❤️🤍💙 Toby Keith’s ❤️🤍💙
Favorite Fried Bologna Sandwich
Little did we know on December 14, 2023 at the Dolby Live theater at Park MGM in Las Vegas, that we were witnessing the final show of his lifetime.
Our beloved country music icon, unapologetic patriot and huge supporter of our troops, kind-hearted philanthropist, and authentic troubadour Toby Keith, passed away less than two months later.
Here I honor his memory with a recipe and stories about his favorite sandwich.
Set List
Dolby Live at Park MGM, December 14, 2023
“Big Dog Daddy”
“Made In America”
“God Love Her”
“I Wanna Talk About Me”
“Whiskey Girl”
“Who’s That Man”
“Wish I Didn’t Know Now”
“Beer For My Horses”
“Somewhere Else”
“I Won’t Let You Down”
“You Shouldn’t Kiss Me Like This”
“Don’t Let The Old Man In”
“Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes”
“Who’s Your Daddy?!”
“Dream Walkin’”
“Red Solo Cup”
“As Good As I Once Was”
“I Love This Bar”
“Should’ve Been A Cowboy”
“How Do You Like Me Now”
“A Little Less Talk and a Lot More Action”
Encore
“American Soldier”
“Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue (Angry American)”
It was a special moment when Toby played his last big hit “Don’t Let the Old Man In.”
In 2017, during Clint Eastwood’s golf tournament in California, he shared with Toby Keith that he was about to leave for a three-month shoot for “The Mule.”
Toby, impressed by Eastwood’s ability to handle such a busy schedule at an older age, asked, “How do you do it, man?” Eastwood replied, “I just don’t let the old man in.” This sparked Toby’s creative process and inspired him to write the song.
💔 💔 💔
Toby then followed that song with a tribute to his late friend, Jimmy Buffett with “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes.”
Here are a couple snippets from his last performance on December 14, 2023:
Don’t Let The Old Man In and Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes
And my tribute to Jimmy Buffett with a recipe for a “Cheeseburger in Paradise” here. 🍔❤️🍔
I Love This Bar & Grill opened at Harrah’s Las Vegas in 2005. It had a long run but never reopened again after closing due to the pandemic in 2020.
In this video, the singer tells the story of the executive chef at Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (Harrah’s parent company) who was thoroughly displeased upon discovering a fried bologna sandwich featured on the new restaurant’s menu.
Despite the chef’s initial decision to remove it, Toby stood firm on keeping it. Eventually, the chef acknowledged that the sandwich was responsible for the restaurant’s remarkable success, boasting an opening volume three times greater than their other establishments.
I also read that Toby had a horse named Fried Bologna. I hope that’s true. 🐎
How to Make
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 Toby Keith’s Favorite Sandwich 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Ingredients
- 100% All Beef Bologna
- BBQ Sauce
- Cheddar & Jack Cheeses, Shredded
- Toasted Bun
- Mustard
- Mayonnaise
- Red Ripe Tomato, Sliced
- Iceberg Lettuce, Finely Shredded
Method
Hand cut the bologna, slice it “yea thick.” Sear the bologna on a flat top grill. Flip over and spread with BBQ sauce. Continue to cook until bologna begins to blacken and crisp up around the edges. Top with cheeses. Place bologna under a broiler to melt the cheeses.
Spread mustard and mayonnaise on the toasted bun. Place bologna on the bottom half. Top with sliced tomato then lettuce, then the top bun. Stick an American flag in it and enjoy Toby’s fav! 🇺🇸
This recipe is adapted from I Love This Bar & Grill in Oklahoma. Watch them make the Fried Bologna Sandwich in the restaurant kitchen and listen to Toby talk about it here.
Tributes
Blake Shelton
“Even though I knew about your battle these last few months I still never imagined this day. Anyone who knew you knows what I mean. You were the toughest man I ever met. Thank you brother for being a friend, a hero and an inspiration. There will never be another Toby Keith.”
Carrie Underwood
“Saddle up the horses, Jesus, ‘cause a true blue COWBOY just made his ride up to heaven!!! Introduce him to all the Okies and sign that boy up for the choir! We’re gonna miss you, Toby, but my heart has no doubt that you are standing in the presence of our King right now!!! See you again someday, friend.”
Jason Aldean
“Just waking up to the news of Toby Keith’s passing. Today is a sad day for Country music and its fans. Toby was a huge presence in our business and someone we all looked up to and respected. You and your music will be forever remembered big man.”
Dolly Parton
“It’s always hard when we lose our brothers and sisters in country music, Toby Keith was one of the greats in every way. He will be missed but his music and legacy will live on.”
Cheers, Toby! Thanks for a great final show! You will live on in your music and in the hearts of your fellow patriots!
Great tribute, LL! And I gotta have a fried bologna sandwich, now!
What a beautiful post Lori I was teary eyed reading it! I feel so lucky we got to see his last concert! ❤️
Love the pics and what an awesome fried bologna sandwich it is!!!!
The sandwich was delicious, but in Cincinnati at his restaurant it was served on garlic toast like his Mom intended.
Thanks Rosalie – good to know! Garlic toast would certainly be great too! My recipe is adapted from “I Love This Bar & Grill” in Oklahoma. Watch them make the Fried Bologna Sandwich in the restaurant kitchen and listen to Toby talk about it in the link in the post above. They definitely serve the bologna on a bun there. We love Toby!
LL