Whether you stack it high or keep it simple, National Sandwich Day lands on November 3rd, celebrating one of America’s most beloved lunch staples. Certainly, it’s one of mine.
I’ve often quipped that if I ever had to answer one of those time-honored social media quizzes — “If you could only eat one kind of food for the rest of your life, what would it be?” — my answer comes fast and sure:
Sandwich.
Breakfast sandwich. Lunch sandwich. Dinner sandwich.
The sides and condiments may change, but the centerpiece remains the same.
🥪 My Top 5 Favorite Sandwiches
(Cue the drumroll, Paul Shaffer…)
5️⃣ Schnitzel Burger — Stein, Leavenworth, WA
The “Stein Schnitzel Burger” turns a German classic into a full-on Bavarian-American mashup: crispy, breaded pork schnitzel as the patty, kohlrabi slaw, beer-mustard, and sometimes a fried egg. It’s rich, tangy, and hearty enough to make you want to yodel.
4️⃣ Fried Peanut Butter & Jelly — Level 1 Arcade, Gilbert, AZ
This is NEXT LEVEL, y’all. Crispy, gooey, nostalgic perfection — your choice of strawberry or grape jelly, served with a side of pixelated childhood.
3️⃣ Steve G’s Five Town Special — Chompie’s, Chandler, AZ
Oven-roasted turkey, bacon, avocado, Jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayo on multi-grain. A deli legend. Fresh, filling, and balanced — like a handshake between New York tradition and Arizona sunshine.
2️⃣ The Original Muffuletta — Central Grocery & Deli, New Orleans, LA
The heavyweight champ of cold sandwiches. A sesame-seeded loaf stacked with cured meats, sharp provolone, and that tangy olive salad that seeps into every layer. One bite and you hear brass bands.
1️⃣ The “Donnie” Cheesesteak — Calozzi’s Cheesesteaks, Seattle, WA
7016 E Marginal Way S, Seattle WA 98108
Massive, messy, and magnificent. Donnie wit + provolone. The first few bites don’t hit as hard as whiz, but that’s mercy — because the last few might just stop your heart (in the best way).
🥪 Honorable Mention
Breakfast Sandwich — Jax at the Tracks, Truckee, CA
Because sometimes, greatness is measured not by flavor, but by laughter.
My sister’s laugh is one of my favorite sounds — except when I’m the reason for it. We were on an EPIC Geocaching trip during the COVID years, and I was wildly underdressed for the Californian mountains. Shorts. In a snowstorm. (My bad.)
It was freezing outside, but due to restrictions, we either waited in the car or the cold. So, car it was. Hungry, sleep-deprived, and mildly grumpy, I ordered my breakfast sandwich with eggs over-easy — like I always do.
Big mistake. Huge.
One triumphant first bite later, the yolk exploded — all over my lap, my hands, and my goatee. I froze, mid-bite, yolk dripping, dignity gone. My sister? She lost it. Full-on cackling, tears streaming, half trying to help me clean up while choking on laughter.
That’s why this sandwich earns an Honorable Mention. Not for taste — though it was solid — but for the reminder that sometimes the messiest moments become the best memories.
#NationalSandwichDay
The sandwich is believed to be the namesake of John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, following the claim that he was the inventor of the sandwich. No matter who invented it, we celebrate every kind of sandwich.
While the modern sandwich is believed to be named after John Montagu, the exact circumstances of its invention and original use are the subject of debate. There is a rumor in a contemporary travel book titled Tour to London, by Pierre Jean Grosley, that formed the popular myth that bread and meat sustained Lord Sandwich at the gambling table. It is said that Lord Sandwich was a very conversant gambler and did not take the time to have a meal during his long hours playing at the card table. When hungry, he would ask his servants to bring him slices of meat between two slices of bread. This practice was a habit that was well known to his gambling friends who soon began to order “the same as Sandwich,” and from this, the sandwich was born.
N.A.M. Rodger, who wrote Sandwich’s biography, suggests that because of Sandwich’s commitment to the navy, politics, and the arts, the first sandwich was more likely to have been consumed at his work desk.
Before being known as sandwiches, the food seems just to have been called bread and meat or bread and cheese.
Types of Sandwiches
In the United States alone, we have some pretty delicious sandwich inventions. The cheesesteak and sloppy joe are American classics. Don’t forget the muffuletta or the Monte Cristo. We love our Po boys and grilled cheese, pork tenderloins, and po’boys, too. However, we can’t forget some of these other absolutely delicious options:
- BLT
- Club
- Dagwood
- French Dip
- Peanut Butter and Jelly
- Pilgrim
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL SANDWICH DAY
Go out for a sandwich with a friend! Or bring your favorite sandwich to your friend. At least, use #NationalSandwichDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL SANDWICH DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this tasty food holiday. However, John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, was born on November 3, 1718. My dear friend, Kayla Greene on November 3rd, [the year of the Lord is omitted for privacy]
🥪 Final Bite
Sandwiches aren’t just food — they’re memories between slices. They travel well, comfort better, and somehow manage to show up at every stage of life. From road trips to tailgates, lunch breaks to late nights, there’s always one waiting to be unwrapped.
Maybe that’s why I love them so much. They’re simple, sure — but also endlessly adaptable. Much like life, really: what you put between the bread makes all the difference.
So here’s to the classics, the experiments, and the ones that leave you laughing in the front seat of a rental car.
PS –
Sandwich FAQ
Q. How do I keep my sandwich from getting soggy when I pack it for lunch?
A. Spread a little bit of butter on each slice before adding the other ingredients. The butter will act as a barrier to prevent moisture from the other ingredients from making your bread soggy. Other options include:
- Pack the juicer ingredients (like tomatoes) separately and add them to your sandwich at work.
- Choose a sturdier bread to make your sandwich.
- Add a layer of lettuce, bean sprouts or cheese to act as a barrier between the bread and the juicier ingredients.
Q. How can I spice up my sandwich routine?
A. Visit your local deli and try different meats and cheeses for your sandwiches. Skip the iceberg lettuce and mix it up with butterhead, romaine, arugula, or radicchio. You can also add seasonings to your spread. If you like mayo, add some garlic, lime juice, and sriracha for something different. Substitute the mayo for avocado seasoned with a garlic herb mix.
Q. Are there other sandwich days on the calendar?
A. Yes! Check out these tasty holidays:
los, Fil-Am Renaissance Man 