The Frisco Melt has been my longtime favorite menu item at Steak ‘n Shake, a popular fast-food chain that started in 1934 in the midwest. It’s located all over the United States but has fallen on harder times as their “cook to order” motto creates long wait times. If you aren’t in a hurry, stop and get a Frisco Melt. There is nothing like it. Two smashburger patties with melted Swiss and American cheese with secret sauce on toasted sourdough bread. But if their fate continues on its current trajectory, you’re gonna need my copycat version.
The secret sauce is a bright orange tangy “Frisco” sauce. Most believe it’s just Thousand Island Dressing but that’s incorrect. It’s too sweet, tangy and orange to just be Thousand Island. It’s a mix of Thousand Island, French Dressing, ketchup, Worcestershire and garlic powder. This version at least. I’m not sure exactly what Steak ‘n Shake’s recipe is and I’ll never know. While not exactly like theirs, it’s close enough.
While the restaurant advertises using Sourdough bread it reminds me more of Texas toast than Sourdough. As long as you slather a lot of butter on the bread before toasting, it’s going to be delicious. I also used two crunchy hashbrown patties as the “bread” and it was amazing. This would be a perfect alternative to anyone that’s gluten free in your household.
The smash burger patties need to get thin and caramelized. This is created by using two metal spatulas and smashing the meat into the griddle. This is just how Steak ‘n Shake does it. If you don’t have a griddle or Blackstone you can do this in a pan on the stove. Just have your windows open and the hood fan on. Once seasoned and beautifully brown add both American and Swiss cheese slices to the patties. Once the cheese is melted and the buttery bread is toasted it’s time to build your burger and top with the secret sauce. The patties at home don’t get quite as thin as the restaurant, so I just use one per sandwich. I hope you make this and fall in love!
Frisco Melt
Ingredients
- 8 slices sourdough bread
- butter for bread
- 4 American cheese slices
- 4 Swiss cheese slices
- 1 lb ground beef 1/4 pound patties
- garlic powder
- kosher salt
- black pepper
Secret Sauce
- 1/4 c Thousand Island Dressing
- 1/4 c French Dressing
- 1/4 c ketchup
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Start by mixing the sauce together in a bowl and letting that marinate on the counter for an hour.
- Create 1/4 pound patties and cook for 3 minutes per side on a preheated high-heat griddle. Press the patties down with a spatula to create a crust and flatten. Season burger patties with garlic powder, salt and pepper. Top with one slice of swiss and one slice of American cheese. Remove once melted.
- Heavily butter your bread and toast on the griddle or in a pan. Once golden brown remove from the heat and add the cheesy burger patty.
- Top with secret sauce and enjoy.