Chow Mein Sandwich (1930s) on Sandwiches of History⁣

Today we’re taking a sandwich of regional history. Yes, the Chow Mein Sandwich which hails from, of all places, Fall River, Massachusetts. Apparently, this has been around since the 1930s and is usually eaten with knife and fork. Sorry not gonna do that.

Pre-order your copy of Sandwiches of History: The Cookbook!

Sign up for my weekly recap email!

Snag some Sandwiches of History hoodies, t-shirts, beanies, and more!

⁣
#ChowMeinSandwich #SandwichesofRegionalHistory #FallRiver #sandwiches #sandwich #sandwichesofhistory #historic-sandwiches #oldsandwiches #oldrecipes #sandwichesofyoutube #sandwichesofourhistory #1930s

[KarlRoyale]

In Massachusetts it is usually served differently. Wrap the two halves of the bun in wax paper first by folding a square in half put the bun inside then fold in the sides to make an envelope. Then ladle the Chow Mein between the bun halves and add a bit of duck sauce. Eat with a fork and the chow Mein gets the bun wet. That way it isn't messy to eat. Also every time I've seen chow Mein it is made with bean sprouts. More like half of the vegetables are sprouts and half as much onion and celery. Thick gravy.
Not far from me in Massachusetts there is a place called the Salem Willows (est 1903), right off the water in Salem Harbor. There was a restaurant that had been there for Several decades since the 40's I believe that always had the Chicken Chow Mein sandwich. I my life time they went from 2 for $1 to $1 each to 1.50 before the place closed about ten years ago. Most weekends they could not make them fast enough.

[axdntprn]

I feel like this as a cold leftover sandwich would hold together significantly better

[JoeMazzolaTheFirstPersonCook]

Fall River, and I say this with all the love in my Bostonian heart, is like if "after a night out" was a place. Been to some amazing local music shows there!

[FishareFriendsNotFood]

I'm from the area where this sandwich is from, and the feeling of your arteries clogging in real time is half the joy of eating it!

[aurelielagrange]

My grams from Sweden relocated to Minneapolis cooked chicken chow mein whenever we visited from Iowa.

She likely learned the dish in 1930. I miss it. 😢

[GhostManBrandonDDpre]

I was in a hurry, then this popped up and I said: "I will make time for Chow Mein Sandwich"
I'm letting it get a little cool, straining off as much liquid as possible, adding 5 Spice fried pork, hitting it with Kewpie, shredded nori, sesame seeds and Sriracha, then going to town. Maybe even a sub roll.

[melissalambert]

Born and raised in Weymouth MA and have friends in Fall River - I was pretty happy to see today's title! Next time, not so much liquid. It's still going to be a hot mess, but a little better. Maybe add some bean sprouts. Yum!

[druidicdwarf]

I believe the history of this sandwich comes from the classical - how do we get westerners to buy our food from the restaurant problem. By combining the unknown (chow mein) with the known (gravy and sandwich bun), this was created to sell to the western locals and sell it did! (Along with its cheap price). Thanks for covering this!

[DrummerQ]

Fall River style "Chow mein" is strange yet so addictive for some reason. Cheers on buying the authentic brand. I plus mine up with charred broccoli and Sriracha in the gravy

[lisaanderson]

I grew up next to Fall Rivah, MA and the GASP I let out when I saw the Hoo Mee box! 😯😯 Thank you for giving me all the nostalgia today, good sir. 🤗

[melissalambert]

Now you have to make the "other" one. The Salem MA Chop Suey sandwich.

[emspain]

there's a UK version of this which is a Pot Noodle sandwich. any flavour Pot Noodle on standard government issue bleached white bread. I have never dared to try it.

[LucasPNW]

I LOL'd at the boiled onions and celery 😂

[alacrijaxproductions]

Mickey O'Shaughnessy probably crushes these wicked sandos at the bahr.

[bodies]

You need to throw a chow mein party—buns optional—to use up the rest of the mix. 😁

[theoldgrowler]

Pair with Coors Light! (Also good for rinsing off fingers...)

[natsrome]

I recently moved out of Fall River and I miss living there so bad. This is still served in most of the asian restaurants and hot dog places there haha.

[plaidmoon]

This sounds like the odd northern/Chinese cousin to biscuits and gravy and would probably be best eaten open faced with a knife and fork (as you mentioned).

[adigmon]

I order that stuff on Amazon and we loved it! I made it with chicken too!

[Origamidude]

"Can we get yakisoba pan?"
"We got yakisoba pan at home"
*chow mein sandwich*

Heard good things about this local sandwich. Lol yeah, this looks like something I'd demolish during a case of the munchies