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    Home » Recipes » California Chile Roast Beef Sandwich

    California Chile Roast Beef Sandwich

    Published: Oct 9, 2014 · Modified: Aug 11, 2021 by Linda Baker · This post may contain affiliate links

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    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

    California Chile Roast Beef Sandwich

    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 use 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
    California Chile Roast Beef Sandwich

    California Chile Roast Beef Sandwich

    LindySez
    This California Chile Roast Beef Sandwich is a cinch to put together. It’s a great combination Carl’s Jr. old-time Roast Beef Sandwich, and a Denny’s Turkey Bird.
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    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Sandwiches
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2 servings
    Calories 552 kcal

    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.

    Notes

    Be sure the butter is well softened so it doesn't tear the bread when you spread it.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gSodium: 601mgFiber: 3gCholesterol: 104mgCalories: 552kcalPolyunsaturated Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 14gFat: 29gProtein: 36gCarbohydrates: 35g
    Keyword Carl's Jr. roast beef sandwich, grilled beef sandwich
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Robyn @ simply fresh dinners

      October 10, 2014 at 9:49 am

      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!

      Reply
      • LindySez

        October 10, 2014 at 9:56 am

        Thanks for stopping by Robyn. They do make a tasty addition! Cheers ~ Lindy

        Reply
    2. Henry Schwindt

      November 03, 2019 at 5:43 am

      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.

      Reply
    3. Terri

      October 04, 2022 at 12:01 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • LindySez

        October 05, 2022 at 9:30 am

        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

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Lindy.

    I am a home-trained chef who loves to cook and eat delicious food. As I like to say, "Life is too short to eat mediocre food". And I find too much food out there is mediocre. I don't think good food needs to be fussy, or difficult to prepare. Most of my recipes are fresh, quick, easy, and tasty while keeping both calories and fats in check. 

    More about me →

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