A field guide to 20 great regional sandwiches of the USA

Lonely Planet ^ | 8/31/12 | Lonely Planet

[DallasBiff]

Many American sandwiches can only be found in one very specific location or region (or restaurant), but even those that have ventured beyond their birthplaces are generally best enjoyed in their original context. Sandwich history can be layered and complicated, but, like a good sandwich, rarely dry. American sandwiches are often surrounded by unexpected controversy, and naming the definitive version of any one of these sandwiches will almost certainly spark an argument. Argue if you will, but let’s argue it over one of these 20 American regional sandwiches:

[jjotto]

Minnesota: breaded walleye sandwich, no doubt

Apparently, the one time Midwestern favorite ‘hot beef sandwich’ (roast beef sandwich served with a scoop of mashed potatoes and covered with gravy) has become little known, perhaps replaced by the ‘hot beef sundae’, which isn’t a sandwich

[NWFree]

That purple haired Subway dyke sent me to Jersey Mikes and I’ve never looked back. I use the app and get a freebie now and agin for my #6 roast beef which subway doesn’t even offer good riddance forever

[KC_Conspirator]

- I am a fan of the Cuban. There are few good takes on it, but you really have to be in South Florida/Keys to find the best.

- I keep forgetting the French Dip started in LA by mistake. - I used to really like Italian Beef growing up in Chicago. No idea what a mother in law is. - I like po boys and lobster roll, but did not have them until i went south and to the east coast.

[KC_Conspirator]

Yeah, no Philly Cheese steak?

[KC_Conspirator]

Lutefisk. O dear gawd. Tried once, thats enough.

[KC_Conspirator]

Outside FL (or Cuba), the key is never order a Cuban sandwich if you are not in a legit Cuban restaurant. Anywhere else, you will get the cook's "interpretation" of a Cuban.

That is 100 percent correct about Cubans.

[The FIGHTIN Illini]

Forced to eat that damn lye fish every Christmas family meal. Found best way to gag it down was buried in mashed potatos with much butter!

[Mean Daddy]

Hot beef sandwich with hashbrowns

[Mean Daddy]

No Omaha reuben?!?

[packagingguy]

Muffuletta from the grocery in New Orleans’ French Quarter. Might even be worth the risk of getting shot to buy one.

[jonrick46]

In Washington State, the smoked salmon sandwich became the state’s official sandwich in 1987:

This one is served at the Salmon Cooker at Pier 57, Miner's Landing, 1201 Alaskan Way, Seattle Washington:

[KC_Conspirator]

I moved from the area and still have family in Chicago. NO idea what a mother in law is.

ANNNNDDD another thing, when did marketing folks start calling it "Tavern Style Pizza". Thats was just normal pizza to us. Also, people in Chicago do not eat deep dish every time, its just too much. Folks outside the area do not seem to realize that.

Agree with Portillos. I am not a hot dog person, but I am for that place.

[KC_Conspirator]

I would have added a Runza from Nebraska. I think that qualifies as a sandwich.

[John Milner]

The breaded tenderloin is NOT limited to Indiana. It is a very very common sandwich in Iowa. It’s almost as prevalent as a burger.

My 98 year old mother would invariably order one if it was on the menu. I find myself ordering them quite often these days as well.

Most restaurants also now offer an un-breaded version.

[KC_Conspirator]

Or Runza?

[DesertRhino]

The article seems to be an excuse to use the term “BLTA”, a BLT with avocado. And it seems they have never heard of a Reuben or a Philly Cheesesteak.

[metmom]

Absolutely!

[TexasGator]

“- I am a fan of the Cuban. There are few good takes on it, but you really have to be in South Florida/Keys to find the best.”

Tampa is the home of the Cuban. Key West is an honorable mention.

[TexasGator]

“Muffuletta from the grocery in New Orleans’ French Quarter. Might even be worth the risk of getting shot to buy one.”

PO Boys at Acme.

[Yardstick]

+1 on the Jersey Mike’s. Worth checking out their hot sandwiches too.