What Is Weck?

I love sandwiches, and I particularly love how they can become intrinsically tied to different regions. It’s no secret that I am a hoagie boy, but I also celebrate the grinder and the po boy. When it comes to roast beef sandwiches, the gold standard for me is Old Original Nick’s Roast Beef in South Philadelphia. So imagine my excitement to learn about another variety of this sandwich that is called the beef on weck. What is beef on weck? And what is weck, specifically? Read on! 

What is beef on weck?

Beef on weck is a roast beef sandwich that is native to Buffalo, New York. Along with Buffalo wings and honeycomb candy, beef on weck completes the triumvirate of Buffalo food delights. 

Like many food traditions, the development and history of beef on weck is lost to the sands of time. It just exists now and we are all the better for it. However, there are tales of a 19th century baker named William Wahr who immigrated from Germany to Buffalo and developed a special bread for the new sandwich creation: kummelweck aka weck. 

Beef on weck is made with roast beef and horseradish, and it’s dipped in au jus (or beef consomme). But, perhaps the most important part of the sandwich is the bread, which is where the sandwich gets its name.

What is weck?

Weck is short for kummelweck, the German name for the roll Wahr purportedly created way back when. The kummelweck shares many traits with its kaiser roll brethren. The main difference is that it is topped with kosher salt and caraway seeds. This unique combination pairs well with the beef and horseradish. The salt can also bring out a diner’s thirst; a fun little trick for pub owners who want to encourage people to order a few more ales.

How do you make weck rolls?

If you are a skilled home baker, you could attempt to make your own. But why bother when there are great weck rolls for sale made by the pros? The best weck rolls are only made by Buffalo bakeries like DiCamillo. It’s similar to how Amoroso’s is the Philadelphia go-to for hoagies. Trust the locals and get the best.