20 Regional Sandwiches You’ve Gotta Try at Least Once

From coast to coast, every pocket of the country has its own spin on the perfect sandwich. Some are messy, some are simple, and others are piled high with meats you won’t find anywhere else. Whether it’s a saucy classic from the Midwest or something fiery from the Southwest, these 20 sandwiches tell you everything you need to know about America’s food obsessions — all between two slices of bread.

1. Polish Boy Sandwich (Cleveland, Ohio)

A Cleveland staple, the Polish Boy piles together kielbasa, coleslaw, French fries, and a generous helping of barbecue sauce — all stuffed into a bun that can barely contain it. This one’s all about the chaos, and that’s exactly why it works. Get the full recipe here

2. Roast Pork Sandwich (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

While cheesesteaks get all the fame, this slow-roasted pork sandwich is Philly’s best-kept secret. It’s stacked with tender pork, sharp provolone, and garlicky broccoli rabe on a crusty roll. Learn how to make it here

3. Shrimp Po’ Boy (New Orleans, Louisiana)

Crispy fried shrimp loaded into a French baguette, dressed with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and remoulade. It’s a messy, crunchy, briny bite of Gulf Coast life. Try the full version here

4. Sonoran Hot Dog (Arizona)

This isn’t your standard dog — it’s wrapped in bacon and stuffed in a bolillo roll, topped with pinto beans, chopped tomatoes, onions, mustard, mayo, and jalapeño sauce. It’s wild, and it’s a Tucson legend for a reason. Build one yourself

5. Runza (Nebraska)

A soft, yeast roll packed with seasoned ground beef, cabbage, and onions. It’s Nebraska’s answer to meat pie culture, and it’s way better than it sounds. Here’s how to make it

6. Muffuletta (New Orleans, Louisiana)

Layers of Italian meats, cheese, and tangy olive salad stacked inside a massive round loaf. This one travels well and tastes even better the longer it sits. See the full recipe here

7. Beef on Weck (Buffalo, New York)

Thin-sliced roast beef tucked inside a kummelweck roll, topped with caraway seeds and coarse salt, and served with horseradish and au jus. It’s messy, meaty, and a Buffalo original. Get the step-by-step

8. The Bobbie (Nevada)

Dubbed “Thanksgiving on a roll,” this Nevada favorite combines turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and mayo. It’s like a leftover sandwich but fully intentional. Try it for yourself

9. Cudighi Sandwich (Michigan’s Upper Peninsula)

Made with a spicy Italian sausage patty and often topped with mozzarella and tomato sauce, this sandwich is unique to the UP and impossible to find anywhere else. See how it’s made

10. Loose Meat Sandwich (Iowa)

Somewhere between a burger and a Sloppy Joe, this ground beef sandwich is unformed and unpretentious. A soft bun, simple seasoning, and yellow mustard — that’s all you need. Make one here

11. Pepperoni Roll (West Virginia)

Baked pepperoni tucked inside a soft, slightly sweet roll — often with melted cheese. It’s portable, filling, and totally tied to West Virginia’s coal mining culture. Get the recipe here

12. Pork Roll (New Jersey)

Also known as Taylor Ham, this Jersey breakfast icon features salty pork slices on a roll with egg and cheese. It’s greasy, satisfying, and surprisingly polarizing. Learn how to make it

13. Livermush Sandwich (North Carolina)

Pan-fried slabs of pork liver and cornmeal mush served on white bread or a biscuit — often with mustard. It’s deeply Southern and totally underrated. Give it a try

14. St. Paul Sandwich (St. Louis, Missouri)

An egg foo young patty tucked between white bread with lettuce, pickles, and mayo. It’s Chinese-American diner fusion at its weirdest and most wonderful. See how it’s made

15. Pueblo Slopper (Colorado)

A cheeseburger drowned in green chile sauce and eaten with a knife and fork. It’s spicy, savory, and built for those who aren’t afraid to get messy. Make one here

16. Albuquerque Turkey (New Mexico)

This sandwich balances roasted turkey with green chiles, cheddar, and chipotle mayo — served hot and melty. It’s got heat, richness, and crunch in every bite. Check it out here

17. Hot Brown (Louisville, Kentucky)

An open-faced sandwich layered with turkey, bacon, and a creamy Mornay sauce, then broiled until golden. It’s more fork-and-knife than handheld, but it still counts. Get the full breakdown

18. Tomato Sandwich (The South)

Just ripe tomatoes, mayo, white bread, and salt. That’s it — and it’s everything during peak tomato season. Make it the right way

19. Kalua Pork Sandwich (Hawaii)

Tender, smoky shredded pork often paired with slaw or pineapple on a soft Hawaiian roll. Every bite tastes like an island picnic. Learn how to make it

20. Fish Fry Sandwich (Wisconsin)

Crispy fried fish tucked into a bun, often with tartar sauce and lettuce — a Friday night essential in the Upper Midwest. Get the recipe here