Some Sandwich fun!

Fun Facts/History

Who invented the Sandwich? Well, good question! Today's "sandwich" is named after John Montague, the fourth Earl of Sandwich. John was an eighteenth-century English diplomat. He loved playing cards. In fact, he loved playing so much that he disliked interruptions from his game. Especially anything as mundane as lunch. (And he hated greasy playing cards.) He would have his servants place meat between slices of bread so that he could eat with one hand and still hold his playing cards in the other. Hence the name sandwich came into being.

(pic of John sans cards or sammy)

The Sandwich Islands, now known as the Hawaiian islands, were named in honor of the Earl by Captain John Cook after their discovery by the English on January 18th, 1778. Luckily for us, that name did not stick. Stating that you are taking your wife to the "Big Island of Sandwich" does not sound nearly as exotic or romantic as "Hawaii."

Ok, so there's how the sandwich got it's name. However, it's origins go way back. Way before Mr. John "Dont get mustard on my ace of spades" Montague was ever in the picture. The first form of sandwich is attributed to the ancient Jewish sage Hillel the Elder,

(picture of Hillel, prior to getting his grub on)

who is said to have put meat from the Paschal lamb and bitter herbs inside matzo (or flat,unleavened bread) during Passover. The filling between the matzos served as a reminder to Israelites of their forced labor constructing Egyptian buildings. For this reason, Romans referred to the meal as a "cibus Hilleli," or Hillel's Snack.

During the Middle Ages, thick slabs of coarse bread, called "trenchers", were used as plates. After a meal, the food-soaked trencher was sometimes fed to the family dog. Trenchers were the precursors of open-face sandwiches.

(Happy "trencher" fed dog during the middle ages.)

Sandwich Classics History

The Classic Club: An all-American invented in the late 19th century, most likely at the Saratoga Club in New York.

(Our Tastybox Club is a customer favorite!)

The Cuban: (Roasted pork, ham, Swiss, mustard, pickle) Also known as the "Mixto", this sandwich originated in the City of Ybor circa 1900, and was a popular lunch for the sugar mill and cigar factory workers in Cuba. (Try our Mojo Jojo for a twist on this classic!)

Monte Cristo: (Ham, Turkey, Swiss, batter dipped, grilled or fried bread.) An American version of the Croque Monsieur. It's US origins are disputed between the Brown Derby restaurant in LA circa 1940, to the Blue Bayou restaurant in New Orleans Square. (No dispute that our Mi Monte is a great deli version of this sandwich!)

Italian Submarine: Some believe this term originated from a restaurant in Scollay Square in Boston, MA. The "Sub" was created to entice the Navy yard workers in for lunch. It was served on a small baguette intended to mimic the shape of the sub hulls which it was named after.

(Sandwich model in action)

This term is used widely across the US, but there are some regional names as well. (We call our Italian sub "Enzo's Favorite. aka: delicious!)

Poor boy or Po' Boy-New Orleans and Gulf Coast region.

Grinder-Mostly Midwest

Hero-New York, North Jersey

Hoagie-Philadelphia, South Jersey

Cosmo-North Central PA (Refers to an oven-toasted sub.)