The chow mein sandwich typically consists of a brown gravy-based chow mein mixture placed between halves of a hamburger-style bun, and is popular on Chinese-American restaurant menus throughout southeastern Massachusetts and parts of neighboring Rhode Island.[1] Originating in Fall River, Massachusetts, in the 1930s or 1940s,[2][3][4][5] the sandwich is not well known outside of a relatively small area of New England.
This sandwich was created to provide a low-cost meal in an economically depressed region inhabited by recent immigrants from Europe and Canada while providing it in a form with which they were already familiar.[3][4] Even the gravy has been modified to be very similar to that used in typical New England cooking.[3]
These sandwiches are sometimes served outside of Chinese American restaurants by the food services in local area schools[6] and senior citizens' centers.[7] Celebrity chef and Fall River native Emeril Lagasse has also publicized this sandwich,[7] along with food writers Jane and Michael Stern.[1]
The sandwiches are served "strained" or "unstrained," referring to whether or not the sandwich has vegetables. "Strained" means that it is served without vegetables. Just like plated chow mein without the bun, the sandwich may also include meats or seafood, usually chicken, beef, or shrimp. The Oriental Chow Mein Noodle Company of Fall River is the regional source for the sandwich's distinctive crispy noodles.[8]
These sandwiches can be found in the cities of Fall River, New Bedford, and Taunton in Massachusetts; and in the cities of Woonsocket, Pawtucket and Tiverton in Rhode Island.[9] Although the sandwich is mostly unknown in nearby Boston,[3] it was on the menu at the more distant Coney Island location of Nathan's Famous in Brooklyn, New York as recently as 2013.[4][1]
^ abcStern, Jane & Stern, Michael (February 23, 2013). "Mill Town Meals: The Massachusetts city of Fall River boasts uncommon—and uncommonly good—regional foods". Saveur.
^Lim, Imogene (Summer 1999). "Chow Mein Sandwiches". Flavor & Fortune. Vol. 6, no. 2. p. 5. Archived from the original on 2006-03-25.
^ abcdLim, Imogene L. & Eng-Wong, John (1994). "Chow Mein Sandwiches: Chinese American Entrepreneurship in Rhode Island" (PDF). In Kwok, Munson A. & Quan, Ella Yee (eds.). Origins and Destinations: 41 Essays on Chinese America. Los Angeles: Chinese Historical Society of Southern California, UCLA Asian American Studies Center. pp. 417–436. ISBN 9780930377038. OCLC 260218520. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-07-14. Retrieved 2018-03-10.
^ abc"Fall River's Famous Chow Mein Sandwich". New England Historical Society. January 18, 2014.
^Lim, Imogene L. (1993). "The Chow Mein Sandwich: American as Apple Pie" (PDF). Radcliffe Culinary Times. Vol. III, no. 2. pp. 4–5.
^"School menus: Jan. 16-20". Fall River Herald News. January 14, 2012.
^ ab"Senior Scene 2: The Council on Aging will be holding a public open house at the Senior Center on Thursday, April 21 from 1 to 2 p.m." Fall River Herald News. April 12, 2011.
^Devitt, Phil (December 24, 2009). "Back In Business: Oriental Chow Mein Company returns after devastating fire". South Coast Today. Archived from the original on January 14, 2020. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
^"Made In Fall River: The pounds of noodles pile up at chow mein factory". Fall River Herald News. 2008-09-23. Archived from the original on 2013-10-05.
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