The St. Paul Sandwich

We’re working our way through our St. Louis-specific food traditions list. This week, I took a poll to decide my next lunch. Imo’s St. Louis-style pizza in all of its Provel glory or a St. Paul Sandwich?

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The St. Paul Sandwich won.

This combination of white bread, an Egg Foo Young patty, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayo supposedly originated with a man named Steven Yuen who named it after his hometown of St. Paul, Minnesota. Ironically, this isn’t popular in St. Paul, Minnesota like it is here in St. Louis, despite its name. Jennifer Lee’s Fortune Cookie Chronicles blog post goes on to explain how the St. Paul Sandwich is typically an inexpensive treat available at many local Chinese American restaurants.

Egg Foo Young isn’t one of my favorite dishes, but every once in a while I’ll get a craving. Jake has very few food aversions, but Egg Foo Young is at the top of his short list.

I headed to one of our favorite restaurants Mai Lee for my first one. There’s nothing we haven’t enjoyed here so I guessed it would be a safe bet. At Mai Lee, St. Paul Sandwiches cost around $5-7. Before choosing Mai Lee, I did a little bit of internet research and many people said theirs was a particularly delicious version. I chose the shrimp St. Paul Sandwich.

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While filming a short video, I took my first bite and enjoyed the variety of flavors and textures. The soft white bread contrasted with the crispy egg patty, and tangy mayo, pickles, and onion balanced the fried richness. I really liked the pieces of plump, springy shrimp. All of a sudden the sandwich was nearly gone and I realized I had forgotten to take more photos. Jake couldn’t get into the sandwich, which was just as well. I snatched it back from him and ate the rest.

One local reader suggested that I order extra pickles. I like this idea and so next time I will.

Do you have any thoughts on St. Paul Sandwiches? Who makes your favorite version?

7 Comments

  1. Beth Ann Chiles

    I love that you did the poll on Twitter to get input and were brave enough to follow through. Of course since you got it from one of your fav places you were pretty safe in knowing it would be good, right? I think this should become your new series. 🙂

  2. Road Tips

    Greetings from Fargo this morning, sitting in a hotel just up the road from the Fargodome. I’ve heard about the St. Paul sandwich for a number of years on my trips to St. Louis. I guess if I lived there or visited more often I’d search one out, but with so many great food options available I just haven’t made the effort to look for one. I don’t think I’ve ever had egg food young, so having it on a St. Paul sandwich would definitely kick two firsts for me.

    • Road Tips

      Egg FOO young – stupid spellcheck!

    • Jeni

      What are you finding to eat in Fargo? I really liked Mai Lee’s version. It’s a little pricier, but made really well. You should check them out!

  3. Val - Corn, Beans, Pigs and Kids

    I have never heard of this sandwich before! I’m going to have to ask all of my St. Louis family about it when I see them during the holidays!

  4. Donna Hup

    I have never heard of this. I might have to try a gluten free recipe for it.

  5. josh

    Never heard of one of these until this post… Sounds good especially with extra pickle!

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