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A few weeks ago, I wrote about my top 10 favorite sandwiches in America, and asked you to share your picks. We got more than 50 responses, from shrimp po'boys in New Orleans to cheesesteaks in Philadelphia to Vietnamese bahn mi in Portland to something called the "Sloppy Irishman" in Ohio. I compiled the picks into this list, grouped very loosely by type (Italian next to Italian, seafood with seafood etc). So thanks for all the awesome suggestions! I don't know about you, but I feel a cross-country sandwich road trip coming on...
1. Cheesesteak from Primanti Brothers in Pittsburgh, PA
2. Cheesesteak from Pat's King of Steaks in Philadelphia, PA
3. Steak Chacarero, spicy, at Chacarero in Boston, MA
4. Pambazo at Autentica in Portland, OR
5. Cemita at Cemitas Pueblo in Chicago, IL
6. Midnight Cuban at Paseo in Seattle, WA (two votes)
7. Cuban from Dave's Fresh Pasta in Somerville, MA
8. Milano from The Italian Store in Arlington, VA
9. The Otto at Fraboni's in Madison, WI (two votes)
10. Porchetta sandwich from Porchetta in New York, NY
11. Italian Beef, wet, at Al's Beef in Chicago, IL
12. Godmother from Bay Cities Italian Deli and Bakery in Santa Monica, CA
13. Veal and Pepper at California Sandwiches in Toronto, ON
14. The Special at Gandel's Liquors in Washington, DC
15. Muffaletta at Napoleon House in New Orleans, LA
16. Oyster or Shrimp (or Oyster and Shrimp) Po-Boy at Domilese's Po-Boys in New Orleans, LA
17. Shrimp Po-Boy at The Galley, Metairie, LA
18. Ipswich Clam Burger at Bigelow's in Rockville Centre, NY
19. Lobster Roll at The Red Barn in Ghent, NY (two votes, not counting mine)
20. Grilled Grouper at Harbor Docks in Destin, FL
21. Tuna Niçoise at the Bread Peddler in Olympia, WA
22. Jambon Beurre from Farmstead Lunch in Providence, RI
23. Monte Cristo from Milton's in Del Mar, CA
24. Monte Cristo from the HMS Bounty in Los Angeles, CA
25. Pork Bun from Momofuku Ssam Bar in New York, NY
26. Baoguette Bahn Mi at Baoguette in New York, NY
27. Saigon Bacon Banh Mi at Best Baguette in Portland, OR
28. BLT on Rye at Zingerman's Delicatessen in Ann Arbor, MI
29. BLB at Meat Cheese Bread in Portland, OR
30. The Fat Darrell, various locations around Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ
31. Sloppy Irishman at The Irish Pub in Massillon, OH
32. Parmageddon at Melt Bar and Grilled in Lakewood, OH
33. Beef on Weck at All Star Sandwich Bar, Cambridge, MA
34. Maid Rite at various locations in Wisconsin and Iowa
35. Roast Pork at DiNic's in Philadelphia, PA
36. Pork Shoulder at Smoky Jon's in Madison, WI
37. Pork and Fries at Earl's Sandwiches in Arlington, VA
38. Pork and Beef BBQ at LC's BBQ in Kansas City, MO
39. Burnt Ends at Blue Ribbon BBQ in Newton, MA
40. Garlic and Thyme Roasted Pork at Watershed in Decatur, GA
41. Fried Chicken Sandwich at Bakesale Betty in Oakland, CA
42. Coney Dog with cheese and onions at Skyline Chili in Cincinnati, OH
43. Patty Melt at Mic Duck's, Chicago, IL
44. Crown Burger at Crown Burgers in Salt Lake City, UT
45. Reuben Sliders at Kenny and Zuke's in Portland, OR
46. Pastrami on Rye at Katz's Delicatessen in New York, NY (four votes)
47. Jewish Hoagie at Koch's Deli in Philadelphia, PA
48. Corned Beef Special at Hymie's Deli in Philadelphia, PA
49. The Natte at Hungarian Deli in New York, NY
50. Market Fried Egg sandwich at Gateway Market in Des Moines, IA
51. Grilled Vegetable at Village Baker in Bend, OR
52. Five Easy Pieces at Littlejohn's in Charlottesville, VA
53. Chicken Salad Sandwich at Tomato Jam Cafe in Asheville, NC
54. Fern's Problem Solver at Hi Rise in Cambridge, MA
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3-16-2009 @10:40AM PaniniKathy said... Fantastic list! Glad to see at least one in my backyard and a few others on our road trip path at the end of the summer.
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3-16-2009 @11:06AM V said... so glad to see Bakesale Betty's on there!
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3-16-2009 @11:00AM yatesy said... only tourists really go to pats/genos. there are a million fantastic cheesesteak places in philly that top those 2 joints. residents only go after 2 am after drinking. seriously!
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3-16-2009 @11:29AM Bear said... Oh nuts. I didn't see the initial call for submissions... otherwise I would have sent in the Old Fashioned, a grilled pastrami sandwich made with the most succulent hand-smoked pastrami you've ever had in your life, complete with handmade condiments, at Details minibar and lounge in Columbus, OH.
Want one right now!!!
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3-16-2009 @12:27PM Amanda said... This list is full of amazing eateries & their great sandwiches. I am now craving one of Pat's freaking delicious cheesesteaks. If only I didn't live practically 1000 miles away!
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3-16-2009 @12:59PM Pyrofish said... I wish I would have known Sea Harvest in New Smyrna Beach, Fl had reopened when you called for it originally. They have the honest-to-goodness-best grouper sandwich around.
I have to agree about Pat's Cheese steaks being a tourist spot though. I grew in New Jersey in the south, and just about any cheese steak in South Jersey blows Pat's away. Of course, a South Jersey cheese steak has onions, mushrooms, and sweet peppers, and real Italian cheeses depending on the place. None of that wiz garbage.
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3-16-2009 @3:49PM nina said... i havent had a really good sang-which since i moved from NYC to Miami, Fl.........boohoo nm
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3-16-2009 @4:45PM ALB said... The Natte at Hungarian Deli in New York, NY
Where is the Hungarian Deli? I can't find it!
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3-16-2009 @4:50PM SaraFist said... The Reuben SLIDERS at Kenny & Zuke's?!? Why not the damn Reubens?
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3-16-2009 @9:34PM sean said... OMG. My parents live near Lakewood and I have never heard of The Melt Bar and Grill. But I am going to try the Parmageddon the next time I am home. Perogies, kraut, onions and cheese on a sandwich?!? Sold :)
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3-16-2009 @11:36PM chef said... I am sadden to see no one from Phoenix wrote in to say: Pane Bianco's ( http://www.pizzeriabianco.com/pane/index.html ) Tuna with Red Onion, Gaeta Olives, Lemon & Arugula
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3-17-2009 @1:22AM EZ said... In Phila, Pat's and Geno's are definitely overrated. Try Jim's on South or Dalessandro's on Wendover. Also, DiNics should be top five at least. The roast pork, Italian pulled pork, and brisket are amazing!
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3-17-2009 @7:38AM robotrock said... lots of those links aren't working (#29 as an example)
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3-17-2009 @9:10AM mojin said... My favorite sandwich anywhere is a Muffuletta from Central Grocery in New Orleans.
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3-17-2009 @9:38AM dan said... Beef on Weck from Schwabl's in Buffalo, NY
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3-17-2009 @10:34AM Brian said... as someone who has lived in pittsburgh their whole life i cant support primantis brother as number 1
completely overrated
not enough meat frenchfies that are never cooked with the slaw that just makes the bread soggy
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3-17-2009 @6:07PM Adam O said... What are you, kidding? The best Cubans are from Seattle and Massachusetts? Really? Try Cubans from top places here in Fla. -- Miami, Tampa.
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3-17-2009 @5:31PM Penni said... Love Tomato Jams in Asheville, NC! All their other stuff there rocks!
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3-17-2009 @1:03PM Bernie B said... Why is it so hard to find a good Reuben? =(
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3-17-2009 @4:21PM Charles Ferruzza said... Thanks for the terrific post, which inspired me to write my own for our food blog:
http://blogs.pitch.com/fatcity/2009/03/the_best_sandwiches_in_america.php
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