15 Sandwiches That Define American Greatness

From coast to coast, these sandwiches capture what makes American food legendary. Each one is unique, regional, and packed with the kind of comfort you can’t get anywhere else.

Patty Melt

Golden bread, juicy beef, caramelized onions, and Swiss cheese. It’s a diner favorite that belongs in every sandwich hall of fame.

Pit Beef

Baltimore’s legendary beef sandwich: smoky, juicy, sliced to order, and loaded onto a kaiser roll with sharp horseradish.

Detroit Coney Dog

Snappy hot dog, chili, mustard, and onions;Detroit’s go-to for late-night cravings and big appetite days.

Loose Meat Sandwich

Iowa’s answer to the Sloppy Joe. Crumbled beef, plenty of seasoning, and a simple hamburger bun. Retro and irresistible.

Cuban Sandwich

Pressed bread, roast pork, ham, Swiss, pickles, and mustard. Miami’s greatest export;hot, melty, and unforgettable.

Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich

Crunchy, spicy fried chicken on white bread with crisp pickles. A Music City masterpiece with serious heat.

Primanti Brothers Sandwich

Pittsburgh classic;stacked high with grilled meat, fries, slaw, and tomato, all packed between thick slices of Italian bread.

Bison Burger

Wyoming’s wildest burger. Lean, juicy bison patty, simple toppings, and all the meatiness you could want;lighter than beef, just as bold.

Fried Pork Tenderloin Sandwich

Indiana legend: a giant, breaded pork tenderloin hanging over the edge of a soft bun. Crispy, tender, and seriously Midwest.

Runza

Nebraska’s best-kept secret: golden bread pocket stuffed with seasoned beef and cabbage. Hearty, filling, and homey.

Albuquerque Turkey Sandwich

Turkey, roasted green chiles, and jack cheese piled high on toasted bread. Southwest flavor in every bite.

Italian Beef Sandwich

Chicago classic;thinly sliced beef dipped in au jus, then loaded into a roll and topped with spicy giardiniera. Juicy, bold, and always messy.

Lobster Roll

Maine’s most famous sandwich: sweet lobster meat, barely dressed, in a toasted split-top bun. Summer in every bite.

Muffuletta Sandwich

New Orleans favorite;layers of meats, cheese, and olive salad packed into a round sesame loaf. Salty, briny, and packed with personality.

Steak Bomb

New England’s answer to the cheesesteak: steak, onions, peppers, mushrooms, and cheese on a hoagie roll. Hot, melty, and a real mouthful.