Have you ever had a Maid-Rite sandwich? If you’re like most people, you have probably not even heard of one. These loose meat sandwiches – first created in the 1920s – are most often found in Iowa, where Maid-Rite restaurants still operate to this day. But they have ventured north into Minnesota, where a few restaurants across the state serve them up to customers looking for a nostalgic bite. There is no place in Minnesota more famous for Maid-Rite sandwiches than Tendermaid in Austin, Minnesota. This tiny spot serves up delicious loose meat sandwiches that, thanks to their uniqueness, might just be the best sandwiches in the state. Read on below to learn more about this tiny restaurant:

The Tendermaid is a teeny tiny restaurant in the southern Minnesota city of Austin. This sleepy city is about 100 miles south of the Twin Cities, a great road trip destination for those looking for somewhere off the beaten path.
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As soon as you spot it, you'll know that Tendermaid is something special. For one thing, the small building has a charming, nostalgic appearance. It's no wonder: the restaurant has been in business since 1938!
Jessica Brouillette/Google
Inside, you'll find a busy kitchen surrounded by long dining counters. Dine-in customers take a seat along the counter to place an order, then watch as it is made before their eyes.
Billy B/Google
The menu is simple. Soups, hot dogs, and even nachos make up a small portion of it, alongside nearly a dozen flavors of milkshake. No matter what you order as your main dish, we recommend slurping down your favorite milkshake flavor along with it.
Jessica Brouillette/Google

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While the other menu items are great, Tendermaid is most well known for its loose meat - often called Maid-Rite - sandwiches. They are commonly served with a spoon!
Danielle Lenart/Google
Loose meat sandwiches are a cross between a sloppy joe and a traditional hamburger. They don't contain the sauce of a sloppy joe, but they are not pattied like a burger. They lie somewhere in the middle, a uniquely delicious creation that most burger lovers will enjoy.
Jessica Brouillette/Google
Tendermaid has several varieties of these sandwiches. The classic Original Hamburger comes with meat piled with ketchup, mustard, pickle, and onion. Other choices include bacon and cheese, chili and jalapeno, and more.
Meistro Thomas/Google
If you've never tried one of these classic sandwiches, we recommend that you do! Plan a trip to Tendermaid, a tiny but tasty Minnesota icon with some of the best sandwiches in the state.
Jay Kim/Google

Have you ever had a sandwich at Tendermaid? For more information about this icon of Austin, Minnesota, including specials, hours, and takeout options, visit their Facebook page. You may also enjoy our past article about 11 tiny restaurants in Minnesota.

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217 4th Ave NE, Austin, MN 55912, USA