I am disappointed with this list of candidates. There are other delis in NYC that I would take over Katz's. What about Rutgers' grease truck (my alma mater)or Cornell's hot truck? Nothing hits the spot like one of those sandwiches. Of course, make sure your cardiologist is nearby. While I have never had the pleasure of eating a primanti, I have heard nothing but good things.

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While I really enjoyed seeing the pictures of the muffuleta, I feel left out cuz I've never had any of these! And really, who HAS had all of them except the folks affiliated iwth the show?

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I'm sure that I'm biased by having worked there, but the #7 at Zingerman's Deli in Ann Arbor is probably my all-time favorite sandwich:

Turkey Breast, Brie (or Zingerman's Creamery's soft-ripened Manchester), mustard, and grilled onions on farm bread.

It includes just about all of the flavors and textures you can put into a sandwich: the turkey and onions are sweet, the brie savory, the bread sour, and the mustard spicy.

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Just about anything at Pane Bianco, the sandwich shop owned and operated by Christopher Bianco of Pizzeria Bianco fame.

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Hands down, the most interesting and tasty Muffaletta, and I make the best.

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I don't know either how Primanti's was left off... my favorite sandwich is actually a homemade recipe that I found at thepioneerwomancooks.com called Marlboro Man's Favorite Sandwich. It is a rough and tumble French dip that is almost as addicting as its namesake's best selling product

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The "Back In The Saddle" at Companion Bakery in St. Louis is pretty great; roast beef, cucumber, thinly sliced red onion and horseradish mayonnaise on a crusty baguette. The smoked salmon club sandwich at Hattie's Hat in Seattle is another favorite.

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Zingerman's deli in Ann Arbor Michigan has the best sandwiches ever. I always get the Gemini Rocks the House, which is frech mozzarella, tomatoes, and pesto on farm bread. Sounds plain enough, but the ingerdients are frech and made that day, even the cheese! Highly recommend Zingermans!!!

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I love Primanti Bros. I didn't realize it was so well known!

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The Longhorn at Whole Foods in Austin, TX: House roasted beef on Focaccia bread with mixed greens, grilled onions, grilled red peppers and some amazing mayo-esque spread, all grilled up and hot.

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"And, where are the options for vegetarians? I can't believe that there's not some amazing sandwich out there constructed of greens, cheese and eggplant."

*snrrrk*

Sorry...sorry. I know there's lots and lots of truly incredible vegetarian fare out there, but the veg sandwich has no place in this pantheon of meaty goodness. Maybe there'll be a side-contest for the best vegetarian sandwiches. I'm fairly sure the more violent meat-eaters would revolt if a veg sandwich won a competition filled with meat.

Also, GO CHICAGO!

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That Philly Cheesesteak BLT looks amazing.

Also, that is serious pastrami.

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Fat Darrell at Grease Trucks .. Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ .. hands down ...

Go R U !!!! :D

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I hate these things. There could be a sandwich that was so good it actually made you cry, but if it was in Iowa, Idaho, Oklahoma, etc, it would never be up on one of these things.

I'm voting for the beef Bahn Mi from Quang in Minneapolis. So, so good.

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My Uncle Gary's " Everything but the Kitchen sink sandwiches are a slam dunk"
http://noshtalgia.blogspot.com/2007/01/uncle-garys-everything-but-kitchen-sink.html

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Cheers to them for choosing a real lobster roll and not one of those mayo-laden piles you find at Quincy Market in Boston.

I'm surprised to not see a Club or a BLT on here. What could be more American than a classic BLT?

@ 11 -- Cute, very cute... vegetarians are wimpy and lame, yes, thanks a lot. Ever had a really good caprese sandwich (fresh tomato, fresh basil, buffalo mozzarella, and olive oil) or, for that matter, a good grilled cheese? Those are both very American and belong on the list, too. And very vegetarian.

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it is basically criminal that both Primanti bros and rutgers grease trucks are not on here (personally i like the fat moon)

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As a Philadelphian myself, I can verify that no one has ever had the Cheesesteak BLT at Vesuvio. It looks damn good, but I don't know anyone who has ever tried it and I've been to Vesuvio's at least a handful of times. I was pretty surprised when I saw the list, out of all the great Philly sandwich shops, Vesuvio never crossed my mind. I think I would go with the hot roast pork w/ sharp Prov and broccoli Rabe at John's Roast Pork...

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good topic - sandwiches are easily my favorite food after sushi and mexican!

and this is going to sound crazy... but my favorite sandwich I've ever had is the turkey club panini at the ralph's (grocery store, FYI, for those who don't have them) near my house.

usual suspects - turkey (really good, fresh roasted deli turkey) bacon, lettuce, tomato, mayo, swiss - but also with avocado.

I don't know what it is, but I had 10 in two weeks after the first time I tasted it. my guess is it's partly the bread, which is divine on its own, and also that particular turkey.

feel free to think I am a totally uneducated foodie ;) but I swear those things are like crack sandwiches to me.

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@ #14 -
If you like the bahn mi at Quang's, I reccommend trying it at the Jasmine Deli - best two dollar sandwich I have, or ever will, taste.

Granted, I'm a vegan and have never had their meat bahn mis, but my omni friends enjoy them. I prefer the mock duck, myself.

Alas, an Eastern sandwich apparently is not American enough to make it on the list.

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