The sandwich might be the perfect meal. You can hold it in your hands. It can be cold, hot or toasted. It can be healthy and green or dripping with melted cheese. You can even add a slice of bread in the middle to make it a double-decker. The combos are endless, and Americans have tried every combo you can imagine, plus a few more. But some sandwiches rise above the rest. This list highlights a few of those “legendary” sandwiches found outside the biggest cities in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. What take-out sandwiches would you add to the list?
1. Pennsylvania
Before you start… Of course, we recognize the Philly Cheesesteak as the undeniable king of Pennsylvania sandwiches. But you already knew that. Fewer people are aware of the local dominance of the Primanti Bros sandwich in Pittsburgh. We dare you to say no to this perfect combo: tangy coleslaw, French fries, your choice of fresh-cut deli meat and provolone cheese, packed between two slices of Italian bread. It’s a classic that you need to try for yourself.
2. New York
There is no shortage of innovation in New York. There is a sandwich for every diet, cuisine and bread and price point. Among all the new-fangled trends and high-priced bites, the classics still reign supreme in towns like Binghamton. Spiedies are part of the city’s identity, in the same way you may associate Maine with lobster or Philly with cheesesteaks. Spiedies are marinated meat in a sesame-topped hoagie roll. As you drive through Binghamton, you’ll see that the area is replete with pit barbecues and the air carries the tangy aroma of skewered chicken and pork. There are many places where you can order a spiedie, but the most popular is Spiedie and Rib Pit.
3. New Jersey
The Fat Cat is the ultimate “you know what I’m craving…” sandwich. A favorite in New Brunswick, this sandwich lives up to its name. Since the 1970s, the contents of this formidable sandwich include: two cheeseburgers, French fries, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise and ketchup, all crammed into a long roll. No matter how hungry you were when you ordered, you’ll be loosening your belt and smiling from ear to ear at the end. Many variations of the sandwich exist now, but the classic is the best way to start.
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