50 twists on iconic sandwiches
By Scott Hume on Apr. 20, 2017If the back end of the 20th century’s culinary personality was dominated by discovery—of new foods and spices and cooking styles—then the 21st century so far is about liberation: unfettering familiar foods so they adopt those new influences and become richer. Nowhere has this been more evident than with sandwiches. Like burgers and soups and other previously predictable categories, sandwiches are being continually reborn.
At the same time, the definition of a sandwich has broadened and globalized. It now includes Mexican cemitas and tortas, falafel in pita bread, Spanish bocadillos, piadas wrapped in Italian thin-crust dough and more.
Gathered here are 50 examples of how a sandwich can be defined by creative culinary minds. All have been on menus in the past year, either as permanent additions or limited-time offers.
American classics
The origins of some of these American-born and bred sandwiches are in dispute. Two restaurants, for example—both in Los Angeles—claim to have invented the French dip with its sliced beef and au jus dipping sauce (the “French” part likely coming from the baguette commonly used), and the bickering over the true Philly cheesesteak is never-ending.
Others, from the classy club sandwich to barbecued pulled pork, are just quintessentially and simply American. What differentiates them today are the memorable spins chain restaurants and independents put on these popular builds.
Healthy Club
Restaurant: Protein Bar and Kitchen
What’s on it: All-natural chicken, crispy turkey bacon, avocado and grape tomato in a low-carb flaxseed tortilla.
A twist on: Club sandwich
Chicken Apple Club Flatbread
Restaurant:Tropical Smoothie Cafe
What’s on it: Grilled chicken, bacon, a signature blend of smoked cheeses, country Dijon honey mustard and house-made crunchy apple and kale slaw served in a toasted flatbread.
A twist on: Club sandwich
Chicago-Style Beef Dip
Pot Roast Beef Dip
Restaurant: Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar
What’s on it: Tender braised and shredded pot roast on a toasted French baguette with melted mozzarella, caramelized onions, horseradish cream sauce and au jus on the side for dipping.
A twist on: French dip
The Fat Mona
Restaurant: Fat Sal’s Deli
What’s on it: Ham, fried eggs, bacon, grilled onion, melted American and mozzarella cheeses, fries, ketchup, and salt and pepper on a buttered, grilled hero roll.
A twist on: Ham and cheese sandwich
Hammy Whammy
Restaurant: Tom + Chee
What’s on it: Pepper jack cheese with smoked ham, applewood-smoked bacon, fresh jalapeno, barbecue kettle chips and sweet barbecue sauce.
A twist on: Ham and cheese sandwich
Capriotti’s Cheesesteak
Restaurant:Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop
What’s on it: Premium grilled steak and melted white American cheese, fried onions, and hot or sweet peppers.
At twist on: Philly cheesesteak
Philadelphia Cheesesteak
Restaurant:Penn Station East Coast Subs
What’s on it: USDA Choice steak, provolone and choice of sauteed onion, mushrooms, banana peppers, spicy brown mustard, mayo and pizza sauce.
At twist on: Philly cheesesteak
Pulled Duroc Pork
Restaurant: Num Pang Sandwich Shops, New York City
What’s on it: Pulled pork with spiced honey, cucumber, pickled carrot, cilantro and chili mayo on a semolina or quinoa baguette.
A twist on: Pulled pork sandwich
Pork Al Pastor
Restaurant: Noble Sandwich Co.; Austin, Texas
What’s on it: Marinated roasted pork shoulder with cilantro, shredded romaine lettuce, red onion and tomato on a pressed hoagie.
A twist on: Pulled pork sandwich
Deli favorites
Layers of sliced meats and cheeses and a signature bread—the basic equation for these delicatessen staples, which include reubens, roast beef sandwiches and Italian subs, doesn’t really change much as they migrate onto chain restaurant menus. In some instances, though, the ingredients and condiments may be more ambitious, adding extra flavors to the standard.
Italian Classic Sandwich
Restaurant:Corner Bakery Cafe
What’s on it: Capicola ham, Genoa salami, provolone cheese, sliced pepperoncini, Roma tomatoes, iceberg and romaine lettuce, mayo and red-wine vinaigrette on a freshly baked baguette.
A twist on: Italian sub
Flash
Restaurant: Erbert & Gerbert’s Sandwich Shop
What’s on it: Capicola, salami, ham, provolone cheese, oregano, mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion and oil-and-vinegar dressing.
A twist on: Italian sub
Little Italy Ciabatta Toastie
Italian-Style Ham & Spicy Salami Sandwich
Big D Pastrami
Restaurant: Baker Bros. American Deli, Texas
What’s on it: Freshly toasted marbled rye bread layered with pastrami, red onions, sliced tomato, leaf lettuce, deli mustard and roasted-garlic aioli.
A twist on: Pastrami sandwich
New York Steamer
Restaurant:Firehouse Subs
What’s on it: Pastrami, corned beef brisket, melted provolone, deli mustard, mayo and Italian dressing.
A twist on: Pastrami sandwich
Reuben The Great
Restaurant:Jason’s Deli
What’s on it: A half-pound of hot corned beef or pastrami, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Thousand Island dressing, grilled on rye.
A twist on: Reuben
Rachel (limited-time offer)
Restaurant: Cousins Subs
What’s on it: Pastrami, coleslaw and Thousand Island dressing (pictured at back, next to a classic Reuben).
A twist on: Reuben
Famous Roast Beef and Provolone
Restaurant:Jersey Mike’s Subs
What’s on it: Certified Angus top-round roast beef with freshly sliced provolone, onions, lettuce and tomato.
A twist on: Roast beef sandwich
Balsamic Tenderloin
Restaurant: East Hampton Sandwich Co., Texas
What’s on it: Chilled beef tenderloin, crispy onion strings, blue cheese, balsamic glaze and rosemary au jus.
A twist on: Roast beef sandwich
Smoked Turkey Wecken
Restaurant: Hannah’s Bretzel, Chicago
What’s on it: Smoked turkey with local Wisconsin white cheddar, organic apple crisps, fresh organic mixed greens and house-made roasted-pepper aioli on organic Wecken bread.
A twist on: Turkey sandwich
Turkey Mash Up
Restaurant:Au Bon Pain
What’s on it: Cider-glazed pulled turkey and sweet-potato mash topped with kale and pickled red onion tossed in balsamic vinaigrette; served on a rustic baguette.
A twist on: Turkey sandwich
T-K-Y Supreme
Restaurant:Potbelly Sandwich Shop
What’s on it: Turkey, pepperoni, provolone, lettuce, tomato and Italian seasoning.
A twist on: Turkey sandwich
Just like mom used to make
Nearly everybody’s mother made one, and it was the best—that perfect, buttery, gooey grilled cheese or PB&J with just the right ratio of peanut butter to jelly. But that doesn’t mean restaurants can’t fiddle with these at-home favorites. Creative ingredients help take these sandwiches from nostalgic to craveable.
T.L.T.
Restaurant:True Food Kitchen
What’s on it: Smoked tempeh, butter lettuce, tomato, avocado and vegan mayo.
A twist on: BLT
BLT+A
Restaurant: Modern Market
What’s on it: Nitrate-, hormone- and antibiotic-free bacon, basil aioli, avocado, tomato and arugula on multigrain bread.
A twist on: BLT
L.G.C. and C.G.C.
Restaurant:Luke’s Lobster
What’s on it: Lobster or crab and Gruyere cheese.
A twist on: Grilled cheese
Southern Belle Grilled Cheese
Restaurant: Tupelo Honey Cafe
What’s on it: Brie and Gorgonzola cheese with housemade pear and onion marmalade on sourdough.
A twist on: Grilled cheese
Grilled Pimento Cheese
Restaurant: Newk’s Eatery
What’s on it: Creamy pimento cheese scratch-made with aged yellow and local white cheddar cheeses; served on honey-wheat berry bread with sliced tomato.
A twist on: Grilled cheese
Four Cheese Griller
Restaurant:McAlister’s Deli
What’s on it: Provolone, Swiss, American, and Parmesan cheeses with fresh tomato slices, grilled on ciabatta.
A twist on: Grilled cheese
Chunky PB&J
Restaurant: ‘Wichcraft, New York City
What’s on it: Peanut butter and seasonal fruit preserves on multigrain bread
A twist on: Peanut butter and jelly
Elvis Wich
Restaurant:Which Wich Superior Sandwiches
What’s on it: Peanut butter, bacon, honey and sliced banana.
A twist on: Peanut butter and jelly
Sea Dog
Restaurant: Erik’s DeliCafe; San Jose, Calif., area
What’s on it: Tuna salad made from Erik’s family recipe, cheddar cheese, fresh avocado, Erik’s “Secret Goo” (said by some to have 20 ingredients), slivered red onion and fresh tomato on freshly baked sourdough.
A twist on: Tuna sandwich
Albacore Tuna
Restaurant: Togo’s
What’s on it: Fresh house-made albacore tuna mixed with relish and light mayo sauce in a telera roll.
A twist on: Tuna sandwich
Citrus Poached Salmon Salad
Global sandwiches
Worldly sandwiches—banh mi, tortas and Cubans, along with gyros, falafel and others—have become full American-menu citizens. Whether originating overseas or just over the border, or even in the rich ethnic cultures of communities within the U.S. (like Cuban sandwiches, which historians agree hail from Tampa, Fla.), the current appeal of global sandwiches knows no boundaries.
Fat Banh Mi-Ki
Restaurant: Fat Sal’s Deli
What’s on it: Sweet-and-spicy soy-marinated, thinly sliced rib-eye steak; Vietnamese pickled vegetables; onion rings; Szechuan slaw; tomato; sliced jalapeno; cilantro; Sriracha-teriyaki glaze; and mayo. Served on a garlic hero roll.
A twist on: Banh mi
Vietnamese Pork and Shrimp Meatball Bahn Mi
Restaurant: Bunk Sandwiches; Portland, Ore.
What’s on it: Vietnamese meatballs, pickled daikon radish and carrot, jalapeno, aioli, cilantro, mint, cucumber and Sriracha.
A twist on: Banh mi
Cuban
Restaurant: Rising Roll Gourmet
What’s on it: Mojo-marinated pork loin, Black Forest ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and yellow mustard, on Cuban bread. (The Spicy Cuban variation has pepper jack cheese and jalapenos.)
A twist on: Cuban sandwich
Cuban Sandwich
Restaurant:The Cheesecake Factory
What’s on it: Slow-roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard and mayo on a grilled and pressed roll.
A twist on: Cuban sandwich
Cochinita Pibil
Restaurant: Tortas Frontera
What’s on it: Achiote and citrus-braised pork, pickled red onions and black beans; served with a side of roasted-habanero salsa.
A twist on: Torta
Hot right now
Breakfast sandwiches and chicken sandwiches (and sometimes breakfast chicken sandwiches) are getting buzz on menus, driven by recent menu moves at big chains—including McDonald’s making breakfast an official all-day daypart.
Muscling in on the popularity contest are all-veggie sandwiches. As respect for healthy eating beyond vegetarian and vegan diets and Meatless Mondays grows, so too does demand for flavorful, meat-free options.
Here’s what’s on the menu in these trending areas.
Fairfax
Restaurant: Egglsut
What’s on it: Soft-scrambled eggs with chives, caramelized onions, cheddar cheese and Sriracha mayo in a warm brioche bun.
A twist on: Breakfast sandwich
Chorizo Sunrise
Restaurant:Einstein Bros. Bagels
What’s on it: One or two fresh-cracked eggs alongside chorizo, avocado, jalapeno-salsa shmear and pepper jack cheese in a Green Chile bagel.
A twist on: Breakfast sandwich
The Mo! Rito
Restaurant: Smiling Moose Rocky Mountain Deli
What’s on it: Scrambled eggs, ground beef, melted American, seasoned potatoes, housemade salsa fresca and cream cheese on a plain tortilla.
A twist on: Breakfast sandwich
Crispy Buttermilk Chicken Sandwich
Restaurant: Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant
What’s on it: Buttermilk-battered chicken with crispy slaw, Sriracha-bacon ranch and spicy honey.
A twist on: Chicken sandwich
Grilled Chicken & Avocado
Restaurant:LYFE Kitchen
What’s on it: Grilled chicken, roasted tomatoes, avocado, romaine, red onion and tarragon aioli on a ciabatta bun.
A twist on: Chicken sandwich
Frick’n Chick’n Salad Roll
Restaurant: Pork & Mindy’s, Chicago
What’s on it: Brined, mulberry-smoked, hand-pulled chicken mixed with candied pecans, celery, green onion and cranberry on a buttered New England-style split-top roll with hot giardiniera and balsamic drizzle.
A twist on: Chicken sandwich
Honey Butter Chicken
Restaurant: PDQ
What’s on it: “100% natural, fresh, never frozen crispy chicken breast” dipped in homemade honey butter, layered with Grillo's bread and butter pickles; served with fries or blueberry coleslaw.
A twist on: Chicken sandwich
Nashville-Style Hot Chicken & Waffle Sandwich
Restaurant: Bruxie
What’s on it:Spicy and smoky fried chicken thigh with tangy sauce, shredded lettuce and pickles on a freshly baked waffle.
A twist on: Chicken sandwich
Mediterranean Veggie
Restaurant:Panera Bread
What’s on it: Peppadew peppers, feta cheese, cucumbers, lettuce, tomato, red onion and cilantro-jalapeno hummus with salt and pepper on thin-sliced tomato-basil bread.
A twist on: Veggie sandwich
Hummus & Eggplant Panini
Restaurant: Panini Cafe, Los Angeles area
What’s on it: Scratch-made Tuscan-style country bread from La Brea Bakery with grilled eggplant, hummus, Roma tomato, feta cheese and fresh mint and basil.
A twist on: Veggie sandwich