The Ultimate Sandwich Bucket List

If you consider yourself a true sandwich lover, it’s time to put these epic creations on your must-try list. Each one is a one-of-a-kind experience, full of big flavors, local traditions, and enough personality to inspire cross-country cravings. Ready to start checking them off?

Nashville hot chicken sandwich

This sandwich isn’t for the timid; it starts with crunchy fried chicken dunked in fiery hot sauce, then gets cooled down just a bit with creamy slaw and tangy pickles on a soft bun. One bite and you’ll know why it’s the pride of Nashville.

North shore beef

From the Boston area, this sandwich takes thinly sliced roast beef and loads it onto a soft bun slathered with mayo and then drenched in James River BBQ Sauce. It’s a saucy, messy, and totally irresistible local classic.

Steak bomb

Stuffed with shaved steak, sautéed peppers and onions, mushrooms, and melty cheese, the steak bomb is a powerhouse sub that packs serious satisfaction into every bite. One is never enough.

Crab melt

Sweet crab meat, creamy dressing, and gooey melted cheese come together on griddled bread. This one’s pure decadence—perfect for anyone who loves seafood.

Fried pork tenderloin sandwich

This Midwestern favorite features a pork cutlet pounded thin, breaded, and fried until crispy, then topped with lettuce, tomato, and onion, and served on a bun that’s almost always too small for the job. It’s as fun as it is filling.

Patty melt

A classic diner staple, the patty melt is all about that perfectly griddled beef patty, caramelized onions, and melty Swiss cheese sandwiched between buttery slices of rye bread. Crunchy, juicy, and totally nostalgic.

Pueblo slopper

This Colorado original is a cheeseburger served open-faced and smothered with spicy green chili. It’s messy, bold, and a rite of passage for anyone looking to eat like a local.

Italian beef sandwich

Juicy, thin-sliced beef piled into a long roll and dunked in savory jus, then topped with spicy giardiniera or sweet peppers. Chicagoans know there’s nothing quite like it.

Fish fry sandwich

Flaky fried fish, tangy tartar sauce, and crisp lettuce stacked in a soft bun—this is the Friday night special in many corners of the country. It’s comfort food, pure and simple.

Lobster roll

Chunks of sweet lobster tossed with just a touch of mayo or butter and loaded into a toasted split-top roll. This New England treat is summer in a sandwich and an instant mood-lifter.