The Sandwich Shop, Didcot, England:
In THE BATTLE OF THE PASTRY, flaky pastry comfortably won, with choux, puff and filo pastry coming next in the poll on pastries. I'm very surprised that flaky pastry won the poll, but what do I know about pastry?!
Now it's the turn of sandwiches to do battle. The sandwich is named after John Montagu the 4th Earl of Sandwich who 'invented' a roast beef sandwich in the eighteenth century. But his sandwich wasn't the first sandwich eaten because a sandwich, though not called by that name, has a very long history. A sandwich nowadays has sexual connotations.
Somewhat cheekily, The Wall Street Journal claimed that the sandwich is Britain's "biggest contribution to gastronomy" but that its sandwiches are "barely edible". There's a difference between British and American sandwiches. As Pret a Manger, a large British sandwich retailer, found out when entering the American sandwich market, Americans seem to prefer a wetter sandwich with lots of sauce like mayonnaise, whereas the British prefer a drier sandwich. American sandwiches are fancier than British sandwiches in that they often contain more filling ingredients; British sandwiches are quite plain and even boring in comparison. Also I get the impression that Americans eat more freshly-made sandwiches than the British who often eat pre-made and packaged sandwiches bought from a supermarket.
There is considerable debate about the definition of a sandwich. In America, there have even been two important court rulings about what constitutes a sandwich. In 2006, a court in Boston ruled that a sandwich must include at least two slices of bread and that "under this definition, this court finds that the term 'sandwich' is not commonly understood to include burritos, tacos and quesadillas". However, last year a court in Indiana ruled that "tacos and burritos are Mexican-style sandwiches" and that Greek gyros, Indian naan wraps and Vietnamese bánh mis should also be regarded as types of sandwiches. The US state of New York has a definition of a sandwich that includes burritos, gyros, hot dogs and pitta wraps. Furthermore, the US Department of Agriculture even has its own definition of a sandwich. Clearly the US Supreme Court needs to make a definitive ruling on what constitutes a sandwich in America!
Here, the British Sandwich Association defines a sandwich as "any form of bread with a filling, generally assembled cold". As I'm British, I'm going to go along with this definition but I want to add four clarifications for the purposes of this poll.
First, a sandwich, to be included in the poll, has to be made from sliced bread, sliced from from a loaf of bread. Most sandwiches have two slices of a bread with a filling in between them. But some sandwiches (open sandwiches) are made from one slice of bread, and some sandwiches (double decker-sandwiches) are made from three slices of bread. All three types of sandwich are included in this poll. Given that I'm only including sandwiches made from sliced bread, filled bagels, baguettes, baps, batons, buns, cobs rolls and subs, filled brioches and croissants, and filled pitta and naan bread wraps are all excluded from this poll on sandwiches. So there's no hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chickenburgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs, Philly cheesesteaks, hoagies, bratwursts in a bun, jambons-beurres, pan bagnats, saucissons sec, sandwiches de merguez, Fischbrötchen, lobster rolls, fajitas, tacos, burritos, quesadillas, tortas, strombolis, gyros, pepitos, pitta wraps, doner wraps, shawarma wraps, banh mi, vada pavs, Finnish porilainen, Portuguese prego rolls and South African spatlos (aka kotas)!
Second, I'm excluding toasted sandwiches or toasties from this poll because I've already recently done a poll on toast toppings - see THE BATTLE OF THE TOAST TOPPINGS. That also means there are no croque monsieurs, croque madames, tartines nor Welsh rarebits in this poll.
Third, I'm including sandwiches with both cold and hot fillings. So bacon sarnies, chip butties, hot steak sandwiches and sausage sammies are included in this poll. I'm also including both savoury and sweet sandwiches in this poll.
Fourth, given that almost any food item can be used as a filling in a sandwich and to make compiling the poll more manageable manageable, I'm excluding a combination of ingredients as sandwich fillings. Therefore, a bacon and egg sandwich, a birthday cake sandwich (recently launched by Tesco here), a breakfast sandwich, a club sandwich, a Cuban sandwich, a ham and cheese sandwich, an Italian sandwich, a Lyonnaise sandwich, a Monte Cristo sandwich, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (popular in America, sorry Americans), a ploughman's sandwich, a po' boy sandwich, a Reuben sandwich, a sausage and egg sandwich, a smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwich, and a Strammer Max sandwich are all excluded from the poll. Having said that, I'm not seeing sandwiches that use salad ingredients (such as celery, cress, cucumbers, lettuce, olives, onions, radishes, sauerkraut, sweetcorn and tomatoes), sandwiches that use dressings and sauces (eg apple sauce, barbecue sauce, brown sauce, cranberry sauce, horseradish sauce, ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, olive tapenade and salad cream), and sandwiches that use garnishes (eg bacon bits, capers, chives, chutney, guacamole, herbs, nuts, pepper, pickle, salt, seeds and sour cream) for extra flavour or texture as combination sandwiches. I'm making a distinction between the main ingredient and the minor ingredients of a sandwich, which I know is a very fuzzy distinction! This means that a bacon sandwich includes a BLT, a cheese sandwich includes a cheese & onion or a cheese & tomato sandwich, a chicken sandwich includes a chicken stuffing sandwich, a strawberry sandwich includes a strawberries & cream sandwich (which I've heard are popular in Japan), a salmon sandwich includes a salmon & cucumber sandwich, and a tuna sandwich includes a tuna mayonnaise sandwich. Obviously I'm assuming butter (or equivalent) is nearly always used in making a sandwich.
It may sound complicated but defining a sandwich isn't easy. Probably everyone thinks they know what a sandwich is, but it's not at all clear which meant that this poll was very difficult to compile. Essentially the poll is all about your favourite single ingredient as a sandwich filling. Easy!
My most favourite sandwich fillings are bacon, beef and horseradish sauce, butter, chicken (with stuffing), chips, eggs (particularly egg and cress), fish fingers (with ketchup), ham and mustard, pastrami (with capers), prawn mayonnaise, salami, salmon (particularly salmon and cucumber), sausage (with brown sauce), tuna and turkey (with stuffing), with a cheese sandwich being the best sandwich to eat. The taste of cheese is great, but with tomatoes and especially onions added the taste of a cheese sandwich goes up a gear.
Cheese and onion sandwiches:
My least favourite sandwich fillings are chocolate spread, crisps, honey, jam, lemon curd, peanut butter, salad, sandwich spread and sugar, with a banana sandwich being the worst sandwich to eat. I like bananas and I like bread and butter, but a banana sandwich is far too mushy for my liking.
What are your most and least favourite sandwiches?
How do you serve the sandwiches you make - halved or quartered, and crust on or off?
What's your definition of a sandwich?
I'm all for cutting sandwiches I make in half; if I'm trying to impress I'll do chef's cut sandwiches which are cut in half diagonally. Cutting sandwiches into quarters is too fiddly to eat. And I always serve my sandwiches with the crust on, unlike the late Queen here who liked her cucumber sandwiches quartered with the crust cut off.
Below is a poll where you can anonymously select your most favourite sandwich. Unfortunately only one pick is allowed in the poll.
A poll on this site can only have a maximum of 20 answer options. There was unfortunately no room as poll options for: apple, baked beans, banana, butter (or equivalent), carrots, chocolate (including chocolate spread), crisps (chips to my American friends), cucumber, duck, falafel, fish (including fish fingers), fruit (including fruit sando, a Japanese fruit & whipped cream sandwich), fruit curd (eg lemon curd), goose, guacamole, haggis, honey, ice cream, jelly bean, lamb, Marmite, marshmallow, mutton, olives, pâté, peas, pork, rabbit, salad, sandwich spread (including vegan spread), strawberries (including strawberries & cream), sugar, tomato, veal, Vegemite and venison.
I think the cheese sandwich will win, but the BLT, chicken, peanut butter, salmon and tuna sandwiches will put up a good fight in the poll.
Please see the first comment below to see what has won each battle of the food and drinks so far.
Banana mayonnaise sandwich:
10
31 comments
WOW, who knew so many words could be written about the subject of sandwiches. 🤣
I understand your reasoning, and the limitations here, but limiting to a single ingredient misses the whole point of eating a sandwich! Forced to select, I went with ham since it is part of the BEST sandwich - a true southeastern Pennsylvania hoagie. You might know them as subs or submarines, heros, grinders, etc. BUT be forewarned, those are pale impostors! A true hoagie is made on a very specific roll that is basically unavailable outside of the southeastern Pennsylvania region, and includes ham, cheese, Italian meats, lettuce, tomato, peppers (sweet or hot), pickle slices, onions (and perhaps some other things depending upon your tastes). It is then dosed with olive oil and vinegar dressing. THAT is the real capstone! If you go into a place and they ask you in you want mayonnaise on it, you're not in a place that is making real hoagies.
I've heard of but not eaten a hoagie. A hoagie sounds good to eat though.
@mufdiver69er2 Aaaaaccccttttt. 🤣
@mufdiver69er2 That they're called "subs" is another tip off. I want "hoagies".
@DodgeNBullets65 NOT the same thing.
@DodgeNBullets65 Read my original comment here. It is explained.
Pan Bagnat, it's a Provencal sandwich of tuna, anchovies, olive tapenade, hardboiled eggs and sliced tomatoes
I think I'd like a pan bagnat.
Egg, mayo, tomatoe, chorizo, on a light white french baguette.
I love a baguette more than a sliced bread sandwich, perhaps because of the bread that's offered on sale here. The French, quite rightly, take their bread seriously.
@spunkycumfun
Bread on continental europe is so much nicer than here. There's one genuine french patissier ici en Edimbourg, it's too far from me to be a regular visitor sadly.
@lindoboy100 The Germans love their bread too but it's a bit heavy for me.
@spunkycumfun
I quite like toasted german rye bread, can't remember what it's called, keeps ye regular though!! 🤣
@lindoboy100 There are a few different German rye breads like Roggenbrot, Mischbrot and Graubrot.
I had to vote other because my favorite sandwich is the Triple Dip from Togo's a sandwich shop here. It has Roast Beef, Pastrami, Turkey and Provolone Cheese. Served on a Parmesan Cheese Italian bread but I don't get mine toasted. And it's served with a cup of Au Jus. It's just so delicious.
I hope your enjoying a relaxing Sunday too my friend..
I had to exclude combination sandwiches otherwise my blog post would have gone on forever!
My favorite is a PB&J but I like a plain turkey and cheese sandwich (turkey meat, cheese, mayo and bread) I don't like my sandwiches cut or crustless
I'm not a fan of peanut butter, too filling for me. Thanks for stopping by.
My favorite is a nice thick Club sandwich. Ham, turkey and bacon. Lots of it with some mayo and lettuce.
I like a club sandwich too.
I had no idea there were court cases about sandwiches. Peanut butter is the one I still eat. I can also go for turkey, if it was cut from a whole turkey and not the sliced kind from the deli.
I too was very surprised to find out there were court cases about the humble sandwich.
Love a good Samwich. Almost anything can slap between slices of bread. Recently ate a Subway sandwich Subway Club footling. Recently made for self scrambled egg sandwich 🥪 No cutting off of anything or sling. Mostl meat of numerous types. Ham, Turkey, Beef, Chicken.
Classic New Orleans Sandwich
A good BBQ Brisket a Texas favorite
I often have cravings for a Subway sandwich, especially ones with pastrami or salami.
@DodgeNBullets65 yes, it is
@DodgeNBullets65 if get to New Orleans try the Central Grocery
While BLTs are my fav, roast beef sammiches come to a close second.
BLTs, to my slight surprise, are running riot in this poll.
@spunkycumfun like the Atlanta Bacon Riot?
@bignicktx I'd riot over expensive bacon!
@spunkycumfun 👍
What are your most and least favourite sandwiches? I love ham sandwiches. I dislike egg sandwiches.
How do you serve the sandwiches you make - halved or quartered, and crust on or off? Crusts on. If I cut it, I cut it diagonally.
What's your definition of a sandwich? Anything between two slices of bread, LOL.
I like a good crust on my sandwich. And I like your definition of a sandwich.
Peanut butter and banana is good, just hold the mayo. I voted BLT because I've been making a lot of them lately while tomatoes are in season. I get them directly from the farm two minutes from my house.
Those fresh tomatoes sound good.
PS. I will reply to your mail soon, I promise.
@spunkycumfun I may have forgotten about it, but I've been thinking of sending one, the image I'm thinking of sending might be inappropriate. It's x-ray-ted.
@joisygirl I'm all for X-rated!
@spunkycumfun might even be kinky
@joisygirl Even better!
Since cheesesteaks are out, probably a roast beef sandwich with cheese is the choice
I've never had a roast beef sandwich with cheese. I can see it working well.
Absolutely love crab honey!
I've never come across that combination for a sandwich. Sounds a bit weird to me!
Cheese and ham
A classic combination.
For the record, Brussels sprouts won THE BATTLE OF THE VEGETABLES, bananas won THE BATTLE OF THE FRUITS, basil won THE BATTLE OF THE HERBS, garlic won THE BATTLE OF THE SPICES, cashew nuts won THE BATTLE OF THE NUTS, sunflower seeds won THE BATTLE OF THE SEEDS, roast beef won THE BATTLE OF THE ROAST DINNERS, cheesecake won THE BATTLE OF THE PUDDINGS, pepperoni won THE BATTLE OF THE PIZZA TOPPINGS, Caesar salad won THE BATTLE OF THE SALADS, green beans won THE BATTLE OF THE BEANS, watermelon won THE BATTLE OF THE MELONS, tomato-based pasta sauce won THE BATTLE OF THE HOT SAUCY DIPS, barbecue sauce won THE BATTLE OF THE COOL SAUCY DIPS, vanilla ice cream won THE BATTLE OF THE ICE CREAMS, capellini (aka angel hair) won THE BATTLE OF THE PASTAS, steak won THE BATTLE OF THE BARBECUE, romaine lettuce won THE BATTLE OF THE LETTUCES, honeycrisp apples won THE BATTLE OF THE APPLES, stout won THE BATTLE OF THE BEERS, whisky won THE BATTLE OF THE SPIRITS, clam chowder won THE BATTLE OF THE SOUPS, sourdough bread won THE BATTLE OF THE BREADS, liver won THE BATTLE OF THE OFFAL, roast turkey won THE BATTLE OF CHRISTMAS FOODS, Old Fashioned won THE BATTLE OF THE COCKTAILS, Americano coffee won THE BATTLE OF THE COFFEES, green tea won THE BATTLE OF THE TEAS, maple syrup won THE BATTLE OF THE PANCAKES, barbecue sauce won THE BATTLE OF THE CONDIMENTS, ribeye steak won THE BATTLE OF THE STEAKS, portobello mushrooms won THE BATTLE OF THE MUSHROOMS, beefsteak tomatoes won THE BATTLE OF THE TOMATOES, barbecue crisps won THE BATTLE OF THE CRISPS, strawberries won THE BATTLE OF THE BERRIES, crab won THE BATTLE OF THE SHELLFISH, vanilla yogurt won THE BATTLE OF THE YOGURTS, jasmine rice won THE BATTLE OF THE RICE, chicken wings won THE BATTLE OF HOT FINGER FOODS, cheeses won THE BATTLE OF COLD FINGER FOODS, dry red wine won THE BATTLE OF THE WINES, tap water won THE BATTLE OF WATER, blueberry muffins won THE BATTLE OF THE MUFFINS, cheese won THE BATTLE OF THE CHARCUTERIE, cow milk hard cheese won THE BATTLE OF THE CHEESE, burgers won THE BATTLE OF FAST FOOD, olive oil won THE BATTLE OF THE OILS, beef stew won THE BATTLE OF THE STEW, cow milk won THE BATTLE OF THE MILK, butter won THE BATTLE OF THE BAKED POTATO, salad won THE BATTLE OF THE SIDE DISH, pizza won THE BATTLE OF THE SAVOURY PIE, apple pie won THE BATTLE OF THE SWEET PIE, coffee won THE BATTLE OF THE HOT BEVERAGE, iced tea won THE BATTLE OF THE COLD BEVERAGE, salmon won THE BATTLE OF THE FISHES, rice won THE BATTLE OF THE GRAINS, cheese won THE BATTLE OF THE OMELETTE, cream won THE BATTLE OF THE DOUGHNUTS, chocolate won THE BATTLE OF THE MILKSHAKES, butter won THE BATTLE OF THE TOAST TOPPINGS, salted peanuts won THE BATTLE OF THE PEANUTS, strawberry jam won THE BATTLE OF THE JAM, and flaky pastry won THE BATTLE OF THE PASTRY.