Deli Sandwich - © chicagonow.com

What’s Your Favourite, Go-To Sandwich?

That’s a question that has as many answers as there are people who love sandwiches. I’m not talking about folks who have a sandwich now and then, or as a default lunch; I’m referring to those who consider a sandwich their first choice for any meal, preferring anything between two pieces of bread over conventional, plated foods…

Classic Grilled Cheese - © Kraft FoodsThe classic, beloved Grilled Cheese: Undisputed King of Sandwiches.

Chose a sandwich over a steak? I’ve done that. When the sandwich filling was something I loved. I almost cried the day I found out that a small, one-off sandwich shop in my neighbourhood was closing – pushed out of business by big chains like Subway and Quizno’s. I’ve never tasted anything else that could give their Chicken Salad a run for its bun.

My personal faves

I find it hard – if not impossible – to chose a single favourite sandwich. But the aforementioned Chicken Salad, on fresh, pillowy-soft light rye bread, is definitely in the top five. Then, there’s my beloved Croque Madame. Not exactly a sandwich you can conveniently pick up in your hands. But a heck of a sandwich, nonetheless. I have to confess a special fondness for Montreal Smoked Meat with big half-sour Dill Pickles on the side, But I have a slight but definite preference for the Classic Reuben, which features Corned Beef. Finally, my overwhelming choice, in homage to the barbecue tradition, is Pulled Pork. I love taking a whole butt off the smoker and nibbling on the bits of super-juicy meat and crispy skin that can be stolen off the fat cap. And I could drink the pan juices straight from a coffee mug.

What’s in YOUR sandwich?

A recent survey by YouGov.com revealed the top 15 most popular sandwiches in America. And I am happy (relieved?) that a few of my top Five choices are represented.

I’ll bet you can guess which classic sammy took first place… The Grilled Cheese, with a 79 percent likeability score lead the way. Followed closely by Grilled Chicken and Turkey on Whole Wheat, tied at 75 percent.

Next came Roast Beef on a Bun at 71 percent. Pork products represented by the BLT and Ham on Rye tied at 69 percent. Right on their tail was the classic Club, at 68 percent, county fair favourite Bacon on a Bun at 67, and Pulled Pork at 65 percent.

I was surprised to see Tuna Salad (64 percent) and Egg Salad (58 percent) coming in so low on the list. And I was shocked to find that my beloved Chicken Salad didn’t make the list at al!

The Meatball Sub – a staple in some regions – garnered only a 56 percent likeability score while the Reuben registered only a 48. And the French Dip took 15th place; another surprise, and a crying shame (if you ask me).

My take

I’ve already hinted at my views on those Top 15 sandwiches as chosen by the masses. But I have some additional specific notes to share.

First, you’ll note than the rundown I gave above totals only 14 Sandwiches. That’s because I wanted to accord the plight of the PB&J separate spotlight. It came in at a disappointing 56 percent on the likeability scale. If you’d asked me before I became a trained chef and was exposed to al the wonders of the sandwich world, I’d probably have ranged it right behind Grilled Cheese at the top of the list. I suspect that, had the surveyors included more kids in their subject base, the PB&J would have scored much higher!

Second, I would have immediately been suspicious of the survey’s bona fides if the ancient and venerable Grilled Cheese had NOT come out in first place. I mean, really! It’s the quintessential North American lunch (with a bowl of Tomato Soup on the side, of course).

Third, no mention at all of the Burger, the Hot Dog, or any sort of Sausage on a bun: This seems confirm that the masses agree with the food snobs, Mirriam-Webster and The Oxford that Burgers and Dogs are not true sandwiches. I’d enjoy a really a good debate on the matter. There are lots of websites that claim to settle the question once and for all, but I haven’t found any of their arguments convincing.

Get the whole story in fascinating detail

YouGov has posted the full report of its survey results on its own page. See what folks in your region chose as their faves!

~ Maggie J.