Let Us Now Praise Eater.com
If you’ve been reading this newsletter long enough—and bother clicking through the links—you may have noticed that Eater.com is an invaluable resource for dedicated sandwich mavens such as Talia and I. So when news broke this week that owner Vox Media was eliminating more a dozen staff positions, it seemed like a good opportunity to pay tribute to to one of our favorite food sites.
Over its twenty year history—Eater launched in July, 2005—the site has expanded from a culinary guide to New York City to a national juggernaut with dedicated sites focused on cities throughout America. It’s also been home to some of our favorite food writers; just this year the site picked up six James Beard Award nominations. The staff deserves better.
Needless to say, Eater’s sandwich coverage has been indispensable, and we’ve included some of the highlights below. We’ll be taking next week off, as Talia is in the middle of moving apartments, but will be back with our next notable sandwich before you know it.
The Ultimate Guide to Sandwich Breads
by Dayna Evans
Much like hot dogs and mustard, cereal and milk, pasta and Parmesan, a sandwich would be incomplete without its bread. A sandwich without slices of sourdough or buttery buns is merely a charcuterie board, and no disrespect to charcuterie boards, but can you eat a charcuterie board in one hand while walking down the street? Can you throw a charcuterie board in your bag to eat later? Can you stuff your face with a charcuterie board right before getting on a plane? None of these things would be possible without bread enrobing a stack of toppings, and there are as many kinds of sandwich breads as there are sandwich styles. Here, an incomplete but highly scientific list categorizing some of the best and the brightest breads without which our most beloved sandwiches would be nothing but a lost pile of meats, cheeses, and spreads.
There’s a lot of debate over what makes a good sandwich. Is it the bread? Or does the meat (or whatever is standing in for the meat) matter most? We would argue that the answer lies in a third, often overlooked detail: the sandwich spread.
Mayonnaise is a classic to be sure, but the quickest route to a memorable sandwich is a condiment that packs a wallop of flavor and effortlessly unites the bread with its fillings. These are the sandwich spreads that Eater’s staff use to give their home-constructed sandwiches an extra je ne sais quoi. Which isn’t to say that you should skip the mayo (or even the Vegenaise)—as you’ll see, plenty of these spreads shine brightest when they’re combined with that stalwart of sandwich construction. Regardless of their mayo content, all of them testify to the beautiful and unshakable truth that there are as many different sandwich spreads as there are sandwiches.
How to Build a Sandwich That Belongs in a Restaurant
As a society we have a tendency to undervalue sandwiches. Pile all the ingredients for a banh mi—multiple meats, pate, pickled vegetables, herbs and sauce—on a plate and it would be considered a fine entree. Layer it between two slices of bread and it becomes a lunch that’s supposed to be cheap and quick…
There are rules to creating a proper Italian sub, a po’ boy, or a French dip, which many of us are fine with leaving to someone else. But making a great sandwich at home can—and should—be done. We collected advise from sandwich experts across the country, all of whom specialize in different cuisines, and many of their tips were the same. So if you have no idea how to craft a sandwich, start here. In no time, your sad desk lunches will be a thing of the past.
The Best Sandwiches in NYC
by Robert Sietsema and Emma Orlow
In New York, a sandwich is an argument waiting to happen. While Americans all over can name their favorites, in our city, the variety of delis, falafel dispensaries, torta-slinging Mexican cafes, creative weird sandwich spots, and newfangled American luncheonettes is enough to keep any enthusiast of the bread-based meal busy for years. Each genre has its stars, so forgive us for making some hard-lined cuts.
These are the sandwich-devoted venues both old school and new to check off the bucket list. New to this update there’s Counter Service from the founder of Chipotle and Brancaccio’s for Italian American sandwiches.
The Best Sandwiches in Los Angeles
by Mona Holmes
Arguably, sandwiches are the most perfect self-contained food, and Los Angeles boasts more than a handful of greats in this genre. Angelenos can’t get enough of bread layered with varied and hearty ingredients, with vast selections like the iconic meaty classic French dip at Philippe the Original, Matū’s deeply rich wagyu cheesesteak, or chicken parm from the Heights Deli & Bottle Shop, which has two locations in Lincoln Heights and Glassell Park. There is no shortage of sandwich excellence in and around the Southland. Here are 16 outstanding sandwiches to try throughout Los Angeles.
The 15 Best Damn Sandwiches in Philly
by Annemarie Dooling and Ernest Owens
In Philly, it’s pretty much assumed that you’re here to get a cheesesteak or roast pork. But our city is packed with tasty sandwich options for all taste buds, from banh mi to fried chicken to spins on the classic hoagie chock full of the works. And the breakfast and veggie options are boundless, too.
Boston's Best Sandwiches
by Nathan Tavares and Erika Adams
A diner can find a lot of very good sandwiches of various types in and around Boston, from banh mi to roast beef to porchetta. (And if you’re eating an Italian sub, don’t forget the hots.) Scroll below for 12 must-try sandwiches all around Boston.
The Best Sandwiches in San Francisco
by Lauren Saria, Justine Jones, and Eater Staff
How lucky we are to be alive during this golden age of sandwiches in San Francisco. Sure, there are a number of shops that have been piling meat and cheese on crackly Dutch bread for generations. But it also feels as if there are more top-notch sandwich options spread across these seven hills than ever before. This is a city with remarkably affordable sandwiches and celebrity chef-backed ones, but no matter which you’re craving this list will have you more than covered.
The Best Sandwiches in Houston
by Brittany Britto Garley
Houston’s culinary variety is indisputable, and the city’s endless sandwich options are a microcosm of that diversity. Whether you’re looking for piled-high pastrami, a spicy banh mi, or a hearty Mexican torta, there’s something for everyone in H-Town. Unsure of where to start? Try out these 18 spots slinging some of the best sandwiches in the city that offer a little Bayou City flare. This list has been updated to feature newer sandwich shops like La Nonna, Bar Bludorn, and Vuji Cafe.
The Best Sandwiches in New Orleans
by Beth D’Addono and Clair Lorell
Not for nothing, but not all sandwiches are po’ boys. Yes, that’s New Orleans’s official way to eat everything on a hunk of French bread, but sandwiches other than po’ boys have a rich and delicious history. Named for the 4th Earl of Sandwich in the late 1700s, seems this particular British aristocrat loved to gamble so much he wouldn’t stop to eat. So his valet packed him—you guessed it—a slab of meat between two pieces of bread, a portable meal called the sandwich. In New Orleans, we have plenty of good, even great renditions.
Where to Eat Chicago's Best Sandwiches
by Naomi Waxman, Eater Staff, and Ashok Selvam
The Midwest excels at comfort foods, and Chicago is at the center of it all. Lately, the city’s embraced a growing contingent of bakeries, cafes, and other sandwich vendors who apply both creativity and gravity to their craft.
The sandwich may seem a simple construct that involves assorted meats, cheeses, vegetables, and condiments couched between two slices of bread, but Chicago’s sandwich scene is a competitive place. Whether one is hankering for a classic crowd-pleaser or novel gourmet invention, the city’s sandwich makers offer plentiful options. Look through Eater Chicago’s picks for must-have versions in the map below.
13 Best Sandwiches to Try in Miami, Florida
by Olee Fowler
Sandwiches are one of those universally appealing dishes that are hard to come by someone who doesn’t love them, as they are admired by even the pickiest of eaters.
And while not all subs can be Pub Subs (aka the legendary subs from Publix that deserve their own category of greatness), here are 13 tasty options that fit the bill.
The Best Sandwich Shops in Seattle
by Zoe Kahn
An expertly crafted sandwich can be a perfect meal on its own—and it’s tailor-made for takeout if you’re in a hurry. While lots of restaurants offer a great sandwich or two, this map covers some of the best sandwich shops dedicated to the form in its many incarnations, from authentic Italian sandwiches to po’ boys and Philly cheesesteaks. Note that there’s also a whole separate guide for banh mi, since the city has so many excellent options, plus maps for burgers and hot dogs, if you consider those things sandwiches.
