One Sandwich for Every American City

[davidnaimark]

Hello--haven' t posted in several years but am working on a project and hoped I could get some input. If you were visiting a particular American city and could only get ONE (1) sandwich, what would it be, how would it be prepared, and where would you get it?

Note that this is not the same question that is posed in the excellent thread "Your ten best sandwiches". Here, I'm not really looking for your favorite sandwiches or even necessarily the best sandwich on offer, I'm looking for what you'd eat if you could only eat one sandwich in a city. I realize that this may represent an impossibly anxiety-provoking task for many (i.e. the horrifying notion of going to New Orleans or Chicago, for example, and only being able to pick one of the many amazing offferings). Despite the difficulty, I will appreciate any attempts.

I'll start with a few:

1. New York City--for me, it would have to be a classic Hot Corned Beef on Rye (such as that served at Carnegie Deli). It would be annointed with deli mustard and served with a half-sour pickle. It would neither be too lean nor too fatty. It would be machine-sliced (because that is more common/iconic), even though I realize it might be better if it were hand-sliced (ala Katz). The bread would be twice baked and sour. Nothing more, nothing less.

2. New Orleans--for me it would be a Central Grocery muffuletta. Preparation is easy on this one, because there is no choice--it is prepared only one way. I would specify, however, that it should sit for at least an hour prior to consuking to ensure that the oil from the olive salad has adequate time to penetrate/lubricate the bread and meats.

[Hue]

Read the thread quickly so hope I didn;'t miss seeing something about these two sammiches
A Taylors Pork Roll Sandwich (Atlantic City??)
A fried bologna sandwich (Pick a southern city)

[juli5122]

There is a place just off 95 in NC called Hot Dog and Hamburger Haven. I had a fried bologna sandwich on white bread with yellow mustard and american cheese. It was sooooo good.

[Sandwich_Sister]

This does start to get rather tough when thinking about every American city, even when you narrow a bit. And my home state of Florida kinda gets blurry.

With Florida I would say the Cuban we can attribute that to Miami, The grouper fish sandwich.

There is a little Saigon area of Orlando which has some wonderful Banh Mi's, I'm still trying to figure out what Orlando's sandwich would be.

and there is a huge puerto rican culture in the central florida area that should be represented but I can't think of a sandwich that would do it justice.

Also has anyone mentioned seattle?

I don't want to get to trite but a salmon or dungenous crab sandwich would make since to me. We had a dungenous crab sandwich at a Tom Douglas Restaurant there that was delicious.

[GraydonCarter]

Fort Lauderdale - for my money, the smoked mackerel dip, spread between two ritz crackers.

With this kind of thread we should probably start a whole new post for Seattle, rather than combining it with Florida.

[Firegoat]

Tulsa, OK -- Either a Ron's Chili Cheeseburger or a Coney Islander hot dog
Salina, KS - A Cozy Burger

[hamboney]

Marshalltown, Iowa : Taylor's Maid-rite (loose meat sandwich), defying the franchise-chain since I was a kid.
Hammy

[arktos]

Damn, but those things are delicious, and their 'sloppiness' merely adds to their charm:)

[nvcook]

My two favorite restaurants in Winnemucca, Nv each has a sandwich to die for, The Martin Hotel makes sirloin sliders with roasted garlic, sauteed onions and mushrooms and lots of perfectly cooked steak. Ormacheas has a solomo with roasted garlic and roasted red peppers in a secret sauce on a wonderful roll. I am hungry now.

[rizzo0904]

haven't read through..but philly, roast pork sandwich with rabe and provolone at dinics.

[NVJims]

In Elko, it would have to be the steak sandwich at the Star. Gotta love the way Basques do lunch.

[nvcook]

I love real Basque cooking for any meal!

[sisterfunkhaus]

Dallas doesn't really have a signature sandwich that I know of. But the Cuban at Jimmy's is probably the favorite of many foodies in Dallas.

[josquared]

I'll bend the rules a bit....here's my nomination for San Francisco

http://www.itsiticecream.com/

[mamachef]

Great call, josquared. What IS an it's-it, if not a sandwich?

[edintucson]

In Tucson, find a place that serves a good torta, which is sort of a Mexican deli sandwich. The secret is the bread, and the best are served on fresh telera rolls from a local bakery. Pork (either carnitas or al pastor) happens to be my favorite, but they also come in a variety of combinations of beef, ham, and chicken. The roll is split and toasted, then spread with guacamole, topped with the meat, and finished with shredded lettuce and salsa. Jalapenos are usually available for additional kick.

[tatamagouche]

I love tortas too, but don't associate them with Tucson per se...I believe they were invented in Puebla but their spiritual home is Mex City. Some great ones here in Denver too...

But you're saying Tucson should be the US capital for them? So what's your personal verdict on pineapple or no pineapple with the al pastor? (A Q that came up on another thread...)

[DoobieWah]

Yeah, we have some great ones here in Houston also.

Pineapple on pastor?

With!

[edintucson]

Guess I wasn't thinking in terms of a sandwich unique to Tucson and not available elsewhere.

I could go with Sonoran hot dogs, but they may not fall in the sandwich category, and they can also be found in places other than Tucson.

For absolutely unique to Tucson I'm going to have to go with the smoked duck crepe from Planet of the Crepes, a local food cart (although I guess that a crepe may be stretching the definition of a sandwich, too).

And, as of yesterday, the cart is not actually in Tucson, but in the village of Summerhaven near the summit of Mount Lemmon about 25 miles from the city at an elevation of close to 9000 feet. It'll be up there for the summer, and I'll probably have to drive up there at least once a week to escape the heat and to satisfy my craving for either the smoked duck or another one of their fabulously delicious creations.

[tatamagouche]

If I understand the OP correctly, I don't think the sandwich has to be unique to a place or even invented in it but has to now be thoroughly associated with it, e.g., New Orleans and muffalettas, Louisville, KY and the hot brown.

As anything else on Chowhound, of course that could lead to a lot of debate. :)

Sounds like you have a good case for the Sonoran hot dog.

http://tucsoncitizen.com/tucsontales/2009/12/10/tucsons-sonoran-hot-dog-like-a-chili-dog-on-steroids-wrecipe/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_dog_...

[Veggo]

Si, pina, por seguro! You reminded me of the pastor cook at Pastorcitas in Playa del Carmen - quite a showman. He would slice the pastor with his left hand and catch it in the tortilla in his right. Then he has a maneuver where he cuts and flicks upward a slender slice of the pineapple impaled on top of the spindle, then spins around with the meat-laden tortilla held behind his back, and catches the falling pineapple wedge right in the center of the tortilla behind him. Nothing but net. And extra propinas!

[tatamagouche]

Very cool. And I agree, I'm all for pineapple.

[Chowrin]

new castle should be ashamed of itself. did everyone forget to post?
[not from there, not gonna spill da beans.]

[MonMauler]

Coney Island Hot Dogs!

It's, basically, a form of Chili Dog, but the chili is quite unique to the New Castle area. They're really good, and it's definitely an institution in New Castle. Whenever I'm around there I almost always stop for a Coney.

[nimeye]

I almost forgot about the taco meat grinder at the Red Pepper in Grand Forks, ND. They're actually pretty terrible, but for some reason they're legendary up there. I guess if you're drunk enough and put enough white sauce on them they're passable.

[tatamagouche]

Taco meat grinder with white sauce? You mean like gravy? That sounds absolutely disgusting.

Even the pics look awful.

http://www.redpepper.com/documents/44...

[nimeye]

I'ts been quite a few years since I've been up that way, but if my hazy memory serves me right, it's a ranch-type sauce. As far as how awful the pics look- they look far worse in person.

[MandalayVA]

Richmond, VA--a Smithfield ham sandwich on a homemade roll from Sally Bell's Kitchen. Don't forget the cheese wafer and the cupcake!

[yumyum]

Buffalo, NY would of course have the Beef on Weck. Ooooh what I would do for one of those right now.

[tatamagouche]

How has that not been mentioned yet?! And, leave it to you to think of it...

One sandwich that isn't at all a Boston invention—it has Chilean roots—and yet seems only to appear there and apparently in NY, is the chacarero. Which is weird, b/c otherwise Chilean food is largely absent from this country in general. (Visiting last year, I was told Chileans just don't emigrate much—and why should they? I'd move to Valparaiso in a second if I could.)

Can anyone besides yumyum and me attest to spotting these in their neck of the woods?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chacarero

[yumyum]

I love this thread. I've been thinking about sandwiches ALL DAY LONG. I might need to pick up a Kelly's roast beef just to scratch the itch.

Hubba hubba!
http://www.roadfooddigest.com/image.a...

[Clarkafella]

I too have been thinking about sandwiches all day- are any of these low carb? I can dream, can't I?

[DoobieWah]

"How has that not been mentioned yet?!"

It's on my initial list. <pat, pat, pat>

("Ooooh what I would do for one of those right now." +1! )

[tatamagouche]

Oops—right you are.

[BabsW]

Another NY small city; Binghamton, NY and the spiedi. Spiedies are marianted chunks of meat (originally most often lamb, but now chicken is a favorite) which are marinated in a seasoned vinaigrette for at least 1 day, prefereably up to 3, then grilled on a skewer and then jammed into a sub roll/grinder roll/hoagie bun, skewer and all, then you mash the bread closed and pull out the skewer.

Every summer, Binghamton holds a Speidie Fest to celebrate the yuuminess. :)

[Duppie]

I ate there last summer and could not believe the traffic that place sees, Loved the lamb and the cheese fries were oozingly good.

[BabsW]

Yeah, the lamb spiedies are the best! I think I'll go this year and bring the kids.

[scarsdalesurprise]

Portland, ME - Italian Sandwich

[LoBrauHouseFrau]

Mount Airy, North Carolina - the Pork Chop sandwich.

[FoodFuser]

Fun to watch posters come forth as cognoscenti
on the art of the local sand-veechi.

I have only three local famed icons to add:

1) Through the Piedmont of the Carolinas, a lunch counter staple is the Livermush sandwich.

2) Down a wide swath of the Southern Plains, the chicken fried steak sandwich.

3) In Oklahoma City, the Onionburger. There is even an annual festival. Do not confuse these with a burger topped with a few onions.

[mamachef]

Okay, you pulled that rabbit outta the hat on the last. I had completely forgotten the esteemed Onionburger. Oh, the almost-chopped meat and onions, the tender bun. The fragrance, the beefy richness as it cooks. The one I've had was one of the the most delicious sandwiches and finest hangover cures I have EVER experienced. Thank you thank you thank you. : ) I'm inspired to try a version at home......I have an awesome blackened griddle c. roughly 1945, and I am convinced it makes everything in the world better. what a treat!

[FoodFuser]

We shall work on this if you so wish.

For now, holds rabbit in right hand,
hat that he pulled it from in left hand.

No appendages left to hold Onionburger
I must use my mouth... and my jaws... and my teeth
Methinks I will swallow when I hit "Post" button.

[tatamagouche]

Not to toot my own horn, but I mentioned it way upthread. The festival's actually in El Reno. :)

[FoodFuser]

tata, you are correct. I read thru the thread, but I must have missed it. Have you eaten some of the onionburgers here in OKC?

[tatamagouche]

Wait—did I *know* you were in OKC?! I feel as though maybe we've discussed it before...I grew up in Norman...

I wanted desperately go to the El Reno festival earlier this month but couldn't. I will, however, be coming sometime in July. Any recs? Heck, any interest in a possible Chowdown?

[FoodFuser]

For a "Hole in the Wall" onionburger in OKC
I'd suggest Bunny's, SE corner of 50th and Meridian.

There are others, none of which I'd disparage
One caveat: All are road to addiction.

[brentk]

I live in the Piedmont area of NC and love livermush but I have never seen a livermush sandwich. Out of curiosity, I went into a local lunch counter today hoping to see it on the menu but was disappointed.

Where have you had such a sandwich and how is it prepared?

[FoodFuser]

Keep looking, you'll find it. Just browned livermush on white bread, and mayo.

[Island]

San Diego- fish taco or carne asada torta

[Divamac]

...or a California burrito

[alliegator]

The Fred Burger at Fred's Texas cafe in Fort Worth. In a city practically buried alive in ground beef, this one is a stand out. I'm not even a burger fan, but the thought of it makes me drool.

[NVJims]

Reno, Nevada. Has to be the Awful-Awful. Great hamburger that is awful good and awful big.

[Manybears]

I'd pick a solomo sandwich for Boise.

[yumyum]

NICE ONE on the solomo!

Solomo Sandwich ……. $8.00
Marinated pork loin with pimientos and served on a freshly baked french roll

I would have said the lamb dip at Bar Gernika myself, but both are great.

[juli5122]

Love sandwiches!
Portland ME: Italian Sandwich from Amato's
Lobster Roll or Clam Roll from Two Lights (no celery)

Tampa FL: Cuban Sandwich multiple places
St. Pete FL: Grilled Grouper (Same as Veggo)
Clearwater FL : Original Fried Grouper Sandwich from Frenchy's
Raleigh NC: Barbeque pork sandwich (I think it was called The Pit)

[Bob W]

Speaking of Maine, how could I forget:

Waterville -- Dagwood (basically Italian sandwich ingredients stuffed in a pita)

Juli, where is Two Lights? We'll be in Portland in two weeks, and my chowhound-in-training son is looking forward to his first lobster roll.

[juli5122]

In Cape Elizabeth, gorgeous view and an institution. Have a great trip , there is also an incredible bakery in South Portland called Scratch best sea salt bagel I have ever had. (sorry New York)
http://lobstershacktwolights.com/
http://scratchbakingco.com/

[Bob W]

Thanks Juli, since we are heading north from Portland to Waterville we might not be able to hit Two Lights, but since I posted that I have read about it and it indeed looks great. The place we are going to hit for the lobster rolls is Fishermen's Grill on Forest Ave. Have you been there? It doesn't seem to get much attention, but what I have read all seems to indicate that they serve a fantastic lobseter roll.

Now, as for Scratch, while we always hit Standard Bakery we are going to hit Scratch as well! Superior baked goods are perfect for a long drive.

[juli5122]

I'm with you on the baked goods :) I haven't tried Fishermans Grill but I will ask my sister who lives in South Porland and let you know.

[juli5122]

Spoke with my sister and she has never heard of Fishermans Grill. But she said Susan's Fish and Chip on Forest was outstanding, no ambiance but great food. Hope you have a great trip. Juli

[thegrifter]

Philly - The cheesesteak is clearly the most famous sandwich from Philadelphia, but I think many Philadelphians would agree it's not the best. For me, the "one" sandwich from my hometown is the Italiano: roast pork, sharp provolone, broccoli rabe. Tony Luke's has a great version - lately my favorite is from Paesano's.

[awm922]

NYC - Plate Pastrami on Rye with brown deli mustard at the Carnegie Deli
New Haven - Hamburger at Louis' Lunch
Boston - Sweet sausage with peppers and onions from the carts outside Fenway
Westbrook, CT - Hot lobster in butter on a split top hot dog roll at Bill's Seafood
North Haven, CT - Porchetta on an Italian Grinder roll, Luizzi Cheese Shop
Venice, FL - Meatball Grinder with lots of Grated Parm at Luna's
Chicago - Italian Beef, dipped
Northhampton, MA - Black and Blue burger at Northhampton Brewery. Med rare.

[mariacarmen]

I haven't been to some of these places, but these are what I'd expect/want in the places i haven't been:

Austin: Beef brisket sandwich
Miami: Cubano
Maine (i know, it's a state, not a city, but i don't know the cities!): Lobster roll
NYC: Bagel with whitefish and cream cheese from Russ & Daughters
New Orleans: Oyster poorboy
Westminster, CA (if i ever go back): Grilled pork banh mi
New Mexico: Hatch Chili burger
L.A.: Tommy's chili-cheese burger. or maybe an Okie dog

[mamachef]

For Maine, just say Bangor. : ) I don't know how big it is or where it is EXCEPT that it's in Maine, but it does solve the problem. Not that there was a problem.

[Bob W]

LOL you just wanted to say Bangor. But is has awful food. Portland is a great -- great! -- food city with plenty of fine lobster rolls.

[Rmis32]

Tweaking your NYC pick, I'd nominate Russ & Daughter's
SUPER HEEBSTER
Whitefish & Baked Salmon Salad with Horseradish Dill Cream Cheese and Wasabi Flying Fish Roe on a Bagel:
The emerald colored Wasabi Flying Fish Roe ratchets up the taste & eye appeal.

[mariacarmen]

Oh MAN. that sounds great. I've only been ONCE (2 years ago, vaca), and so what I listed is what I had, i'm dying to try EVERYTHING they've got. Someday.... plus, i love the name of that concoction.

[hill food]

Russ and Daughters IS a certified (by me) pilgrimage site.

[woodleyparkhound]

DC - half smoke

[BabsW]

Syracuse (do small cities count?): Gianelli's Sausage and Pepper sandwich, which is always a top-seller at the NY State Fair. It's a tradition.

With a side of salt potatoes. :)

[TuteTibiImperes]

Delaware - Turkey Subs.

More specifically, turkey subs from Capriotti's, and most notably The Bobbie (think thanksgiving dinner on a roll).

Certain enclaves around Wilmington might nominate the greek style hot dog instead (served with beach cut fries dusted with old bay and a side of malt vinegar) but I'd say that Cap's subs are one thing that anyone who has spent any length of time in DE can hold up as the state's true culinary gift to the world.

[tatamagouche]

"Beach-cut fries"?

[TuteTibiImperes]

Well, more commonly known just as 'Beach Fries'. Thicker cut than a normal fry, but not quite a steak fry, skin on, and usually fried in peanut oil.

EDIT:

Now that I think about it, there might be a case for the scrapple, egg, and cheese sandwich to be the official sandwich of Delaware.

[Bob W]

Also known as Boardwalk fries or also Thrasher's, after the best-known purveyor.

[lilhellie]

Portland:
PORCHETTA at The People's Pig (a food cart)
soppressata with goat cheese, cotechino sausage and lentils, meatballs with cinnamon-tinged tomato sauce, and the signature porchetta with parsley pesto

[twyst]

As a native New Orleanian, not sure I can 100% get on board with the muffaletta as the official sandwich. Fried shrimp (or oyster) poboys would give the muffaletta a serious run for its money.

Also, central grocery has really gone downhill over the last few years. I would not send someone there to get a good muffaletta now, they have started to use inferior ingredients.

[nomadchowwoman]

I'm w/you, twyst--oyster (or shrimp; oyster first, imo) poboy over muffaletta in NOLA.

[DoobieWah]

I will stick with the Muff for N'awlins.

Fried shrimp and or oyster, (or catfish or crawfish) poboys are readily available all up and down the Gulf Coast.

But the Muff....

Ah, yes, that salty-chewy-savory loaf, quartered and eaten on the curb in front of Central Grocery with an iced cold beer, and the Mississippi River, which you can't see but can definitely feel, just a hundred yards away "IS" New Orleans every bit as much as beignets at Cafe du Mond are the very next, very hungover morning.

I love New Orleans.

[nomadchowwoman]

Well, the muffuletta certainly has legions of fans, for me the quintessential NO sandwich is the po-boy. And while versions of it may be available elsewhere, it originated (during a streetcar strike) in New Orleans. Hey, it even has its own festival!

[bbqboy]

For KC, the obvious choice is a BBQ'ed brisket sandwich,
http://blogs.pitch.com/fatcity/arthur...

the more obscure is an Italian Steak Sandwich.
a breaded beefsteak topped with marinara sauce.
and, if we're letting in flatbreads, deep fried tacos.

[FISHINC]

Fried Grouper sandwich? Key west maybe? West coast F

[spazita]

From Nova Scotia, Canada, the ubiquitous Donair, with a side of deep fried pepperoni (has to be the local Brothers' pepperoni, not the hard Italian kind!), with spicy honey mustard on the side! YUM!!

[tatamagouche]

So what is the Donair?

[danionavenue]

St. Paul, MN - Juicy Lucy

Toronto - Veal Parmigiana, lots of Italians here (most Italians outside of Italy actually)

[mamachef]

Hell yes on the Jucy Lucy - which, just for trivia's sake, doesn't contain an "I" in it's correct spelling on the menus at Matt's et. al....
haha on the Chowmein Sandwich. American Chowmein on a roll....and it was goood.

[Clarkafella]

Ok, I'll bite- what is a "Jucy Lucy"?

[mamachef]

It's a burger formed around cheese, and there's intercity rivalry between Matt's Bar and um, I think the 67 Club in Minn. When the burger gets grilled, the cheese is molten. You have to be careful re the squirt factor. But with a 3.2 beer or 4, it's a great great lunch, dont'cha know.

[danionavenue]

cheese infused burger, aka, heaven.

[danionavenue]

who knows on the spelling lol, I love Matt's in St. Paul but I am partial to The Nook. My cousin's uncle owns that place.

[mamachef]

Gustatory nepo/favoritism! Hey, I'm all for it. Enjoy the burger. We had to travel from Highland Park over the bridge to get a Jucy Lucy, but it was always worth the trip. : )

[invinotheresverde]

Off-topic, but mama, I always read your posts. Your gustatory knowledge always delights. Cheers to you!

[mamachef]

What a really nice thing to say, you just completely made my day. :)

[Bob W]

Two more, for hard-core Rhode Islanders:

Pawtucket: chow mein sandwich
Woonsocket: Dynamite (AKA Sloppy Joe on crack)

[LoBrauHouseFrau]

I was thinking about posting these, but figured no one else would know what the hell I was talking about, lol.

[escondido123]

I lived in Providence for 25 years and have no idea what a chow mein sandwich is.

[Bob W]

Unfortunately, it's exactly what it sounds like: A ladle of gloppy chow mein on a hamburger bun. When I was a kid they were $0.15. Classic Depression food.

[escondido123]

Truly never heard of it. For Pawucket, today, I think a
Colombian empanda would be a tasty choice.

[invinotheresverde]

I wonder if these still exist?

[Bob W]

I did a bit of sleuthing and here is the sandwich menu (!) from the Spring House Chinese Restaurant in Pawtucket, which appears to be in the same (or very close to) location as Chin's, where we used to get chow mein sandwiches.

Forget the talk about doubling down -- these guys are going all in! Four different chow mein sandwiches, and General Gau's Chicken on a roll too!!! I am saddened to report that the regular chow mein sandwiches are up to $1.95.

I expect escondido123 and invino to organize a Chowhound excursion to Spring House and give us a full report. 8<D

http://www.diningquest.com/?page=clie...

[DoobieWah]

"I expect escondido123 and invino to organize a Chowhound excursion to Spring House and give us a full report."

Yes, please!

[invinotheresverde]

I most likely can't eat one, as I'm a veggie, but I've a;ways been curious if they were still around. Thanks, Bob!

[Bob W]

Des Moines -- loose meat sandwiches, which I actually learned about during my one year in Gainesville FL at a place called Steamers. Commonly referred to as Maid-Rites after the preeminent loose meat purveyor.

[mamachef]

All right; now here's where we get into semantics and colloquialisms. I have heard these referred to in two ways: as Loose Meat sandwiches, and as Loosemeats. Please help. Which is it?

[Bob W]

LOL Since I learned of these luscious things 1,000 miles from Iowa, I cannot be a good source for the correct name. FWIW, we called them Loose Meat sandwiches.

[FoodFuser]

Mamachef, let me help you with loose meat. Two or three years ago PBS did a special, and the Iowa icon is named Made Right. They've been grinding their own beef there for many years, many steers.

[mamachef]

FF, thank you so much...I had totally forgotten about the other name for them too! I talked to my IA auntie not long after I saw this, and she mentioned also that those can also be found spelled "Maid Rites" which she didn't know if it was tm'd. but it sure sounds like it to me. I love food lore. : )

[FoodFuser]

The PBS special highlghted how proud the family was of the way they ground their own meat.

[KaimukiMan]

Honolulu: Furukake crusted ahi on a portuguese sweet bread poi roll, dressed with a light wassabi aoli, served with a side of ogo salad. Now i just have to find a place that makes it.
(nico's comes close)

ps:

San Francisco would have to be a fresh (in season) dungeness crab salad sandwich on sourdough, served with a side of guacamole.

[operagirl]

Living in SF, I have never seen that particular sandwich/condiment combo . . . have you had it at a specific place or are you making it up? No offense meant, honestly curious!

[GraydonCarter]

In any city I visit, I often find that locals avoid "touristy" spots - in this case, Pier 39. It says right there on the menu that it is the #1 crab sandwich in SF, so you gotta believe them.

[KaimukiMan]

its been a long time since i lived there, so i'm not sure if i'm making it up or remembering it. no offense taken.

[Heidi cooks and bakes]

Also no particular town of origin, but when in New Jersey my sandwich if pork roll, egg and cheese on a hard roll! I think the Taylor company is in Trenton, NJ. Oh, the weekend pleasure of a PEC sandwich!

[GraydonCarter]

I think you may be right, although I don't share your affection.

I prefer the NJ sandwich called the Sloppy Joe... turkey with cole slaw. I know, not the same.

[EarlyBird]

Los Angeles (actually, in Santa Monica right next door): The Godmother sandwich at Bay Cities Deli with hot pepper mix on it. Just a mind-blowingly good sandwich.

[brsmith2]

Raleigh, NC: Pulled pork bbq sandwich with vinegar-based sauce & coleslaw

[Bob W]

Eastern NC-style cue for Raleigh, of course (chopped whole hog). For cities in NC to the west, Lexington/Western NC-style cue (coarse chopped pork shoulder with red slaw)

[malibumike]

Los Angeles, Eastside Italian Market and Deli, Alpine st just west of chinatown,the # 7 Roast beef and pastrami with cooked peppers, marinara sauce, and provolone on italian roll, The best!!! http://www.esmdeli.com/

[escondido123]

Providence RI--New York System Hot Weiner (name makes no sense, I know)

San Diego--fish taco on a corn tortilla with white sauce and guacamole

Boston--Italian grinder, hot with pepperoncini

Kennebunkport, Maine--lobster roll on grilled split top hot dog bun

[Reston]

DC - Half-smoke from Ben's Chili Bowl

[debw1946]

NJ area: Italian Hot Dog

[Duppie]

Pork roll with a fried egg and cheese on a Kaiser roll or the classic belly buster is my vote for NJ.

[willdupre]

Yep I would vote for Tailor Ham, Egg, and Cheese on Kaiser as well for Newark or Trenton NJ. my all time favorite breakfast sandwich.

[Duppie]

My waistline is still suffering....

[diva360]

How about a NJ sloppy Joe? A triple decker with corned beef, provolone, and cole slaw.

[coney with everything]

Detroit: either a Detroit-style coney dog or a shawarma sandwich

[gordeaux]

Chicago is easy, yet difficult. There's plenty that ppl will tell you to get, but here are some SPECIFICS.
1. A Combo "dipped and hot" from Johnnies in Elmwood Park. (True Chicagoans know what this is. Sure, ppl will tell you "An Italian Beef" but this is the true way to go.)
2. Gyros from Central Gyros
3. Jibarito from Borinquen or Papa's Cache Sobroso
4. Chicken Boti in Paratha from Khan's BBQ
5. Char Grilled skirt steak torta from Las Asadas
6. Cemita Atomica from Cemitas Puebla

[masha]

What about Riccobene's steak sandwich?

[gordeaux]

No thanks, for me.

[brentk]

New York and Philadelphia - Roast beef on rye with cole slaw and Russian dressing. In Philadelphia, they call it a Roast Beef Special. In Philly, you can also get a variation called a Corned Beef Special, which is the same combo made with corned beef.

[hill food]

can this be opened up to flatbreads? 'cause if so I'd need to nominate an SF burrito.

Banh Mi is really hard to pin as one city's signature given the diaspora. a lot of cities can claim great ones, but none truly 'of' the place'.

[DoobieWah]

Guess again.

Houston is home to 221 Vietnamese restaurants as well as 35,000 ethnic Vietnamese Houstonians. (Probably more since Katrina.)

http://www.b4-u-eat.com/eat002.asp?Z=...

At least two of those are "of the place".

If Houston HAS a signature sandwich, it's the banh mi.

Come on down and give it a shot.

[hill food]

well it is one of the top 5 populous cities, right? now I have a reason to visit someday.

[DoobieWah]

Houston is the third largest city in the US and still growing.

We have great food from top to bottom.

I think Houston may be the best secret Chow-Town in the country.

In fact, I should start a thread...

[tatamagouche]

May not be a secret much longer; it's beginning to get all kinds of props, e.g.:

http://www.tastingtable.com/entry_det...

[mariacarmen]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_S...

Westminster started it all with the Vietnamese influx in the late 70s. I really think banh mi belongs to CA!

I've friends in Houston that keep raving about all the food, DoobieWah, and are offering to buy me a ticket to visit! I'm going to take them up on it, probably early next year. I used to visit another friend in Houston, but this was 4 or so years ago, and I think the food craze hadn't caught on yet.... does that sound about right? or maybe those particular friends just weren't as into food as i was....

[DoobieWah]

C'mon down.

Great chow. I'd be happy to assist, a least in my own little neck of the woods.

Just this weekend, I had: Roast duck and BBQ pork at Sinh Sinh, gourmet burger at Burger Guys, homestyle Indonesian at a great secret spot, cevap at my local Bosnian joint, a large torta and poblano cream soup at Mexico's Deli.

All within fifteen minutes of my house.

I LOVE living in Houston.

;-)

[mariacarmen]

wow, sounds wonderful. i couldn't take the heat, tho....

[DoobieWah]

That's why we have air conditioning.

(Or did you mean the food?)

;-)

[mariacarmen]

oh no, i love hot food - spicier the better!

[Janet]

Louisville: Hot Brown
LA: In n Out Burger
Baltimore: soft shell crab sandwich

[Bob W]

Yes to the fried soft shell sandwich for Baltimore. Crabcakes are best eaten on a plate, with a fork, or at worst on crackes.

[melpy]

I too prefer my BROILED crabcake (softball sized please?) on a plate...none of those stale rolls or saltines for me!

[Hue]

For sure in Maryland a soft crab sandwich. The soft crab caught right of the pier piling, run up thru the yard, grab a nice ripe tomatoe from the garden, give the crab and the tomato to Mom and by the time you are washed up, Mom has the crab cleaned, dredged and pan fried.
Plain ole white bread, coupla slices of that tomato, a little mayo and that soft crab. Ahhh in my memory bank tat will never be topped!!!

[masha]

I just posted on softshell crab sandwiches above, having not read although through this thread. Yes, that's Baltimore to me.

[Clarkafella]

Memphis- a pulled pork sandwich from Interstate with the sauce on the side.

New Orleans- roast beef po-boy from just about anywhere or a muffaleta

MS Gulf Coast- shrimp po-boy from almost anywhere

Jackson, MS- Pig ear sandwich from the Big Apple Inn

[tatamagouche]

"Jackson, MS- Pig ear sandwich from the Big Apple Inn"

Right on!

[Uncle Bob]

Good calls Clark!!

[GraydonCarter]

> New Orleans- roast beef po-boy

When you order your po' boy at Mother's, they ask if you want it with debris. Your answer should always be "Yes." Debris is the juice, fat, and flavor-filled detritus that falls to the bottom of the pan when the meats are being roasted. It's spooned over the top of the sandwiches and soaks into the bread, making everything heavenly.

[Kelli2006]

1.)Cleveland - A polish boy or a brat w/ Stadium mustard from the market.

2.)Akron - A galley boy from Swensons

3.)
Indy - a fried pork tenderloin sandwich.

4.)
Pittsburgh - Primanti.

[Crepe Suzette]

1. New Orleans - a shrimp remoulade and fried green tomato po-boy from Crabby Jack's, fully dressed, with a side of homemade sweet potato fries and a Barq's root beer. (Yes, the muffaletta is delicious, but it doesn't capture the soul of NOLA, which is most certainly spicy, fried seafood).

2. New York - The "Meshugge" from Russ & Daughters, on a sesame bagel with horseradish creamcheese, tomato and onion.

3. San Francisco - Saigon Sandwich Shop - Xiu Mai (Meatball).

[davidnaimark]

Guys--this is exactly what I was looking for! Thank you so much. Please keep the suggestions coming. I am already seeing several common themes emerging . One of the interesting ones is the notion that the one sandwich in Philly might actually be the Roast Pork, Rabe, and Provolone rather than the more commonly thought of Cheesesteak. I'm not surprised to see The Lobster Roll prominently mentioned. Ditto I thought Banh Mi would make an appearance and it has.

[lawgirl3278]

While cheesesteaks are synonymous with Philly, anyone from the Philly area knows the true Philly sandwich is roast pork. The standard is pork with broccoli rabe and sharp prov, although I'm more of a spinach fan myself.

And if you're visiting, you should really only get one from one of two places - John's or DiNic's. After that, try Paesano's for their twist on it.

[Philly Ray]

Just to liven the debate, I'll throw in the Philly "Surf n Turf" sandwich as a candidate. A grilled hot dog and a fishcake served in the same bun. There's your dark horse Philly sandwich.

[bbqboy]

That sounds terrible. Really?!?

[Philly Ray]

How about you actually try one before you pass judgement?

[bbqboy]

Well, I'm 300) miles away and Id be willing to try one in the name of science, but until then my original assessment holds. :)

[tatamagouche]

I'm w bbqboy that it sounds foul—yet intriguingly so. Some of the most memorable dishes in my lifetime have involved strange combinations of meat and fish. I assume it's a hot dog bun?

[Philly Ray]

Yes, it is on a hot dog bun. Some like to dress it up a bit with mustard and chopped onions.

[jessicheese]

I have to say- I'm from the area and have never heard of this sandwich.

[Philly Ray]

Obviously, it is not as prominent as a cheesesteak or roast pork sandwich, but when hot dog stands were much more popular in Philly (like Levis) it was one of those "in the know" items.

You can still find it at Johnny Hots, Moe's, and Texas Weiners.

[Bob W]

Fishcakes are big in Baltimore too -- at least in legend, myth, and hazy memory. People wax rhapsodically about "coddies" -- a fishcake between two saltines. Never seen anyone actually eat one, though.

[masha]

I grew up in Balto and nostalgically remember coddies from my days there. Ate plenty, but given the choice between a crabcake and a coddie, I'd prefer the crabcake.

Another sandwich that evokes Balto. for me is a sauteed softshell crab, served on fresh white bread. Never had one in a restaurant but I still remember the ones that a friend's mother cooked. It was the first time that I ever had softshells, and I was hooked.

[Bob W]

I think I mentioned softshells in one of my posts on this great thread. If you had told me when I was a kid that I would crave softshell crabs, i would have laughed in your face. Many asian restaurants now do wonderful things with softshells, too.

[Bob W]

Yesterday I had a softshell crab sandwich at DC Coast in Washington. It was served on brioche! LOL Definitely an upmarket version but it's all about the softshell and the guy manning the fryolator.

I'm sure you can get crabcakes on brioche in DC too. 8>D

[juli5122]

Did you make it to Maine? Was curious if you tried Scratch Bakery?

[Bob W]

It wasn't easy but we made it! Yes, my brothers got bagels from Scratch -- by the time I got mine they were a little stale but I could tell this was a great bagel. Also got Sicilian slabs from Micucci's and also pizzas from Otto -- both outstanding -- and returning to the sandwich theme, the lobster rolls at Fishermens Grill were amazing. The lobster meat was as fresh as could be. Fried clams also outstanding!!

[lawgirl3278]

I've had the dogs and cakes separately at Texas Weiners, and they would definitely be good together in the same bun. Especially with the greek sauce :)

[Sue in Mt P]

Charleston: minna cheese on white bread.

[sisterfunkhaus]

Have you ever had grilled pimento cheese with bacon and tomatoes? OMG. Best grilled cheese ever. Ever ever.

[alitria]

I never have, but I bet that's going to change very soon.

I grew up eating pimento cheese sandwiches in Memphis, and it completely disgusts my born-and-bred in the Pacific NW husband. But every so often the comfort food uge takes over!

[mamachef]

The rarest possible pit beef, in Baltimore. In Nawlins, shrimp Po'boy. 2nd Ave in NY - a Reuben. I could go on. I won't; this is making me very very hungry and at this moment in time the most regional sandwich I can get my hands on quickly is a tuna on rye from the local deli with some artichoke hearts I toss on myself. Not a bad idea actually.

[odkaty]

Definitely pit beef in Baltimore. Crab cake sandwiches are more eastern shore/Annapolis, at least from what I've seen living here.

[mamachef]

??

[odkaty]

I was agreeing with the pit beef :-)

[mamachef]

Ah, I was just confused on the crabcakes; had to re-read to make sure I hadn't written about them, 'cause I do love me a crabcake sandwich. Oh for a pit beef.

[kmozo]

You need the raw onions and tiger sauce (mayonnaise and horesradish mix) on a kaiser rolls for the Baltimore pit beef.

[mamachef]

No can do on the raw onions, for the most part, which is why I double up with the Tiger sauce.

[melpy]

Tiger sauce is a must...I like to add that BBQ they serve at The Canopy mmmmmmm (never had onions and don't see the point)

[Roland Parker]

I will concede that a pit beef is possibly Baltimore's "sandwich" if only by default due to the lack of competition (I do not consider crabcakes in the category of sandwiches).

But pit beef isn't really a Baltimore culinary tradition. It has its niche following but it's not a region-wide culinary delight found on menus everywhere, like the Philadelphia cheesesteak.

[mamachef]

Thank you so much! It's always just wonderful to get new, interesting information, even if it hasn't much to do with the question actually posited in the post, which is: if I could pick only one sandwich that I would choose to eat in a given American city, what sandwich would I choose? I wasn't asked to define or offer an opinion on which sandwich is absolutely place-specific or representational.Since Baltimore is pretty much the only place I can get a true pit beef, unlike the cheesesteak which is completely ubiquitous (and I am not knocking the venerated cheesesteak; I love 'em) that's my answer. Final answer.

[Bob W]

+1

Roland Parker's criteria would have made this a very short thread, since many of the interesting sandwiches that have been nominated are apparently available at few if not only one restaurant in the respective city.

[Roland Parker]

"Since Baltimore is pretty much the only place I can get a true pit beef"

Baltimore is the only place to get a sandwich made of dry roast beef, usually overcooked, served with raw onions?

My, fancy that.

[tatamagouche]

Well, I agree with mamachef that this thread is suffering a bit from varying interpretation. I hope the OP will weigh in again...The wording of the initial post simply says "If you were visiting a particular American city and could only get ONE (1) sandwich, what would it be, how would it be prepared, and where would you get it?...I'm looking for what you'd eat if you could only eat one sandwich in a city."

None of that explicitly states that the sandwich must in any way be representative of that city; he says nothing about association between sandwich and city.

But a few hints suggest that is what he meant: a) that his corned beef would be machine-sliced "because that is more iconic"; b) because of his comments below about Philly. And c) because without that qualification, then despite his saying "I'm not looking for your favorite sandwich," that's what the thread would amount to.

So that's how I've been interpreting it, and indeed was thinking that a lot of the answers, as Bob W suggests, might not in fact fit the OP's criteria.

I wonder if terminology has anything to do with it. For instance, you may be able to get roast beef with onions anywhere, but only in Baltimore (I guess) has it earned a nickname, the pit beef.

[mamachef]

Yep, and that's just how I like 'em. Only no onions on mine, as you'd know if you were reading these posts carefully. :)

[Bob W]

Actually, cooked and served like pit beef is cooked and served, that appears to be the case. Not in Roland Park of course. Probably not in Guilford or Homeland, either. Fancy that. 8<D

[mamachef]

LOL, Bob W. Fancy that, indeed.

[Chowrin]

kiss
pittsburgh -- Tessaro's smoked burger

[MonMauler]

I think Pittsburgh has to be a Primanti's sandwich:

Two thick slices of Italian bread, loaded with meat, cheese, French fries, and a vinegary coleslaw. Any of the meat offerings would suffice, but I think the most quintessentially Pittsburgh offering is probably capicola and egg.

[AmyH]

Definitely agree with the capicola egg and cheese from Primanti's for the Pittsburgh sandwich.

And I also agree with the pit beef for Baltimore (below), with lots of horseradish. Mmmm....

For Albany I'd add a fish fry sandwich. Different than in other cities: a long thin piece of fried fish on a hot dog roll. I'd get mine at Bob & Ron's, but some people prefer Ted's.

[jessicheese]

I love this!

New York- Corned Beef on Seeded Rye with Mustard
Philly- Roast Pork with Spinach & Shard Provolone
Boston area- Roast Beef on Onion Roll with sauce (a la Kelly's)
Chicago- Hot Dog with the Works (I count this as a sandwich because its on bread)
Baltimore- Crab Cake Sandwich with Remoulade, Lettuce, and Tomato on Brioche
New Orleans- Shrimp Po Boy

I seriously need to get to more cities. I would love to see a similar thread with the number one pick to eat from each city, because my answers would be so varied. I'd add CT for the Pizza and change NY to knishes....

[Roland Parker]

No one in Baltimore or Maryland eats crab cakes on brioche. Or with remoulade.

It's served with two crackers. Sometimes a slice of tomato, but often not.

[jessicheese]

The question wasn't what sandwich do people in Baltimore eat; its what sandwich would I eat in Baltimore. I appreciate your lesson in authenticity, but thats how I like my crabcakes and I've found many places that serve it that way.

[Roland Parker]

I grew up in Baltimore and have never seen a place that serves crab cakes with brioche and remoulade...

The general discussion of this thread is the classic sandwiches of the various cities. You may enjoy crabcakes with brioche but it's certainly not a "classic" Baltimore tradition and no more unique to Baltimore than to Charlotte or Denver.

[mrgreenbeenz]

I think the initial poster's question requires an answer that is at least somewhat iconic. Nothing iconic about a crabcake on brioche with remoulade. I might want to eat a banh mi in Toledo but that don't make it an icon....

Baltimore on bread.....

Pan-Fried Soft Crab (tossed in flour, cooked in butter)
Pepperidge Farm White Bread
Hellman's Mayo
Sliced diagonally down the middle

[anakalia]

Milwaukee, WI: Lake Perch Sandwich, on a toasted kaiser roll
Charleston, SC: Fried Green Tomato Sandwich
Phoenix, AZ: Carne asada torta, with sliced avocado

[Fydeaux]

Point of order re: Milwaukee--A Usinger's or Bunzel's bratwurst, steamed in beer with onions and then grilled. On a bun from Scortino's that has been toasted on the grill and lightly buttered, served with a line of mustard and some of the onions. At a church festival.

[GraydonCarter]

In terms of a city identified by a single sandwich, Sheboygan Wisconsin will ever be associated with the Sheboygan-style brat hard-roll sandwich. Not necessarily the best bratwurst, but famous none-the-less.

[Veggo]

St Pete FL - at Mid-Peninsula Seafood, grilled grouper w/ their home made hot sauce, LTO, preceded by app. of cracked conch.(Lots of great grilled grouper in FL)
Augusta GA - pimento cheese sandwich at the golf course
Denver -pastrami and chopped liver on rye at New York deli
New Haven -burger at Louis' Lunch (it's on toast so it counts)

[mucho gordo]

Pastrami and chopped liver sounds like an interesting combination except one should be served hot and the other cold. Deli mustard or mayo? Swiss or no cheese?

[Veggo]

mucho - good pastrami slightly warm w/ just enough fat, chopped liver room temp to soften the shmaltz - on seeded jewish rye- nirvana for me. No jarred stuff or cheese necessary.

[mucho gordo]

Shouldn't be any need for mustard or mayo either if the chopped liver is made right.

[mamachef]

MMMM........good excellent gehatke leber...plenty of schmalz, caramelized onions.
Truly all that's necessary. One of my favorite delis here in California sells this meal complete, on the menu: A chopped liver sandwich and garnishes, with a glass of beer.

[mucho gordo]

YESSS!!! Which deli serves this taste sensation??? Is it in the L.A. area?

[mamachef]

Mac's deli. 4th st., Santa Rosa Ca. I'll send a pic next time I get this wonderful panorama of food.

[mucho gordo]

Never mind the pic! send the sandwich <G>. It figures the place would be at the other end of the state.

[gaffk]

Philly. The obvious answer is the cheesesteak. Pat's? Geno's? Jim's? Steve's? Visit the Philly board and then step away from the fray.

The less obvious answer is the Italian hoagie (allegedly named for the workers taking their Italian sandwiches to Hog Island). Again, much debate on what is "authentic" and where it is best.

The real answer--a pork sandwich with provolone and rabe from DeNic's or any sandwich from Paesano's.

[melpy]

a pork sandwich with provolone and rabe from DeNic's

Why haven't I heard of this before? Must get my behind to Philly ASAP.

[DoobieWah]

Philly, PA - Cheese Steak
Buffalo, NY - Beef on Weck
Houston - Grilled Pork Banh Mi
Austin - Sliced Beef Brisket
Chicago - Italian Beef
Miami - Cuban Sandwich

And Absolutely Agree with:

New Orleans- Muffaletta
New York, NY - Corned Beef on Rye

[agoodbite]

Sliced brisket on a bun is available all over TX. Austin isn't nearly so much of a sandwich town as it is a taco town - the breakfast taco, specifically. Some eggs griddled with chorizo or potatoes in a flour tortilla is a sandwich in a flatbread. (Don't forget the salsa).

[DoobieWah]

Yeah, I know Austin pretty well.

Proud Longhorn here. And yeah, I know the best cue is found outside of Austin, but it is sort of the hub and I was just trying to give it the props.

Luling isn't really a "city" as this discussion goes, I don't think...

(And by the way, my best buddy from Austin loves to come visit me in Houston and have breakfast tacos from MY favorite place.)

;-)

[mariacarmen]

Ooh, i'd have to counter your Houston - Banh Mi sandwich with Westminster, CA (Orange County). Back when i was in high school, late 70s, Westminster was the gateway for all the Vietnamese refugees, and our neighborhood became known as Little Saigon, and had the biggest Vietnamese community in the country outside of Vietnam. So, I'd have to say the Bahn Mi in the U.S. originated there. (But maybe that's not even the question, maybe it's just where YOU, (any of us) would eat a particular sandwich in a particular state? If so, i take it all back!)

[DoobieWah]

I certainly don't mean to imply that Houston has an exclusive on the banh mi, but of all of the various sandwiches available here, (and there are literally tens of thousands!), I just nominated it as the signature sandwich.

You can get them all over town, in endless permutations and will see them being eaten by constructions workers and lawyers, doctors and babysitters.

Grilled pork, chicken, pate, etc. etc. etc.

Great crusty bread and crispy pickled veggies.

However, Mexico City style Tortas are pretty big here too though, so if you insist on taking my banh mi away, I promise I won't go hungry!

(HaHa!)

[mariacarmen]

i would never take them away from you! i'm glad that when i come to visit i will get to enjoy them too! i love that they've become so widespread - here in San Francisco too.

[Glencora]

I *think* I read that the first bahn mi shop in the US was in San Jose, CA -- but I may be totally wrong. Anyhow, I agree that it's great that they've become so widespread. The clubs at my son's high school in Oakland regularly sell pizza, tamales, bento boxes and bahn mi for fundraisers. I love that. So far, no tortas, but they should consider that, too!

[septocaine_queen]

I remember getting banh mi sandwiches in San Jose in the early eighties as a child. I remembered that I didn't like the way they smelled and wish we could have sandwiches from TOGO's instead.

[mucho gordo]

New Haven area: Make it the lobster roll with the butter for me.
New Orleans: Oyster po' boy
No specific place for either one.

[kamknauss]

I DREAM of oyster po'boys from New Orleans....and I'm with you on the buttered lobster roll.

[nimeye]

I'm going to get a lot of guff for this, but a reuben from Crescent Moon in Omaha, NE. Right down the street where it was (supposedly) invented.

[PuniceaRana]

I would have to say Omaha, (or Lincoln) should be a Runza... they are the true indigenous food to the area, and very unique. Although it has been many years since I have lived In Ne, I still crave them. And the ones I (home) make just are not the same.... I just cannot re create the spice combo no matter how hard I try,

[TuteTibiImperes]

Interesting marketing choice to give a fast food place a name that evokes 'the runs'.

[yumyum]

Boston -- lobster roll on buttered and grilled top split hotdog bun. Mostly lobster meat with a little mayo to hold it together (warm with butter is a CT variant I believe). Maaaaaybe some tiny diced celery. Lots of good ones in town, I'd get mine from Kelly's on Revere beach and sit outside overlooking the Atlantic (and fighting off the seagulls!)

[tatamagouche]

I'm with yumyum for Boston. Although I do love both hot and cold.

I was just working on a piece about Denver sandwiches and was surprised to discover there is such a thing as a Denver sandwich; however, it's just a Denver omelet on bread.

Green-chile cheeseburgers (assuming burgers count as sandwiches) are a thing across the Southwest but the point of origin is arguable—probably Santa Fe or Albuquerque. Variants: on sopaipillas or tortillas rather than buns.

El Reno, OK, has the famous fried-onion burger: http://elrenoburgerday.wordpress.com/

Below thread, Indy fried-pork tenderloin sandwiches are mentioned—I thought that was an Iowa invention?

http://www.ruthtobias.com

[yumyum]

I thought the pork tenderloin was an Iowa thang too.

SLC -- pastrami burger, a la Crown Burger. Look this one up ... Greeks brought this particular delicacy to Salt Lake and it stuck.

LA -- consider the French Dip

[GraydonCarter]

> SLC -- pastrami burger, a la Crown Burger. Look this one up ... Greeks brought this particular delicacy to Salt Lake and it stuck.

I don't quite understand the popularity of this sandwich, but you are right, it is quite ubiquitous

[RealMenJulienne]

I'm not sure the pork tenderloin counts as Indianapolis's iconic sandwich. I lived there for 20 years and I only recently found about this through the internet. I think If you started randomly asking Indy residents where to get the best tenderloin a lot of people wouldn't know what you are talking about. It's not asking about the best Italian beef in Chicago, the best mufaletta in NO, etc, where almost everyone would have an opinion.

I don't know what Indy's iconic sandwich is though. Sadly it is not a great food city.

[tatamagouche]

Whatever they serve at the track?

Not to be mean, I'm sure there's something. I used to date someone who was from there and the twin pillars of gastronomy as far as he was concerned were White Castle and Steak & Shake, so I never really got to find out what Road Food-esque gems might actually exist.

[RealMenJulienne]

Track cuisine: roller grilled Oscar Meyers with a possible side of bullets in the parking lot!

You might actually be able to make a (weak) case for the Steak n' Shake burger, since S&S is a homegrown chain.and they are inexplicably loved in Indy.

[lowbass]

White Castle is more of a "Mid West thang". Steak & Shake use to be the closet thing we had to a "gourmet fast food burger joint". Neither would be considered the "Indys sandwich'".

[lowbass]

I've lived in Indy for over 40 years and the fried tenderloin has been around longer than I have. You do know that fried tenderloins are one of the top selling food items at the Indiana State Fair?

[RealMenJulienne]

Sure the tenderloin has been around, I just don't think there is a subculture devoted to them like with other cities' iconic sandwiches. When I lived in Indy I was only aware of them as an occasional option on casual restaurant menus, not a beloved classic.

[tatamagouche]

And again, I thought it was more associated with Iowa. Could be wrong though.

[Fydeaux]

I dont think you're wrong. When I lived in Des Moines in the mid-80s, the thing I remember that restaurants wanted to be known for having the best of was the pork tenderloin sandwich. That and cinamon rolls.

But a more iconic sandwich for Des Moines is probably the loose-meat beefburger a la the Maid-Rite; my recollection is was made mostly in Maid-Rite shops. There were some other places that had a similar sandwich on their menus, but they were pretty much acknowleged to be a copy of a Maid-Rite.

[hamboney]

Hi,
I live in DSM and was in Indy last weekend for Pole Day at the track. As I understand it, the 'loin was an evolution of a schnitzel from German immigrants. Iowa does have a huge following, tho. Check out http://des-loines.blogspot.com/ for the tour of Iowa. Loins at the track are good, but that might just be the ambiance of the 100th anniversary. BTW, we did dine at St Elmo's Sat night.
Hammy

[artychokeasana]

Love the lobster roll-I grew up in CT and never saw the butter variation there. Don't much care for it either. Hellman's Mayo and diced celery and a split top grilled hot dog bun are my only requirements.

[mucho gordo]

That's interesting, arty. I also grew up in CT, moved to CA 50 years ago, and never heard of mayo until recently on CH.

[melpy]

I too grew up in CT I think the New Haven area does the butter (which is what I grew up on). So delicious, although I've been to Maine and Boston and had the mayo variant and it can be very good too.

[DMW]

With butter is a "lobster roll" and the mayo variant is a "lobster salad roll."

I live in CT and enjoy both :-)

[Bob W]

DMV -- Your wouldn't order a "lobster salad roll" in Maine..where the best lobster rolls are found. 8>D