20 Regional Sandwiches That Will Make You Proud to Be American
America’s sandwich tradition isn’t just about putting stuff between bread. It’s about local pride, family gatherings, and culinary invention you can hold in your hands. Each region has its own standout, born from neighborhood diners, backyard cookouts, or immigrant ingenuity. From the coasts to the Midwest and down South, these sandwiches capture the spirit of their hometowns. Ready for a cross-country trip, one incredible bite at a time?
North Shore Beef
Ask anyone from Massachusetts about their local specialty, and you’ll hear about thinly sliced roast beef, soft rolls, and a secret sauce. The North Shore beef sandwich is messy, juicy, and the true taste of the Bay State. GET THE RECIPE
Detroit Coney Dog
Chili, mustard, and onions crown this famous Detroit dog, making it a staple of Michigan’s food culture. It’s spicy, meaty, and the perfect ballpark food. GET THE RECIPE
Muffuletta Sandwich
Born in New Orleans, the muffuletta stacks cold cuts, cheese, and a briny olive salad on round sesame bread. Each bite is rich, tangy, and layered with tradition. GET THE RECIPE
Onion Burger
From Oklahoma comes this griddled classic: thin beef patties smashed onto sizzling onions. The result is a caramelized, savory burger you can’t put down. GET THE RECIPE
Lobster Roll
Maine’s answer to luxury on a bun. Sweet lobster meat, a touch of mayo, and a buttery toasted roll—simple and legendary. GET THE RECIPE
Pueblo Slopper
Only in Colorado will you find a cheeseburger drowning in green chile sauce, served open-faced with chopped onions. Messy, spicy, and a rite of passage. GET THE RECIPE
Fried Bologna Sandwich
A Southern icon, this sandwich keeps it simple: thick-cut bologna fried to a crisp, sometimes with cheese, and served on soft white bread. GET THE RECIPE
Beef on Weck
Buffalo’s pride: rare roast beef on a kummelweck roll, sprinkled with caraway and salt, and finished with horseradish. Salty, beefy, and built for game day. GET THE RECIPE
Crab Cake Sandwich
Maryland’s seafood tradition is best enjoyed as a crab cake on a bun, topped with lettuce, tomato, and a swipe of tartar sauce. GET THE RECIPE
Runza
Nebraska’s portable feast: seasoned ground beef, cabbage, and onions sealed in a soft bread pocket. It’s the state’s best-kept secret. GET THE RECIPE
Hot Brown Sandwich
Louisville’s signature: thick slices of turkey on toast, smothered in Mornay sauce, then broiled until bubbly and golden. GET THE RECIPE
Pastrami Burger
Utah’s fast-food legend piles smoky pastrami onto a juicy burger patty, all loaded into a toasted bun. Salty, satisfying, and absolutely unique. GET THE RECIPE
Chicken Spiedie
Binghamton, New York brings us the spiedie: marinated, grilled chicken stuffed into Italian bread. The herby tang and char are unforgettable. GET THE RECIPE
Steamed Burger
Connecticut’s claim to fame is a juicy burger cooked by steam, not flame. The result? Melt-in-your-mouth beef and the creamiest cheese around. GET THE RECIPE
Fried Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
Indiana’s classic features pork tenderloin pounded thin, breaded, and fried, then stuffed into a bun. The meat always hangs over the edges. GET THE RECIPE
Brisket Sandwich
Texas barbecue in sandwich form: smoked brisket, sliced or chopped, with sauce and pickles on a soft bun. Deep, smoky, and pure comfort. GET THE RECIPE
Patty Melt
Griddled beef patty, caramelized onions, and melty cheese pressed between slices of toasted rye. A diner favorite that delivers every time. GET THE RECIPE
French Dip Sandwich
This Los Angeles original layers roast beef in a French roll with a side of hot, rich au jus for dipping. Classic, hearty, and comforting. GET THE RECIPE
Primanti Brothers Sandwich
Pittsburgh’s finest: grilled meat, cheese, coleslaw, and fries, all tucked between thick slices of bread. Built to feed hungry workers, now a legend. GET THE RECIPE
