Top 10 Most Loved Sandwiches

When an 18th-century British servant piled layers of meat between two slices of bread so his hungry master, John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, could remain at the gaming table while playing cards, culinary history was made.

While Britons never fully sank their teeth into the idea of the sandwich (dainty tea nibblers don’t count), folks on the other side of the pond wholly embraced the concept, so much so that sandwiches have become intertwined in the fabric of the American Experience.

We Americans love sandwiches so much, that the 3rd of November is celebrated as “National Sandwich Day.” To commemorate this year’s National Sandwich Day, I’ve compiled a list of the absolute Best 10 Sandwiches ever.

Top 10 Most Loved Sandwiches

10. The Californian

There are several different variations of the Californian ranging from a pure vegetarian delight to a towering treat piled high with fresh turkey and crisp bacon. Regardless of what else you put into this sandwich, the quintessential Californian must contain creamy avocados, snappish sprouts, mellow cheese, and thick, chewy, wow-this-has-to-be-good-for-me-whole-grain bread.

9. The Club

This double-decker doozy is piled high with layers of turkey, bacon, lettuce and tomato placed between three slices of perfectly toasted white bread. The Club is rumored to have been served in American restaurants as early as 1899 and considering how yummy it is, I don’t see it fading from menus any time soon.

8. Grilled Cheese

Whether it’s made with white or wheat bread and paired with American, Swiss, or Monterey Jack cheese, this gooey grilled favorite is both a warm, satisfying snack and perhaps the ultimate comfort food.

7. Pulled Pork Sandwich

This fabulous sandwich features slow cooked pork shoulder that’s bathed in a tangy barbecue sauce. It’s meltingly sumptuous and decidedly messy. Be sure to have plenty of napkins on hand.

6. The Reuben

The Reuben is a pan-grilled combination of rye bread, corned beef, Russian dressing, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut. The sandwich grew in popularity in 1956 after winning a national sandwich contest. This is one hot sandwich that’s sure to please.

5. Peanut Butter & Jelly

That’s right. Good ol’ PB&J. Smooth, creamy peanut butter paired with sweet sticky jelly on soft white bread is a satisfying childhood favorite I’ll never outgrow.

4. Meatball Sub

While the meatballs are the real star of this dish, the tangy tomato sauce, melted mozzarella cheese and toasted sub rolls round this sandwich out nicely.

3. Lobster Roll

The combination of taste and texture are what make this sandwich so sumptuous – fresh, sweet chilled lobster tossed with mayonnaise and nestled inside a buttered, toasted roll screams of summer days on the New England coast.

2. The Philly Cheesesteak

Who can resist a thinly sliced rib-eye covered in melted Provolone cheese or Cheese Wiz that’s been stuffed into a fresh Amoroso roll? The sandwich was invented at Pat’s Steaks in South Philadelphia sometime in the 1930s. Philadelphia locals claim that if you live more than an hour from South Philly, it is impossible to get the proper rolls to make an authentic Philly Cheesesteak sandwich. Authentic or not, anything remotely resembling this sandwich is a winner.

1. The Thanksgiving

Beginning Thanksgiving eve (after the meal is served), sandwich lovers across America partake in a ritual that’s as patriotic as celebrating the holiday itself – the transformation of Turkey Day leftovers into a sandwich. Leftover dinner rolls piled high with fresh turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce and a little bit of mayonnaise become the most amazingly delicious sandwich on the planet.

What sandwiches would make your Top 10? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!

Photo Credits

All Images – Public Domain on Wikimedia Commons

Guest Author Bio

Greg Buckskin grew up in Western New York—land of Hot Wings and cold winters. He now calls Salt Lake City home—land of tall mountains and weak beer. Having first cut his writing chops as a blogger for Comcast.USDirect.com, Greg is stoked to join us here CableTV.com. Greg’s mixed-bag writing style covers everything from TV and Pop Culture to the Web and Technology. Outside the office, Greg is an avid skier, Mt. Biker and life-long practitioner of the age-old philosophy, “No friends on a powder day!” Check back often and connect with Greg socially to keep up on his latest posts and web finds.