Food and drink

Who said American food was boring? Check out these regional sandwiches from across the country

Road tripping across the US, you don’t just get to savory the spectacular variety of scenery but also the cuisine. You shouldn’t miss these sandwiches.

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Greg Heilman

Update: Oct 14th, 2025 12:04 EDT

Traveling across the United States gives one the chance to take in the spectacular beauty of the nation’s varied landscapes. And while we all might be Americans, it also gives you the opportunity to meet people just as diverse.

Given the wide variety of immigrant communities across the United States and the melding of these cultures it should come as no surprise that there is an equally assorted cuisine.

But one dish that they all share in common is the sandwich. Albeit, everywhere from coast to coast, north to south, has a different take on how and what to serve on or between bread, as well as what kind of bread to use.

The list is endless but here is a look as some of the iconic American sandwiches and where you can find the best ones for taking your tastebuds along for the journey too.

California veggie sandwich

Born out of the Golden State’s year-round bounty of fresh produce, and the health food trend beginning in the 1970s, this ‘hippie sandwich’ has spread far beyond California. This layered sandwich served on crispy bread has piles of thinly sliced veggies with mainstays avocado, cucumber, and plenty of sprouts. Check out some of the top-rated places to try a California veggie sandwich in Los Angeles at Yelp.

Grouper sandwich: Florida

The Gulf Coast is known for its seafood, and one particular delicacy is grouper, which is also caught in the Atlantic. This white fish with flaky meat is ideal to serve up on a toasted bun, either blackened, fried or grilled, and can be topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, and tartar sauce or a garlickly aioli. McCool Travel went on a quest along the Florida Gulf Coast to find the best grouper sandwich. Here you’ll find a list of 14 that stood out from the crowd.

Hot Brown: Kentucky

Considered Louisville’s most legendary dish, hot brown is as much a part of Kentucky as bourbon and the Derby. It can trace its roots back to The Brown Hotel in the 1920s. Served warm on an open-faced sandwich made with thick, buttered toast, it is covered with sliced roast turkey, a creamy Mornay sauce, sliced tomatoes, and crispy bacon. The combination is then broiled together until bubbly and golden.

Check out some of the top-rated places to try a hot brown in and near Louisville at Yelp.

Hot chicken: Nashville

It is said that this spicy chicken specialty is best served with spite, at least that is how it apparently came to be created nearly a century ago in Nashville. Eater provides a list of the best places to find a hot chicken in its birthplace.

Italian beef: Chicago

Sweet home Chicago had a secret until The Bear let it out of the bag, Italian beef. This typical Windy City sandwich features thin slices of seasoned roast beef simmered in a rich broth and served on a Frech roll, perfect to soak up the au jus. It can be topped with either mild roasted green peppers or spicy giardiniera and as well some like to add provolone cheese or sausage. Eater provides a list of some of the local favorite joints to get your hands, and mouth, on one.

Lobster roll: New England

It wouldn’t be summertime in New England without having a lobster roll. Stuffed in a crisp, buttery, New England hot dog bun, the chucks of fresh lobster meat can be served hot with drizzled butter or cold, tossed with mayo. Check out this list of the ten best place to have a lobster roll at NewEngland.com provided by food and travel writer and author of Lobster Shacks: A Road-Trip Guide to New England’s Best Lobster Joints, Mike Urban.

Pastrami sandwich: New York City

While you can find pastrami pretty much anywhere these days, it’s worth the trip to New York to experience the real deal. The thinly sliced, cured and smoked beef pastrami, is typically served on rye bread. According to Eat This NY, what makes a one pastrami sandwich better than another is how the meat is stored (in a steamer) and how it is sliced (by hand).

Katz’s Delicatessen is one of the most iconic locales to enjoy a pastrami sandwich, but the outlet also mentioned Carnegie Deli and Mile End.

Philly cheesesteak: Philadelphia

Philadelphia is home to the iconic Philly cheesesteak. A combination of chopped or sliced griddle-fried meat and melted cheese it can be ordered with or without fried onions, no offense will be taken either way.

Residents of the City of Brotherly Love are passionate about which locale makes the best Philly cheesesteak and it truly comes down to one’s personal preference. Best to consult the extensive list provided by Eater to see which purveyor fits your liking.

Pimento cheese: Southern states

Known as the caviar of the South or the pâté of the South, pimento cheese is a creamy spread consisting of diced pimento peppers, mayonnaise, and shredded cheddar cheese. This Southern delicacy, which is served at the Masters Tournament, is usually served between slices of soft white bread and can be enjoyed in its traditional form or grilled.

Po’boy: New Orleans

Born out of a strike in the 1920s as legend has it, this ‘poor boy’ sandwich of the working class is beloved by all classes across New Orleans and beyond who’ve had the pleasure of enjoying one. There are a wide range of ways to savor a Po’boy as well as locales that serve them up, everyone has their favorite. Eater provides a list of some of the favorite Po’boy eateries in the Big Easy.