The 100% Mega Official Top Ten Sandwiches
What is the best sandwich? That is the age-old question. Ever since I was young, I have been rather fond of sandwiches. To truly understand the essence of sandwiches, we must have a basic knowledge of their origin. Now, it is impossible to pinpoint an exact individual who invented the sandwich, as people all over the world have been eating food wrapped in or between bread for thousands of years. However, and I am not making this up, we get the word sandwich from a man who lived in the 1700s: John Montagu, Fourth Earl of Sandwich. It is said that this British statesman (who lived near the town of Sandwich, England) enjoyed eating meat between two slices of bread. He famously did this to not get his hands all meaty while gambling at card games.
This article will serve as a ranking based on my personal opinion. The criteria for this ranking include overall taste, cultural significance and my personal preference. Definitional criteria for this list will be determined by Merriam-Webster, which declares a sandwich is “two or more slices of bread or a split roll having a filling in between.” I will not be including open-faced sandwiches, wraps or burritos. The order of this article will start at 10th place and work our way up to the best. Number two will shock you. Let us begin.
#10 Peanut Butter and Jelly#Jelly – When I was a child, I absolutely despised PB& Js. I don’t really know what grossed me out so much, but I would not have it. Today, I can easily wolf down one of these delicious creations. They can, at times, be a little sweet if you overdo it with any of their ingredients and, therefore, are ranked lowest on this list.
#9 Grilled Cheese#Cheese – You really can’t go wrong with this one. It is truly the highest quality comfort food that you can get when you want to save time and money. When done right, it can be absolutely delicious and is great for when feeling ill or when it’s cold outside. When paired with tomato soup, this simple dish becomes an absolute unit, capable of eliminating the most prominent of hunger. When I am ordering grilled cheese from the Northstar Café, I sometimes like to add turkey and tomatoes. Does this violate the integrity of the grilled cheese sandwich? Can it still be referred to by this name? Only real sandwich scholars may know.
#8 Chicken Sandwich#Sandwich – Popeyes, Chick-Fil-A, Raising Caines. It doesn’t matter. Throw two pickles on top and you’re about to have a grand time. Although the sandwich in mind for this ranking takes the form of a crispy sandwich (you know the one), I will allow the McChicken to be included at the number eight slot despite the vast difference in its breading. Alas, chicken is chicken at the end of the day. To date, the best chicken sandwich I have had was at Dave’s Hot Chicken; however, those restaurants are far and few between. When really hungry, it is crucial not to eat them too quickly. If you do, you will likely face extreme stomach pain.
#7 Turkey Club#Club – Despite needing a wooden stake impaling itself to keep together (don’t bite down on that by the way), this sandwich is delicious. Having more floors than my own house, turkey clubs steal the show with their appealing appearance and satisfying flavor. A world traveler, the turkey club originated in the state of New York but also has variations that developed in Canada and New Zealand. Although historically it was associated with aristocracy and high society, this sandwich can now be enjoyed in its glory almost anywhere, including your local diner. Some people say the Turkey Club is a form of BLT, but they are wrong.
#6 Tomato Sandwich#Sandwich – The tomato sandwich is a food of great controversy and debate due to its simple yet odd composition. A delicacy in the American South, this sandwich is best served in the summertime and enjoyed with some iced tea. Let me be clear- the tomato sandwich consists of two slices of bread, mayonnaise and sliced tomatoes. I know that to some people, that may sound stupid, or even gross. However, there is no food on earth that I associate more with the phrase “don’t knock it till you try it.” Imagine coming home from the hay fields after a long day on the tractor. You would want a tomato sandwich.
#5 Philly Cheesesteak#Cheesesteak – You knew it was coming. Some people may argue and say, “That’s not a sandwich, that’s a sub”. Not only is this a stupid argument, it’s also wrong. For starters, the term “sub” is literally short for SUBMARINE SANDWICH. Secondly, you cannot call a cheesesteak a sub. It’s a cheesesteak, which is its own thing, and the whole argument that a cheesesteak is a sub is completely invalid. Just because the meat, onions, and peppers can fit on a sub roll doesn’t mean it’s a sub. If you put a chicken sandwich on a burger bun (which they are often on anyway), it doesn’t become a burger.
#4 Burger#Burger – I never said burgers were not sandwiches. They quite literally are. Check the definition. It doesn’t sit well with me calling a burger a sandwich, but we have to be academically honest with ourselves and honor the burger for what it is. A hamburger by itself with nothing on it can be delicious. That is only the basis for all the different things you can then put on a burger, which makes it even better. Barbeque? You got it. Blue cheese? You bet. Over-easy egg? Why not? The possibilities are endless, and so is the burger’s timelessness.
#3 Reuben Sandwich#Sandwich – Corned beef, swiss cheese, sauerkraut, thousand island dressing, grilled between two slices of rye bread. Need I say more? Another ingenious invention out of N.Y.C., the reuben has come to rule diners and small-town restaurants throughout the world. When I used to work at my local bar, I would sometimes order a reuben for lunch. This sandwich revitalized my strength and, for a moment, gave me a sense of joy. When it was finally consumed, I was thrust into despair. Not only is this sandwich one of my favorite foods, but this particular sandwich also has my undying support, as I live close to the Thousand Islands along the St. Lawrence River, and therefore, I claim it as my own. I have only ever eaten at Arby’s in extremely rare and sometimes dire situations. Every time I have, however, I have only ordered a reuben. Be warned: in no way do fast-food reubens do authentic reubens justice.
#2 Chopped Cheese#Cheese – I could easily hear arguments saying that this sandwich deserves to be number one. Believe me, this sandwich came close to beating the others in the competition. When I was studying in N.Y.C., I went to a bodega, and the guy working there said he was going to make me something good. He made me chopped cheese, and to this day, that was one of the greatest things I have ever eaten. It is my wholehearted belief that I will never again find a place that makes a sandwich as good as the one I had. I am not even going to explain the sandwich to you. The next time you’re in a bodega or a deli that sells them, just ask for one.
#1 Cuban Sandwich#Sandwich – The Cuban sandwich is the greatest sandwich in the world. If I had to eat one food for the rest of my life, it would probably be this sandwich. The exact origin of the Cuban sandwich has been lost to history; however, most food scholars agree that the sandwich we know today began to develop in the early 1900s as many people from Cuba began to settle in areas of Florida, more specifically Key West, Tampa and Miami. Cuban sandwiches are so popular in the state of Florida that the state hosts several Cuban sandwich festivals every year. I have never been to one, but I will surely be going soon. Although there are variations in this sandwich, the traditional construction consists of the following: Cuban bread, lightly buttered or brushed with olive oil, yellow mustard spread on the bread and meats added in layers. These consist of roast pork, glazed ham and salami. You then add swiss cheese and thinly sliced dill pickles.
Thank you for taking the time to read my list. If you disagree, feel free to let me know.