Well, let me tell you about this thing they call a hot beef sundae. Sounds fancy, don’t it? But it ain’t no dessert, not really. It’s just a whole mess of food piled up like one of them ice cream sundaes you see in them old timey movies, but with beef and potatoes.
First time I heard ’bout it, I thought, “Hot beef sundae? What in the tarnation?” I was at the Iowa State Fair, you see. Big place, lots of folks. You can get all sorts of things to eat there, that’s for sure. I saw this sign, “Hot Beef Sundae,” and it had a picture. Looked like ice cream, but it weren’t.
They start with mashed potatoes, you know? Scoop ’em up like ice cream. Lots of butter in them potatoes, I reckon. Then they pile on some roast beef. Not them thin slices like you get at the store, but good chunks of beef, all cooked up and tender. I always say, leftover roast beef is a good use, you can chop or shred roast beef. That’s how you make this hot beef sundae from scratch. Good old roast beef, just like your grandma used to make, if she was any good in the kitchen, that is. You can make your own gravy, or you can use the prepared one from the store, you know?
And gravy! Oh, they pour that gravy all over the beef and potatoes. Makes it all nice and juicy. Some folks like a lot of gravy, some don’t. I like mine with plenty. That gravy, it’s the best part, I think. Gotta have good gravy.
Then, they sprinkle on some cheese. Grated cheese, you know, the kind you put on spaghetti. Not my favorite, but it’s alright. And then, a dollop of sour cream. Just a little bit. I guess it’s supposed to make it look fancy. Or maybe it cools it down some, ’cause that beef and gravy, it’s hot, let me tell you.
Now, here’s the funny part. They stick a little tomato on top. A grape tomato, they call it. Like a cherry on a real sundae. Silly, ain’t it? But that’s what they do. I saw some people try this hot beef sundae, some said it was good, but some don’t. Just like other food, some like it, some don’t.
So, that’s a hot beef sundae. It ain’t ice cream, that’s for sure. It’s just a big pile of mashed potatoes, roast beef, gravy, cheese, and sour cream with a little tomato on top. A whole meal, really. You won’t be hungry after you eat one of them, I can tell you that much.
They say this hot beef sundae thing started back in 2006. At that Cattleman’s Beef Quarters, in the Iowa State Fair. That’s a long time ago. I guess folks like it, ’cause they’re still selling them. Some folks call it “comfort food” because it makes them feel good inside, like being hugged by a warm blanket, maybe.
- Mashed potatoes, all buttery
- Roast beef, nice and tender
- Gravy, lots of it
- Cheese, sprinkled on top
- Sour cream, just a dollop
- And a little tomato, for the looks of it
It’s a strange thing, this hot beef sundae. But it’s kind of good, in a way. If you like beef and potatoes, you’ll probably like it. I do like the taste of beef and potatoes. Just don’t expect no ice cream, that’s all I’m saying. It’s a meal, not a dessert. And it’s a big meal, at that. You might want to share it with someone, ‘less you’re real hungry.
I guess if you’re ever at the Iowa State Fair, you can try one. They sell ’em there, at that Cattleman’s place. It’s called Cattleman’s Beef Quarters, as I said before. Just remember what I told you. It ain’t ice cream. It’s a hot beef sundae. And it’s a whole lot of food. You can also make one yourself. Just pile up some mashed potatoes, then some roast beef, pour some gravy. Put some cheese and sour cream. Don’t forget that little tomato on top!
You can make it at home too if you’ve got leftovers, it’s easy peasy. But the fair is fun, everybody should go to the fair sometime. Lots of food, and animals, and rides. Just a whole lot of stuff going on, all the time. I like the fair. Reminds me of when I was a little girl. We didn’t have no hot beef sundaes back then, though. Just regular food, you know? But good food, just the same.