The Old Fashioned Diner Lunch No One Seems To Order Anymore

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We found some real bangers on the list of old-school diner foods that are no longer popular, and roast beef Manhattan, also called a beef Manhattan, Manhattan hotshot, or hot beef sandwich, is definitely among them. Essentially, a roast beef Manhattan is a sandwich with hot roast beef piled with mashed potatoes on bread and smothered with gravy. It may or may not be served open-faced. Although its name is quintessentially New York, legend has it that the sammie was invented in Indiana. Its progenitors were said to be workers at a WWII naval plant who had enjoyed a similar meal back East. The roast beef Manhattan became a mainstay of Hoosier State diners, although its popularity has waned significantly in the 21st century.

You can see the fundamentals of a roast beef Manhattan in a classic Thanksgiving turkey leftovers sandwich, which may be stuffed with turkey, spuds, stuffing, and anything else that didn't get consumed on the holiday. Indeed, a turkey Manhattan exists; we can see its modern-day analogue in Wawa's seasonal Gobbler sandwich. Most sandwiches are handheld, but the roast beef Manhattan is more of a knife-and-fork affair. Deliciously gooey, salty, and carby, we can see why it would be beloved by a late-night diner crowd trying to soak up an evening of excess or by lunch-rush workers needing a hearty meal to power them through the afternoon shift. In fact, we believe that the time is ripe for roast beef Manhattan to come back around, earning a spot on your dinner table when you need a quick, filling entrée.

When time is of the essence but you crave belly-warming comfort food, roast beef Manhattan could be the perfect go-to in your kitchen. Making it with leftover pot roast is easy-peasy, of course, but you can also stick a chuck roast in your slow cooker of choice — we like this model because it's extra roomy and is programmable, so no worries about overcooking — and have your meat ready to shred with two forks when you get home from work. Finishing off your sandwich is as easy as adding mashed potatoes, canned gravy, and some toasted slices of whatever bread you have in the house. No need to get caught up on the potatoes, either ... they aren't the star of the dish, so feel free to use canned potatoes as a shortcut ingredient, or even instant flakes.

Of course, that doesn't mean that this isn't a recipe that's perfect for dressing up! If you have the time and resources to lavish on an unforgettable meal, you can gussy up just about every aspect of roast beef Manhattan, from silky hand-mashed potatoes with tons of garlic and pepper to scratch gravy to a side of roast beef that you've nursed in the oven for hours. You could even bake your own sourdough for the sandwiches. We love a versatile meal that's can change depending on how much energy and care you have to spend, and this classic diner repast fits the bill.