Season the ground beef with salt and pepper and form it into patties. Cook the patties in a skillet over medium heat until they are cooked through. You can also use sliced ham, turkey, or fried chicken if you prefer.
While the meat is cooking, toast the slices of bread until they are golden brown.
In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk to combine, cooking for about 1-2 minutes to create a roux.
Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue to cook until the mixture thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the shredded Cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and onion powder, and stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Assemble the Horseshoe Sandwich: Place the toasted bread slices on a plate. Place the cooked meat patties on top of the toast. Arrange the cooked French fries on top of the meat. Pour the cheese sauce generously over the entire sandwich, covering the fries and meat. Recipe excerpted from Route 66 Recipes: A Culinary Cruise Along the Mother Road , reprinted with permission from Arcadia Publishing.
