Merichkas Salad Dressing – don’t miss out on this Midwest favorite.

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May 13, 2009 20 Comments

Merichka’s Salad Dressing is one of the best kept secrets in the Chicagoland area. This is the original house dressing from Merichka’s and is a “must have” when ordering their famous Poorboy plate. I have looked for it on the web and it is nowhere to be found. My source must be kept secret.

bowl of salad dressing

Merichkas Salad Dressing

Author: Phil via CopyKat Recipes
Recipe Type: Copycat Restaurant Recipes, CopyKat Recipes, Salad, Salad Dressing
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Serves: 10

You can enjoy this Midwest salad dressing.

Ingredients

1 cup Ketchup
1 cup Vegetable Oil
1/2 cup Vinegar
1/4 cup Water
1/2 cup Sugar
1 tablespoon Black Pepper
1 teaspoon Garlic Powder

Instructions

Mix all ingredients together in a salad oil bottle, chill and pour over salad. Enjoy!

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Phil1953

The recipe for the steak poorboy is simple: Grilled cube steak with lots of garlic butterine (garlic, butter, margerine) slathered on lightly toasted french bread. Add hamburger pickles on the side; I like swiss cheese on mine. Add a twice-baked potato with the salad and you have the poor boy plate. Enjoy!
- Mdademail-web
  
  What is used on the cube steak when grilled? What measurements are used for garlic, butter, and margerine?
Phil1953

I’m the one that posted the recipe with “my source must be kept secret” and I can tell you 100 percent that this is the recipe.
Sandbyrd216

I was glad to find your found secret, I used to have it because my friends had it from their sister working there. Thanks to you I have it again, awesome! The picture you have does not look like the bright red color that it really looks like, oh well, they will see.
- http://www.copykat.com Stephanie
  
  I am so glad that you really enjoy this salad dressing!
- Phil1953
  
  Yeah, I posted the recipe, CopyKat added the picture, not even close, but this is the authentic recipe. I’ve had it since the 1960′s.
  - Bernie
    
    Hi Phil,
    
    Thanks for posting the recipe for everyone to enjoy!! I don’t understand why people (aka “Paula” below) won’t post the recipe for others to enjoy….That’s what this website is all about! Food is meant to be enjoyed and of course SHARED with others!
    
    I went to Med School in Chicago and really enjoyed and now miss this dressing. Thanks again!!
    - Phil1953
      
      Hi Bernie:
      
      Could be she’s part of the Merichka family and she’s discouraging people. I lived in a small town in Illinois where the owner of Merichka’s also lived and he gave me the recipe. I also have the recipe for the poorboy. My family has enjoyed this for many decades and I posted it on Copykat.
      
      This is absolutely authentic and if you use the recipe exactly (I like Heinz Ketchup), your taste buds and memory will confirm it.
      
      It’s not rocket science folks!
      - http://www.facebook.com/christina.mauer.9 Christina Mauer
        
        Phil, can you please post the poor boy recipe?
Jlong3615

How about the recipe for the po boy, and how do you make the garlic butterine?
Paula

We have been going to Merichkas for the last 35 years and I can tell you with 100 percent surety that this is NOT their infamous house dressing recipe. And I know this because I personally have the coveted recipe that we got from an employee about 20 years ago.
- Chad
  
  Well what is the recipe?
- Mary
  
  I also have the coveted recipe & love it! I lived in Joliet for 30 yrs and grew up on Merichkas food. I moved away 22 years ago but my entire family still lives there. Everytime I visit I have to have a Merichkas poorboy! I would like the garlic butterine recipe. Any help?
- Rod Chamberlin
  
  Hi Paula,
  
  I grew up in New Lenox, and now I live in Florida. I sure miss Merichkas. Can you send me the recipe.
- Sam
  
  Hi Paula,
  
  I am originally from Joliet and now live in St. Louis, far too many miles from this beloved dressing. Could you share the recipe with me as well? I could tell from the ingredient list it wasn’t the recipe I remember.
  
  Regards.
- Bernie
  
  Hi Paula,
  
  If you know the recipe, then why not share with the rest of….
  
  Thanks
- Phil1953
  
  Wrong!
http://Website(optional) Kim

I make a very similar recipe (family secret) adding minced onions and a dash of worchestershire.
http://www.mykiheicondos.com Amanda

First test taste with EXACT ingredients, and yep thats the stuff! YUM!!! I can’t wait for it to get chilled! Aloha!
Jill

I lived in Crest Hill in the early 60′s and my mom would take my brother and I to Merichka’s for lunch. They had the best poor boys I’ve ever eaten. This salad dressing is outstanding as well.
Thanks!!