United States of Sandwiches: 50 Recipes to Celebrate American Flavor

Every state has its sandwich, the one that shows up at county fairs, late-night diners, local gas stations, or your aunt’s kitchen table. Some are famous. Others barely make it out of their region. But every one of these 50 sandwiches says something about the people who eat them. Here’s the edible map of America.

1. Alabama: Pulled Chicken with White Sauce

Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

Tangy white barbecue sauce, smoked chicken, and pickles make this Alabama sandwich stand out.

Make it at home

2. Alaska: Smoked Salmon Spread on Pilot Crackers

smoked salmon spread
Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

Alaska’s tradition meets rich salmon spread in this simple, satisfying open-face sandwich.

Try the recipe here

3. Arizona: Navajo Taco on Fry Bread

navajo taco
Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

This fry bread taco layers spiced meat, beans, and toppings on pillowy bread.

Learn how to make it

4. Arkansas: Fried Bologna Sandwich

Fried Bologna Sandwich
Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

Griddled bologna with crispy edges and soft bread is a no-nonsense Southern favorite.

Make it yourself

5. California: French Dip

A French Dip sandwich and a bowl of au jus.
Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

Roast beef and warm jus on a toasted roll make for a West Coast classic. Get the recipe

6. Colorado: The Slopper

pueblo slopper
Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

An open-faced cheeseburger smothered in green chile sauce? That’s Colorado.

Cook it at home

7. Connecticut: Steamed Cheeseburger

Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

Steamed instead of grilled, this cheeseburger melts into something totally unique.

See how it’s done

8. Delaware: The Bobbie

Maddy Alewine/Them Bites

Turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and mayo make Thanksgiving a year-round meal.

Make your own Bobbie

9. Florida: Cuban Sandwich

Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

Pressed and loaded with pork, ham, pickles, and mustard; Florida’s most famous bite.

Try it now

10. Georgia: Chicken Biscuit

Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

Fried chicken inside a buttery biscuit; it doesn’t get more Georgia than this.

Bake it up

11. Hawaii: Kalua Pork Sandwich

kalua pork sandwich
Maddy Alewine/Them Bites

Slow-roasted pork with a smoky finish is piled onto Hawaiian bread.

Try this island classic

12. Idaho: Spicy Lamb Grinder

spicy lamb grinder
Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

Inspired by Idaho’s Basque roots, this grinder packs heat and flavor.

Make it tonight

13. Illinois: Italian Beef

Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

Soaked in jus and loaded with giardiniera, this sandwich is Chicago-style bold.

Get the full recipe

14. Indiana: Breaded Pork Tenderloin

Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

Bigger than the bun and fried to perfection; that’s Indiana’s signature move.

Make it yourself

15. Iowa: Loose Meat Sandwich

loose meat sandwich
Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

Crumbly ground beef, no sauce, just straight-up comfort.

See how it’s made

16. Kansas: Burnt Ends Sandwich

burnt ends sandwich
Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

 Barbecue brisket ends piled high and dripping with sauce.

Try it here

17. Kentucky: Hot Brown

Maddy Alewine/Them Bites

An open-faced turkey sandwich covered in creamy sauce and broiled until golden.

Make a Hot Brown

18. Louisiana: Muffuletta

muffuletta
Maddy Alewine/Them Bites

Italian meats, olive salad, and crusty sesame bread make this a New Orleans icon.

Make it at home

19. Maine: Lobster Roll (Cold)

Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

Sweet lobster meat and mayo tucked into a toasted roll; coastal comfort food.

Try this recipe

20. Maryland: Crab Cake Sandwich

Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

A thick crab cake, soft bun, and tartar sauce define this Chesapeake favorite.

Cook one today

21. Massachusetts: Fluffernutter

Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

Peanut butter and marshmallow fluff create this sweet New England staple.

Try it out

22. Michigan: Cudighi Sandwich

cudighi sandwich
Maddy Alewine/Them Bites

A spicy sausage patty with marinara and mozzarella on a hoagie roll.

Make it here

23. Minnesota: Jucy Lucy

Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

This burger hides molten cheese inside the patty.

Get the how-to

24. Mississippi: Shrimp Po’ Boy

shrimp po boy
Maddy Alewine/Them Bites

Fried shrimp, lettuce, tomato, and remoulade on crusty French bread.

Make your own

25. Missouri: St. Paul Sandwich

St. Paul Sandwich
Maddy Alewine/Them Bites

Egg foo young meets sandwich bread, slathered in mayo and pickles.

Try the original

26. Montana: Pork Chop Sandwich

Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

A fried pork chop served on a roll; Montana doesn’t overcomplicate it.

Make it here

27. Nebraska: Runza

Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

Welcome to the unofficial state food of Nebraska-the Runza. They are fluffy bread pockets filled with savory ground beef and crunchy cabbage for the perfect handheld meal.

Try this twist

28. Nevada: Patty Melt

Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

A beef patty with caramelized onions and cheese on toasted rye bread.

Get the recipe

29. New Hampshire: Steak Bomb

steak bomb sandwich
Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

Loaded with steak, peppers, onions, and cheese in a hoagie roll.

Make it now

30. New Jersey: Pork Roll Sandwich

pork roll sandwich
Maddy Alewine/Them Bites

Fried pork roll with egg and cheese on a soft roll.

Try it here

31. New Mexico: Albuquerque Turkey

Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

Turkey, cheddar, green chile, and avocado make this sandwich spicy and filling.

Make this at home

32. New York: Beef on Weck

A beef on weck from the side, so you can see the entire sandwich.
Maddy Alewine/Them Bites

Roast beef and horseradish on kummelweck rolls; salty, juicy perfection.

Try the recipe

33. North Carolina: Livermush Sandwich

Maddy Alewine/Them Bites

Pan-fried livermush with mustard and pickles. A Carolina classic.

Make one now

34. North Dakota: Sloppy Joe

Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

A saucy, nostalgic ground beef sandwich.

Get the recipe here

35. Ohio: Polish Boy

Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

Kielbasa, fries, coleslaw, and barbecue sauce stacked into one epic sandwich.

Build it here

36. Oklahoma: Chicken Fried Steak Sandwich

Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

Breaded steak, white gravy, and Texas toast turn this into a hearty meal.

Make it at home

37. Oregon: Crab Melt

A close up shot of a crab melt sandwich on a cutting board.
Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

Dungeness crab with cheese, grilled until golden and gooey.

Try the melt

38. Pennsylvania: Primanti Bros-Style Sandwich

Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

Meat, slaw, fries, and tomato all stacked inside thick Italian bread.

Try your own version

39. Rhode Island: Grinder

grinder sandwich
Maddy Alewine/Them Bites

A loaded sub with meats, cheese, lettuce, and vinaigrette dressing.

Make one now

40. South Carolina: Tomato Sandwich

tomato sandwich
Maddy Alewine/Them Bites

Fresh tomatoes, mayo, and soft white bread; simple and Southern.

Try this one

41. South Dakota: Hot Beef Sandwich

Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

An open-faced roast beef sandwich smothered in gravy.

Make it here

42. Tennessee: Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich

nashville hot chicken
Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

Crispy fried chicken coated in fiery seasoning and topped with slaw.

Try the heat

43. Texas: BBQ Brisket Sandwich

Maddy Alewine/Them Bites

Slow-smoked brisket on a soft bun with sauce and pickles.

Fire up your smoker

44. Utah: Pastrami Burger with Fry Sauce

pastrami burger
Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

Juicy beef, layers of pastrami, and Utah’s iconic fry sauce.

Try it here

45. Vermont: The Vermonter

Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

Turkey, cheddar, green apple, and maple mustard; fall in sandwich form.

Get the recipe

46. Virginia: Sailor Sandwich

Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

Hot pastrami, knockwurst, and Swiss cheese stacked on rye.

Make one today

47. Washington: Banh Mi

Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

Vietnamese baguette packed with pickled vegetables and seasoned pork.

Build one now

48. West Virginia: Pepperoni Roll

Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

Pepperoni baked into soft bread; portable, salty, and a bit greasy in the best way.

Try the recipe

49. Wisconsin: Fish Fry Sandwich

beer battered fried fish
Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

Crispy fish, tartar sauce, and rye bread; Friday dinner, sandwich-style.

Make it this weekend

50. Wyoming: Bison Burger

Maddy Alewine / Them Bites

Lean, flavorful bison on a toasted bun with classic fixings.

Cook it now

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