Black Pig Pork Sandwich in London
Recently, while sitting across from two friends eating lobster rolls at Ditch Plains in NYC, we got on the topic of our favorite sandwiches. Some hot- some cold- some grilled- some griddled. All had a few things in common; great bread and a great memory.
Thank you all for your passionate responses about your favorite sandwiches!
My Top 4 in no particular order:
Sandwich: Shawarma Sandwich
Location: Pita Plus
City: Aventura, FL
Testimonial: “A SERIOUS sandwich.”
Sandwich: Turkey Sandwich
Location: The Cheese Shop
City: Lawrence, KS
Testimonial: “It feels like a homemade sandwich your mother would make.”
Sandwich: The “Max”- Skirt Steak Sandwich
Location: Player’s Grill
City: Highland Park, IL
Testimonial: The best steak sandwich, hands down.
Sandwich: Egg Sandwich
Location: Pinnacle
City: NYC, NY
Testimonial: “yes, you can get this on every corner in NYC and it is JUST an egg sandwich, but this one is made to perfection- no joke. The bagel, the cheese placement, etc.
THE TOP 5’s:
1.) Sandwich: Reuben
Location: Zingerman’s
City: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Testimonial: “Amazing”
2.) Sandwich: (Personal Creation; black forest ham and peppered turkey)
Location: Guigni’s Grocery
City: St. Helena, CA
Testimonial: “… it’s a local favorite.”
3.) Sandwich: Steak Sandwich
Location: Mooncake Foods
City: NYC, NY
Testimonial: “Mooncake’s is a tiny dive that serves quality and fresh food fast and for cheap (hard to find in SoHo).”
4.) Sandwich: Bahn Mi Sandwich
Location: Nicky’s Vietnamese
City: NYC, NY
Testimonial:
5.) Sandwich: Turkey Sandwich
Location: Sunflower Sandwiches
City: Raleigh, NC
Testimonial: “The Perfect Turkey Sandwich….simple, but delicious.”
6.) Sandwich: Lobster Roll
Location: The Thirsty Whale Tavern
City: Bar Harbor, Maine
Testimonial: “Melts in your mouth. Warms the soul.”
7.) Sandwich: Rib Sandwich
Location: Fireplace Inn (stand at Wells Street Art Fair)
City: Chicago, IL
Testimonial: “The rib sandwich sitting in the sauce baking in the sun all day, only the street fair version.”
8.) Sandwich: Bratwurst
Location: The Brat Stop
City: Kenosha, WI
Testimonial: “Very simple… brat, mustard, kraut.”
9.) Sandwich: Rubin
Location: Manny’s Deli
City: Chicago, IL
Testimonial: “Having the best potato cake in the world next to it makes the whole meal better without a doubt.”
10.) Sandwich: Americanne Sub
Location: Capt’n Nemo’s
City: Chicago, IL
Testimonial: “Far and away the best sub sandwich in the universe.”
11.) Sandwich: Fried Chicken and Fried Catfish
Location: Jin’s Chicken and Fish
City: Madison, WI
Testimonial: “The combo of the homemade hot sauce and mayo is truly amazing.”
12.) Sandwich: Grilled Cheese Panini
Location: Blue Barn
City: San Francisco, CA
Testimonial: “Grilled cheese panini with manchego cheese, fig jam and prosciutto is perfect combo of sweet and salty. It’s extra delicious if they have blue cheese.”
13.) Sandwich: Croque Madame
Location: The Girl and the Fig
City: Sonoma, CA
Testimonial: “I’ve never had a bad croque madame, but the one at The Girl and the Fig is prob the best one I’ve had so far.”
14.) Sandwich: Open face, hot, corned beef sandwich
Location: Ponzio’s
City: Cherry Hill, NJ
Testimonial: “This place is nothing special, but the sandwich is worth the trip. I pretty much enjoy any sandwich with coleslaw on it…”
15.) Sandwich: Patty Melt Deluxe
Location: Waverly Restaurant (not Waverly Inn)
City: NYC, NY
Testimonial: “The best patty melt ever… and an onion ring on top.”
16.) Sandwich: Hot Pastrami
Location: Sarge’s Deli
City: NYC, NY
Testimonial:
17.) Sandwich: The Grandma’s Special
Location: Mama’s of Corona (aka Leo’s Latticini)
City: Queens, NY
Testimonial:
18.) Sandwich: The #5 (Breaded Chicken Cutlet)
Location: Sunrise Bagels
City: Montclair, NJ
Testimonial: “Breaded chicken cutlet, taylor ham, mozzarella cheese, and hands-down the best honey mustard in the entire world on a plain bagel… My friends and I went there so much in high school, they started giving us the honey mustard in huge tupperware bowls because we would ask for so much.”
19.) Sandwich: (Personal Creation; prosciutto, fresh mozz, roasted red pepper)
Location: Bari Foods
City: Chicago, IL
Testimonial: “… although most people love the Italian sub.”
20.) Sandwich: Meatball Sandwich
Location: Amatos
City: Chicago, IL
Testimonial: “Unbelievable! Even better if you get it on garlic bread but the garlic burps don’t leave you for a few days.”
21.) Sandwich: The “Max” Steak Sandwich
Location: Player’s Grill
City: Highland Park, IL
Testimonial: “Worth the drive from the city even w/ the current construction traffic.”
22.) Sandwich: Finger Lickin Chicken
Location: Goddess and The Grocer
City: Chicago, IL
Testimonial: “Mmmm…”
23.) Sandwich: Smokin’ Brisket
Location: Goddess and The Grocer
City: Chicago, IL
Testimonial:
24.) Sandwich: Roast Pulled Pork
Location: Cochon de Lait Po’ Boy
City: New Orleans Jazzfest Fairgrounds, LA
Testimonial: “Unbelievably good.”
25.) Sandwich: The Balboa
Location: Biedermans Deli
City: Plymouth, NH
Testimonial: “excellent sub shop/ bar, famous…”
26.) Sandwich: BBQ Beef
Location: Tony’s Subs
City: Deerfield, IL
Testimonial: “Legendary sub shop”
27.) Sandwich: Oaxacan Pork Sandwich
Location: Panes
City: Chicago, IL
Testimonial:
28.) Sandwich: Lobster Roll
Location: Shaw’s Oyster Bar
City: Chicago, IL
Testimonial: “…best lobster roll outside of the east coast.”
29.) Sandwich: The Bacon Loretta
Location: Sarkis
City: Chicago, IL
Testimonial:
30.) Sandwich: Italian Sub
Location: Bari Foods
City: Chicago, IL
Testimonial: “yum yum”
31.) Sandwich: Grilled Cheese
Location: The Ramova Grill
City: Chicago, IL
Testimonial:
32.) Sandwich: Corned Beef
Location: Manny’s Delicatessen
City: Chicago, IL
Testimonial: “ Does Corned Beef count? Put down Manny’s then. I think their corned beef is the shit- so good.”
33.) Sandwich: The Ham Loretta
Location: Sarkis
City: Chicago, IL
Testimonial:
34.) Sandwich: Roast Beef or Chicken Club or Pork
Location: Panes
City: Chicago, IL
Testimonial: “Obviously Panes…”
35.) Sandwich: Turkey Sandwich
Location: Bockwinkels
City: Chicago, IL
Testimonial: “ I get it on white toast… it is better than Brunswick…”
36.) Sandwich: Chicken Salad with Cheese
Location: Potbelly’s
City: Deerfield, IL (multiple locations in Chicago)
Testimonial: “Not gourmet, but always satisfying.”
37.) Sandwich: The Italian Sub
Location: Bari Foods
City: Chicago, IL
Testimonial: “A place where the andwichsis so good, people are willing to go out and find their own bread if the deli runs out *just* to have a sandwich that day.”
38.) Sandwich: Americanne Sub
Location: Capt’n Nemo’s
City: Chicago, IL
Testimonial: “The last good deal in great eating.” & “A little messy, but a lotta good… I just drove back NY from Chicago… I actually have 1 left, and will gladly offer it up to the top 5 gods if you come down here and grab it…”
39.) Sandwich: Fried and Grilled Polish
Location: Hot Doug’s
City: Chicago, IL
Testimonial: “… served on a perfect bun…. also a true plethora of 10 other unique sausages that will blow your head off.”
40.) Sandwich: Turkey BLT on White Bread
Location: Cellars (Chicago Board of Trade)
City: Chicago, IL
Testimonial: “…cut in squares and nicely tooth picked… only on Monday’s”
41.) Sandwich: The Tuesday Soy- Mustard Skirt Steak Sandwich
Location: Cellars (Chicago Board of Trade)
City: Chicago, IL
Testimonial:
42.) Sandwich: Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
Location: Cellars (Chicago Board of Trade)
City: Chicago IL
Testimonial:
43.) Sandwich: Fish Sandwich
Location: Cellars (Chicago Board of Trade)
City: Chicago, IL
Testimonial: “This is probably the most famous Cellar’s sandwich out there, and is piled to the ceiling with fried fish and tartar sauce.”
44.) Sandwich: Roast Lamb on Ciabatta
Location: Milano Market
City: NYC, NY (B’way b/t 112th & 113th)
Testimonial: “When I’m feeling ambitious, I’ll ask them to melt a little brie or gorgonzola on the lamb before putting it on the sandwich: Taste of heaven.”
45.) Sandwich: Ham & Fresh Mozzarella Sandwich
Location: Tony’s Beechurst Deli
City: Whitestone, NY
Testimonial: “A childhood deli favorite turned obsession!”
46.) Sandwich: Lampredotto Sandwich
Location: Downtown Florentine Trippaios
City: Florence, Italy
Testimonial: “Trippaios are NYC hot dog stands’ distant cousins- mobile carts selling hot, compact meals for a bargain.”
47.) Sandwich: California Sunrise Bagel Sandwich
Location: College Town Bagels (aka “CTB”)
City: Ithaca, NY
Testimonial: “Visiting my sister during her college days at Cornell wouldn’t have been complete without this breakfast favorite…”
48.) Sandwich: Madras Curry Chicken Sandwich
Location: Back in the Day Bakery
City: Savannah, GA
Testimonial: “… home of the memorable Madras Curry Chicken Sandwich:, my #5.”
49.) Sandwich: Muffuletta
Location: Central Grocery
City: New Orleans, LA
Testimonial: “Everybody knows Central Grocery…”
50.) Sandwich: The GODMOTHER
Location: Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery
City: Santa Monica, CA
Testimonial: “After you add the oil and vinegar (or Italian dressing) and the hot peppers (a necessity) the sandwich becomes quite unruly. And by unruly I mean absolutely delicious.”
51.) Sandwich: Croque Monsieur
Location: Le Balto Cafe
City: Paris, France (Rue de Buci)
Testimonial:
52.) Sandwich: The Uni Sandwich
Location: El Quinto Pino
City: NYC, NY
Testimonial: “The uni sandwich at El Quinto Pino should be added!!”
53.) Sandwich: Turkey on Baguette
Location: Larchmont Wine and Cheese
City: Los Angeles, CA
Testimonial: “Done and done.”
54.) Sandwich: The GODMOTHER
Location: Bay Cities Italian Deli and Bakery
City: Santa Monica, CA
Testimonial: “…extra spicy.”
55.) Sandwich: Cuban Sandwich
Location: Sury’s Cafe
City: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Testimonial: “This is the best Cuban sandwich in South Florida. The pork is roasted onsite and is deliciously garlicky…. This place is easy to miss because it’s just a counter that you walk up to on the side of the road…”
56.) Sandwich: Fish Sandwich
Location: Buffalo Joe’s
City: Evanston, IL
Testimonial: “I will have to think about this. I am thinking, perhaps, of Buffalo Joe’s fish. Their main sandwich has 2 thick slices of perfectly battered and deep fried fish on a soft bun with mayo, lettuce and tomato… Let me know the next time you are in town. I will buy you one.”
57.) Sandwich: Falafel Sandwich
Location: L’As de Falafel
City: Paris, France (Marais Neighborhood)
Testimonial: “Freshly made falafel balls with the right mix of middle eastern spices and fried to caramel brown perfection… One of the best falafel sandwiches in the world and a welcome break from the ham and butter on baguettes in Paris.”
58.) Sandwich: Original Chicken Sandwich
Location: Chick-fil-A
City: (Multiple Locations)
Testimonial: “Hmmmm, wow. Don’t laugh- my favorite sandwich is the original Chicken Sandwich at Chick Fil A…..LOL”
59.) Sandwich: (Personal Creation; pesto,tomato,turkey OR brie,tomato,pesto)
Location: Antico Noe
City: Florence, Italy
Testimonial: “… located in this little tunnel on the streets of Florence. It is hidden away and is tiny tiny tiny (only about 4 people can fit inside at a time and everyone else stands under the tunnel to wait to order and for their sandwiches… the turkey was so good we asked the wife to roast us a turkey for our Passover dinner and she did!”
60.) Sandwich: Vietnamese Bahn Mi
Location: Hanco’s
City: Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, NY
Testimonial: “chicken is my fav… very fresh, very special, bread is warm and crusty on outside but moist and chewy on the inside and they are all under $5.”
61.) Sandwich: Turkey Sandwich
Location: Jungle Grill
City: College Park, MD
Testimonial:
62.) Sandwich: Falafel Sandwich
Location: Moby Dick House of Kebob
City: Gaithersberg, MD (various locations around Washington DC)
Testimonial:
63.) Sandwich: Lobster Salad OR Roast Beef Sandwich
Location: The Whale’s Rib
City: Deerfield Beach, FL
Testimonial: “they come with the BEST fries in the world – sorta like potato chips but thicker…delicious! To be eaten on the beach and good with just a bit of sand 
”
64.) Sandwich: The “fertility twister”
Location: Drop By Gourmet
City: New City, NY
Testimonial: “Egg salad, dill, olives. Amazing.”
* GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN:
Sandwich: Beef Sandwich
Location: Po Boy’s
City: Champaign-Urbana, IL
Testimonial: “At this moment we will pay tribute to the ultimate Sandwich: joint ever. Po Boy’s at University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. Gone but not forgotten by every human that ever came into contact with Po Boy’s is the famous polish, beef, or pork sandwich. All three covered in the secret recipe dirty spicy bbq sauce and served on white bread with potato salad and a “pop” for a drink. Long live you Mr. Po Boy where ever you are now. Amen.
Sandwich: Buff Chick Sandwich
Location: Dewey’s
City: Champaign, IL
Testimonial: “… sadly no longer available, best buffalo chicken sandwich, served with ranch & onions. Add side of Dewey Dough for perfect meal.”
Sandwich: Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
Location: All-Star Café
City: Orlando, FL (Disney World)
Testimonial: “It has recently come to my attention that one of the greatest buffalo chicken sandwiches in history is no longer available…”
LATECOMERS:
65.) Sandwich: The Saigon Salmon Sandwich
Location: Fish
City: Sausalito
Testimonial:
66.) Sandwich: Meatloaf Sandwich
Location: Cold Comfort
City: Chicago, IL
Testimonial:
67.) Sandwich: Spicy Chicken
Location: Wendy’s
City: Hwy 41 Overpass (multiple locations)
Testimonial:
68.) Sandwich: (Personal Creation)
Location: Benvenuto
City: NYC, NY
Testimonial: “They make amazing sandwiches…all the ingredients are lined up and you pick what you want.”
69.) Sandwich: Crispy Drunken Chicken Baguette
Location: Baguette Box
City: Seattle, WA
Testimonial: “… amazing.”
70.) Sandwich: Poor Boy
Location: Merichka’s
City: Crest Hill, IL
Testimonial: “The Poor Boy from Merichka’s is unbelievably good and you have to get it with garlic “butterine”!!! Many have claimed it is the best poor boy they have even tasted.”
71.) Sandwich: “Mustang Sally” (Roast beef, Santa Fe turkey (slightly spicy), pepper jack cheese and homemade honey mustard
Location; Grateful Deli (now called Big Slick’s)
City: North Miami, FL
Testimonial:
