The 10 Best Sandwiches in America
By Jesse Zanger - It’s almost impossible to compile a list of the 10 best sandwiches in America. That said, the editors of Gear Patrol put me out to do just that. Honestly, it’s like asking for a definitive list of the 10 most beautiful women ever with 50 of them standing there in front of you. For one thing, it’s probably going to keep changing, and the fact that you’re never going to reach agreement in the ranks. So, for your drool-laden consideration, I present you the 10 Best Sandwiches in America (including burgers).
First things first, lets settle on the definition of a sandwich. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary a sandwich is defined as:
Main Entry: (noun) Two or more slices of bread or a split roll having a filling in between.
Etymology: John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich died 1792 English diplomat.
With that out of the way, let’s proceed.
9. PMP at the Hot Truck
Hot Truck – Ithaca, New York - Ithaca is known for many things: Home of Cornell. College town. Natural gorges. Reisling. But food? Not so much. At least not while I was studying there. However, for a young, broke student (or not), there is, mercifully, the Poor Man’s Pizza, or PMP. Moored near the Cornell campus, the Hot Truck which serves it is the food equivalent of a life boat for Titanic survivors. All those who can, swim and clammor towards it - and no wonder: The PMP is a delicious (and cheap) concoction of crunchy French bread, a drizzling of garlic and oil, with pizza fixings slapped on top. The sandwich has variations, like the Full Sui (short for ‘Full Suicide’), which has mushrooms, sausage, and pepperoni. There’s also the MBC - essentially a meatball hero. All in all, the Hot Truck’s fare rates as a sentimental favorite.
8. Fried Oyster & Shrimp Po Boy at Acme
Acme – 724 Iberville Street, New Orleans, Louisiana - Once, during a drunken bachelor party in New Orleans, my friends and I made a point of reeling to the much-lauded Acme Oyster House. There I ordered a Fried Oyster and Shrimp Po Boy, although it may have been all oysters. Truth be told, I’m a bit fuzzy about the whole event. Whatever it was, I was in the midst of the onset of alcohol poisoning and turning an interesting shade of undead green when we sat down. When the Po Boy arrived, the fat, golden-battered, glistening oysters at first looked to me like deep fried testicles and I thought for certain I was going to hurl. It is testimony to the overwhelming delicious excellence of the sandwich that not only did I devour it with the intensity of a zombie attacking a brain, but it somehow set me right and settled my stomach. It is, just, terrific.
7. Jim’s Steaks Cheesesteak with Provolone
Jim’s Steaks - 400 South Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Between Acme Po Boys and Cheesesteak at Jim’s, purists out there are going to accuse me of picking tourist spots. But there is a reason these places endure: they are excellent, and capture the ousia of the sandwiches which made them famous. I am partial to provolone on a cheese steak, perhaps with onion, peppers, mayo and ketchup. What I just described may sound wrong to some, but you can’t really go wrong at Jim’s. Be prepared for a line and don’t be thrown if you see some celebs or (as was apparently the case on my most recent excursion there) a pimp treating his various top girls to a special lunch.
6. Shawarma at Bereket
Shawarma at Bereket – 187 Orchard Street, New York, New York – There are a million lousy places to eat shawarma. There are just as many overrated places to eat shawarma. But there is only one Midnight Shawarma, and that’s at Bereket. I call it the “midnight shawarma” because that is usually the time of night it is eaten – perhaps later – by stumbling inebriates after a night partying downtown. The loaded pita comes overstuffed with tender slivers of lamb, some sauce, lettuce and tomato. It does an excellent job of turning one from intoxicated and incoherent to functioning and fed, sometimes all four. Many kinds of food can do that, as we saw in New Orleans, but few are as savory and delicious. The glaring, packed confines of Bereket’s resemble a typical fast-food joint, but it is nonetheless an excellent capstone to a booze-fueled evening. Highly recommended.
5. Cheeseburger at the Burger Joint in Le Parker Meridien Hotel
Burger Joint in Le Parker Meridien Hotel – 118 W. 57th Street, New York, New York – At last we can move away from places you arrive drunk to places where you can get drunk. Such can be the case at the Burger Joint in the Parker Meridien hotel. Got to give it up to the hoteliers - they’ve recreated your college bar in the middle of their otherwise upscale hotel. The layout is cramped, the walls scrawled on, the line tedious – but the burgers are just about perfect. They’re not too big and are cooked properly (as in a medium-rare order comes out medium-rare). They make for a great lunch, a bit of burger decadence, that leaves you with enough room to maneuver later. The Burger Joint serves pitchers of your choice between Samuel Adams and Samuel Adams (natch), although a reasonable person might also try (and favor) the shake there too. Good luck getting a table, though.
4. Double Double at In-N-Out Burger
In-N-Out Burger – Anywhere, California & Las Vegas, Nevada – This is not meant to turn into a ‘best burger’ list, nor will it, but I can’t in good conscience leave the perfection of the Double Double off a list of great things that exist between two pieces of bread. What makes the In N Out burger so special? Beyond their “Never Frozen” policy ensuring fresh beef and potatoes, beyond the way they grill the bun to just the right level of crunch, beyond their consistently delivering an excellent product regardless of which branch you walk into, it is this: The product you see advertised in ANY fast food ad – a dripping, juicy burger with fresh lettuce and tomato - is actually what you get at In-N-Out. In too many fast food ads, what they show looks nothing like the helpless, wilted, brownish slab that’s slid across the counter to you like a battered hockey puck. Not so at In-N-Out. Consistently great. I don’t, by the way, advocate “Animal Style,” which comes with a sauce, since to me that diminishes the crunch of the bun (my editor vehemently disagrees). But if you want it that way, go for it.
3. Nova & Scallion Cream Cheese On A Bialy at Murray’s Sturgeon Shop
Murray’s Sturgeon Shop - 2429 Broadway, New York, New York – Murray’s is a bastion of the kind of specialty store that makes New York City great. A hole-in-the-wall place where they happen to serve the best of a specific kind of stuff. The Nova, scallion cream cheese and bialy I’m referring to here is do-it-yourself. You can purchase the ingredients at Murray’s, take it home, and introduce your taste buds to a Sunday brunch they’ll thank you for. While you’re there, you might consider getting a half pound of their tuna fish, which is the best in town easily (sorry Eisenger’s), and for the more adventurous (or experienced) of you, there’s also pickled herring. Excellent fresser food, and Oscar or Trinidad behind the counter will serve you a little taste of the Nova as they’re cutting it to order. Truly amazing. For those of you who do not know what a bialy is: First of all, shame on you. Second of all, it is most easily described as a variation on a bagel with just the right amount of onion flavor.
2. Pastrami on Rye at Carnegie Deli
Carnegie Deli - 854 7th Ave, New York, New York – You knew it was going to come down to this, didn’t you? Few would argue whether one of the all time great sandwiches in the world is a pastrami on rye with mustard. The only question is: where do you get the best one? That’s the kind of question which prompts an intensity of debate rivaled (or perhaps outmatched) by “Where do you get the best burger,” or (again) “Who is the most beautiful woman?” Suffice it to say, there are a few places in NYC which, by and large, you will not go wrong in. These days I’m enjoying the monstrous pastrami on rye from Carnegie Deli, which has seen a surprising resurgence in quality over the last few years. The pastrami is juicy and delicious, not too dry (as it had fallen into a while ago). However, if you want to make the case for Katz’s Delicatessen, or the Stage, or 2nd Avenue Deli, I’m certainly open. One thing I miss, though, is handcut pastrami. That’s a dying art, though Katz’s still does it, which gives them a leg up. When pastrami is machine-cut, it loses some of its natural chunky character. All in all, you won’t go far wrong at virtually any one of these: Carnegie Deli, 2nd Avenue Deli, Katz’s, Sarge’s, Fine & Schapiro.
1. Hot Lob at Abbott’s
Abbott’s – 117 Pearl Street, Noank, Connecticut - The premise of “Deep Throat” is that Linda Lovelace’s G-Spot is in her throat. You’re right if you think that the very idea is ludicrous and it was all just an excuse to film some hardcore porn. My view on this – or whether anyone could have a G-Spot in their throat – changed when I had the Hot Lob. This sandwich is so amazingly good as to keep a foodie up at night dreaming about it in pretty much the same way I am sure many teenaged boys today think about Rihanna. This is paradise on a bun. The sandwich is simple: shucked lobster meat, cooked, piled high onto a hamburger bun, served with drawn butter. You eat it outside, overlooking a harbor, watching yachts and boats tweedle by as the sun shines down. Far and way, it is the best sandwich I’ve ever had, bar none. I’d go on about it, but what’s the point? Simply go eat it if you have the means.
Wondering about number 10? Well, it’s dessert of course. And a sandwich at that.
10. Good Humor Ice Cream Sandwich
Simple and classic. Served at the correct temperature (not too cold, warm enough to provide a good amount of give without running all over the place), it’s a wonderful thing.
Honorable Mention
Mama’s Special at Leo’s Latticini
Leo’s Latticini – 46-02 104th Street, Queens, New York – Ah, Mama’s. That’s what everyone calls Leo’s Latticini, a tiny holdout of Murray’s-type quality. Except a latticini makes dairy products – cheese – and the fresh mozzarella which adorns their generous sandwich is a total winner. But beyond the sandwich itself, is the sweet caring of the women who work behind the counter: Nancy, Marie and Carmela, who dote on you as if you were their own son. If you go often enough to Mama’s you’ll walk in for a sandwich and they’ll send you out piled high with enough food for a week.
Papaya King Hot Dog
Papaya King – 179 East 86th Street, NYC – It bills itself as the Filet Mignon of hot dogs. It’s pretty fantastic, and for certain a cut above all the other Papaya dog imitators and franchises around town. It’s all-beef, no filler, and griddled. Get the “Home Run,” with mustard, sauerkraut and onions, and you’ll scratch your hot dog itch well, particularly when chased by a delicious Papaya drink.
Drooling? Disagree? Got recommendations of your own? Wondering why things are so New York centric? We’re open to suggestions and complaints. Leave a comment below and we’ll try and debate why it is you’re wrong.
Image Credits: PMP At The Hot Truck (Serious Eats), Fried Oyster & Shrimp Po Boy at Acme (Flickr), Jim’s Steak Cheesesteak (Sand Point), Schawarma at Bereket (Serious Eats), Cheeseburger at Buger Joint (Hotelchatter.com), Double Double at In-N-Out Burger (Onokinegrindz.typepad.com), Nova Lox & Scallion Cream Cheese On A Bialy at Murray’s Sturgeon Shop (Jesse Zanger), Pastrami on Rye at Carnegie Deli (Biggestmenu.com), Hot Lob at Abbott’s (Courant), Good Humor Ice Cream Sandwich (wikipedia.org)
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So the summer intern gets the Top Sandwich assignment….Re-title to “The 10 Best Sandwiches in America you can get to using your Metro Card” and you might be getting close…
This is brilliant. Can GP sponsor me on a tour de gluttony encompassing this smorgasbord?
You guys are missing two Chicago classics:
Al’s #1 Italian Beef http://www.alscatering.com/ (Al’s Big Beef w/ Hot Gardinia, provolone and double dipped)
and
Potbelly’s www.potbellys.com (toasted-The Wreck)
I laughed my — off at your New Orleans story…and had a queasy flashback too. Not bad work overall, except for the weird color of the lower right hand corner of your Carnegie photo. Weird.
I find it hard to believe that half of the “best sandwiches in America” are from New York. Being from Memphis, I would at least argue that some form of BBQ sandwich should be on the list. Maybe you should have just made a list of the best sandwiches in New York.
Jesse
I have known you long enough to know that you know your sammies. Sure I might disagree with some of your picks but all in all there is enough stuff on this list that I will need to try before I start arguing.
Good job.
Having experienced 3 or4 of these sandwiches with the author (me being the groom to be at the aforementioned New Orleans bachelor party), I have to say that my fave is the Oyster Po’Boy, followed by the Carnegie Deli pastrami. All I was able to do after the pastrami sandwich was go to a nearby theatre that was hosting a Star Trek convention (GEEK!) and watch 3 hours of Next Generation. Love midnight shawarama at Bereket, but it does not go with Bourbon and body shots at the Coyote Ugly. Cheers, Jess.
Where is the Primanti Bros. Sandwitch? Italian bread, a dozen meat choices from bologna to kielbasa to pastrami to steak, fresh cut fries, and sweet and sour coleslaw. Once you have one it will be on the list.
Very strong list! I would like to add:
- Burger Shop on Water at Broad (cheap and tasty)
- Chicken Parm sandwiches at Tiny on LES
pulled pork sandwich - corky’s, memphis tn
muffuletta - central grocerys, new orleans la
Excellent list, however, I have to challenge the pastrami on rye at Carnegie Deli to the same sandwich at Second Avenue Deli. And its kosher!
OK - I have to give it up to those who correctly say the list is not geographically representative. There are some glaring omissions from the list: all of the South, for one, Chicago, and many other places too numerous to mention. In “Smokey and the Bandit,” Sheriff Buford T. Justice blows into the proverbial “choke ‘n puke” and swiftly orders a Diablo sandwich (it turns out that’s a hot link smothered in sauce on a bun). I desperately want to try that. There’s too much good BBQ in the world to have left it all out - I know that. The bottom line is I took it to be a favorites list, but editors will do what they will. Besides, they could’ve at least coughed up a check and let me travel a bit to sample some of the greats that didn’t get posted!
For those of you, however, who doubt the excellence represented here: doubt not. New York is a foodie’s paradise. You can get just about anything here, especially if you know what you’re doing. I defy anyone to say that you can’t get some of the best food in NYC.
Last: I stand definitively behind my #1, the Hot Lob. While the others may stir debate, I’ve simply never had a better sandwich anywhere, period.
Hit me with more suggestions. They are noticed and appreciated - and with any luck, they’ll be sampled, too.
Granted, there are a few key Southern staples in absence like the Famous Bologna Sandwich from Cozy Corner in Memphis, TN and pulled pork sandwich at Chandlers Deli in Knoxville, TN.
Perhaps the 10 Best Sandwich in
AmericaJesse’s Mind requires a sequel to encompass the remaining doubloons of delight.Jesse, next travel-for-food outing is on me… er, Gear Patrol
What a great list!
One update, in my opinion: The best lobster roll is at the North Beach Lobster Shack in California (two locations: Redwood City and SF). Order the “Naked.” Simply lobster on a perfectly toasted roll, with butter on the side. Perfection!
Great list! Hungry now. But you missed the Midnight Cuban Sandwich @ Paseo in Seattle. Marinated Cuban pork, garlic aioli, thick strips of sauteed onions, fresh cilantro, and jalapenos. Aiieeee… It’ll make you groan uncontrollably. http://is.gd/73bG
You ever leave New York? There’s a whole country out there, and believe it or not, most of the nation knows how to make a sandwich. And any list that includes fast food as one of its 10 best is immediately discredited.
Obviously you haven’t been to Zingerman’s in Ann Arbor MI the pulled pork would make your list.
i don’t live in new york. I seriously doubt that a slab of meat on bread for 14 dollars is that great. these list are boring and dumb. LEAVE THE CITY ONCE IN YOUR LIFE.
Hmm, I need to try your lobster roll rec next time I’m in CT. However, the Lenny and Joes hot lobster roll, also in CT, is the best sandwich I’ve ever had. Everyone must try it.
Where’s the fat sandwich? No Fat Darrell? No Fat Cat? Come on now, people. Can’t beat the grease trucks at Rutgers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grease_Trucks
The lobster roll at Red’s in Wiscasset, Maine is the ne plus ultra of lobster rolls. Everything else pales in comparison.
The tourist who visit Philadelphia get their cheesesteaks at Jims, because it’s right on South Street. Philly residents know to go a little farther south to either Pat’s Steaks or Genos (just watch the movie Rocky and it will make sense). There is a big argument about which one of these powerhouses is better. I say the one with the shorter line is the one you should go to. They’re both great.
Agree with others, this list CANNOT be complete without a pulled pork sandwich from either South Carolina, Tennessee, or Kansas City.
Apparently Jesse has never been west of the Mississippi. That leaves the greater part of America’s sandwiches unmentioned. Jesse must have had a very sheltered life. Too bad. She/he has missed out on some of the best. Jesse is not qualified to judge.
in n’ out is a fall back option. Only when you’re on the road and starving or have the munchies late at night. That’s why it seems to taste so good. Doesn’t count.
Gear Patrol should fire you for failing so miserably with the most plum assignment ever. Was it their budget? The best sandwich is a very serious issue.
In and out is hands down the best burger I’ve ever had in my life. I am so blessed to live in So cal!
I couldn’t find a date on this post, so I don’t know if mine was first or not, but I did a similar list in April of 2007.
Top 10 Sandwiches
The biggest difference - most of mine are made at home.
Glad to see Jim’s up there, and spot on about the Carnegie Deli.
However, you really haven’t had a burger until you go to the Original Jackson House, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. You’ll know after you’ve tried it, here’s a quick piece on the place: http://blog.mandalatv.net/?p=456
and my own humble opinion: http://midstatemantra.wordpress.com/2008/03/28/the-best-burger-in-harrisburg-hands-down-the-jackson-house/
Who let you publish this? It’s really limited. I love New York as much as the next person, but you really gotta get out once in a while (and by “out,” I don’t mean New Orleans…or Vegas or any other traps in the US.) That being said, I don’t have a sandwich to add, but seriously, change the title. To “Jessie’s Favorite East Coast Drunken Sandwich Choices Plus One In New Orleans.”
In N Out is good…. but California’s true “best” is Tommy’s Original in Los Angeles (actually now all of so. cal.)
Check this out:
http://www.originaltommys.com/burger.php
Three words…
Fat. Sandwich. Company.
If you haven’t had a Big Fat Ugly, you haven’t lived.
haha, wow I did not see that number one coming. I live about 10 minutes from Abbots and have never tried their lobster roll, thought I’ve tried just about every one in town. I’ll have to get on that when they re-open for summer.
Dang it! I now have a craving for IN and OUT. Double, double, french fries and pink lemonade…my mouth is drooling.
What a chump story by a punk kid who had never been past a subway token for any length of time.
Seems that volume is the authors POV.
No mention of a grilled cheese, or a pork barbecue, gyro or sausage of any kind.
Maybe the top 100 Sandwiches as a real base of what to eat around the county?
There has never been anything better than an In-n-Out burger. I left CA in 1984 and have yet to find a burger as perfect anywhere else.
I had a feeling when I started, then I saw Jim’s. Tourists have fun. Surely Applebee’s or Jimmy John’s should be on here?
You should add Rutt’s Hutt deep fried Ripper with their fabulous mustard Relish. The best hotdog in NJ and maybe the world! Worth the trip to this Land Mark in Clifton….
Well i’m from south africa and Jim’s steak sandwich looks really yum…
Ditto on Primantis. #1 Sandwich in the country. Hands down. Game. Set. Match. This list is a joke without Primantis.
It always irritates me when people come to Philly for cheesesteaks and don’t actually order them the way they were made famous here.
Firstly, a real Philly steak tastes best with cheez whiz. Now I know many of you out there will disagree because its “not real cheese”. But hey, thats just how we do it here, do not judge… just try it. You will not be disappointed.
Lastly, Jims? Ok, Jims is excellent.. i will not argue that. But of the three main steak staples in the city I would have to argue that Pat’s is the better option. Next time you’re in Philadelphia come down to Pats steaks (its right across from Geno’s..and Genos cannot be missed on account of the whole place being covered in neon lights) and order a “whiz without” .. or whiz with, if you like onions on your steak.
Now I’m hungry for one……
Im simple:
Wendy’s! Wendy’s! Wendy’s!
*and Johnny Rockets in HOTlanta