Beyond Words

One day recently while playing golf, the “Barbie” movie came up. Some had seen it but I haven’t. Don’t get me wrong, I looooooved Barbie but heard such mixed things about the movie I opted to pass. Will I watch it now that it’s streaming? Maybe. But while talking about the movie and its stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, we got to talking about how much I loved Robbie’s TV series from way back called “Pan Am” and since I loved the book “Maid” I liked her in that too. We also talked about how Gosling’s wife Eva Mendes has opted to take a pause from her actress life to raise their kids. (Harrison Butker surely applauds her.) From there it took a turn to sandwiches. Yep, sandwiches.

 

One of my friends mentioned that she’d seen Gosling interviewed and when asked what his favorite sandwich was, he said “ice cream.” A bit unexpected but understandable nonetheless and it got me thinking about a recent Reel I saw online that listed the top favorite sandwiches. So, sandwiches it is today friends!

 

 

What is your favorite sandwich? Everyone has one, even if it’s an ice cream sandwich! Mine? I gotta admit I turn to my inner child on this one as two of my absolute favorites are a classic PB&J and a grilled cheese. A simple grilled cheese though, not (although I do like them) a “fancy” one a la Baltazar in New York City. And as for a PB&J, I like grape or strawberry jelly, over jam, and creamy peanut butter, over chunky. I love PB&Js so much that my recent discovery of them at a simple news store in Austin’s airport literally made my day. Wrapped in cellophane, they are the perfect go-to snack while waiting for a flight or boarding one.

 

 

The more grown-up Carla is not a fan of classic sub sandwiches made up of a variety of cheeses and meats but I do love a chicken or egg salad sandwich. Tuna salad is good too. Lastly, the more ravenous and unhealthy version of Carla loves a Philly Cheese Steak sandwich. I’ve even had one at one of Philadelphia’s original cheesesteak diners.

 

Okay, but back to the list.

 

“USA Today” reports that, according to data, 79 percent of people either “like” or “somewhat like” a good old’ grilled cheese sandwich best. It was closely followed by grilled chicken and turkey sandwiches, which tied for second with a 75 percent likeability score. Here’s the complete list of the top 15 favorite sandwiches in the U.S.

 

1. Grilled cheese
2. Grilled chicken
3. Turkey
4. Roast beef
5. Ham
6. BLT
7. Club
8. Bacon
9. Peanut butter & jelly
10. Pulled pork
11. Tuna
12. Egg salad
13. Meatball
14. Reuben
15. Cuban

 

 

While most of the above sandwiches are beloved across the country, it’s interesting to note how tastes vary by region in the U.S. For instance, YouGov reports that people in the Northeast prefer lobster rolls and meatball subs more than the rest of the country. And in the West, they’re much more into the French dip. I’m guessing the South ranks highest when it comes to egg salad or pimento cheese sandwiches and Texans love their pulled pork BBQ sandwiches. And, who’s ever been to New Orleans and not had a muffuletta? This combination of ham, salami, mortadella sausage, Swiss and provolone cheeses, and olive salad all served in a muffuletta loaf, which is similar to focaccia, is not my favorite, but beloved in the Louisiana.

 

One “sandwich” that didn’t make the list, and I added the quotes because the sandwich jury is out as to whether it’s truly a sandwich, is the good ole Sloppy Joe. I like the combo of ground beef, onions, and tomato sauce all slopped together in hamburger bun but not enough respondents did to make the below list. Other honorable mentions include a crab cake sandwich and a cucumber and cream cheese tea sandwich. Check, check; like them both.

 

 

Yet another debate is how you pronounce “sandwich.” My mom has forever said “sangwich” and then there’s the “samich” crowd. And, is the D silent? Sanwich or sandwich?

 

In all seriousness though, sandwiches are serious stuff. What goes into each one is the talk of the town square everywhere and they are big business, so here’s just a sampling of what’s what. Enjoy!

 

 

Grilled Cheese. Not widely exciting or inventive, a grilled cheese is simply hard to hate. The key is keeping it simple with just bread and cheese. I like my bread a little buttered too.

 

Chicken Sandwich. I had no idea that none other than Chick-fil-A actually invented the chicken sandwich. It was created by the fast-food chain’s founder as an alternative to the hamburger and is now beloved by many.

 

Turkey Sandwich. This one is kinda boring to me but most like it because it can be not only delicious, but healthy. Forego the mayo and opt for mustard, top with lettuce and tomato, and you’ve got a somewhat nutritious little treat. Turkey melts are also yummy!

 

Roast Beef Sandwich. This can be made in several ways, including with just mayo and other toppings ranging from horseradish and aioli to the more exotic French Dip. Consisting of thin-slice roast beef, Swiss cheese, and onions on a French roll or banquette, the French Dip is also served with a side of beef broth for dipping. Ironically, it was not invented in France but at an LA sandwich shop called Phillipe The Original back in 1918. Maybe this is why they are way more popular in the West then elsewhere in the U.S.

 

Ham Sandwich. Thick slices of ham are the stars of this sandwich and are often joined by cheese, preferably Swiss, tomato and mustard. The very first recipe for this classic came from cookbook author Eliza Leslie back in 1840, where she instructed, “cut some thin slices of bread neatly, having slightly buttered them, and if you choose, spread on very little mustard. Have ready some very thin slices of cold boiled ham and lay one between two slices of bread.” The sandwich, which I do like, has come a long way since then but its roots remain.

 

BLT. Fun story. Growing up our family’s “BLT” didn’t have lettuce or tomato, but rather bacon in between one slice of bread spread with peanut butter and another slice spread with mayo. Odd I know, but beloved by us to this day. The more traditional version consists of bacon, lettuce, and tomato served as one. The sandwich became a national craze after World War II when the ingredients were sold in grocery stores at affordable prices.

 

Club Sandwich. Like the BLT, it gets its name from its ingredients: Chicken and Lettuce Under Bacon. This, I did not know! The popular sandwich first appeared in America in the late 19^th century and traditionally includes chicken, lettuce, and bacon served in a three-layer form with an extra slice of bread in the middle and served in quarters.

 

 

PB&J. Another favorite named for its ingredients, the PB&J is favored by old and young alike. The simple sandwich has been around since the turn of the 20^th century and, like the BLT, became popular during World War II as they were staples on ration menus as their ingredients were cheap and accessible. You could say this is the “All American Sandwich.”

 

Pulled Pork Sandwich. I do enjoy a good pulled pork sandwich…preferably sauced up and shredded barbecue pork. It should come as no surprise that this sandwich has its roots in the South and that’s where you’ll find the best versions, often served with coleslaw, where it’s most popular.

 

Tuna Sandwich. The story behind this classic consists of not a sandwich, but a salad. Toward the end of the 19^th century, restaurants began catering to their female clientele by serving healthy yet hearty salads with tuna. Years later, as women joined the workforce en masse, the more complicated salad became an easy to go sandwich and it’s still one of America’s favorites. If you want to get really fancy, there’s always a tuna melt consisting of added cheese and a toasted creation. Yum!

 

 

Egg Salad Sandwich. Yet another southern favorite and a Masters tradition, egg salad sandwiches are considered a bit “old school” but once you’ve had a good one, young or old you are sold.

 

Meatball. Next up, the meatball sub. The whopping more-than-a-sandwich features a hearty helping of ground meat or meatballs, mozzarella or provolone cheese, all heated up on a baguette or other large roll. Men tend to prefer this sandwich over women and I’m on board with that.

 

Rueben. This seems to be one of those things that you either love or hate. I’m not a fan but many are. Like the meatball, the combination of corned beef, Swiss cheese, Russian dressing, and sauerkraut served up on grilled rye bread, is more popular with men then women and is especially beloved in the Midwest.

 

Cuban. I always think I’d like this sandwich more than I do. Maybe it’s the combination of thin-sliced roast pork and glazed ham. Traditionally those meats are topped with Swiss cheese and dill pickles and then stuffed into a thick and unique Cuban roll.

 

 

Amazingly, British royalty is to thank for the sandwich, which originated in the 18^th century and was named after John Montagu, the 4^th Earl of Sandwich. Legend has it that he came up with the idea of putting meat between two pieces of bread so he could continue eating while playing cards. Okay fine; the English may have invented it, but it’s safe to say the Americans have perfected it.

 

 

I’ll end with one of my favorite sandwiches not listed above: the compliment/criticism/compliment sandwich. Never heard of it? It’s actually pretty essential in the art of conversation when it comes to feeling the need to criticize or offer disparagement to someone. It’s ingredients? Start with praise or a compliment, top and follow that with the criticism or advice, and top it all with more praise. This sandwich takes the bite out of what might be an awkward encounter and makes a savory addition to what otherwise might be too salty or spicy. Give it a try and make conversations savory!