Ye Olde Tavern (Iowa)
Encyclopedia
Ye Olde Tavern was a tavern sandwich
restaurant in Sioux City, Iowa
. Becy Mercuri says that the founder of Ye Old Tavern (the previous name) Dave Higgin created the tavern sandwich in 1924, although rival chain Maid-Rite
lays claim that its founder, Floyd Angell, created the sandwich in 1926 in Muscatine, Iowa
.
each, served in wax paper without a plate. They originally bought the buns from a local bakery, the Iowa Baking Company, which was later acquired by Old Home and so renamed. The buns were from then on dual-sourced depending on bread quality. Because of the restaurant's success, imitations started appearing. Later on, the restaurant went from just serving sandwiches to serving meals also. Abe's sandwich creation was served at fundraisers, churches, restaurants, and bars in Sioux County
, Plymouth County
, Cherokee County
, and Woodbury County
. Bertha sold the taverns at an event called Tavern Days, Ye Olde Tavern Day which served 875 people in less than two hours. Their children helped at the restaurant when Bertha became ill. The restaurant closed in 1974 because of Bertha's failing health; none of their children were interested in operating it.
on May 23, 2011 on the episode titled Pickles and Ice Cream.
Abe Kaleb's invention of tavern sandwiches are also now sometimes referred to as loosemeats.
Tavern sandwich
A tavern sandwich is a sandwich commonly consumed in Iowa in the United States, originally consisting of unseasoned ground beef on a bun, mixed with sauteed onions, and sometimes topped with pickles, ketchup and mustard. The tavern has a number of different names...
restaurant in Sioux City, Iowa
Sioux City, Iowa
Sioux City is a city in Plymouth and Woodbury counties in the western part of the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 82,684 in the 2010 census, a decline from 85,013 in the 2000 census, which makes it currently the fourth largest city in the state....
. Becy Mercuri says that the founder of Ye Old Tavern (the previous name) Dave Higgin created the tavern sandwich in 1924, although rival chain Maid-Rite
Maid-Rite
Maid-Rite is an American casual dining franchise restaurant chain. Before it became a restaurant chain, it was a single restaurant, opened in 1926 by Fred Angell. By the end of the 1920s, there were four franchises granted; these four restaurants are still in operation.Maid-Rite Corporation's CEO...
lays claim that its founder, Floyd Angell, created the sandwich in 1926 in Muscatine, Iowa
Muscatine, Iowa
Muscatine is a city in Muscatine County, Iowa, United States. The population was 22,886 in the 2010 census, an increase from 22,697 in the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Muscatine County...
.
History
The building was originally built in 1928. The creator Dave Higgin sold sandwiches that he called "tavern burgers" in 1924 at his restaurant. When the creator died, his wife took over the business. Abe Kaleb bought the restaurant that was previously called Ye Old Tavern in 1934 and renamed it Ye Olde Tavern. He created his own formula for the tavern burger (renamed to tavern) that he and his wife Bertha Kaleb sold for a dimeDime
Dime may refer to:Currency* Dime * Dime Media and entertainment* Dime , by Guardian* "Dime" , by Beth* The Dimes, a musical group* Dime novel, a type of popular fictionSports* Dime...
each, served in wax paper without a plate. They originally bought the buns from a local bakery, the Iowa Baking Company, which was later acquired by Old Home and so renamed. The buns were from then on dual-sourced depending on bread quality. Because of the restaurant's success, imitations started appearing. Later on, the restaurant went from just serving sandwiches to serving meals also. Abe's sandwich creation was served at fundraisers, churches, restaurants, and bars in Sioux County
Sioux County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 33,704 in the county, with a population density of . There were 12,279 housing units, of which 11,584 were occupied.-2000 census:...
, Plymouth County
Plymouth County, Iowa
Plymouth County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 24,986 in the 2010 census, an increase from 24,849 in the 2000 census. The county seat is Le Mars...
, Cherokee County
Cherokee County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 12,072 in the county, with a population density of . There were 5,777 housing units, of which 5,207 were occupied.-2000 census:...
, and Woodbury County
Woodbury County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 102,172 in the county, with a population density of . There were 41,454 housing units, of which 39,052 were occupied.-2000 census:...
. Bertha sold the taverns at an event called Tavern Days, Ye Olde Tavern Day which served 875 people in less than two hours. Their children helped at the restaurant when Bertha became ill. The restaurant closed in 1974 because of Bertha's failing health; none of their children were interested in operating it.
Present
The restaurant was brought up on the radio broadcast A Way with WordsA Way with Words
A Way with Words is an independent, non-profit, nationwide, weekly public radio show about language currently broadcast around the country.It was originally produced by KPBS in San Diego, CA, from 1998 to 2007. The show was originally hosted by authors Richard Lederer and Charles Harrington Elster...
on May 23, 2011 on the episode titled Pickles and Ice Cream.
Abe Kaleb's invention of tavern sandwiches are also now sometimes referred to as loosemeats.