Sandwiches - cut on diagonal or straight across?

Factual Questions
1

Does anyone know the origin of the phrase “drugstore cut” when describing a sanwich that is cut right down the middle, i.e; not on a diagonal? A friend of mine, when asked how he liked the new Atlanta Bread Company restaurant across the street from the office, said “Well, the food is OK, but I don’t like the drugstore cut on the sandwiches.” When asked to explain, he said that the drugstore cut is when the sandwich is cut top to bottom, right down the middle, resulting in 2 rectangualr halves, rather than on the diagona, the cut he prefers, resulting in 2 triangular shaped halves.

He is from Vero Beach, FL if that is any help.

Thanks!

2

I’d never heard that phrase. However, drug stores used to have lunch counters (a few still do, but not nearly as many as back in the 50’s - 70’s), so I assume it’s something to do with that.

–Cliffy

3

I once asked my waitress to cut my BBQ in half, she turned to the cook and said divorce it. Of course in the case of a bun there is only one way of divorcing it.

As to your question, I think people here in the south tend to cut it straight across, so with that in mind it could also be a regional thing.

4

I don’t cut my sandwiches at all. My wife likes hers cut, so I usually do something silly like shark teeth or three pieces or something.

5

Quarters work great for kids–'course, there’s two ways to do that too.

Never heard of a drugstore cut, and I’ve been cutting sandwiches for a long time. Never professionally though.

6

I don’t cut my sandwiches, because unlike most people, I can handle the whole thing.

7

I cut mine somewhere in between… at an angle of approx. 30º

Gp

8

Do you work for Subway?

9

I cut mine the same way as Grimpixie. I did learn it from working in restaurants. Just to have fun, I will slice them like logs and stack them for the kids.

10

I don’t do this, but I wonder if anybody puts it in the blender and drinks it down as a sandwich beverage…