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Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The birthplace of Springfield’s iconic culinary delight, the horseshoe sandwich, has been officially honored with a plaque at the corner of 6th Street and Capitol Avenue. The plaque adorns the historic Leland Hotel building, marking the spot where the dish first came to life.
The plaque celebrates Chef Joe Schweska who enlisted the help of his wife Elizabeth in creating a new lunch item for the hotel restaurant’s menu. The sandwich’s name comes from the shape of the ham used in the original recipe.
Schweska’s granddaughter, Jan Militello, was at the unveiling of the plaque Thursday. “My grandpa came home with a bunch of leftover Easter ham and said, ‘What should I do with it?’” She said her grandmother got out some recipes and decided on the Welsh rarebit sauce and helped determine how to prepare it.
Referring to the plaque, Militello said “It’s wonderful that it will always be here now. My grandparents were very devoted to one another and their family. As time has gone on, we are all amazed that it has become such an iconic sandwich for the area.”
Militello said she has made the original recipe at home but confessed “it’s much easier to go out.” She said her favorite is the horseshoe at Darcy’s Pint, but the next one she wants to try is at Obed & Isaac’s.
The Illinois Commerce Commission has occupied space at the Leland Hotel building for over 50 years. “This plaque celebrates the birthplace of a true Springfield tradition,” said ICC Executive Director Jonathan Feipel. “We are proud to share in the space where this landmark sandwich first made its mark on the city.”
The plaque, a joint effort by Visit Springfield and the ICC, commemorates the sandwich’s rich 96-year history. “We go to meetings and walk past the lion head knockers on the old restaurant doors where the Red Lion was and where the horseshoe was invented. It’s great to see the culture and history be fully acknowledged on the side of the building,” said Feipel who divulged his favorite version of the sandwich is the buffalo chicken horseshoe.
Visit Springfield recently launched the Horseshoe Trail, featuring 31 local restaurants. Amy Beadle, marketing manager for Visit Springfield, said, “Many visitors come here specifically to try it. Food travel is a huge experience right now, and travelers want to have a foodie experience.” Springfield’s horseshoe has also gained international fame and has been featured on various food networks and travel channels.
Beadle noted that many visitors inquire about the original location and if they can try the original horseshoe there. “There is no better way to amplify this historic food experience than through the Trail and now a place to see the original location where it was established.”
Chef Schweska’s grandson Dan Schweska was also present at the unveiling of the plaque and said his grandfather was a quiet guy who was always happy to give out the recipe to anyone who wanted it. Dan said the family often makes horseshoes the day after Thanksgiving using the leftover ham.
The original recipe is below along with the menu from The Red Lion Tavern featuring the famous horseshoe sandwich. For more information on the Horseshoe Trail, check out Visit Springfield.
The Leland Horseshoe
