# Do American people make sandwiches at home? Or is it more of a specialty thing? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [June 10, 2025, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414 "2025-06-10T07:18:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2025, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/182 "2025-06-11T12:43:11Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > And that’s why this thread ended up in the pit. Because it was making fun of a perfectly ordinary question. So if it had been making fun of completely deranged question then it would have been left there? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2025, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/183 "2025-06-11T12:44:37Z")
Naw, we are nonpartisan in that rule. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2025, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/184 "2025-06-11T12:53:54Z")
> [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](#): > > Re: sliced tomato: Whenever I slice tomato, it comes out way too thick (like 1/3 of an inch thick, which really is too thick and can ruin the sandwich. Do you have a trick to slicing your tomatoes thinner? As said, the solution is a sharp knife. That’s all it is. You don’t want a serrated knife. You don’t need some $100+ knife forged from Viking steel. You just need a good edge. I just use a Rada Cutlery chef’s knife that was recommended by someone here that I bought for $30. Get a cheap Rada edge sharpener ($15), and use a honing steel if you’ve got one to keep the blade honed between sharpenings. I have a honing steel already from a knife block someone gifted me. The knife should cut through the tomato with the barest of pressure put on it. The other thing you can try using is a mandoline, BUT PLEASE BE CAREFUL. I personally don’t use these on tomatoes, as my blades have dulled a bit from use, but if you do use a mandoline, invest in some puncture/cut resistant gloves. They have saved my fingers many times. And even so, use that hand guard/food holder, too. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2025, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/185 "2025-06-11T12:58:58Z")
If you knew sushi like I know sushi… ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2025, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/186 "2025-06-11T13:30:59Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > As said, the solution is a sharp knife Indeed. The thing I sometimes do is cut the tomato in half first top to bottom, so I’m not trying to cut a slice of a sphere. I get half rounds, but the tomato is well grounded when I slice, so I can get a nice even cut. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2025, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/187 "2025-06-11T13:36:38Z")
I’m always amazed whenever I need to cook in a foreign kitchen – and I do adapt, of course – just how dull the average person’s blades are. They may as well be butter knives, some of these knives I’ve encountered. I mean, people make do with them, but it’s just so much more difficult than it needs to be. My parents don’t even have anything resembling a chef’s knife in the house, and the tiniest of cutting boards, maybe about 6"x9". Just steak knives. And they prep with them daily. Then again, I’ve seen the videos of the old Italian nonna and the tiny little knife dicing an onion in her hand (not on a cutting board), so there’s more than one way to accomplish a task, and there is a certain magic in those methods. And my mom can slice an onion for canapés/open-faced-sandwiches thin enough to see through with her little knife and little board, so it works for her. ---
**Author:** ![Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mundane_super_hero/32/6304_2.png) [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundane_Super_Hero)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2025, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/188 "2025-06-11T16:02:08Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I use a ceramic knife. The trick to slicing tomatoes is mostly to use a very sharp blade. And my ceramic knife holds its edge, because minor wear and tear turns into tiny serrations instead of dull patches. Thank You! Although I have come really close to buying one of [these](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNKCM4MMYEs), your idea makes more sense. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2025, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/189 "2025-06-11T16:04:45Z")
I just use a [Sharpening Steel on my chefs knife.](https://www.amazon.com/TUO-Cutlery-Stainless-Honing-Pakkawood/dp/B06XRMK3XT/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-eYB9UgKlJBHbYi7FBT55gx8E6P6-d9oxomCUD93W2oAJDCxudj1JmeoAwfMXx1-4eP6MTWl_Bx6JtqUX1n2va4td9JreJl67PH2d1qzazKKvZI2tE5cRnR0MvQ80AZhXQSP0WQRgfnqkL_c_ffQsUbg-0Vp9hiVKm_ddvVne-l_CVRQ4EG16qHttkpnEKkzEQfe8-_1ecmk-MgH88sKpPdDEU8D6aL_pFrIAoMeXbYKwrNj_sfP9Wr62jz9yIf3Oy0ASQ2xrDwlyvP6W9gbU_1eUvYhdYXoHlnwYF1SpAw.tc5eWvu2Ut45e6zsBg6whmF7hG5VTYl8n6ZZx9Gw4dY&dib_tag=se&hvadid=695139788819&hvdev=c&hvexpln=67&hvlocphy=1014445&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=18066584427682179794--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=18066584427682179794&hvtargid=kwd-39555150&hydadcr=24659_13626659&keywords=sharpening+steel&mcid=f87d62274945327397cb03be0e74c264&qid=1749657653&sr=8-3-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1) All you need IMHO. I guess unless you are cooking for a lot of people. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2025, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/190 "2025-06-11T16:47:12Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > just how dull the average person’s blades are. They may as well be butter knives, some of these knives I’ve encountered. QFT.  ---
**Author:** ![FluffyBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecb155/32.png) [@FluffyBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FluffyBob)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2025, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/191 "2025-06-11T18:38:05Z")
My wife has a set of ‘steak’ knives from long before we met. They are either [Ginsu](https://youtu.be/6wzULnlHr8w?si=wfTCGqpFQlKsL64L) knives or a riff on such. I have a selection of good quality knives, stone, and steels. I certainly prefer a good sharp knife to the ginsu, but for a cheap plastic handle and stainless blade thats probably over 20 years old they will still cut a ripe tomato. My wife is way more likely to grab the ginsu than a real knife to cut a tomato. I’ll take the real knife but I will hone with the steel first. The result will he way better, but for her purposes the ginsu is easier. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2025, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/192 "2025-06-11T18:57:00Z")
Heh, My wife bought me a very good set of Henckel knifes for Christmas. But she discovered that my Dad had bought me some ‘TV Special’ knives’. What to do??? She had me open the knives she bought me before my Dad got there with the knives he got me. That would be like getting a Chevette and then someone gives you a Corvette Wife saved the day. ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2025, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/193 "2025-06-11T19:17:28Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Yes, I have, in fact, made cheese. It’s really not that hard. That is inspiring. I brew my own beer, make my own bread; it would be great to have a tangy strong cheese to accompany the two. I guess I just need space, the brewery uses most of available area. But I can do it. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2025, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/194 "2025-06-11T20:00:20Z")
Our own @JaneDoe42 makes cheese at home while her husband brews beer. IANA expert on either, but IIRC she says there are a lot of precautions they _must_ take to prevent cross-contamination that would be disastrous to one or both efforts. Like separate workshops in separate parts of the house. Beer yeast or culture in cheese or vice versa would be bad; very bad. And very hard to eradicate once colonized. You two might want to discuss this somehow. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2025, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/195 "2025-06-11T20:04:16Z")
Here in the US there’s a place called New England Cheesemaking company that sells everything you’d ever need. Maybe there’s something 'round your parts, too. Basically, all you need is to get your hands on some rennet (and there are even cheeses that that use that), a thermometer, some cheesecloth. The basics are not that difficult. If you want to get past fresh cheese, then you’ll need stuff like a cheese press, molds, that sort of thing. Starter cultures, etc. You can get as complicated as you want to. But the basics: rennet, milk, something to strain it in, are all easily attainable. ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2025, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/196 "2025-06-12T00:13:54Z")
Yeah, my regular brewery supply place also supplies cheese equipment and recipes. I’ve just not ventured beyond cottage cheese, which is basically sour milk curd… not very challenging. Requirements: sour milk & cheesecloth. ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2025, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/197 "2025-06-12T00:23:33Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > And how many people want to do a research program to figure out how to make a sandwich, anyway? Is there grant funding available? ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2025, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/198 "2025-06-12T00:28:12Z")
Is there a need for experimental test subjects? I am a healthy male aged 49, with no lactose or gluten allergies. ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2025, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/199 "2025-06-12T00:32:58Z")
You’ll be the first person I call when the funding comes in! ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2025, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/200 "2025-06-12T00:42:13Z")
> [@Kropotkin](#): > > Is there grant funding available? Not anymore. At least not in the USA. Sigh. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2025, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/201 "2025-06-12T01:02:12Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Is cold meatloaf better if you hold it between two slices of bread than of you just eat it, either with a plastic fork or with your fingers? Yes. > It might be relevant that i don’t like mayo. Bingo. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414.md?page=11)