From lobster rolls to cheesesteaks, we’re a nation of sandwiches.
“The local special” is often a preferred order by travelers at a deli, restaurant, or café…and that includes sandwiches. The Northeast’s got its lobster rolls and Philly has its cheesesteaks. But did you know that sloppy joes were invented in Iowa and a certain magazine lays claim to the very first mention of PB&J? And the French Dip is a Southern California tradition thousands of miles away from France?
Traveling around the U.S. yields a cornucopia of sandwich traditions paired with a history lesson. All of these sandwiches artfully hold locally grown or caught ingredients and have throngs of local fans. And while there may be uncontested claims to their origins, the founder is often whoever documented the sandwiches first.
Fun Fact: There’s an actual Earl of Sandwich credited with inventing the term “sandwich.” When one day he decided to eat his meal with one hand, slapping two pieces of bread—with the meat between—the sandwich was born.