History and Culture by Bicycle: Search for the Best Loose Meat

Friday, May 30, 2014

Search for the Best Loose Meat - Tastee Inn and Out

Tastee Inn and Out has been located on Gordon Dr. in Sioux City, Iowa since 1955. Their signature sandwich is the original Tastee. The Tastee is a perfect blend of steamed seasoned ground beef with onion, spices, pickle and mustard, cheese is an option added for an additional price.

Tastee Inn and Out has portability down to a science. The smaller size is perfect for hungry and busy patrons to eat on the go. The Tastee's are packaged in a wax paper pouch that keeps the sandwich at the perfect moisture and warmth until consumed. The meat, bun and condiment proportions are perfect.

For customers who want a larger loose meat sandwich Tastee Inn and Out now offers a newer sandwich called the Super-T Sandwich (large Tastee sandwich). It is not portable and comes in a foam container. It is just as good as the original Tastee, has the same condiments and cheese can be added to it. It is not portable and is best consumed while sitting/standing still.

Tastee Inn and Out includes a spoon and plenty of napkins with each order.

While Tastee Inn and Out is a drive though only service with no indoor seating there is an outdoor seating area with two solid picnic style tables under a shelter to keep the area cool from the hot summer sun. There is also plenty of parking for patrons who want to eat in their car while sitting still. The drive through lane has two order menu boards in case traffic starts backing up a vehicle can pull ahead to order while another can order from the second. There is even a walk up window to order from.

Three Tastees were taste tested. An original, and original that included cheese and a new Super-T Sandwich (large Tastee sandwich). The two original Tastees were perfect. The Super-T Sandwich (large Tastee sandwich) had a bit too much mustard, it was a bit to over powering.

The picnic tables and the area around the outdoor seating was not very clean. The tables needed to be wiped down and the non-biodegradable debris on the ground needed to be swept up.

With only a very small loss of points Tastee Inn and Out has a total score of 98 points. I will definitely return to Tastee Inn and Out to enjoy their signature sandwich and the new Super-T Sandwich (large Tastee sandwich).