.
In the later 1970s and all or part of the 1980s I recall a heat-and-eat sandwich available at convenience stores, truck stops and other places where a refrigerated case offered various sandwich-types and a heating device on the counter allowing the heating of the vittle(s).
One of the more common names for the particular sandwich I remember was “Longhorn.”
Another name may have been “Wrangler.”
I do not remember the manufacturer but I believe that varied from area to area.
Across the USA the sandwiches’ name varied though I did see Longhorn more than any other name.
The sandwich was a roll-type hunk of bread longer than it was wide. Same with the meat that had that school-cafeteria-like soybean extender-like taste that I actually enjoyed unlike other folks I knew.
Atop the meat was a brown gravy-like sauce that was thick in consistency and applied sparingly but the sandwich was still messy when eaten.
No barbecue flavor…. just a scrumptious brown gravy taste.
I recall the Longhorn / Wrangler did have some mayonnaise applied to the roll that added to the taste in a positive way.
That’s it. Nothing all-that-special but the sandwich was everywhere and conveyed a taste and texture I haven’t found in any other heat-and-eat, microwavable or fast-food sandwich.
Sometime in the mid-1980s or so I noticed that the Longhorn / Wrangler was no longer available. I kept my eyes open but none of the typical places had that sandwich anymore.
I went long-haul trucking a second time so was able to again roam a large area but, nope, no Longhorn nor any of the other same/very similar sandwiches from a different source with a different name.
Performing an extensive Web search, including an image search but nary ANY mention of the Longhorn or a similar sandwich.
Am I the only person within the USA that savored that delectable delight?
As with most convenience store foods the Longhorn was rather high-priced but I cherished the taste and saved it as a special treat due to the price.
If there was only a source for the same sandwich I would order a case or more and have it shipped or go pick it up at the distributor, whatever.
But, maybe the Longhorn is history?
Are my hopes, dreams and desires to be dashed upon the rocks of despair?
The Old Coot is wondering if anyone hereabouts recalls that culinary delight known as the Longhorn and perhaps knows of a Web site where I can, at the least, obtain a pic of my old friend or perhaps even order some!
Or am I doomed to age, wither away. A mere pitiable husk of my former self.Doomed to never again clamp my jaws upon that delectable morsel?
**********UPDATE**********
Unceasing effort.
Tireless searching for that small nugget of information.
Posting endlessly at message boards across the Web.
Reading others’ message board posting where folks discuss the past.
Finally, a glimmer, a speck of a mention of a long-gone firm that sold heat-and-eat sandwiches long ago, some using a non-microwave infrared oven to heat the sandwich.
A name was mentioned; Stewart Sandwiches.
(A non-microwave sandwich heating machine used in convenience stores before the wide-spread use of microwave ovens)
Sadly, I am unable to find any specific mention or picture of a Stewart Wrangler or Longhorn sandwich but the Stewart name sounds familiar.
Perhaps with the increasing use of microwave ovens in convenience stores the Longhorn/Wrangler type/style sandwiches did not heat properly in microwaves.
That would explain their disappearing; replaced by sandwiches that did heat up properly in a microwave.
Alas.
Gone forever? Never to reappear?
I have attempted to make my own Wrangler/Longhorn sandwich but my attempts were not successful.
Kind of close but not quite there.
The gravy/sauce has been the toughest part of the plan.
But I will not quit!
.
And thanks to the creator of the Stewart Sandwiches FaceBook page for answering that nagging question.
There are several pics there worthy of looking at so click on the link above and enjoy the show!!!!
.
.
Here is the pic that told me the name of the YUMMY goodness I enjoyed so much but, as mentioned earlier in this entry… simply disappeared. Never to be savored again.
.
.
.
.
.
On the left with a price of….. forty-five-cents!!!! Oh my!!! Oh Longhorn, oh how I miss thee. And how I miss how much further my wages went back in those long-ago days.
Sniff.
Here is a pic from a site selling old advertising… attic PAPER
The item is already sold and I fear the pic may be removed so here is a copy:
.
.
.
.
I have no doubt the fellow is staring at the gal’s sandwich, not the babe. If he wasn’t such a gentleman I just know he would grab the gal’s Stewart sandwich and wolf it down. Well, maybe he did after the picture was taken. And I would not blame him for doing so.
.
.
And the saga continues…………
***UPDATE***
8/23/2016
Sent via a commenter below we now have a nifty video telling us how to make a Longhorn-like sandwich. I have not tried the recipe yet but will do so in the future. A “Thanks” to our distinguished commenter for offering what may be a last chance to savor the wonderful goodness of a yummy delight from the past whose memory has followed us decades into the future.
.
*****UPDATE 25 August 2017*****
McDonalds may have tried to emulate the yumminess of the Longhorn. The source at the link below says:
The McDonalds Chopped Beefsteak Sandwich consisted of a long hamburger on an oblong bun, covered in onions and sauce. Sadly, it never went past the phase of “test product”, despite a commercial campaign for it. Now I can’t be certain, but I am pretty sure that chopped beefsteak is just a hamburger. At least that is what it looks like in the commercial.
If so, it is a brilliant move on McDonald’s part to add a more evocative name and reshape their most common menu item and resell it as something else.
Follow the link for more information, pictures and a video:
McDonalds Chopped Beefsteak Sandwich
Little information at YouTube about the sandwich but it looks tasty:
The comments section is interesting. The folks declare the item was actually sold and it appears it was popular due to its good taste.
That starting comment at the message board linked-to above was followed by a bevy of agreeing opinions.
I do not recall this item but when I did grab a fast-food joint item in those long-ago days I tended to go for the big burgers Burger King and Jack-in-the-Box sold.
Here’s another TV ad for a sandwich McDonalds may need to bring back to boost sagging sales.
Another edible lost to the past with only memories to remind the eater of the delight they once had. I can only guess using visuals and my memory of the ultra-tasty Longhorn delight I remember well and it saddens me I will never perform a side-by-side comparison of the two. However, I betcha’ that there was at least some similarity between the two.
Should we start a write-in campaign demanding that McDonalds bring back the chopped beefsteak sandwich?
Damn right!!! Use the link below to tell McDonalds we want the chopped beefsteak sandwich on the menu!!!
We want to hear from you!
What is this about?
Choose one of the following:*
I selected the “menu items and nutrition” option. Maybe we will get a reasonable or better facsimile of the awesome Longhorn sandwich back in our paws again!!!
Stumbled across the following pics January 12, 2019. Checked all the links above and they still reach out and attach themselves to the proper content. Hooray!!!
.
.
***** UPDATE *****
March 2024
Howdy, Herd. At the linked-to Facebook page above I saw a link there that led to a POSSIBLE source for an actual Stewart Wrangler/Longhorn/Whatever sandwich!!!
Royal Deli Foods & Stewart Sandwiches
.
Scroll down at the front page and see the menu and price list. Prices below were seen March, 2024. If a local retail outlet sells Stewart Sandwiches maybe that Chuckwagon offering is a replica or kin to the Wrangler/Longhorn. I will seek an outlet in my area and report back later.
If the Chuckwagon is not offered maybe the retail outlet can order it for you. If there is a local distributor maybe they can be a source. A long shot could be contacting Royal Deli Foods and trying to get your hands on one via them.
.
Item Wholesale Retail
————————————————————
Twin Chili Dog $2.50 $3.59
Pepperoni Sub $2.50 $3.59
Double Cheeseburger $2.50 $3.59
Torpedo $2.50 $3.59
Jumbo Deli $3.80 $5.39
Jumbo Smoked Turkey $3.80 $5.39
Sausage and Egg Sandwich $2.30 $3.39
Sausage/Egg Muffin $2.50 $3.59
Turkey Sub $2.50 $3.59
Ham and Cheese Sub $2.50 $3.59
Super Sub $3.00 $4.29
Italian Sub $3.00 $4.29
Roast Beef and Cheddar $3.00 $4.29
Hot and Spicy Chicken $2.50 $3.59
Chuckwagon $2.50 $3.59
Bacon Cheeseburger $2.10 $2.99
Chicken Salad $2.50 $3.59
Ham Salad $2.50 $3.59
Egg Salad $2.50 $3.59
I Adore Food 
http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/m736610-print.aspx
They know the Longhorn
This is the company that used to be known as Stewart Sandwich: https://deliexpress.com/
Ah, the Wrangler Steak! This was the best thing I ever had, and used to eat them daily when I was working in the 70’s. I kind of lost track of them around 1977. I didn’t think there was another human in the world that remembered these.
I noticed while driving semi-truck across 46 of the 48 contiguous states that the sandwich name varied. The same basic sandwich went by the name Longhorn or Wrangler. I can not recall which areas had which name. Memory suggests that California was Longhorn land but the Wrangler may have been sold in other parts of California. Whatever the name it was a mighty fine dining delight and I ate a lot of the critters. If a new version of that yumminess could be created and sold in a fast-food joint based upon that yummy critter with fries and other stuff folks buy for meals I envision the outlets scattered across the country with people lined up bellowing for their beloved sandwich.
Oh yeah!!!
Did it come with abun that had onion bits on top?
I remember the “Chuckwagon”. Don’t remember the ingredients. Seems like it might have been stacked various sandwich meats w/cheese. The cheese would get all gooey and delicious and piping hot. I think the toaster worked on infrared instead of microwave. Sandwiches turned out much better.
I remember these sandwiches, and I loved them and ate them as often as possible. but, I believe the Chuckwagon was a double burger sandwich with cheese. And the sandwich with various types of meat and cheese was called a Ranchero sandwich it had a poppy seeded bun. this various meat sandwich can now be purchased through the Landshire sandwich co. but, it “is” called a Chuckwagon by them, and the Chuckwagon we remember can be purchased through the Advance-Pierre co. both of these sandwiches can be purchased through Foodservicedirect.com.
I remember when Stewart made both of these. Fed me many a time!
In Ontario Canada we had Redi Ray Foods..they sold Chuckwagons,Reubens, Hamburgers and Hotdogs and they were heated in a shiny stainless steel infra red oven. They were sold in small stores and gas stations.
In my travels across the USA I encountered different names for what seemed to be the same sandwich type. Chuckwagon seems familiar. A hamburger-patty type meat with a sauce or gravy or whatever the tasty stuff was and heated up in an infrared-type oven. Mighty-fine eating!!!!! I betcha’ that a fast-food burger joint would have a hit on its hands if they replicated that sandwich and made it available to the carnivorous crowd clamoring for good grub!!!
Without a doubt. Before the words sustainable, wholesome, local were invented
Where did Redi Ray go. I played music in the 70’s and 80’s, and all the hotels had the chuckwagons and cheese burgers. I just loved them. Pretty much lived on them. The were nice and cheap and delicious. I put mustard on mine. If you ever find them, let me know, please.
Bob
Hello, never heard of Redi Ray fare. A quick Web search did not reveal any site mentioning those edibles. One of the great mysteries shouting out for some intellectually-minded chap or chapesse to dig into and bring to light so the hungry masses can be sated.
I played in a band back in the 70’s, and all the hotels had the oven with the bright light. I lived on those mmm chuckwagons. Where did they go, they were delicious. I would put mustard on mine. A night of playing and having a beer or two, those chuckwagon went down so good. Hail the 70’s.
Bob
I was an elementary school student in San Francisco in the late 60s and I bought Stewart sandwiches from a small mom and pop store near the school. They had the oven in the picture, but the sandwiches had names like “beefburger”, “cheeseburger”, and “O’ Boy” (a steak sandwich). They weren’t expensive and were delicious.
I went to a private school in VA in the 70’s. We did not have a cafeteria but could buy Stewart Sandwiches for lunch.
You were a very lucky person to have that access to those wonderful vittles that sated my comestible desires during my later years when I had access to the yummy-in-my-tummy Stewart sandwiches… especially the Longhorn. Oh how I wish I could rustle up a dozen or so to munch on this weekend then a bunch more so I could gnaw upon them regularly.
Yep, Same here. Private Christian school in TX. No lunch room, just some portable tables in the gym and Stewart sandwiches. Still remember the glow of the hot oven so vividly and the taste of the sandwich.. umm.
I went to St. Mary Star of the Sea in Hampton VA back in the 70’s- we didn’t have a cafeteria, either- just a multipurpose room where we would go for lunch. I remember my 7th grade teacher Mrs. Hort would take orders for the hamburgers and pepperoni pizza. They were soooooo good. Hot as BLAZES, and I remember how the cellophane would crack. The cheese on the pizza would stick to it. I mentioned Stewart sandwiches to my husband who’s from Louisiana and he ate them, too.
We need a presidential candidate who promises to revive those Stewart sandwiches and the ovens that heated them and install them everywhere across the USA!!!!!
The TORPEDO
My favorite, next in line “ The Big’un “ at 7 eleven.
The torpedo was my second favorite, in part because it had the best price to weight performance ratio! May favorite by far was the pastrami sub. It was smaller than the torpedo, but it was some of the best Pastrami I have had in my life. I make my own Pastrami. I think the Stewarts Pastrami was not from brisket but probably from the “plate” or “navel” which is reported to be more fat streaked.
what are the ingrediences for this sandwich
Good question. I do not recall the ingredients of the torpedo as sold long ago in convenience stores. Of the guesstimated 582-billion recipes upon the Web more than a few share the ingredients as conceived by the person creating the recipe.
Somebody visiting this site may recall the exact formulation used in the past but if nothing appears perhaps selecting the recipe that sounds appetizing to you and making a new rendition may be a ticket to happiness!!!
Don’t know if you will see this reply since it’s a whole year later. I ate Stewart Sandwiches as a kid in the early 1970’s my private school. The Torpedo was one of my favorites. It was a very simple toasted sub roll with a spicy type of ham and orange cheddar cheese. I always tried to replicate it at home but never could find the spiced ham slices they used in the sandwich. My other favorite was their pizza slice. It was exactly what most would call “cafeteria pizza” – had that soft bread crust with a very sweet tangy tomato sauce and cheese that never really truly melted – it retained its shredded shape but was still melted. The sandwiches were dirt cheap – the Torpedo was like 75 cents and the pizza slice was 50 cents. I LOVED these and really miss them.
Unsure why I can see your comment in the editing area but not when I look at the blog entry in the viewing manner. Hopefully your entry will appear.
I’ve heard that 7-Eleven used to have a sandwich called the Truckstopper that was pretty similar (a hamburger patty on a long bun with gravy, or something like that).
And here’s a homemade one that also doesn’t seem too far off: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNOkVk78pSA
Watched the video. Will give that method a try soon. As with all recipes one can season to taste. My memory tells of a thick consistency to the gravy that appropriate use of thickening agent will hopefully emulate,
Thanks for the heads-up about the video. Some folks do not read comments so will place the link above where the video should present itself for playing here or folks can follow the video to YouTube where comments can be read and left there.
hi i have a stewarts toaster oven for sale if your interested
I am not seeking the device but maybe someone else would be. Ebay would be the best place to get top-dollar for the critter. It is a shame that the wonderful Longhorn sandwich is not available to toss inside and extract, when heated, one of the finest culinary delights to be munched upon.
Do you still have that Stewarts toaster?
I used to love the Stewart’s toaster oven ham and cheese hoagies. The toast them open face so the cheese which is under the ham next to the bread, gets all melty and the ham starts to caramelize at the edges. The outside of the roll gets nice and toast, crisp and delicious…. Ahhh memories of dive bars past.
I need Longhorn sandwiches! My husbands favorite. Back in the 90’s he said he’d marry me if I could find him a case of Longhorn sandwiches. I did, married in 99. 22 years later, I need to find another case! My marriage is suffering amd to prove I still care another case would be AMAZING! I will search!
My dad worked for Stewart Sandwiches from 68-70. He started in Norfolk, moved to Richmond and the in 69-70 he was regional manager in the Charlotte office
I remember back in the late 70s and early 80s, I worked 2nd shift mostly, and would stop at seven-11 for a late night snack meal. My favorite go to was the Truck Stopper. Sounds like the same sandwich, a long thin bun, a ground beef with a definite dried onion flavor, the smear of brown gravy on top. They had the microwave, and half the time, the end would be hard after cooking it. I would add ketchup to it, and it was messy good to eat. I get the packs of salisbury steaks, 6 to a pack, in the brown onion gravy, living alone I’d eat one or two with dinner, then make sandwiches with the rest through the next couple of days. It does have a bit of onion taste but not the one I remember from the Truck Stopper, and of course with ketchup on top.
I’m the grandson of the founder of Stewart In-Fra-Red.
Welcome to the melee!!! There is a ready market for the original Stewart sandwiches. Sell them on the Web and make a killing!!!
I too grew up loving the the Longhorn/Wrangler Sandwich. I’m in California the closest sandwiches in my opinion would be, am/pm Rib Sandwich. Also McDonalds would come out with the McRib Sandwich (seasonal). Very close to the taste enough to bring back memories. You’re welcome!
Michael are you related to Phil & Theresa?
Yes……….
We had a machine in our high school, small school, 120 kids. I had no money to buy one but my friends always said they made one too many and it didn’t sell. The free loaders sandwich help me a lot, was usually my only meal for the day back in the late 70s.
Cheryl . . . I truly and sincerely hope you are eating more regularly today!!! Our area has several food banks that gather grub for distribution to folks lacking food. Various organizations including local churches amass the vittles then distribute them. Some want evidence of income or lack thereof with some using the honor system and handing out bags of food to whoever arrives to take it.
All the best to you and yours!!!!
Oh no! Am fine now, growing up was hard after mom died, our house burned down and my brother committed sucide, all in the 70’s.
I actually own an original stewart machine like you have pictured. I’m interested in selling it if you are looking and the offer is right.
THE CHUCK WAGON WAS COOKED SALAMI,GERMAN BOLOGNA MUSTARD COOPER CHEESE ON A KAISER ROLL TOASTED
yes i remember them as well. i lived in Mt Gretna Pa and lake congewago used to sell these at their concession stand the torpedo sandwich was my favorite other places in pa sold them as well. mt gretna country store mary’s texico bowling alleys in late 1981 or early 1982 the were gone forever. great memories of foods to eat
I remember Stewart’s well, loved the cheeseburger and Torpedo. If you get a soft sub roll 2 slices of ham, bologna, salami and cheese. 5 minutes in the air fryer at 400 degrees and you have a throwback Torpedo
I have one of these sandwich makers for sale in great condition if anyone is interested!
My mom tended bar in the ‘70’s and as a 12 year old, I LIVED on these!!! Best things around back then!!!!
This is the company that took over Stewarts Sandwiches. https://deliexpress.com
I worked as a route salesman out of the Allentown Pa office from 1978 to 1983, fresh out of high school. I would like to see ANY school kid do that job today, considering the tough labor market back then and how involved the job was, and the intense bullshit managers got away with back in the day.
Most of the company failed when the franchisee from Long Island refused to pay for his truck load deliveries which put the Emmaus Pa plant out of business. Hatfield pork products now owns it. Then the Richmond VA plant burned down, pretty much putting the whole operation out business.
The oven pictured is an Infrared bulb oven; I spent most of my summers during school cleaning and repairing these. There was three sizes with the largest being very rare. These are NOT insulated and should NOT be used in a residential kitchen because the oven case gets very hot. I saw a similar oven being hawked on one of the tv shopping networks.
The punch out menu does not represent the selling prices. It is just all the copyrighted sandwich names and price point inserts. You had to custom build each menu for each customer based on their profit margin request. Most customers were set up to realize a 25% profit. The real value of the service was many states required alcohol serving facilities to have food available back then.
The Wrangler Steak was a “special” at our location. It was some sort of steak burger with a spicy tomato sauce on a steak roll. It was popular when it came out in the special rotation about every four months.
Back in the 1970’s our high school discontinued their hot lunch program and replaced it with a pre-made heat to order outfit. I was reminiscing and was told it was Stewart Sandwiches and indeed it was. I have a life long love of pastrami because of those sandwiches. I used to throw away the lunch my mom made me and have the pastrami and cheese or there was a larger sub with several types of meat. It really is a shame because convection ovens make for far better sandwiches than the microwave.
I couple of years back 7-11 had some great heat to order sandwiches and they were quite good. However the 7-11 staff didn’t like having to heat them to order. At one place they would pre heat them and they hated me because I demanded they make one fresh for me. They still have the convection ovens but discontinued the heat to order sandwiches.
Definitely remember getting and enjoying both the Wrangler and the Torpedo in San Francisco in the early 80s. From the corner store heated in the special Stewart-branded oven. Wonder how well they would hold up today..
In norther Ca it was called the “wrangler”. The steak burger had a oniony flavor with a tomatoy, not quite bbqy sauce. They were addictive. I bought mine at the 7-11’s. I believe the manufacturer’s name was “Rel’s”. Beer was my drink of chose. At one time I lived directly across the street from a 7-11. Talk about heaven. I could get my fix 24-7. I threw a party with champagne and guess what I served with it? Yep wranglers.
You are a wise eater, Phil. Those critters were mighty tasty. While trucking I was pleased when I saw those tasty delights whatever name was used. It has been a looooong time ago but I recall at least two different names for the same sandwich. Names for items often vary across the USA, such as Best Foods mayonnaise (known as Hellemans’ east of the Rockies). Over the years I have tried many similar-looking sandwiches but none compared to the mighty Wrangler or Longhorn or any other alias used. I tried making my own a few times here in the shack but never could reach the tastiness level. My gravy is always too thin and unable to thicken it as the Longhorn offered. Oh well. At least I have fond memories of a time gone by!!!!! Thanks for commenting.
I’m Michael Stewart……grandson of the founder of Stewart Sandwiches and the former manager of the Northern California Stewart Sandwiches division……..It’s so great to hear from everyone who loved the Wrangler, Chuckwagon and all of our other sandwiches…….you’ve made my day!
Mr. Stewart . . . the time has come for you and your crew to boldly step forward and bring back the mighty Longhorn or Wrangler sandwich. A huge hungry herd eagerly awaits the chance to munch upon the savory wonderfulness of the mighty Longhorn. Or Wrangler. Do you know the facts of the naming of that delectable sandwich with the brown gravy that nearly brought tears of joy to my eyes when munching upon it then heating up another and savoring it yet again?
Feel free to write an essay or history or anything related to Wrangler or Stewart or any aspect of the firm. I can copy it and add it to the content in the main section of this post.
Alas……..Stewart Sandwiches is no more…….but, over the years, it spawned 1000’s of new sandwich companies nationwide.
Back in the days, I ran the California branch, and my brother ran the Arizona branch……I can get together with my brother and write an essay……what questions would you and your readers want answers to?
FYI: if you’re looking for the taste of a Stewart Sandwich “Beefburger” or “Cheeseburger”…….the vegetarian “Boca Burgers” comes closest.
MS
—————————————–
Sorry about the delay in approving your input. WordPress is supposed to notify me via email when comments appear. The software is faulty requiring me to manually seek out comments to approve. Anything regarding the awesome Stewart edibles is welcome. Will try a Boca Burger. Will hide the wrapper so that the carnivore crowd I merge with does not belittle my descent into the vegan realm!!!
When I was a kid I would get a Rels Longhorn Sandwich at the local Qwik Stop. Sometimes I’d get a Rels Red Hot Burrito instead. So delicious.