12 Regional Sandwiches That Should Be World Famous
America’s regional sandwiches are like postcards you can eat. Each one captures a place, a story, and a bit of pride that deserves a global stage. These twelve should be household names by now.
Sonoran Hot Dog
From Tucson, Arizona, the Sonoran Hot Dog is wrapped in bacon and buried under beans, salsa, and jalapeños. It’s bold, messy, and the border’s best-kept secret.
Hot Brown Sandwich
Louisville, Kentucky takes turkey and bacon and covers them with bubbling Mornay sauce. The Hot Brown is Southern comfort with hotel roots and real staying power.
Runza
Nebraska’s Runza is what happens when Eastern European tradition meets the Great Plains. Ground beef, onions, and cabbage baked into soft bread—it’s simple and genius.
Pueblo Slopper
Colorado locals swear by the Pueblo Slopper, a cheeseburger swimming in green chile sauce. It’s part burger, part stew, and entirely a vibe after dark.
North Shore Beef
Massachusetts doesn’t mess around with roast beef. The North Shore version, ordered “three-way,” piles on mayo, cheese, and barbecue sauce for pure sandwich chaos.
Detroit Coney Dog
Detroit’s Coney Dog is American diner royalty. Chili, onions, and mustard top a snappy hot dog that’s been running laps around burgers for decades.
Fried Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
Indiana’s fried pork tenderloin sandwich is comically oversized and completely worth it. Crispy, golden pork spills over the bun like it’s showing off—and it should.
Chopped Cheese
New York City’s chopped cheese is the bodega sandwich that started a movement. Beef, cheese, and roll perfection—it’s the Big Apple’s answer to fast food done right.
Hot Beef Sandwich
Served open-faced and drowning in gravy, the Midwestern hot beef sandwich is pure stick-to-your-ribs satisfaction. It’s comfort food that never misses.
Muffuletta Sandwich
From New Orleans, the muffuletta blends Italian meats and olive salad on Sicilian bread. It’s bold, briny, and impossible to mistake for anything else.
Cudighi Sandwich
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula serves up the cudighi—spicy Italian sausage on a soft roll, topped with marinara and mozzarella. It’s regional pride with serious bite.
Kalua Pork Sandwich
From Hawaii, the Kalua pork sandwich brings smoky, slow-roasted pork to soft Hawaiian rolls. Sweet, tender, and unforgettable—it deserves a worldwide audience.
