The Sandwich Bucket List For People Who Take Lunch Seriously
Horseshoe Sandwich
Springfield, Illinois’ Horseshoe Sandwich is part sandwich, part feast. Toast, meat, fries, and cheese sauce form an edible monument to indulgence.
Hot Brown Sandwich
Louisville’s Hot Brown is a showstopper of turkey, bacon, and creamy Mornay sauce broiled to golden perfection. It’s the kind of sandwich that laughs at portion control.
Chicken Spiedie
From Binghamton, New York, the Chicken Spiedie brings marinated grilled chicken to the forefront. Simple skewered meat on Italian bread, but once you’ve had one, you understand the cult following.
Roast Pork Sandwich
Philadelphia’s Roast Pork Sandwich is all about slow-cooked pork, sharp provolone, and garlicky greens. It’s not flashy—it’s serious sandwich business done right.
Sonoran Hot Dog
The Sonoran Hot Dog from Tucson wraps a bacon-covered frank in a soft roll and loads it with beans, onions, and jalapeño sauce. It’s chaos organized into perfection.
Chicken Fried Steak Sandwich
The Chicken Fried Steak Sandwich from Texas is as unapologetic as it sounds. Crunchy, creamy, and larger than life—it’s lunch turned into a legend.
Lobster Roll
Maine’s Lobster Roll doesn’t need introductions. Buttered bun, fresh lobster, just enough mayo. It’s the crown jewel of New England sandwiches.
Italian Beef
Chicago’s Italian Beef deserves a permanent spot on every sandwich bucket list. Thinly sliced roast beef soaked in au jus and tucked into a soft roll—extra wet if you know what’s good—turns an ordinary lunch into an event.
Detroit Coney Dog
The Detroit Coney Dog tops a snappy hot dog with chili, onions, and mustard. It’s an all-American classic that turns any weekday into a block party.
Croque Monsieur
The Croque Monsieur bridges France and the States with melted Gruyère and béchamel layered over ham. It’s a bucket-list sandwich that makes grilled cheese look like practice.
Banh Mi
The Banh Mi brings bright pickled vegetables, pâté, and meat together on a crusty baguette. It’s the world’s most balanced lunch, equal parts chaos and control.
Beef on Weck
Buffalo’s Beef on Weck piles juicy roast beef on a kummelweck roll with horseradish for balance. It’s the kind of sandwich that earns respect in one bite.
Pastrami Burger
Utah’s Pastrami Burger takes diner food to a new level by stacking smoky pastrami on a juicy patty. It’s a combo that feels over-the-top but ends up making perfect sense.