kids" are home from college, so it's the perfect time to make this indulgent meal. (And I'll skip counting calories that day when I make it.) Your posting reminds me that I need to get my mom's meatballs posted on my site–already have the sauce and bread crumb components up there. I'm fairly new to the blogosphere–when I get my 60 recipes posted, count me in for the secret recipe club! I'm getting close. :-)
Hi there!! Made these lastnight with a dinner roll type bun, came out very delish!! I didn't roll them individually with the foil, so the first batch had a harder bun, but the second batch was soft and good, the kiddo's enjoyed them alot!! Thanks!!
now that's some real fair food right there!!! can't wait until we make the trip in a few weeks!! you've got some super yummy recipes on here! movin' on to the pizza on the grill next! yummy!
Wow these look awesome. I think this might go on my menu plan next week, thanks!
These look wonderful. Do you think that if the bread was buttered first, that these could be put together and heated individually from the frozen state? I am including them in my Friday Finds this week. Thanks for posting.
What an awesome idea like a sloppy joe my boys are going to love them thanks AMANDA!
Love it. Being from the midwest too and we adore grinders. Will have to try this recipe out with your pizza sauce recipe.
Hello Amanda! I love this recipe! My ex husband is from Iowa and many years ago they put together one of those family cookbooks. After we divorced, I asked if he wanted this cookbook back and he said no. There is a recipe in there called "Hot Italian Sandwiches" and it is very, very similar to the one you posted. The only difference is they used all italian sausage and added basil!
Still a delicious sandwich either way! Thanks for sharing so many great recipes!
Your hubby's family is from Iowa???? I grew up in Ames and went to the U of IA in Iowa City. Where is he from? Great sandwich!
@Amber – So glad you liked them!
I am back to say that I made these and found them very good. My husband approved. I have adapted the method to Taco and Sloppy Joe fillings and am posting about that on my blog on Sunday. I have 3 of the Guinea Grinders in my freezer to test out freezing them and reheating. Thanks for a great idea.
h yes, lots of Formaro's in Iowa! :)
@Loy – so glad you liked them! I agree, a nice alternative for sloppy joes too!
LOVE this post! As an Iowa native, you officially made me hungry for home! Can't wait to try and thanks for sharing.
I am so shocked to find this recipe on this blog! Idk why, but I thought mine was the only family to make these anymore(;
My mom used to make these for me(she's from Iowa) and we all loved them, now I make them for my husband and I and it's one of our favorite meals!
so glad to see this on here!
(:
Glad you are still enjoying them at home too!
I originally from Des Moines and grew up with these sandwiches. In fact a family I grew up with owns the stand at the Iowa State Fair. It is impossible to find one of these sandwiches in Chicago. They have never heard of a guinea grinder sandwich. I haven't found a good recipe yet, but yours seems to have the right ingredients, so I will try it. There are still some good places in Des Moines that you can get them. Chucks on 6th Ave, The La Pizza House on SE 14th, but the best I've had is at The Tavern on 5th St. in West Des Moines.
Oh thanks for that info on the restaurants! I'm in southeast WI and they certainly don't have them here either. of course you can't find a good Italian Beef in New York either, they don't even know what it is! LOL Regional food, gotta love it!
I also use the meat&sauce, add onions and jalapeno slices, and use it on pizza. Add mozz. and it is amazing!!!
I have been making these for years.I grew up in clear lake Iowa. I moved out east 10 years ago and have been bringing these to work now and then. People even love them out here.I work with a few Italians.I get to poke a little fun with them every time i make them and they snag a tooth on one. Best eats out there :-)
Thanks for posting this recipe. I can’t wait to try it. I get so homesick for Des Moines food!
Some here in Des Moines IA put a jar of peppers ‘n sauce and a can o pizza sauce..
Yum, sounds good!