This California Chile Roast Beef Sandwich is a cinch to put together. It's a great combination of Carl's Jr. old-time Roast Beef Sandwich and a Denny's Turkey Bird
The Story Behind California Chile Roast Beef Sandwich
Growing up, when we would stop for fast food, it was usually Carl's Jr. or McDonald's. At Carl's Jr. rather than a hamburger, I would opt for their California Roast Beef Sandwich, a combination of seasoned roast beef (I think they put it into a jus so it was sort of French dip like), along with some Swiss cheese, Ortega chile, and thinly sliced tomato, all on a steamed bun.
I'm not changing the name to Hatch Chile Roast Beef Sandwich - although in this case I could.
When I first met my husband, he was bartending. Or as he put it, "taking a vacation". After a long night of pouring drinks filled with Midori and any other sweet booze (they really loved their Midori drinks where he worked) and closing the register; we would head over to Denny's; one of the few places still open at that time of night, for their Super Bird sandwich, a combo of french bread, American cheese, deli turkey and sliced tomato. I've already improved upon this with my Turkey Bird.
But when you put them together...what have you got?
Well, I used to call it the "Bell Beefer" but since Taco Bell is not a player in the preliminary line-up, it's now a...
California Chile Roast Beef Sandwich
After returning from Santa Fe, New Mexico with my stash of Hatch chiles, I knew this sandwich was coming to our dinner table soon. And so it did.
But I'm not changing the name to Hatch Chile Roast Beef Sandwich, because I've been making it for years with California roasted chiles. And I live in California. So it stays with California. Even though I used a New Mexico chile this time.
As with the turkey bird, I start with sourdough bread. Then I layer cheddar cheese, chiles, lean roast beef (I do buy deli roast beef, but only GOOD real roast beef at the deli counter- you know, the kind that is really made from beef and not cobbled together with bits and pieces of beef that are glued together. Softened butter coats the outside, and then 99% of the time, I sprinkle them with some finely grated parmesan cheese. The 1% of the time that I don't, it's because I happen to have run out of it. Otherwise, it's a big YES. Put this on a grill pan, or a Panini press, get it nice and toasty and, yep...it's all good.
California Chile Roast Beef Sandwich
Ingredients
- 4 slices sourdough French bread
- ½ to ¾ pound roast beef thinly sliced
- 2 - 4 roasted California chiles can be freshly roasted, or canned seeded and sliced
- 2 - 4 slices cheddar cheese mild, medium or sharp, your choice
- 1 - 2 teaspoons butter softened
- ¼ to ⅓ cup finely grated parmesan cheese optional, but good
Instructions
- Place the bread on a clean surface, layer one side with the roast beef, cover with the chilies and cheese. Close to make a sandwich.
- Butter both outsides of the bread with the softened butter. Sprinkle one or both sides with the parmesan cheese.
- Heat a skillet, grill pan or panini press to medium-high. Put the sandwiches on and cook until lightly browned (place a plate on the top if cooking in a skillet or griddle to form a press); when browned, turn and repeat on the other side. Cut in half and serve.
- LindySez: If making this sandwich with the optional parmesan crust, it is best to make it in a flat-surfaced not ridged pan as this will keep the cheese evenly cooked on the outside of the bread.
Kathy says
It used to be my favorite! But where I lived it had Jack cheese, not Swiss, it didn’t have a tomato, and I’m pretty sure it was a jalapeño pepper. But - all these years I’ve been complaining that they don’t have it any more, I don’t know why I never thought to just make my own! Thank you for the recipe!!
Linda Baker says
Hi Kathy, Sometimes I put pepper-jack on for variation. The cheese is flexible. Use whatever you like. Cheddar can also work. When I used to get them in the diner, they used California chilies, I like poblano chilies for their deeper flavor. Glad you found you former favorite sandwich recipe! Cheers ~ Lindy
John Rhoe says
Call me Moose. I’m a moose in the kitchen where I serve up a storm and this is going on my list. A sandwich shoppe used to serve these at the Mall near my house when I was a kid! Just great!
Linda Baker says
Hey Moose, way happy to hear that these brought back fond childhood memories. I also love that these are sooooo easy that even a Mooose can make them LOLL...enoy. Cheers ~ Lindy
Terri says
I moved to Texas from SoCal 33 years ago. I have missed the California Roast Beef Sandwiches. We have some Carl's Jr/Hardee's here in Texas but they unfortunately
that is no longer on the menu.
I was making them on onion rolls with Swiss. I am making them tonight and I will switch to cheddar and sour dough.
Thanks for the recipe.
LindySez says
Funny how we miss certain foods...my move from So Cal to Nor Cal certainly showed me California is diverse and the food from the bottom of the state does not always get to the top...Let me know how your sandwiches turn out.
Cheers ~ Lindy
Henry Schwindt says
Yes, I sorely miss the Carl's JR California Roast Beef and the old foot long chili cheese dogs with the single hot pepper on it! Even after Carl;s killed them off the menu they could still be found at the headquarters in Anaheim (80's).
Thanks for the recipe! Added a bit of mayo mixed with horse radish.
Robyn @ simply fresh dinners says
When I saw the title of this dish, I had to come over! This looks and sounds fabulous, Lindy! I've never thought of adding chiles - delicious!
LindySez says
Thanks for stopping by Robyn. They do make a tasty addition! Cheers ~ Lindy