Five best sandwichs in the USA

The Chicken Salad Sandwich at Noonies Deli, the Marbleworks (137 Maple Street, Middlebury, Vermont, offered on a choice of several homemade breads (i.e.- Honey Oat, Sourdough, etc.).

Probably less than $7 or so. Maybe not one of the 5 best in the world...but the best I've ever had. Never miss it if I'm anywhere nearby.

The Bear

quote:

Originally posted by Pigiron

My favorites:


3. Shwarma/Falafel combo from Moishe's

I was wondering when one of us would mention Shwarmas and or Falafels .......... I love them and here in San Jose we have what I consider the best Falafel joints, it's a institution around here in Silicon Valley..... at lunch time the line is out the door and down the street.
I'll add a pic below just in case you, Wonderingjew and I are the only ones around here that love the Falafel...........


http://www.jatbar.com/reviews/San_Jose/Falafel_Drive_In.asp

quote:

Originally posted by wanderingjewHave you ever tried the falafel at Mamoun's on McDougal Street?
It's been a decade and a half and it still rings in my memory. One of my friends who is a Persian Jew and knows his falafel says it's still the best.

www.mamounsfalafel.com/

Eaten there a million times. It's great. Walk down Macdougal at 3AM, and you'll see a dozen people standing against buildings, hunched over a huge pita dripping with tzazhiki. Any place with that many cabbies outside HAS to be great.

Katz's is the finest pastrami on the PLANET....it is my choice for last meal before I DIE. Although that lobster roll from Red's is looking pretty good.... :-D. Hmmm, how far is Maine from here???
Hey, any NJ folks out there....I used to love Stan's Sandwich shop in New Brunswick many eons ago, he had GREAT fried fish sandwiches. Is the place long gone now?

Hey, any NJ folks out there....I used to love Stan's Sandwich shop in New Brunswick many eons ago, he had GREAT fried fish sandwiches. Is the place long gone now?


I always enjoyed the pastrami and corned beef sandwiches at Stan's.

quote:

Originally posted by Big Frank


Hey, any NJ folks out there....I used to love Stan's Sandwich shop in New Brunswick many eons ago, he had GREAT fried fish sandwiches. Is the place long gone now?

I always enjoyed the pastrami and corned beef sandwiches at Stan's.


I liked the corned beef and pastrami too, but the Friday only fish was special, mmmm on rye bread...if you had a late lunch, you had to call and tell him to hold a piece for you. Is Stan's still open? I don't know if his kids still wanted to run it....
Also, Hocky's on Albany St had great fresh turkey sandwiches.

1. Peanut Butter and Fluff made at home.
2. Steak and Cheese from the guy that sells them from a cart in Faneuil Hall, Boston, MA.
3. Kahuna Tuna Melt from The Maine Diner, Wells, ME
4. Turkey, Hoffman Sharp Cheddar, Horseradish Cream Sauce, Lettuce, Tomato and Mayo on Wheat from Max Bibos, CT.
5. Buffalo Chicken Sandwich from Cosi

quote:

Originally posted by Foxyfishy14
[
2. Steak and Cheese from the guy that sells them from a cart in Faneuil Hall, Boston, MA.

Where is this located at faneuil hall and do you know the name?

Thanks!
KB

It may have been mentioned but, Montreal Smoked Meat rocks!!!

1. Montreal Smoked meat
2. Primanti's with a hangover
3. tofu sauteed w/ sesame oil/roasted sesame seeds run through the garden - available at the quiet storm in pittsburgh
4. blt
5. BOLTs (Bacon, Oyster, Lettuce and Tomato) mmmmmmm!!!

LOL! I just love these threads that make me really laugh out loud...

quote:

Originally posted by the ancient mariner

OK, youse guys, I give up. Arby's and Roy Rogers are off the list.
I have an excuse though, I haven't been inside either in years. They
used to be good, so I stand corrected--I will even go stand in the
corner with a dunce cap on.

Ancient mariner, no dunce cap for you - I dunno about those Arbys/RR things but I want one of your grilled cheese & tomatoes with a beer over the sink! YUM!

And you are right about the comfort thing.

quote:

Originally posted by divefl

...
4. grilled peanut butter - ala home

Mmmmmmmmmmm. I have not yet managed to find a mention on RF of Fenton's Creamery in Piedmont, CA but they had a grilled PB&J that I loved growing up. It's off the menu now (or was) but they did agree to make one when I asked a couple years back. They're also really well known for their grilled crab sandwich - it's out of this world good!

As a native Californian but resident New Englander I am appalled that anyone would put a lobster roll from CA on such a list. Blasphemy!!!!!

I had a great lobster roll at a pretty new joint yesterday:
Three Cod Tavern in Marblehead MA. It was terrific! (Great fries too.)

[Edit: Welcome to RF, Atlantajimmy! And to Sizz, add me to the falafel-loving list. I started on the carts in Bezerkeley in college...]

1. Pastrami, Swiss, brown mustard on rye.
2. Roast beef on garlic bread.
3. Genoa salami, hot cap, dry aged provolone, olive oil, oregeno on Italian bread.
4. Pepperoni, jalepeno cheddar, brown mustard on rye.
5. Cheese steak: Ribeye, dry aged cheddar cheese on French bread.

HDK

Acornlover: I'm not sure of the name of the guy but if I remember correctly, he was more towards the financial district area...like down by The Office, The Place...we used to there alot when we got out of Sanctuary. But then again, I only had the steak and cheese's when I had had a few drinks..so that could have helped. Although I do remember one time they ran out of rolls so he put the steak and cheese on top of a slice of pizza and it was so good! I'll see if I can try to find out what his name is.

Does anyone know any good places for Falafel in CT or in New England in General?

Yep! The Falafel King on Winter St. Downtown Boston almost on the corner of Tremont Street. Long line at lunch time but moves very quickly. Chow Jim

1. LOBSTER ROLL FROM RED'S Eats(please don't tell me there's a better one in california, it just makes you look silly...)
2. Chicken Parm Medium from CATENE DELI (Brooklyn, NY)
3. Anything from White House Sub Shop (Atlantic City)
4. Fried Haddock with Cheese and Tartar from Red's Eats (haha 2 from Red's!)
5. Fried Shrimp Sandwich with Tartar from Sea Basket (Wiscasset, ME).

quote:

Originally posted by twinwillow

One more-please? Just one more? A BBQ chopped brisket on a bun with sauce and raw onion from (the original)
Sonny Bryan's BBQ in Dallas. And, a Dr. Pepper.

twinwillow-

I agree with you.

Sonny Bryan's in Dallas has THE BEST brisket in the world!
Now I'm pouting because I am stuck down here in Houston and have not been to Dallas in quite a long time

(*Note* to me, grinders/subs/hoagies/whatEVER you call 'em is a whole other category; as well as burgers, breakfast sandwiches, etc. ... bearing that in mind):
As far as "kiddie fare" that I have fond memories of-
PB & bacon, cream cheese & jelly, grilled cheese & tomato, chicken salad, egg salad, balogna & mayo, roast beef, tomato, mayo, & cheese (and so forth)...
"Grown-up fare" (though certainly loved by some kids too)-
a decent Rueben, triple-decker clubs (name your prefrred meat here), pulled pork sandwich, tuna melt, hot open turkey/roast beef, Cuban sandwiches, smoked turkey w/ avocado, tomato, and red onion...
Really, this could go on far longer- I'll spare you the extended version in the interests of fairness and decency ;)

I was drunk in Philadelphia the night I ate two of my five favorites: An Italian sub at some long-forgotten restaurant and a cheesesteak at Geno's (or was it Pat's). My other favorites are mostly geocentric.

3.) Breaded Pork Tenderloin at the Countryview Drive In in Kimballton, Ia. or the Colony Inn in Ventura.
4.) My own BLT with Green Zebra tomatoes from the local farmer's market and bacon from the locker plant in Webster City.
5.) Hot Beef Sandwich at Farmers' Kitchen in Atlantic.
6.) Fried Grouper in Fort Myers' Beach, Fla.
7.) Bob Dog at Bob's Drive-Inn in LeMars, Ia.
8.) Italian Roast Beef at South Union Bread Company in Des Moines.
9.) Charley Boy at Mile's Tap in Sioux City.
10.) A Cuban

quote:

Originally posted by Foxyfishy14

Does anyone know any good places for Falafel in CT or in New England in General?

The previously-mentioned Mamoun's previously-unmentioned New Haven location, of course!

http://www.mamounsfalafel.com/

I have to say that I find Katz terribly overrated.

The last time I was in NYC (about a year ago) I stopped in an ordered the reuben (greatest sandwich of all-time?) and it was seriously disgusting. Like I couldn't even finish it. It looked, smelled and tasted like somebody had thrown up on it. The place was filthy, our cutlery and glasses were dirty, the service was terrible... I've been many times before and had great meals at Katz but if my last trip was any indication, I'd sooner go to the Carnegie.

They forgot about the 2 best selling sandwiches in the USA,the Big Mac & the Whopper.

I am going to throw my vote in for the NJ style sloppy joe..

quote:

Originally posted by mousec

Anyone have a link to the survey or know when it was taken? I tried Googling for it but haven't had any luck.

The Ancient Mariner said, "According to a survey by MSNBC these are the top 5 in the country" Contact MSNBC, Duh!

Thank you jwagnerdsm for the pork tenderloin mention. Thought all these East Coast sandwiches were approaching redundency[sp]. I do believe a trip thru Iowa must include following the " Pork Tenderloin Trail" See past postings for stops on trail.

I never heard of a "Frenchy's Fantasy", but I found this photo of one:


Evidently it is a triple-decker that combines mounds of rare roast beef, Swiss cheese, sugar-cured bacon, lettuce and tomato, topped with Russian dressing on rye bread.

Think of it as a BLT with a roast beef & swiss on top.

I'd eat it.

It's funny that White House in Atlantic City's sandwich construction came up. My friends and I have discussed this specific topic before at length.

I can name 20 different sandwich shops in NJ that use top quality meats, cheeses, veggies, etc. What WH does that shoots it up to the top 5 is the immaculate bread choice (strong enough to handle a beast of a sandwich) and the S-curve flip that they do with the meat to tuck it back into the sandwich.

There is a place in downtown NY next to where I work (Pane Peppe) that could be one of the greats. They have an excellent selection of breads, fantastic combos of meats, cheeses and toppings preselected on a huge menu (if your imagination sucks). They even have superb toppers like really, really tasty olive oil, real pesto or an amazing hot pepper spread. This place is legit. It's not cheap, but this is Manhattan where I've paid $8 for a Pabst Blue Ribbon in can at a bar. The only problem is the sandwich construction. There are maybe three guys out of a dozen in the store that can put a decent pile of bread and meat together and I mean they are just ok. You get the wrong guy there and you are going to be back at your desk, unrolling a soggy mess that is more like an italian Cobb salad with a giant roll for a crouton.

White House guys have always brought their A game when I'm there. I always think to myself, "there is no way this sandwich stays together while I eat it." And time and time again, they get it in there.

By the way, some ridiculous shops that deserve to be mentioned here:

Hoagie Haven (Princeton, NJ) - any place with a line out the door past midnight on any given night of the week speaks for itself - the bread alone is ~ 1,000 calories

Koch's (West Philadelphia, PA) - the line is crazy long and the guys aren't exactly working fast, but stand around for more than 5 minutes and meats and cheeses get passed around to try

Kelly's (Revere, MA) - my mom, a native to Boston, still swears by them - apparently, they're open on Christmas and there will be a line

Hey, my great home state of Pennsylvania seems to be doing pretty well in this thread. You've got a friend!

1) Corn Beef Special - Corned Beef, coleslaw, dark brown mustard, and good rye.

2) Italian sub from any good place in the Philadelphia area - Italian meats, cheeses, onions, tomato, oregeno, sweet and hot peppers, oil, vinegar.

3) Any good roast beef on an Italian circular roll with melted swiss and tons of horseradish sauce.

4) Are we allowing bagels and hot dogs now? Toasted plain bagel, cream cheese, onion slices, a slice of tomato, nova lox.

5) A Manoush dog with "the works" from Manoush's Hot Dog stand, now probably sadly gone, 2121 I Street, Washington, D.C.

quote:

Originally posted by the ancient mariner

Suddenly in the middle of the night---well 405 AM -----I remembered that I forgot one of my favorites.

In the New York area every deli has a breakfast special---2 fried eggs on a hard roll,
salt and pepper and ketchup if you so desire. Add bacon, ham or cheese for a few cents
more. The eggs are fried "over hard" so the yolk doesn't run down onto your tie or best
suit. The sam-itch is accompanied by coffee and the whole deal costs 2.99 or thereabouts.

I have never been at a construction site (and I am on them a lot) where the guys aren't
chowing down these greasy, calorie filled but delicious morsels, or if I'm not on time
I find the remnants.

Another big seller in Nueva York is the cream cheese on a bagel breakfast. Real NY
bagels--plain, onion, poppy seed, cinnamon-raisin ---whatever--- with a smear.
Or to be hi-class add a slab of lox.

Two more sandwichs better than some of the honored five.

Right on, bro!

quote:

Originally posted by big g in joisey

They forgot about the 2 best selling sandwiches in the USA,the Big Mac & the Whopper.

Lions Choice Roast Beef sandwiches are 1000x better than Arby's and unknown outside St Louis, MO. Too bad, they are not only REAL beef, but tender, rare and seasoned to perfection. I crave them every time I travel to the midwest. Wish they would franchise nationwide--Arby's needs the competition.

Originally posted by Big Kahuna Kooks

In St. Louis I grew up on a St. Paul sandwich which was found at any chinese take out storefront....

Big Kahuna...

When I was out at Wash U for 4 years, I was a regular at the fine "Chong Wah" chain of Chinese joints (on Olive and Lindell?). Great st. Pauls, but their fried rice was truly amazing! I don't know what it was, but they made the most flavorful pork or chicken fried rice I've ever tasted.

All that said, I dig the St. Pauls, but I wouldn't put any version on my list of "great" sandwiches.

Here's my top 10, the order is mood dependent

Primanti's
Italian Beef
Cheesesteak
Italian Hoagie
Gyro (is a Donair for you hosers the same thing?)
Beef on Weck
BBQ Sammich
Reuben
Thanksgiving Sammich
Slammer

I gotta go with you stiller, Primanti's is knocked by locals but is such a good sandwich it merits consideration anywhere, as well as the Roethlisburger, so both of those would be in my top 5. I'll round out the other three with (again, going to catch a lot of flak here, but...) Pat's in Philly for a steak, the White House Special in Atlantic City, and the Tony's Screamer in Girardville, PA which is technically a hamburger but generically a sandwich.

I love a reuben as well but that's a dozen threads in itself.

Personally I'm more into eating than ranking...Oh, and by God nothing beats a cold leftover meat loaf sandwich at 11:30 pm or past.

Wow!! This was fun and interesting!!

I tried to construct my list from memorable sandwich experiences, from places that are "known" as THE place (sometimes debatable) to go for such a sandwich. Places that many people say "Oh...if you are visiting this place you have to have this sandwich" because it is an experience that you might never forget. So, I decided on my most memorable "famous" sandwich experiences.

Cheesesteak at Pat's in Philly

Muffaletta at Central Grocery in New Orleans

Corned beef or Pastrami on rye at Katz Deli in NYC (in my neighborhood so I get to enjoy the experience more often)

Pulled pork sandwich at Corky's in Memphis

Beef on Weck from Charlie the Butcher in Buffalo

My top 5 list:

1) Breaded pork tenderloin (upper mid-west)
2) Reuben
3) Split Brat on rye with swiss and kraut
4) Turkey and cranberry
5) Banh Mi (the excellent french-vietnamese pork sandwich)

My list

1 - Italian Sub
2 - Reuben
3 - NJ Sloppy joe (Roast Beef)
4 - Cheesesteak (wiz with)
5 - Pork Roll

1. Italian sub(genoa salami,peperoni, capicola,prushutini+ the works)
2. Cheese Steak with peppers and Onions
3. Salami& Provolone on a Kaiser roll
4. Reuben
5. Pork roll,egg & cheese
5.(tied) peanut butter & jelly

Lee, I can see ppl for NJ have very similar tastes!

1) Italian Hot Dog
2) Reuben
3) Cheesesteak (wiz witout)
4) Italian Sub (ham and provolone)
5) Taylor Ham, egg, and cheese
6) NJ Sloppy Joe (in case any of the previous five cannot fulfill their obligations)

For me, let me augment my list...let me make mine a 3 way tie for 5th...add that Italian hot dog(on a half pizza bread, stuffed with potatoes,peppers and onions with a sprinkle of balsamic vinegar on that topping!!!

This is a tough question because I love sandwiches so I'll break it down into categories, not order.

1. Favorite Sub: Italian
2. Favorite Hot Sandwich: Cheese steak (preferably a philly or south jersey steak)
3. Favorite Deli Sandwich: A good tuna sandwich with cheese on a hard roll
4. Favorite Club Sandwich: Ham and Cheese
5. Favorite Breakfast Sandwich: Pork roll, Egg and Cheese with salt, pepper, and ketchup

There are many many more sandwiches that I enjoy, but in these situations these are usually what I go for.

I hate these surveys that they have on TV...similar to those that are posted on AOL. I dont know where they get the information but it always seems that they try to be sure they cover as much as the country as possible & everything gets "yuppified". When I hear "a new take on the traditional....." I turn the station, because what follows usually angers me & is B.S.
They really should have left their studio in NY and just drive to Harolds in Edison, NJ (maybe at White House in AC as well) to do the show...pick 5 from the menu then shut up & report the news.

Lobster Roll in California????......Please.

WM Ceaton I think most of us agree with you---the polls are phony, but
the lists made by Roadfooders are the real thing-------RFs are experts
so the poll is just a way to get RF's to express themselvs. Most RFs
are very shy and would never say anything without intense urging.
Honest, I kid you not. (Stole that from Jack Paar.)

My own creation....seared duck breast, medium rare....blue cheese drizzle, sliced fresh beets cooked al dente...chopped walnuts...on some fresh crusty, country bread.

Hey Pancho, how come you have duck breast laying around waiting to be turned
into a sam-itch. When (and it ain't often) I have duck I have a guest or two
and the duck breast is long gone after one go-round. And the rest of el duck
goes in round two. A clean knock out in the second round.

Never cooked beets al dente----even though I make pickled beets and harvard
beets quite often. What is the purpose ????

- BLT made at home, garden tomato & Duke's mayo
- Lobster roll with butter,RED'S
- Porkchop, Snappy Lunch
- Roast Pork Italian, Tony Luke's
- Cheesesteak, D'alesanndro's before ownership change

not listed because I've yet to try
- breaded pork tenderloin in Iowa
- real Cuban in Miami

I prefer a nice MLT.. mutton lettuce and tomato where the the mutton is sliced nice and lean!! now thats a sandwich.......of course props to my favorite movie maybe ever!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by dannybotz

I prefer a nice MLT.. mutton lettuce and tomato where the the mutton is sliced nice and lean!! now thats a sandwich.......of course props to my favorite movie maybe ever!!!!

is that from princess bride?

quote:

Originally posted by fattybomatty

quote:

Originally posted by dannybotz

I prefer a nice MLT.. mutton lettuce and tomato where the the mutton is sliced nice and lean!! now thats a sandwich.......of course props to my favorite movie maybe ever!!!!

is that from princess bride?

sure is

quote:

Originally posted by dannybotz

I prefer a nice MLT.. mutton lettuce and tomato where the the mutton is sliced nice and lean!! now thats a sandwich

great quote!


five best sandwiches...tough tough tough to call.

well, I'll leave out subs, buns, rolls, and wraps and stick with sliced bread sandwiches.

BLT
Grilled Cheese
corned beef and pastrami on rye (or a Rueben, as long as it's not sloppy)
Egg salad with green olives and a few pimentos
turkey sandwich off of the Thanksgiving turkey

quote:

Originally posted by the ancient mariner

Hey Pancho, how come you have duck breast laying around waiting to be turned
into a sam-itch. When (and it ain't often) I have duck I have a guest or two
and the duck breast is long gone after one go-round. And the rest of el duck
goes in round two. A clean knock out in the second round.

Never cooked beets al dente----even though I make pickled beets and harvard
beets quite often. What is the purpose ????

Hey Mariner Man...You BUY the duck breasts...for the sambich. Get 'em here for like $1.89 a pound. You only use like a 4 oz. portion. Beets al dente...not mushy and just a touch real on the tongue. Don't you just love beets? Try this....slice a few fresh ones thin...wrap in foil after applying some fresh chopped dill, lemon juice and a wad of butter. Throw it on with your grilled meat product for about 15 min. Memorable....

Scorereader-a man after my owm heart...Mom made her egg salad with green olives with pimento-a wonderful variation!

Yo Pancho this is Don Quixote ---took a day off from fighting wind mills-----I will
try your beetnik beet recipe---can't beat beets.

We used to grow our own and used the greens as a spinach substitute. Throw a little
cider vinegar on them and they aren't bad tasting and are full of what's good for ya !!!

My Mother made great pickeled beets, don't know whose recipe it was, but back then
every mom and grandmom had her own. They also look great on the plate. She learned
the Harvard Beet recipe while a chef for some very rich people on Park Ave.

My lovely Mary has a thing for beets, can you beat that ??????

When we were kids my Mom put up a lot of vegetables for the winter.
After a day of making a batch of pickled beets our hands were stained red and they
stayed that way until a new batch of skin got rid of it----soap was a waste of
time and lye.

Never saw duck breast on sale anywhere------I grew up right in the middle of
Long Island Duck country so you can't say anything bad about duck to me !!! The duck
farms are gone now, replaced by houses and roads and people who don't know from duck.

And teaching them ain't Duck Soup you know !!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by the ancient mariner

Never saw duck breast on sale anywhere------I grew up right in the middle of
Long Island Duck country so you can't say anything bad about duck to me !!! The duck
farms are gone now, replaced by houses and roads and people who don't know from duck.

There are a few left, for now. Three, I know of...

We all seem to have a place which we'd nominate for "best sandwich place". While the breadth of types, fillings, styles etc is enormous, If we're talking roast beef, I'll still drive 3 hours from NH to go to Shieks in Torrington CT.

http://roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=2092

Ask Michael noted in his review, yes I can go to kelly's or any number of other "legendary" places in the metro boston area (and yes I LOVE NY deli [tongue please on rye with mustard]), but i have yet to find anything that satisfies me quite like a hot roast beef sandwich or grinder from Shieks. I'll admit to going on saturdays and having a dog or 2 with mustard and kraut or mustard and hot relish (similar to Blackies in Cheshire) and THEN a hot roast beef sandwich. It's kind of like having your cake and eating it too ;)

For me it's perfection!

charles

quote:

Originally posted by the ancient mariner

Yo Pancho this is Don Quixote ---took a day off from fighting wind mills-----I will
try your beetnik beet recipe---can't beat beets.

We used to grow our own and used the greens as a spinach substitute. Throw a little
cider vinegar on them and they aren't bad tasting and are full of what's good for ya !!!

My Mother made great pickeled beets, don't know whose recipe it was, but back then
every mom and grandmom had her own. They also look great on the plate. She learned
the Harvard Beet recipe while a chef for some very rich people on Park Ave.

My lovely Mary has a thing for beets, can you beat that ??????

When we were kids my Mom put up a lot of vegetables for the winter.
After a day of making a batch of pickled beets our hands were stained red and they
stayed that way until a new batch of skin got rid of it----soap was a waste of
time and lye.

Never saw duck breast on sale anywhere------I grew up right in the middle of
Long Island Duck country so you can't say anything bad about duck to me !!! The duck
farms are gone now, replaced by houses and roads and people who don't know from duck.

And teaching them ain't Duck Soup you know !!!!!!

Now you are learning! I love beet greens as well. You are a funny guy!

Did you forget Moms house special, Peanut butter & Banana

Tomato fresh picked from garden, White bread,cracked pepper and light mayo.Oh so good.

Add some bacon and lettuce!!!

Where is the pesky wabbit---out in the garden eatin' my carrots ?

I love that sam-itch of yours---nothing like a beefsteak just
picked from your very own garden. As a kid I couldn't wait --
when that first one got red it was a great day---and then
within minutes you were inundated with ripe tomatoes. All at once--
Batta-boom !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!