Why These 13 Sandwiches Put Local Traditions First
Some foods travel, but others stay right where they belong. These thirteen sandwiches are rooted in local pride, shaped by generations of home cooks, and served with the kind of confidence that only comes from tradition. Each one proves that the best bites tell a story about where they came from; and who made them.
Liver Mush Sandwich
North Carolina’s morning favorite, crispy on the edges and rich in the middle. It’s breakfast, tradition, and Southern storytelling all in one bite. Get the recipe here.
North Shore Beef
Massachusetts knows its roast beef. This sandwich, ordered “three-way” with mayo, cheese, and BBQ sauce, stands as a badge of loyalty for locals across the North Shore. Get the recipe here.
Runza
Nebraska’s stuffed bread pocket filled with beef and cabbage has been a part of the heartland for over a century, connecting immigrant roots to everyday Midwestern tables. Get the recipe here.
Olive Burger
Michigan’s favorite diner order replaces ketchup with creamy olive spread. It’s tangy, salty, and proudly one-of-a-kind; just like the state that created it. Get the recipe here.
Hot Brown Sandwich
Born in Louisville’s Brown Hotel, this open-faced turkey and bacon creation drenched in Mornay sauce turned regional hospitality into a culinary legacy. Get the recipe here.
Primanti Bros. Sandwich
Pittsburgh’s working-class hero stacks fries and coleslaw between the bread, a symbol of practicality and pride that’s been part of the city’s identity for decades. Get the recipe here.
Muffuletta Sandwich
A New Orleans icon layered with olive salad, cold cuts, and cheese. It’s Italian-American tradition fused perfectly with Louisiana soul. Get the recipe here.
Fried Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
In Indiana, a sandwich isn’t complete unless the meat hangs off the bun. Crispy, golden, and proudly oversized; it’s tradition that can’t be contained. Get the recipe here.
Loose Meat Sandwich
Iowa’s diner staple has no sauce, no fuss, just loose ground beef seasoned right and served on a soft bun. It’s a local secret that never left town. Get the recipe here.
Chow Mein Sandwich
Fall River, Massachusetts turned a takeout classic into a sandwich. Crispy noodles between bread sound strange, but locals wouldn’t have it any other way. Get the recipe here.
Pork Chop Sandwich
Butte, Montana’s blue-collar favorite is as straightforward as it gets. A fried pork chop, white bread, and a sense of pride that runs deep in mining country. Get the recipe here.
Sonoran Hot Dog
Arizona’s bacon-wrapped masterpiece crosses borders and cultures. With beans, onions, and jalapeños, it’s Southwest pride in a bun. Get the recipe here.
Roast Pork Sandwich
Philadelphia locals know this one well; slow-roasted pork, provolone, and garlicky greens. It’s what keeps family-run shops thriving. Get the recipe here.