Ready to serve–a golden brown Chic Steak Sandwich. (All photos credit: George Graham)
Ding…ding…ding! Order up! Chic Steak Sandwich, extra mayo, hold the pickle!
My father, George Graham, Sr., was slinging burgers at White Tower in Michigan in the years before WW II and wound up welding aircraft parts in a factory in Detroit until war’s end. Flush with cash and a dream, he and my mom headed back to the South and opened a small café on the main drag of the little town of Bogalusa, Louisiana.
George Graham, Sr., my father, and the best restaurateur I’ve ever known.
In 1946, my father’s restaurant–the Acme Café–was the epitome of a sleepy small-town diner but for one big difference: It was located across the street from one of the nation’s largest paper mills employing over 4,000 hungry workers. The Acme was a 24-hour, 7-days-a-week operation and for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and the hours in between, my father served up Southern specialties that developed a wide following.
In those years (before the interstate highway system), the Acme was a must-stop on the drive between New Orleans and Jackson, Mississippi. It was famous for its fried chicken, seafood gumbo, chicken and dumplings, and one of the most popular items of all–the Chic Steak Sandwich.
Tenderized pork loin is the secret ingredient in the Chic Steak Sandwich.
My dad invented this sandwich out of necessity. Chicken fried steak was a popular menu item, but in those days, the cost of beef put a sandwich version out of reach. Pork was the answer to my father’s Chic Steak Sandwich. Cutting ¾-inch-thick slices of the lower-priced pork loin and running them twice through a tenderizing machine created a magnificent sandwich cut–tender, tasty, and huge. With a dredge of flour and simple seasonings, the pork fried up to golden brown crispy perfection. Just a slather of mayo, pickle slices, and all dressed on a sesame seed bun, the Chic Steak Sandwich was a big hit.
Until his retirement 45 years later, my father ran that simple café with a smile on his face and a warm greeting to everyone who entered those glass doors for a seat at his counter. No doubt, the Acme sold hundreds of thousands of those sandwiches, and today I share my father’s recipe for his Chic Steak Sandwich with you.
Order up!
- ½ gallon canola oil, for frying
- 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons Acadiana Table Cajun Seasoning Blend, see recipe here
- 4 (3/4-inch-thick) slices pork loin, tenderized
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 4 large sesame seed hamburger buns
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
- 8 slices ripe tomato
- 1 cup round dill pickle slices
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the oil.
- In a shallow bowl, add the flour and seasoning. Stir to combine.
- Sprinkle the pork loin slices with salt and pepper; dredge in the flour and coat each side thoroughly removing any excess.
- Once the oil reaches 350ºF, add the pork loin and fry until golden brown on each side. Remove to a paper towel-lined platter and keep warm.
- For assembly, open the buns and slather both halves with mayonnaise; add the shredded lettuce and 2 tomato slices along with the pickle slices to the bottom half. Top with the fried pork loin and close the sandwich. Serve with potato chips or French fries.
YOUR SEAT AT THE TABLE: If you like this Cajun cooking story and Cajun recipe then accept my personal invitation to subscribe by entering your email at the bottom or top right of this page. It’s quick and painless. You will receive an email alert and be the first to see when new Cajun cooking stories and Cajun recipes are added. Thanks, George.
The memories of Acme cafe. After football games, shopping on Columbia street. Telephone men ( my dad was one) taking their coffee breaks….No better food anywhere. Those were the days.
Anna-
Yes, half the stadium headed to the Acme after every Friday night game. And you are correct: Those were special times. Thanks for the comment, George
Wish we had a place like that in Wales, UK, I will be cooking that very soon. Thank you.
Hey George…i remember it well…chick steak on the bun! what a treat back then!! i even remember the old music boxes you could pick songs on while you wait….great memories…my best to yall…Wally
Hey Wally-
Great to hear from you. I know that you and your family have eaten your share of Chic Steaks, and thanks for sharing the memories. All the best,
George
Have never had a Chic Steak sandwich as good as one at the Acme after the “midnight show” at the Ritz or State Theaters. It was the best!
Hey Jenne-
So good to hear from you; it’s been way too long. Good food and friends (like you) are my fondest memories of Bogalusa. Thanks for sharing yours. George
THANKS for sharing this “Family Secret”! Lots of great memories of your Dad, eating at the Acme and riding around Bogalusa in the Acme van celebrating a Lumberjacks WIN! (-:
Hey Terry-
Yep! Chic Steaks and Lumberjack football — Friday Night Bites! Thanks my friend.
George
I’ll have to share this information with Suzi Kergosien Russ of Natchez, MS. (Where I live). She grew up in Bogolusa from the mid 40’s to early 1960’s. She is bound to remember your father’s restaurant!
Chick steak ! I can’t believe it!! It was the best!! Perfect date fare!! Now we have the secret family recipe!! Thanks George!
Hey Connie-
You are correct! Many romances began over a chic steak sandwich and a chocolate malt. All my best to your family.
George
George,
I have eaten quite a few of those myself. the Acme was an institution in Bogalusa. I went there many a late Friday or Saturday nights. Thanks for the memories and the recipes you post. They are amazing and I really enjoy them. Still here in Bogalusa. Thanks George.
Buddy Adams
Hey Buddy-
Great to hear from my poker-playing friend. And you’re right: The Acme was the place to end a Friday or Saturday night, no matter the time. Special place…great memories. Thanks for joining in the conversation. All the best to you and your family (say hello to Melanie). George
My mom worked at the Acme until it closed then she went across the street to Graham’s. I have so many memories of mr George and ms Audrey as a little girl I grew up on the stools at the acme
Pam-
Your mother (and you) are part of the Acme family; it is a very special group. Thanks for the very kind comments. George
Dave Fuller responds with:
George,
I grew up in Meridian, Ms ….from 1964 – 1970 my friends and I after going to the Temple Theatre for a movie, we would enjoyed eating at the Triangle Resturant. You could get a chic steak sandwich and fries toped off with an original glass of Coca – Cola. Next, we would cross the street to Newberry’s and Woolsworth’s to look at all of the toys.Everything was a block and a half apart then. Finally, we ‘d ride the old time bus home while looking out the back window.
Our Adventure
Hey Dave-
Don’t you just love food memories? Those were simpler times when a Nehi and a Moon Pie were as good as it gets. I spent some time in my younger years traveling through Meridian and I vividly remember a stop at a unique German restaurant in town …is it still there? All the best.
George
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. Loved those sandwiches!
I grew up eating at the Acme Cafe from the 50’s until it closed. After the midnight show we would feast on chick-steak sandwiches, open faced roast beef, and cheeseburger steaks. In May of 1970, we even had our rehearsal dinner for our wedding at the Acme. When I went to work at the paper mill, we would get a “meal ticket” for every four-hour overtime worked. These could be exchanged for a meal or pies, etc. Those were the good old days.
Joe- Great to hear from an Acme fan; you’d be surprised how many there are still out there. In my teens, I helped deliver the meals in the Acme van and perhaps I delivered one to you at the paper mill. And you are correct: Those were the good old days. All the best to you and your family.
Had many good meals at the Acme! Left Bogalusa after the Core marches down Columbia street! Are you still open?
Glen- Thanks for your memories of my father’s restaurant Acme Cafe. There’s nothing but a cement slab where the cafe once stood. My father retired in July 1983 and closed the restaurant, selling off all the equipment. My brother Jackie remained in business across the street at Graham’s Restaurant for many years after.
Like you, many others have fond memories of the Acme Cafe. All the best.
Still the BEST sandwich ever made – my pick for Top Honors in the National Sandwich Hall of Fame!! Big George “Mr. Graham” was a WINNER in Life, as the Owner of the Acme Cafe and with this – his fabulous Chic Steak Sandwich!
Hey Terry- Thanks for the great comment. I know you’ve eaten countless Chic Steak sandwiches in your time in Bogalusa. Those were the days, my friend. Great memories.
After a few beers at Capo’s on a Friday night after a Lumberjack victory, had to stop at the Acme for a Chic-steak sandwich before heading home. Great memories.
Hey Roy- Great to hear from you, my friend. Like us all back in the Bogalusa heydays, I know you and Joey have dropped a few nickels in the jukebox, sipped on a milkshake, and downed a Chic Steak or two. GO JACKS!