Sandwiches Invented in New Jersey

While watching an old episode of Man vs. Food Nation, food critic and comedian Adam Richman showed some awesome sandwiches from Jersey. Adam got us thinking: What sandwiches define New Jersey? We’ve asked the public for their advice and hit the road to find answers across the state.

Jerseyans take their sandwiches seriously!

New Jerseyians take their sandwiches seriously. How can you not with all the great delis in the state? Click any to enlarge.

Our Jersey Comfort Food Map – Growing Daily

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You keep sending – we keep going on road trips (and adding).

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Taylor Ham, Egg, and Cheese – Salt, Pepper, Ketchup (THEC-SPK)

While the debate of pork roll vs. Taylor Ham continues, there is no doubt that the breakfast sandwich is something near and dear to Jerseyans. We’re not here to get into any debate, and there’s plenty of debate, but here’s a video of a monster known statewide as the “King of THEC-SPK – we introduce you to Slater’s Deli in Leonardo, New Jersey. Now, you can get the legendary sandwich almost anywhere and get it on a roll or a bagel. We like the roll as the bagel tends to squish out the goods as you eat it. You will typically be asked to go to Salt Pepper Ketchup. Yes, please.

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The Jersey Sloppy Joe – West Orange, NJ

When you hear the term around the country, you think about the beef and Manwich combination. Not in Jersey. There are many combinations, but it’s basically a club sandwich made with sturdy bread, like rye, structured from the bottom up:

Ingredients: Level 1 – Bread, Meat, Cole Slaw, Cheese. Level 2 Bread, Meat, Coleslaw, Cheese. Level 3 – Bread, and don’t forget the Russian dressing!

The sloppy joe sandwich is a culinary staple in Maplewood and South Orange, NJ. It was created in the 1930s at Town Hall Deli. The deli owner traveled to Cuba, where he visited Sloppy Joe’s Bar and enjoyed a sandwich piled high with meat, cheese, coleslaw, and dressing. He enjoyed it so much that he recreated it back home, and the rest, as they say, is history.

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The Submarine Sandwich – Atlantic City, NJ

Look no further than the White House Sub Shop in Atlantic City, New Jersey, for the founder of the submarine sandwich. YES IT’S TRUE. Call it whatever you want: grinder, hoagie, hero, but at the White House, it’s a SUB. The White House Sub Shop was opened in October 1946 by Anthony Basile. Along with his Aunt Basilia and Uncle Fritz Sacco, the store became one of the most popular sub-shops in the country: a true Jersey classic and a must-visit destination.

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The Jersey Tomato Sandwich

Jersey is famous for its plump, thick, and delicious texture. So why not have the meat of the tomato on a sandwich? Jerseyans understand there is only one way to make this Jersey classic. You start with one ripe Jersey tomato. Slice it, think, and put it between two slices of plain white bread. Add a heap of classic mayo and a little salt, and you have the Jersey tomato sandwich—pure heaven. If you want to move from the classic, you can toast it, use multigrain instead of white, or add onion. But that will change the Jersey Classic to your own. Perfectly fine, IMHO.

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The Fat Sandwich – New Brunswick, NJ

The original fat sandwich can be credited to RU Hungry, just off the Rutgers Campus in New Brunswick. RU Hungry started as a grease truck operation at Rutgers New Brunswick in 1979. Their inaugural sandwich, the “Fat Cat,” daringly combined two cheeseburgers and french fries into one thick snack, saving students from pounding hangovers. RU Hungry has since scored a permanent storefront in New Brunswick, but it has often been copied. However, our hearts (and stomachs) go out to RU Hungry.

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The Italian Hot Dog – Newark, NJ

The Italian hot dog was invented in Newark in 1932 by Jimmy “Buff” Racioppi, founder of Jimmy Buff’s (Restaurant). There is a debate on whether ketchup is acceptable, but rest assured, this is one New Jersey iconic sandwich. The only question is whether it should be a single or a double. It’s hard to believe that it comes from one greased-up hotplate, but we can be sure: THIS IS PURE JERSEY. It is often imitated, but never the same as at Jimmy Buff’s.

Now it’s your turn. Vote in the Survey – Share your favorite.

Post your favorite below.

More History About New Jersey Foods

https://www.mrlocalhistory.org/category/foodie/

The #Jerseyfoodie Mr. Local History