# So what's your local sandwich? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 8, 2017, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-your-local-sandwich/784045 "2017-04-08T05:59:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**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:** [April 8, 2017, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-your-local-sandwich/784045/21 "2017-04-08T14:28:42Z")
> [@Elemenopy](#): > > I grew up mostly near Chicago, so that means Italian beef and gyros. Actually, while we’re at it, you can include the beef & sausage combo sandwich on there (simply known as a “combo” at any place that serves Italian beef.) It’s exactly what it sounds like: an Italian beef sandwich with an Italian sausage nestled in it. You can [read about it here](http://chicago.seriouseats.com/2014/05/a-sandwich-a-day-sandwich-de-bistec-at-cafeteria-marcela.htm). Best had at Johnnie’s in Elmwood Park. You might also want to throw in Chicago’s Maxwell Street pork chop sandwich. It’s the only pork chop sandwich I’ve ever seen that is served bone-in. The more famous Maxwell Street Polish might also qualify, but I might be persuaded that it’s not distinct enough. Others (as long as we’re counting in-a-bun concoctions as sandwiches, which I’m fine with), there’s the mother-in-law and humdinger. The mother-in-law is a Tom-Tom tamale (or similar corn roll tamale; [you can read about them here](http://www.diningchicago.com/blog/2009/12/18/the-unique-chicago-tamale-a-tuneful-mystery/)) served in a hot dog bun with chili and hot dog toppings over it. The humdinger is the same thing, with cheese added for good measure. [More on the mother-in-law](http://chicago.seriouseats.com/2012/11/standing-room-only-fat-johnnies-famous-red-hots-deserves-a-visit.html). And, to finish, there is also the rare [Jim Shoe](http://www.lthforum.com/2013/06/in-search-of-the-jim-shoe/) sandwich, which is roast beef, corned beef, and gyros meat served all together as a sub, topped with lettuce, tomato, tzatziki. ---
**Author:** ![nani](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/58956e/32.png) [@nani](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nani)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-your-local-sandwich/784045/22 "2017-04-08T14:32:26Z")
Santa Barbara, California area - [Tri-tip](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tri-tip) sandwich ---
**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:** [April 8, 2017, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-your-local-sandwich/784045/23 "2017-04-08T14:32:37Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > That is not an appetizing picture. Most fast food does not look appetizing served in its natural state. (To me, though, that is beauty.) How do you make something slathered in barbecue sauce, french fries, and coleslaw look sexy? Without looking at the frou-frou Polish boys, [this is about as best as I can do.](http://www.seriouseats.com/images/20110610-HDOW-freddies-polish-boy-yowza.jpg) ---
**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:** [April 8, 2017, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-your-local-sandwich/784045/24 "2017-04-08T14:38:16Z")
Nothing I can think of in Oregon. I have a few friends who live in Florida who yammer on incessantly about grouper sandwiches, however. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-your-local-sandwich/784045/25 "2017-04-08T14:58:21Z")
In Rochester. it’s a [garbage plate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Tahou_Hots), which is more a combination of items rather than a sandwich. In Buffalo, it’s a [beef on weck](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beef_on_weck). In Plattsburgh, where I’m originally from, it’s a [Michigan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan_hot_dog). ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-your-local-sandwich/784045/26 "2017-04-08T14:58:23Z")
I don’t eat them much anymore because they’re terrible for fir you but the NJ Signature Sandwich has to be a Pork Roll, Egg and Cheese. Pork Roll is a NJ breakfast staple and it’s really only found here. Also, in North Jersey in the 15 years or so places have taken to calling a triple decker sandwich with meat (usually turkey), Swiss cheese, cole slaw and Russian dressing a Sloppy Joe but to me, a Sloppy Joe will always be Manwich. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-your-local-sandwich/784045/27 "2017-04-08T15:13:25Z")
Rather than reignite the war over whether or not a taco is a sandwich, I’m just going to go with the [torta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torta#/media/File:Tortamex.jpg). ---
**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:** [April 8, 2017, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-your-local-sandwich/784045/28 "2017-04-08T15:32:17Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > In Rochester. it’s a [garbage plate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Tahou_Hots), which is more a combination of items rather than a sandwich. I might nominate the white hot, as well. First thing I think of when I think “local Rochester food.” (Granted, that’s not a thing I think about a lot, but enough to have a category for it. 🙂 Your aforementioned garbage plate is the only other thing in that category.) I do realize they’ve spread a bit beyond there, but they originated there, as far as I know, and my strongest connection with the white hot is Rochester. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-your-local-sandwich/784045/29 "2017-04-08T15:32:58Z")
> [@](#): > > I’ve never had a Polish served that way anywhere else. …Huh. I’ve never had one served that way around here, either. The only Polish Boys I’ve ever had are the ones served by street-cart hot dog vendors, and those don’t even have fries or slaw available. They’re basically just hot dogs with a larger and slightly higher-quality sausage. Maybe it’s an East Side-West Side thing? The only brick-and-mortar places I’ve ever seen advertising a Polish Boy are on the East Side, and I’ve never gone in, but just assumed that it was basically the same thing the street vendors were selling. ---
**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:** [April 8, 2017, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-your-local-sandwich/784045/30 "2017-04-08T15:39:13Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > …Huh. I’ve never had one served that way around here, either. The only Polish Boys I’ve ever had are the ones served by street-cart hot dog vendors, and those don’t even have fries or slaw available. They’re basically just hot dogs with a larger and slightly higher-quality sausage. > > Maybe it’s an East Side-West Side thing? The only brick-and-mortar places I’ve ever seen advertising a Polish Boy are on the East Side, and I’ve never gone in, but just assumed that it was basically the same thing the street vendors were selling. No idea, but the Polish boys I’ve had in Cleveland are the ones like in the picture. Not sure they all came with fries inside, but definitely with a barbecue sauce and a slaw-like concoction, not the usual mustard & onions you get around here. [Here’s a Serious Eats article about them](http://www.seriouseats.com/2010/08/hot-dog-of-the-week-clevelands-polish-boys-ohio.html). ---
**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:** [April 8, 2017, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-your-local-sandwich/784045/31 "2017-04-08T15:48:21Z")
I should add the one my wife brought back for me a few months ago was from a streetside vendor, not a brick & mortar place. It definitely was barbecue sauce & cole slaw on that. (I think fries were on the side, but he packed them that way because he knew she was traveling back to Chicago to bring her husband a Polish boy. 🙂 ) ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-your-local-sandwich/784045/32 "2017-04-08T16:23:29Z")
An [Oostburger](http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Oostburger). Named after a village near my home, it’s a hamburger with a bratwurst on it. Every local brat fry offers it, or ought to. ---
**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:** [April 8, 2017, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-your-local-sandwich/784045/33 "2017-04-08T16:32:09Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Actually, while we’re at it, you can include the beef & sausage combo sandwich on there (simply known as a “combo” at any place that serves Italian beef.) It’s exactly what it sounds like: an Italian beef sandwich with an Italian sausage nestled in it. You can [read about it here](http://chicago.seriouseats.com/2014/05/a-sandwich-a-day-sandwich-de-bistec-at-cafeteria-marcela.htm). Best had at Johnnie’s in Elmwood Park. > > You might also want to throw in Chicago’s Maxwell Street pork chop sandwich. It’s the only pork chop sandwich I’ve ever seen that is served bone-in. The more famous Maxwell Street Polish might also qualify, but I might be persuaded that it’s not distinct enough. > > Others (as long as we’re counting in-a-bun concoctions as sandwiches, which I’m fine with), there’s the mother-in-law and humdinger. The mother-in-law is a Tom-Tom tamale (or similar corn roll tamale; [you can read about them here](http://www.diningchicago.com/blog/2009/12/18/the-unique-chicago-tamale-a-tuneful-mystery/)) served in a hot dog bun with chili and hot dog toppings over it. The humdinger is the same thing, with cheese added for good measure. [More on the mother-in-law](http://chicago.seriouseats.com/2012/11/standing-room-only-fat-johnnies-famous-red-hots-deserves-a-visit.html). > > And, to finish, there is also the rare [Jim Shoe](http://www.lthforum.com/2013/06/in-search-of-the-jim-shoe/) sandwich, which is roast beef, corned beef, and gyros meat served all together as a sub, topped with lettuce, tomato, tzatziki. What about the Chicago dog? I also haven’t seen the Philly cheesesteak yet. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-your-local-sandwich/784045/34 "2017-04-08T16:42:29Z")
> [@ChickenLegs](#): > > Lousiana. > > Po’ Boy. > > A choice of various items on french bread, commonly seafood like fried shrimp, or fried oysters. > > “Dressed” means it comes with lettuce, tomatoes and mayo. How about the New Orleans Lucky Dog? I’ve never visited the big easy without having a lucky dog. ---
**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:** [April 8, 2017, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-your-local-sandwich/784045/35 "2017-04-08T17:14:37Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > An [Oostburger](http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Oostburger). > > Named after a village near my home, it’s a hamburger with a bratwurst on it. > > Every local brat fry offers it, or ought to. I was gonna mention this for parts of Wisconsin, but figured a local should. 🙂 How about cannibal sandwiches (basically, raw beef sandwiches.) ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-your-local-sandwich/784045/36 "2017-04-08T17:17:27Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > My Primantis sandwich is Capicola and a fried egg (Cap-n-egg). But it’s always on bread, not a bun. > > Mmmmmmmm. Sorry, I’m just so used to talking about sandwich buns. But of course, they have that fabulous Italian bread. Now I’m drooling. They have a new sandwich now, “[The Captain](http://www.wtae.com/article/primanti-bros-debuts-the-captain-sandwich-in-honor-of-sidney-crosby/8945831)”. I’m debating whether I should try it, or just leave it to the pros. 😉 ---
**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:** [April 8, 2017, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-your-local-sandwich/784045/37 "2017-04-08T17:19:44Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > What about the Chicago dog? > > I also haven’t seen the Philly cheesesteak yet. Oh, sure, Chicago-style dog. I tend to forget about that, since I don’t tend to eat the fully dressed style, just mustard, onions, relish, and optional sport pepper. There’s also a variety of double cheeseburger here on the south/southwest side that is pretty local:the big baby. Sesame seed bun, two patties with a slice of cheese between them, lots of well-griddled onions served on the top half, and pickle, mustard, ketchup on the bottom bun. Greasy as shit, but the fat and onions make it. One more of my favorite burgers. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-your-local-sandwich/784045/38 "2017-04-08T17:30:43Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Nothing I can think of in Oregon. I have a few friends who live in Florida who yammer on incessantly about grouper sandwiches, however. Yeah, all I could think of were jojos. (For the curious, they’re basically just potato wedges). ---
**Author:** ![lazybratsche](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ba8739/32.png) [@lazybratsche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lazybratsche)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-your-local-sandwich/784045/39 "2017-04-08T17:42:16Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > I don’t think Detroit has its own notable _sandwich,_ unless a Coney dog counts. Along similar lines as the Coney dog, there’s a sort of soft pita gyro sandwich that’s served by Olga’s and all the Coney Island chains. It usually only has gyro meat, tomato, onion, and usually a trademarked variant of tzatziki sauce. There will also be a version with grilled chicken, or with breaded chicken and cheese. What sets these apart from gyro sandwiches elsewhere is the pita bread, which is buttery and much softer than normal pita. In New England, there’s the lobster roll, but those are now ubiquitous. There are all the fried-seafood-in-a-bun standards, but the one that I haven’t found elsewhere is the whole belly clam roll. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2017, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-your-local-sandwich/784045/40 "2017-04-08T17:46:59Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > How about cannibal sandwiches (basically, raw beef sandwiches.) Leave it to Wisconsinites to identify so closely with cows. :rolleyes: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-your-local-sandwich/784045.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-your-local-sandwich/784045.md?page=3)