The Best Sandwiches in America
I love a good sandwich. I mean, it’s nature’s perfect meal, right? So I was drawn to this article in Esquire purporting to have done the research and determined which were the very best and where we could enjoy them. So here, unranked, unimpeachable and incomplete, is Esquire’s coast-to-coast list of the finest meals on sliced bread. No burgers allowed. Sadly, none of the recommendations are in my local area… except one:
You can get a chicken sandwich anywhere, which may explain your low expectations. Boneless breast. Bun. Blah. But down south, there lives an eye-opener. A come-to-Jesus sandwich. The Chick-fil-A. Seasoned, breaded breast served on a toasted buttered bun with dill-pickle slices. No mayo. No sauce at all. Deceptively simple, yet transcendent. The hook is the breading: spicy, with an intoxicating crunch. The meat is always juicy, never chewy. The bun is like lingerie — there, but not, providing delicious support without obscuring the main flavor. The first bite changes everything you think you know about chicken. And about the need for condiments.
Check the Esquire website for the rest. Included are the Cuban Meat Sandwich at Paseo in Seattle, the Italian Beef at Al’s #1 Italian Beef in Chicago, and the Cubano at Latin America Cafeteria in Miami.
Hungry now? Me too!
Doug
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Reader Comments (10)
Hey Doug, I understand the Cubano and the Cuban meat sandwiches, but a fast-food 400 calorie chicken breast sandwich? How did that make the list in such esteemed company?
They omitted what has to be the best of all: the Philly Cheese Steak. There are imitations everywhere, but you have to get it in Philly because the water in Philly makes the bun like no other. Once you have had a true Philly, you will never be satisfied with a copy.
Almost any sandwich made in Calle Ocho (S. Miami) is good. There is something about CUban food as it it made in Miami. Not so much in Cuba anymore. But if you are ever visiting, drop down to Calle Ocho for some really great food. Don't forget to order Cuban coffee. Strong but lots of good flavor.
Try Pat's and Gino's for authentic Philly Cheesestaeks.
Forget Pat's and Geno's (too touristy, not great sandwiches anymore) and head on over to Tony Luke's for the best cheesesteak in Philly! If you go when they're open you're in for a treat. Just remember, for every authentic Philly cheesesteak you eat remember to subtract five years off your life expectancy due to the grease and cholesterol.
Be sure you order "Cheesesteak, Wiz, with!" Native Philly cheesesteak afficionados should understand this lingo. If you don't understand it, order one to try an authentic Philly cheesesteak (note, it's "Wiz with" and not "with Wiz", as the "with" actually means "with fried onions")! I typically also get hot peppers, although that is no longer considered an "authentic" Philly cheesesteak.
Chick-Fil-A is in Sacramento now, if you are so inclined my brudda.
Of course, if it's a hamburger - you can't beat a Squeeze with Cheese from the Squeeze Inn.
Give us a report on the fine cuisine at Chick-fil-A. It sounds boring (bun, chicken filet, pickles) but whoever reviewed it claims it is magical. I won't believe it until you try it!
I have tried Cuban coffee and some kind of Cuban sandwich in Miami. The sandwich was, I agree, wonderful. But the coffee was so strong it curled my toes! Better than Greek coffee, mind you. That is by far the worst on the planet. But too strong for my taste. Also had some kind of dessert with little bananas. That was delicious!
Michael: You've been extolling the virtues of the Squeeze Inn's burger for some time. Okay, let's go have one (I think you said they were in some little burg in the Bay area?)
Doug
The Squeeze is right here in Sacto. A definite 8 napkin burger..
We might be able to find some sort of chicken sandwich there for Dawn....
Name the day brudda...just don't plan on eating anything else that day!