# 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:** 5
**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 10, 2025, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/81 "2025-06-10T14:59:45Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > “stuff” in a bowl is perfectly cromulent sushi. Maybe my ignorance but I don’t think any rice bowl is sushi. Even if the ingredients are the same. > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > But @DSeid was comparing the storability of “extremely fresh sushi quality raw fish” versus that of cold cuts, and that sounds like a pointless comparison. PB and jelly stores. Canned tuna fish and sardines too. Cold cuts less so. Sure sushi can be made without fresh fish, but the comparison is far from pointless. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2025, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/82 "2025-06-10T15:02:15Z")
Perhaps but the point is lost on me. ---
**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 10, 2025, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/83 "2025-06-10T15:03:17Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Well, you might want a sandwich made from leftover meatloaf or Thanksgiving turkey to bring to work or school for lunch where plating the meatloaf or turkey isn’t practical. I have lots of plastic trays with lids from takeout food. I “plate” my leftovers in that. Or in a takeout soup container if they are liquid. And i use a dull metal knife to eat it. I brought leftovers to the office all the time. 🤷‍♀️ ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2025, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/84 "2025-06-10T15:05:32Z")
Sure but is your plastic tray going to work on the [69th floor of a building still under construction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunch_atop_a_Skyscraper)? [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9c/Lunch_atop_a_Skyscraper_-_Charles_Clyde_Ebbets.jpg) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9c/Lunch_atop_a_Skyscraper_-_Charles_Clyde_Ebbets.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![FluffyBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecb155/32.png) [@FluffyBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FluffyBob)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2025, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/85 "2025-06-10T15:07:35Z")
I remember my grandpa showing me how to make a ham and chees sandwich when I was maybe 5. That was a good sandwich. He was cool. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2025, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/86 "2025-06-10T15:08:05Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > The point is that preparing sushi requires actual kitchen skills not universally known by home chefs (even in Japan). This is what happens when pretentious gatekeepers take over. Sushi is just rice with some stuff added to it. Anyone can make sushi: make a ball of rice, poke a hole in it, stuff in whatever you like. Any other “requirements” are post hoc justifications to increase the social status of a particular style of sushi and those who make and eat it. > [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > > [@puzzlegal](#): > > > > I think it is similar in complexity to making a sandwich, assuming you have a rice cooker and the rolling mat. > > Nobody uses a rice cooker or a mat to make a sandwich. You can make a sandwich with no tools at all. How are the two tasks similarly complex? If you live in a household that prefers rice to bread, there’s always ready-to-eat rice in the cooker. Bread requires work: baking or going to the store. My family eats [_kimbap_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gimbap), which is a Korean style of sushi, without the pretentiousness some people want to apply to sushi. While you can buy it at a store, it’s commonly made at home. It’s a simple way of wrapping up your Korean lunch to eat on the go later. ---
**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 10, 2025, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/87 "2025-06-10T15:08:18Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > > [@DPRK](#): > > > > “stuff” in a bowl is perfectly cromulent sushi. > > Maybe my ignorance but I don’t think any rice bowl is sushi. Rice bowl sushi is also called > [@DPRK](#): > > “chirashi zushi” Chirashi means scattered. It’s a style of sushi with a bowl of seasoned rice topped with fish and other sushi items. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2025, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/88 "2025-06-10T15:08:37Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I’ve never understood making sandwiches from leftover Thanksgiving, either. Oooh that’s blasphemy! ![](https://media1.tenor.com/m/OGWgxm0DP-QAAAAC/kangaroo-playtime.gif "Kangaroo Playtime GIF - Kangaroo Playtime Throw - Discover & Share GIFs") ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2025, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/89 "2025-06-10T15:09:22Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I’ve never understood making sandwiches from leftover Thanksgiving, either. I’ve been with you right up to this moment. A slice of roast turkey, stuffing, cranberry, lettuce and mayo in crusty bread is the perfect end to Christmas Day in my house! ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2025, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/90 "2025-06-10T15:21:17Z")
Silliest thread ever, but what the hell, I’m bored. Sandwich for lunch is usually boring and quick: tuna salad, or cheese & mustard & Mayo, or something like that. Sometimes I’ll do sandwiches for dinner, and then it’s as complicated as any other dinner meal. - Fry up bacon - Slice tomatoes and avocado - Rinse lettuce - Toast bread Assembly is in layers, sandwich by sandwich: - Toast - Mustard - Mayo - Lettuce - Cold cuts (usually turkey) - Avocado - Bacon - Tomato - Lettuce - Mustard - Mayo - Toast Served with chips and dill spears, it’s a hearty, delicious meal, and takes about 30-40 minutes to assemble for a family of four. ---
**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 10, 2025, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/91 "2025-06-10T15:32:48Z")
Anyway, i guess I’m just a weird American. ---
**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 10, 2025, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/92 "2025-06-10T15:35:48Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > If you live in a household that prefers rice to bread, there’s always ready-to-eat rice in the cooker. Bread requires work Exactly. I usually have leftover rice from last night in the fridge. There’s also often sandwich bread in the freezer, but they are comparable effort to use. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2025, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/93 "2025-06-10T15:50:00Z")
I make my own sandwiches, as they are pretty much superior to anything available in MN. My fried egg sandwiches are unbeatable. So far as I’ve been able to ascertain over the past two years, MN is a wasteland when it comes to deli sandwiches. This is a place that thinks Papa John’s and Papa Murphy’s are the ultimate in deli and pizza offerings and that Panera is a real treat. Forget about the abomination that some of these places call a “Philly Cheese Steak”. I really miss the Portland food scene. ---
**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 10, 2025, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/94 "2025-06-10T15:59:14Z")
Dude, we’re all weird Americans one way or another. Well, except for those of us not American. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![TheTyrant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thetyrant/32/19111_2.png) [@TheTyrant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheTyrant)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2025, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/95 "2025-06-10T16:01:23Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > My fried egg sandwiches are unbeatable. Yeah, I probably eat breakfast sandwiches more than I do with any other meal. They’re quick, they’re ridiculously easy, and a fraction of the price that stopping somewhere for a breakfast sandwich will cost you. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2025, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/96 "2025-06-10T16:07:01Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > And that sushi is more than “stuff” on a pile of rice with vinegar sugar and salt. As might be expected, there’s a long Wikipedia entry. > **Sushi** (すし, 寿司, 鮨, 鮓, pronounced [[sɯɕiꜜ]](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Japanese) or [[sɯꜜɕi]](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Japanese) [ⓘ](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:TomJ-Sushi.ogg)) is a traditional Japanese dish made with vinegared [rice](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rice) (鮨飯, _sushi-meshi_), typically seasoned with [sugar](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar) and [salt](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt), and combined with a variety of ingredients (ねた, _neta_), such as [seafood](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seafood), [vegetables](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetables), or meat: raw seafood is the most common, although some may be cooked. While sushi comes in numerous styles and presentation, the current defining component is the vinegared rice, also known as _shari_ (しゃり), or _sumeshi_ (酢飯).[[1]](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sushi#cite_note-1) > **[Sushi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sushi)** > > This is an accepted version of this page > > > Sushi (すし, 寿司, 鮨, 鮓; .mw-parser-output .IPA-label-small{font-size:85%}.mw-parser-output .references .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .infobox .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .navbox .IPA-label-small{font-size:100%}pronounced \[sɯɕiꜜ\] or \[sɯꜜɕi\] ⓘ) is a traditional Japanese dish made with vinegared rice (鮨飯, sushi-meshi), typically seasoned with sugar and salt, and combined with a variety of ingredients (ねた, neta), such as seafood, vegetables, or me... ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2025, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/97 "2025-06-10T16:07:42Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > Did you bake and slice the bread yourself? Dad did as a way to keep himself busy after Mom died. I gathered his bread was an acquired taste, since I was advised by my siblings to stay away from his creations. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2025, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/98 "2025-06-10T16:09:55Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Does sushi _require_ top grade raw fish? Or can it be made without that? What about Spam based sushi? High end restaurants compete on top grade fish (and the preparation and presentation of course). But not all sushi is served in high end restaurants. There’s a lot of fun variety in between, and sometimes the fun is in assembling a pleasing and creative roll with what’s available, which might not be fish, it might be vegetables, natto, egg, fried soft-shell crab, really anything other than meat. Westerners have this unfortunate tendency to see an idealized version of a thing in one context in Japan, and assume that this is a universal standard. To me that’s what this Pit thread is parodying, and IMO it really hits the mark. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2025, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/99 "2025-06-10T16:10:52Z")
I don’t think you’re a weird American - but when you say you don’t understand making sandwiches from meatloaf or Thanksgiving leftovers and start talking about your take-out containers, it’s hard to tell if you’re joking or if you really don’t understand that there are situations where eating leftovers with a knife and fork is not practical or desirable. For example, I might bring leftover turkey and rice and vegetables to an office where I have a microwave to heat it up but not for a lunch stop on a long drive since I’m not a fan of cold rice/potato/cooked vegetables. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2025, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-people-make-sandwiches-at-home-or-is-it-more-of-a-specialty-thing/1019414/100 "2025-06-10T16:13:44Z")
One of the earliest things I learned how to make was a sandwich. You take two pieces of bread and throw some edible things between them. And then years later, as a father, I’ve made many sandwiches for my kids to take to school for lunch (or to eat at home). I’d guess that it’s very rare for an American to have never made a sandwich at home, given it’s easy, relatively cheap, and can be delicious. I’m not even counting burgers (which are arguably a sandwich) or things that are harder to defend as a sandwich, like a hot dog or something wrapped in a tortilla. (Though I _have_ made a hot dog sandwich before when I was out of buns… Take a cooked hotdog and slice it in half lengthwise, and take one piece of bread, fold it in half, the hotdog should fit, add whatever condiments you like. Not as good as a real hot dog but it’s acceptable.) I’m rather fond of making my own breakfast sandwiches too. My favorite is to make an omelet, except after you flip it once, you fold it in half twice so that it’s roughly square-ish. It should be sized to fit on bread. Take two pieces of toast, put cheese on the egg while it’s still hot so it melts. Add whatever other stuff you might like… Maybe butter, maybe mayo, maybe hot sauce. Fry a few pieces of bacon as a bonus. It’s a decadent and filling breakfast sandwich that doesn’t take a lot of effort at all. As grocery prices get more expensive, a simple sandwich at home is extremely appealing. [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=4) [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=6)