Meals in Minutes: America's Classic Sandwiches
Food historians generally agree that the sandwich gets its name from an 18th-century earl of Sandwich, John Montagu, but exactly how the lunchtime favorite came about is disputed. One commonly held belief is that the earl was so addicted to gambling he wouldn’t leave the table long enough to eat a proper dinner. Since he couldn’t be bothered with knife and fork and didn’t want to get grease on his cards, the earl asked the cook to put beef between two slices of bread. More likely is the version claiming that Montagu was so committed to his Cabinet post that he wouldn’t leave his desk.
Whatever the genesis, sandwiches became a beloved American institution with many classic regional variations, all with their own stories, histories, and fans. Although thousands of sandwiches are tinkered with every day, some are considered sacred and unalterable. Reubens, Sloppy Joes, Philly Cheese Steaks, Italians, and California sandwiches are associated with a particular region, city, or state, with several people claiming to be the originators. Whatever the history, they make for tasty, substantial, and easy meals.
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