Pin
Nothing says cozy quite like this Manhattan Hot Shot Sandwich. It’s super quick, but tastes just like a meal out at your favorite diner. Pick turkey, chicken, or roast beef—whatever you’ve got works—then heap on buttery mashed potatoes and a river of rich gravy over a warm slice of bread. Every time my family craves a fast, crowd-pleasing Sunday lunch, this is our easy fix.
This dish became a staple at home after I tried it at a hometown diner in the Midwest. Creamy potatoes and that hot gravy got me hooked! My husband begs for it anytime the snow starts falling.
Hearty Ingredients
- White or wheat sandwich bread: All that gravy needs a soft slice to soak into. Use whatever loaf you like—classic or homemade for a fancy feel
- Hot mashed potatoes: The heart of this meal is a pile of mashed potatoes. Stir in lots of butter and give it a good pinch of salt and pepper. Doesn’t matter if they’re made from scratch or store-bought
- Slices of roast beef, turkey, or chicken: Any roast meat is fair game. Grab some from the deli or use up leftovers—either brings a big boost of flavor
- Hot gravy: Warm up a generous batch of savory gravy that matches your chosen meat. Make sure it’s bubbling hot before pouring all over
Simple Steps
- Serve and Finish:
- Dish up your hot shot sandwich right away and enjoy it with some steamed veggies or a crisp salad for balance
- Ladle on the Last Gravy:
- Bath everything in loads of hot gravy so every bite is saucy and delicious
- Pile on the Meat:
- Lay your warm roast meat slices over the mashed potatoes, spreading them out for an even bite
- First Gravy Layer:
- Drizzle some hot gravy over the potatoes to give them flavor and let the bread start soaking it up
- Add Mashed Potatoes:
- Generously spread the hot mashed potatoes over your bread. Cover the slice all the way and make sure they’re really warm
- Get the Bread Ready:
- Put a soft slice of bread right in the middle of your plate. The fresher the bread, the better it’ll soak up all the toppings without falling apart
Pin
The gravy is always my favorite part. I still remember licking my plate as a kid because there was never enough. Nothing brings this meal together better than steaming hot gravy—makes me think of big family dinners after church.
Easy Storage
Stash leftovers by putting every part in its own sealed container. If you build the sandwiches ahead, the bread goes soggy fast. Warm up meat and potatoes in the microwave, then throw together fresh bread and hot gravy when you’re ready to eat again.
Swaps & Shortcuts
Rotisserie chicken works great if you don’t have cooked meat. Leftover turkey after a holiday? Perfect. No time to make mashed potatoes? Instant flakes with extra butter will do the trick. Any savory gravy packet can be made fancier with a dab of sour cream or a little pan juice from your roast.
Try These Sides
Balance all that creamy, rich food with fresh sides. A simple salad drizzled with vinaigrette or a pile of steamed green beans does the trick. Sometimes I toss on roasted carrots or add a spoonful of cranberry sauce for a pop of color and tartness.
Pin
History & Traditions
This Manhattan Hot Shot is a diner comfort classic. You might know it as an open-faced sandwich. This old favorite shows up everywhere from the Midwest to the Northeast. The real magic is how it turns leftover odds and ends into something you’ll actually want to eat—nothing wasted, just pure goodness.
Recipe FAQs
- → What kind of bread should I use?
Go for pillowy white bread or some wheat bread. Both soak up the gravy but don't fall apart, which is what you want.
- → Is it okay to switch up the meat?
Definitely! Use whatever you like—beef, turkey, even chicken. It all works, especially if it's leftover.
- → How do I keep my gravy nice and hot?
Warm your gravy till it's bubbling just before you pull your meal together, and pour it straight on the hot stuff.
- → Do the mashed potatoes have to be homemade?
Homemade tastes best, for sure. But if you're pinched for time, store-bought mashed potatoes will still get the job done.
- → What's good to serve on the side?
A fresh salad, some steamed veggies, or even pickles pair really well and help cut the richness.
- → Can I prep parts of this ahead of time?
Sure, just keep the parts separate. Put it together right before eating so the bread stays soft, not soggy.