California Chile Roast Beef Sandwich

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.

California Chile Roast Beef Sandwich

*The recipe is for two, but can easily be multiplied.

The story behind California Chile Roast Beef Sandwich

A printer-friendly recipe card can be found at the bottom of this post

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.

Yield: 2 servings

California Chile Roast Beef Sandwich

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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.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 slices sourdough French bread
• 1/2 to 3/4 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
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup finely grated parmesan cheese (optional, but good)

Instructions

Step 1

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.

Step 2

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.

Step 3

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 Information:

Yield:

2

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 552Total Fat: 29gSaturated Fat: 14gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 104mgSodium: 601mgCarbohydrates: 35gFiber: 3gProtein: 36g

Nutritional values may not be 100% accurate

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