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:

[DallasBiff]

What is exactly is in a Cuban?

[GaltAdonis]

Philadelphia Cheesesteak from the Yellow Submarine in Maple Shade, New Jersey.
All sirloin - and bigger than one normal person can eat.

(But 30 years ago they WERE actually larger...)

[Cloverfarm]

I think anywhere you had German farmers raising hogs, you have tenderloins. Sorta like Schnitzel but better :-)

[TexasGator]

ham, roast pork, Swiss and pickles inside CUBAN bread heated with a sandwich grill.

[lizma2]

Born and raised in Indiana and have never heard on a breaded tenderloin sandwich!

But grew up in “The Region”. The area of Indiana close to Chicago.

My favorite by far is Italian Beef. Heaven.

Take a rump roast (5 lbish)and stab it a hundred times. (LOL but I’m serious) Put a piece of garlic in every stab. Coat with oregano and fennel. Bake in about an inch of water to 110°. Refrigerate.

Later slice the meat as thin as possible. (I actually have an electric slicer just to make this!)

5 cups of water, 5 bullion cubes (I prefer Better than Bouillon), 1 TBL Worcestershire, more garlic (!!!), salt and paper. Simmer 15 minutes.

Serve on an Italian roll. My fav is with pepperoncini.

Been doing this for over 45 years. Heaven. This and BLTS!

[jjotto]

Breaded tenderloins are definitely an Iowa favorite, as they should be given the number of hogs in Iowa. A favorite at the Culver’s chain. Ted’s Coney Island around Des Moines make a great one.

And Iowa is home to the original ‘loose meat’ sandwich, the Maid-Rite, which has seen declining popularity.

[KC_Conspirator]

Eating lutefisk should replace waterboarding as a way to do enhanced interrogations. Its worse. But the Hague would come after you.

I have always wondered if there is anyway possible to make lutefisk taste better and your the first to offer a solution.

[j.havenfarm]

With you but the omission of the cheesesteak makes the list worthless

[MisterArtery]

Central Grocery on Decatur Street.

[DallasBiff]

Looks delicious.

[Lee Enfield]

Green chile cheeseburger or Albuquerque Turkey from New Mexico.

[KC_Conspirator]

I have been to KW a dozen times or so. There are some great Cuban sandwich places there.

[who_would_fardels_bear]

The Chicago Italian Beef sandwich is either the king or godfather of sandwiches.

The best thing to eat when you're watching Da Bears!

[MisterArtery]

Sit at the oyster bar at the front of the Acme and you’ll learn what “shuck and jive” is all about.

[who_would_fardels_bear]

Been there. Had that. Amazing.

They try to make them here, but they're just pale imitations.

[TexasGator]

I do mine but use pastrami, Russian dressing and white mountain bread.

[Mean Daddy]

There chili and cinnamon rolls are better.

[mylife]

so many great sangwiches

[who_would_fardels_bear]

I think they skipped it because you can supposedly get a Philly cheesesteak anywhere.

In reality, there are few places that make it right. The one place I liked in LA (run by a brother and sister from Philly) was killed by the lockdowns.

[who_would_fardels_bear]

That device they use for Cuban sandwiches sounds like what they use for paninis.

I don't know if paninis belong anywhere specifically in the US, but they often are burnt on the outside and still cold on the inside. Bread is too good an insulator for those waffle irons.