Awe'z Sandwich Shop - Mason City, IA

Finally had my first Loose Meat Sandwich . . . 

When it comes to famous Iowan foodstuffs, loose meat sandwiches arguably top the list (with gigantic platter sized breaded pork tenderloin on an itty bitty bun second)(and no, corn doesn't count).  Maybe they can thank "Roseanne" for that.  So on a roadtrip down to Cedar Rapids, I made a point of trying both

We arrived at Awe'z about 11am on Thursday.  Only a handful of customers, but by the time we finished it was filling up.  I imagine the road construction isn't doing them any favors, but we found a way there easy enough.  The Red & White colors of it's former Maid-Rite days pop out

Inside we found the largest open kitchen I've ever seen in a diner.  Sprawling with space.  The meat steamer station an island like an operating table

Fixin' to kill two birds with one stone, we ordered a Tenderloin Sandwich and a couple Maid-Rite's . . .  I mean a Beef Delight and a Small B.D., and they were basically as I expected:  Barely seasoned cooked ground beef, as if you were making Ortega gringo tacos but didn't put the seasoning packet in, piled on a bun.  Simple as that.  It was moister than I'd imagined, which was nice, but the mustard, pickle, and onion were totally needed for flavor

The Tenderloin Sandwich was disappointment and a pleasant surprise.  A minus because instead of a ridiculously ginormous dry flat frisbee on a small bun, it was reasonable sized.  A huge plus because it was a thick juicy pork patty with a nice uncrumbly breading.  THIS I'd order again in a heartbeat

The expected dryness of the tenderloin was made up for by the deep fried Pickle Spears.  I don't think I've ever had them where the pickle wasn't large and spilling with brine.  Everything fried I assume came off a Sysco truck, but these were not best choice of brand

We ordered the kiddo their Chicken Strips Basket.  Didn't try the chicken, but the Sweet Potato Fries were of a non-preferable thin type

A winner though was the Root Beer Float.  They brew their own in-house, which was average, but the kindness was stellar, topping off the Root Beer after the kid drank most of it before getting to the ice cream

All in all, I see no reason to go out of my way for another loose meat sandwich, we wouldn't hesitate to stop back at Awe'z on our way through town . . . even with this unfortunately in the window:

Jesus

-

www.awezsandwichshop.com  

Awe'z Sandwich Shop - 629 S Federal Avenue, Mason City, IA 50401

641 - 424 - 2662